Turtle soup

One of the uneventful days of the weekend, Friday I think, we had Japanese food from down stairs. It was less than a minute walk from the house. I had the sashimi platter and it reminded me of the shit I ate at Suki sushi in Cineleisure down Orchard road. Watery fish. Just terrible... Tastes just like defrosted raw filets. It's been black listed for me, I won't go there ever again.

Then again, we found that many of the places that we eat out were not as worth it as we thought. Ever since I came to Toronto, we've been eating our favourites at home. Sushi was made from the fish from Oriental harvest and Kensington market. Our American and European food was done by me. Our Singaporean comforts were done by both Ma and I. My went to a Swiss Chalet and walked out almost immediately after looking at the menu. They were all uncomplicated food that can be done at home.

This meant that there was only one place in the city we could eat at. Chinatown. None of us have skills for Xiao Long Bao or the full range of Dim Sum. Chinese bakeries still melt our hearts with their soft silky breads. And prices are always several dollars cheaper than the rest. (Except Hong Kong Island Bakery, I had under-baked bread and it spoilt my taste buds for over a week. Bitter...)

These few days the weather's been hot. Not as humid as Singapore, but still hot. I shouldn't be one to complain after knowing the weather back home. This gave me the chance to dress in the style of my home country. Shabby. An over sized, over worn shirt with a pair of shortened shorts and a casual bag around my shoulders. And nothing tops it off better than a pair of Havaianas. I chose not to go NUM today.

Having Ajisen in Toronto really reminds me of Taka. That's the only reason why I eat here. This place has the weirdest characters. Their floor manager wears a suit, every single day, walks around with the same hairstyle and has the same flustered-yet-tired tone and vibe that he carries for the day. I couldn't quite figure him out. He rather speaks Cantonese, but yet speaks Mandarin with a Taiwan accent. But he's definitely not Japanese. When a customer comes in or exits, he lets go of a weak 'mase', like emptying out a half deflated bagpipe. He sounded too tired or occupied to say the full 'Irasshaimase'. He sounds jaded at his 3 month of work.

I've been talking to Jie about this lack of social contact that I have. It's the reason why I hang on so dearly to my friends in Singapore. But after talking about it and thinking on a bigger scale, I realise that I will only be disappointed if I hold on to expectations of my friends. Life goes on after departures. Being remembered is the only thing I can wish for and be thankful if I really am. Everyone will make new bonds, have closer ones than those forged with me, or maybe even forget everything.

For those who watched 'Up In The Air', you will understand when I ask this question to myself. 'What's in my backpack?' Well, at this point of time, there's too many things in it. Soon, it's just going to be business cards, my knife kit with my ole sketch pad, and a seasoned photograph of the family. Travel light. You clear security faster that way.

So we'll see how this goes. For those who might notice a change to my attitude towards you, that's just me contemplating if I should have you in my backpack. Any who, you'll be remembered by that picture in my iPod. Yes, my Facebook friend.