First up, a photographic recap of recent events - or more specially, my magnificent weekend with friends, family, and excellent food. The toys also make an appearance.

When Malcolm told me he has never eaten a proper yumcha, my head nearly popped. It meant I had to take him as soon as I could. We made a booking for a popular restauraunt in the middle of the city.

What I love about yumcha is not just the food, but the whole atmosphere - it’s bustling activity, the shout of voices as people all try at once to get the attention of the carts. In contrast to all this activity, I always find the seafood tanks at the front of the restauraunt a little disconcerting. You know that they will be eaten that day, but for the brief moment you see them it is almost like they are in an aquarium instead.

We ordered everything from dimsum to peking duck to custard tarts to chicken feet to vegetable dumplings to calamari to pork buns to ….

I think Malcolm had a good day. Afterwards we went shopping (or more like window shipping). I took some photos in Kinokuniya but the security guard told me off.

The next day, I went to a picnic with old school friends. I have missed them tremendously, and it was a joy to get out our rugs, bring sweets and other foods, and just talk about our lives.

I used my skills from working as a sandwich hand to make some sandwiches for everyone. I recently discovered an amazing German bakery in the CBD, and I bought a bag of their bread.

Of course, being me, I brought some of my toys along for photos. The little guy in the bottom picture is my first Treeson. Isn’t he adorable?

After the picnic we wandered around the city, found some African stalls, and then went to Myer to play videogames.

A heart to heart.

Dear Tumblr,

I admit - I have been a bad tumblerette (tumbleler?). I have been on holidays for about two weeks, but have not updated this space with any new photos, new art or new thoughts. I’ve been stuck at home with laryngitis, with my camera, my drawing pad, and sewing machine within easy reach - but still nothing? I disappoint myself. Maybe I have become dull, and thus feel no need to update this space. Or maybe I’ve set myself too many rules when I started this blog that prevented me from saying anything. Maybe it’s also the strange comments I’ve been receiving. In any case, my fear and self consciousness stops here. I can’t make any promises to you, but I will make another effort to keep you posted with new photos and thoughts. I have so many great ideas, and knowing me, while they may only stay as ideas, I still want to share them with you. So don’t write me off yet.

x Sophiaton.

Bento Bento!

Maybe it’s the domestic house-wife in me talking, but I really want to learn how to make Bento boxes. I recently became obsessed with them while surfing Lucky Sundae’s Flickr (from which these photos are taken). I then started obsessively following Bento blogs, and looking at Bento books, and all the cute supplies I can buy. There is something so sweet and charming about making a Bento box for yourself or your friends. :)