Totally Tai Tai Tea November 5, 2009

Courtesy of TWG Tea

At some point, I was bound to try “the other tea label” that is also creating ripples in the tea world. Yes, after all the Gryphon evangelizing, it is only fair that I also make mention of the other hip tea label that everyone is talking about – TWG Tea.

The first time I ventured into its Salon & Boutique at Ion Orchard, it was packed to the brim, very noisy, and the air-conditioning didn’t seem to be working. With my claustrophobic tendencies, I fled the place immediately. However, the next visit there was done on a rainy weekday morning (perks of not being a “normal working person”) where the very polite (and probably Filipino) tea connoisseurs were very patient in letting me sniff around their “tea library” (of about 1,000 flavours!). It really did feel like being at a wine vineyard.

But anyway, back to the teas themselves, which were served in gleaming gold tea pots – I had a T803 Houjicha Green Tea and a T6112 White Knight Tea (“noble mélange of Formosa oolong with white tea delicately scented with the fragrance of grand orchids”) – both very light, smooth blends which went very well with my scrumptious madeleine, scone and muffin brunch. I bought a box of T6009 Alexandria teabags (“green tea subtly scented with Mediterranean mint and vanilla”) home and just had a cuppa today. I really like the vintage feel of TWG’s hand sewn cotton tea bags but am slightly perturbed by Alexandria’s Colgatey flavour.

The verdict: I think TWG Tea and Gryphon are very different from each other, though I do get the sense that they see each other as direct competitors since they are both from Singapore and possess similar blends. It’s hard to separate TWG tea products from its retail and dining concepts and put together, it’s a very classy brand that has very prettily portrayed the romanticism of tea.

It is perhaps a little too fancy for plebian me -  I really don’t know where to start with such an endless range of flavours and all that gold in their boutique/salon makes me feel slightly uneasy, as if the opulence is compelling me to make utterances like “delightful” and “splendid” (and yes, “scrumptious”). But most definitely, it’s a tea that I’ll turn to when I’m in a princessy mood or just feel like fantasizing what it’s like to be a lady of leisure.

Gross, is everyone here for Gaiman? November 2, 2009

My friend J. overheard this conversation at the Singapore Writer’s Festival book signing session of Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer and in her own words, “suddenly felt very old”.

Girl A: I don’t know why everyone is here for Neil Gaiman? I just looove Amanda Palmer. She is waaaay cooool.
Girl B: Oh my god! What if when we get to the front, it’s just Neil Gaiman? I mean, gross, I don’t want his autograph. I only want Amanda to sign my book.
Girl A: Let’s check with the organisers. Maybe we can jump the queue since we just want Amanda’s autograph?
Girl B: You are like, so, practical, Tricia. God, that’s why I love you! You’re so fucking radical.

You know when someone is below the age of 20 when they use vulgarities in the least pressing and most trifle of circumstances.

Realisation: Amanda’s Palmer website is titled “Amanda F***ing Palmer”.

At this point November 1, 2009

I think I have tried
But it has not been enough
For you deserve more

Favourite Jazz Lines October 28, 2009

All that jazz

Inspired by a friend’s FB status update: “Suddenly aware of how whimsical this line is: Fly me to the moon, and let me play among the stars”.

In no particular order, the lines that have haunted me:

In llama land, there’s a one-man band and he’ll toot his flute for you – Come fly with me
I feel like I’m clinging to a cloud – Misty
When we said our first hello, little did we know – Strangers in the Night
You haunt me with reveries of days gone by – In My Solitude
I feel your face in every flower, your eyes in stars above – The Very Thought Of You
Carry moonbeams home in a jar – Would You Like to Swing on a Star
It’s still the same old story, the fight for love and glory, a case of do or die – As Time Goes By
Unphotographable, yet you’re my favourite work of art – My Funny Valentine
She loves the free, fresh wind in her hair – The Lady is a Tramp
Where my heart can go journeying, over the shadow and the rain to a blossom-covered lane – Skylark
Update: Just thought of another one – Do I love you because you’re beautiful, or are you beautiful, because I love you? – Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

Ok, I am officially a sop.

Dear Daniel… October 24, 2009

Daniel, My Direction Guru

I have to admit I was a little suspicious of you initially, just like I am of every new technology that is introduced into my life. However, you have really been of great help to me. Yesterday, you really did good as I took on chauffeuring duties for a friend who was visiting. We needed to run assorted errands which essentially took us to all four corners of the island without a hitch. This is something I would never have been able to do, nor would I have ever dared to do if I did not receive such clear guidance from you.

I even wrote a little tribute to you here. By the way, this was when you had that Ah-gua, shrill American Female voice, but now, with your mellow British Male intonations, you no longer are startling, but a calming voice of reason. Just to clear that up in case you felt I was being derogatory.

Thank you! I appreciate having you in my life.

Yours gratefully,

M.

White Tea Christmas October 21, 2009

A pretty red paper bag was delivered to my house today – inside were two boxes of Gryphon’s latest white teas – White Gingerlily and Nymph of The Nile, the latter flavour being mentioned during an earlier interview with Gryphon’s CEO.

I’m drinking BOTH of them now as I write this (it’s been a hectic week) and these are my immediate impressions:

White Gingerlily (Organic White Peony Tea with Thai Galangal Root and Lemongrass):
I had actually drunk this 2 weeks before at Marmalade Pantry while waiting for D. to finish a photoshoot in town and found it a little strange. I’ve drank ginger infusion drinks before, but definitely not this type of ginger. However, the citrus-piney flavour of the lemongrass-galangal root combination also gave an impression of “cleansing” so psychologically, I felt mildly detoxed after that. Second time round, I think the taste really does grow on you (and keeps one AWAKE). It would be a perfect accompaniment to a spicy bowl of seafood tom yam glass noodles.

Nymph of the Nile (Organic White Peony Tea with Persian Rose and Egyptian Basil):
Interestingly, there’s a very strong “grapey” fragrance to this tea even though there’s no fruit in this concoction. Smells like the Little Twin Stars grape-flavoured sweet that we used to get at birthday parties? Overall, I love this and so does my husband. White tea always had this “green grape” sort of flavour to me and the addition of basil and rose (from exotic origins even) just brings that natural white tea flavour out even more. It would probably match well with brandy-infused Christmas fruit cake in my opinion

These two spicy white teas may take some getting used to for some, but overall, it’s still good quality authentic white tea you’re getting, and these creative blends are getting me excited about the infinite possibliIites for tea flavours. GO TEA

Awesome alpacas October 16, 2009

Nom nom nom

I think my new favourite animal has to be the alpaca. They always make you laugh whatever they’re doing, which is usually not much. These guys really know how to chill (and with their South American lineage, this comes as no surprise). I saw a particularly well-groomed brown alpaca who looked like it had dreadlocks and a “Hey-mon-we-be-jamming” facial expression.

Also, from watching Evan Almighty, I learn that they spit too! A nice green glob at that. And apparently, they hum when they are content. Lovely.

I kind of want an alpaca poncho now.

Spiffy in Perth October 8, 2009

(L-R, top-bottom) Enjoying breakfast at Bunker’s Bay, feeling chilly in Freo, hanging out in a vineyard, making friends with the alpaca, relived to be out of the cave (claustrophobic), at the Perth Royal Fair with fellow stuff toys.

Flag this October 6, 2009

It’s amazing how two days of Singapore just swings you right back to busy-bee-dothis-dothat mode. However, refreshed buzzing is still better than pooped out flapping . You know that “pragmatic” is a severe underestimation of Singaporean practicality and efficiency when you see things like this:

Patriotic underwear

We thrive on simultaneous multifunctionality.

Drive through October 5, 2009

Road trip

I love long bus and car rides.
(with appropriately-timed toilet breaks)
 Mindless conversation/CD on repeat play/nutrionless snacking.
Random thoughts and “what ifs” whiz by 
(What would it be like to live on a farm with chocolate-coloured cows and avocado trees?)
The anticipation of something yet to be discovered
Gentle rocking that leads to eventual slumber
True rest at its best