Snippets of everything

Hello, I'm back again!

I know I haven't been entirely consistent with the updates on my blog, but well, it's always better late than never, isn't it? 

Can't believe it's the 4th academic week since I'm back here in Manchester.. Well, all I can say is that I've never been this busy during a first semester for uni, ever. On the brighter note, I dare to say that I'm actually quite liking the time pressure for deadlines related to coursework & so because this could only mean that I'm not really way behind my work. (Kudos to that, heh) 

So, apart from all uni-related work and my final year project, I've also been making some time to catch-up with my friends. I'd probably say this catch-up sorta thing only takes place on/after Friday onwards, not much of during my weekdays as I'm already so preoccupied with uni and my (quite) determined visits to the gym about at least three times a week. Hopefully this motivation of mine in attending lectures and going to the gym is going to last throughout this semester! 

Some say that during your final year, you have to use up all the time you have by going out regularly, staying out late with friends doing (fun) activities, attending social events or so; but in my opinion, I strongly feel that this kind of perception only applies to certain people as it's ultimately depending on individual preferences and priorities, of course. In fact, to me, I don't really think that I'm missing out a lot in my life just because I'm not going out as often as others or I don't really come out of my so-called cave, i.e. my apartment. 

Honestly speaking, I truly enjoy this space that I currently have as at times, I can be really tied up with uni work during beginning of the week, and towards the end of the week, I'll try to make an effort to update myself with my friends, have meals with them and also make time for myself in doing some therapeutic activities: shopping. Haha. I don't see this as a problem or what, instead, I take this phase as a journey and opportunity of discovering the things that I want in life, whether it is who I want to be, what I want and how I want things to be like for me along the way. 

I do believe that the outcome of everything in life depends solely upon the decisions that you make. Therefore, the opinion of what others think or see about how I'm using my time in doing all these quality things clearly do not affect or change my stance at all. This is exactly how I want my final year at Manchester to be like, and this will be how I'm going to live up to my time here as a final year undergraduate with no regrets at all *winks. 

Okay, enough about all these serious reflective talks. Hah. 

Time for some pictures!

- - -

Last weekend, the younger brother came over to Manchester for a 3D2N visit. So, I took the chance to plan our meal out. The first night that he arrived, I brought him to Umezushi, one of the legit places for Japanese cuisine in Manchester, heh. For those of you who don't know about this, it's quite rare to find a really good Japanese restaurant here in Manchester, unlike in London! So yup.

Wakame salad. Something that I always order whenever I come to Umezushi.

Four slices of every type of raw fish since there were four of us during the dinner :)

The o-toro wasn't really as good as what I've always had in Malaysia or elsewhere, but well, since this is Manchester, I wouldn't say it was entirely that bad either. 

The sushi platter according to chef's selection that we've ordered for that night. Portion was surprisingly slightly bigger than it used to be. The taste wise for individual sushi's was not too bad :)

Our hot dish was two portion of this Taiwanese Pork Rice. Was quite disappointed as the serving was rather small, so much smaller compared to what I have before this. Also, if you're not aware of this, Umezushi offers a really limited choice of hot dishes that you can choose from.. Therefore, just a bit of a hint, please don't go in without much high expectations because it might just disappoint you. 

The next morning (or probably late afternoon), I brought the brother to try this cafe: Moose Coffee. It's apparently one of the places in Manchester that serves breakfast menu for all-day round until 30mins before it closes. Since it was rather near to my place, so I thought why not give it a try.

Weather on that late afternoon was really windy and cold. I can't help but notice that I'm already all wrapped up in my down jacket that I'm supposed to wear when the winter approaches. Oh well...

This was my choice of breakfast that day. It's like a Vegetarian choice of breakfast since it's only consisted of four free range eggs cooked in scrambled egg style and four brown toast (your choice of bread). I honestly didn't know what to order because there was just too many to choose from! 

To go with my breakfast meal, I ordered a side of pulled pork (yummy) and berries as well. By the end of my meal, I was extremely fulllll.

It doesn't look that nice with the arrangement and all because the brother just slabbed on the bacons that he's ordered onto his plate of Poached eggs. hahaha. Personally, I thought the food that was served at Moose Cafe was really not bad! I don't mind coming here again the next time when the sister visits or with my friends in future too to try out the other dishes on their menu! Heh.

A totally random picture and not according to timeline at all that I've decided to put up in this post. haha. I present you, my favourite Gluten Free and Vegan Chocolate Blueberry Cheese Brownies. All the way from 8th Day Co-Op, one of the places in Manchester that you can find all the health freak ingredients, food and everything you can think of! Highly recommend this if you ever pay a visit to that place :p

Later that night, after our Korean dinner at Ban Di Bul, we headed to Wasabi's Dessert Room on Chinatown for a quick dessert session. It's been awhile since I last visited this place! Wouldn't say no to coming back to this place anytime soon :)

The green tea snow ice that we had. 

Chocolate snow ice with oreo biscuits and marshmallows etc.

Mandatory pandan waffles from Wasabi Dessert Room at all times <3

❀

Also, the Sunday from two weeks ago, I had the chance to meet up with an old friend who used to be my high school classmate for 5 years! She's so happened doing an exchange programme for just one semester away from Melbourne University. Finally met her after so long, I think it's almost 4 years since we last met? Really glad to be able to catch up with an old friend over an early brunch at Propertea! 

Time really flies!

They didn't really have a lot of choices to select from their menu.. So I just settled for their pesto chicken sandwich that comes with a complimentary choice of tea and scones afterwards :)

Li Shuen's rainbow cake. I dare not take a bite off this cake as it really looks extremely sweet, just judging from the picture.. True enough, she didn't even finish all of it because it was clearly a tad too sweet!

My huge-ass heart-shaped scone with jam&butter alongside my Sunshine Earl Grey tea. I got to admit that I was already so full by the time I had less than half of the scone.

A cute little table for two with our tea sets & respective timers. 

Truthfully, if you ask me is Propertea a place that you should visit? I would say, Propertea is a nice place to chill, have a cup of tea/coffee along with some cakes and scones if you're just looking for a quieter area to hang out during the weekdays/weekends. I felt that the ambience is rather different compared to other places that I've been to so far.. & Just so you know, it has some sort of bookshop thing and art gallery kind of stuff where Propertea is situated at as you walk further in! 

I wouldn't mind coming back to this place just for tea & cakes or scones again and probably try their afternoon tea the next time, but definitely not for their dishes in particular! (I sound so mean, but whatever, haha, I'm just speaking of the truth!) After all, it is yet another place-to-visit that you can add into your list if you haven't already done so! I simply would recommend this place if you're hanging out around Selfridges, Harvey Nichols or anywhere around the city centre. It is after all a place that you gives you some sort of a feeling that you're in a more suburb area, away from the hectic city centre. Haha. Well, that's just what I thought. Probably because I was there quite early in the day on a Sunday. You might have a different point of view about it if you've already tried that place out yourself ;)

- - -

I guess that's all for now, my readers!

It's time for me to head back to reality: completing coursework time. Aghhh.

Till then,

✗

KrystalH