such personal k-times

Honestly speaking, there's not much happening in Seoul in my personal bubble, however, I don't know why I'm always out of time. I have a really different set of priorities in Seoul and I think it's deteriorating me bit by bit. But I'm growing.
And now, I am obviously not making any sense by contradicting myself.

Just look at some pics okay?

BGM: 서울은 흐림 (cloudy seoul) by 못 (Mot)

peace out

CULPRIT COFFEE

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Located on Vine and 4th Avenue, Culprit Coffee created a local uproar (basically) when they first opened. I didn't know why until I visited.

1) IT'S SO CUTE. It's a small joint with BRIGHT yellow walls and cute stepped entrance. What more can you ask for?
2) Everyone's smiling. And they talk to you... This one guy, he asked me to guard his cookie. #CivilizationAtItsBest
3) Coffee is good. Note that I didn't say FANTASTIC! But it's good. If I had been less poor, I would've grabbed their foods. Their baked goods look delightful while the sandwiches sound crisp and fresh.

But why won't I return? Like everyday?
It's just. Kind of. Really pricy.
I know that cafe culture is actually a luxury, but Culprit seems to be just a little less worth than what they charge. And because I just like drinking espressos or americanos, I guess coffee is more important than nommy-bites. I miss Dose's coffee. Soon, I'll make a trip to Dose.

Omg.

Now I can't stop thinking about Dose.

Anyhow, enjoy some pictures of Culprit! (In case you don't catch on, I biked there with my new bike and it was really painful!!!! I won't ever bike there again!!! LOL)

CULPRIT COFFEE FACEBOOK PAGE

STALK RACHEL ON TWITTER

Coco et Olive

To conduct a few interviews for String Magazine, I went over to Main Street for a quick break from the strenuous, seemingly never-ending move. SIGH !!! But after two wonderful interviews of incredibly hip employees of Main Street, I treated myself an americano misto and wrote a few letters to friends now abroad.

A cute, cute cafe situated on 21st Avenue and Main Street is Coco et Olive. Apparently there is another Coco et Olive in Kits, informed by a great Vancouver tweeter, Kimberly ! Hehe. Their coffee was exactly what I needed and I loved the firm misto on the top. I hate it when the foam is watered down and after a few sips, it sinks and mixes with the Americano. YUUUCKKKK !!! Pet peeve, sort of. But none of that happened here ! And I can't wait to go back and try some of their food.

For the love of coffee

I came across a website of a cafe down in San Francisco, CA, called Fourbarrel. Not only is their site FANTASTICALLY COFFEE-CLASSY ~~~ Their coffee sounds sooooo gooooooooooooooooooooood. This is their contact info that I'm going to literally TREASURE so that when I one day make a SF trip, I can hit it up !! 375 Valencia St (at 15th) SF, CA 94103 : (415) 252-0800 : M-Sat 7-8, Sun. 8-8



They do wholesale beans.. so maybe I can WHOLESALE their bean collection !???! Ahhahah, just kiddingz. That would NOT be possible. But their site also works like an online shop for beans from around the world, blends, and some merch, etc. Awesome right !? I want to try some of their beans for they make it sound like HEAVEN. I mean, take a look at their description of one from Indonesia, Sulawesi Toraja Sapan: Dried pineapple, rosewater and concord grape. Earthy body with tropical wood notes and a balanced structure. 12 oz.

click click FOURBARREL click click

GAHHHHH !!!!! TO DIE FOR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GAHHHHH !!!!! TO DIE FOR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GAHHHHH !!!!! TO DIE FOR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And if you want to procrastinate A WEE BITTLE LONGER.. I mean like not even a minute... because this is just a short comic strip.. click the picture to learn about the..

Ps. I dyed my hair into a COMPLETE FAILURE, basically. We gave it our best though. So I am content about it. Everything will be alright.... This was before THE SHOCK-

Source: Oatmeal, Fourbarrel

On Cambie

I think everyone knows that I'm sort of a coffee addict. It's awful. I drink more coffee than water everyday and when I eat oranges, my liver starts hurting. And then I believe a coffee addict ultimately turns into a coffee snob. So basically... I LOSE EVERYTHING. THERE IS NO #WINNING (INSERT CHARLIE SHEEN HASHTAG WAHAHAHAHHA) IN LIFE THIS WAY. But I faithfully drink coffee everyday several times a day. On some nights or long days on campus, I utilize my love/hate friends: INSTANT COFFEE. For your information, Starbucks's VIA instant coffee isn't that bad. Its French and Italian roast is definitely worth its price... better yet, you can be lucky like me and have a friend that works for Starbucks grab a pack for you once in awhile !!!!!! IKR !? I'M SO LUCKY. BE JEALOUS-

But we have digressed.... As usual.

Let's go back to REAL coffee. So I go around the city trying out different cafes. And on a rainy day where I had business to do on Cambie later in the day, Jackie and I decided to hit up BEANS !!


Beans, on Cambie and 18th, is a small-ish neighborhood cafe where it's full with REGULARS. I almost felt uncomfortable and even less confident since I wasn't a regular. There was this comfy veil of people who obviously lived at least 1/10th of their lives at the cafe. But the barista was especially friendly so I grabbed a seat and a table, ordered an americano, and read my novella waiting for Jackie to come.
The americano was awesome. It wasn't bitter yet strong. I HATE BITTER COFFEE !!!!! I like strong coffee. There is a difference between the two, OKAY !? Most of their baked goods are home made (YUM !) and their fruit smoothies looked too good to be true.
So hit Beans up if you have the time !!! URBANSPOON BEANS HERE






WALRUS on Cambie was where my friend, Jamie, showcased his lovely macarons ! Walrus is a kitchy - yet fancy - store on Cambie that promotes local artists as well as already accomplished designers. They have the greatest collection of things YOU WANT TO BUY but cannot because.. well, it's not really a necessity. The owners are HUGE sweethearts, so if you're bored on Cambie, you now know where to go.

Jamie, being good buddies with the owners brought over LOTS of macarons with his sister and sold them to people who came - like me & Jackie ! Huzzah !!!! They looked SO PRETTY and had six flavours so we could not resist. He also had a few little bitty samples and AHMAGAWD, they were REALLY REALLY GOOD. I could not believe that these were HOME MADE !!!!!!!! They were definitely one of the best (!!!!) macarons I've had and he truly deserves some recognition.

Find Jamie's macarons on Facebook here: click click YUMMY YUMMY click click
Or e-mail Jamie regarding them at info@ilovemacarons.ca
Walrus wrote about this day, too, on their blog ! click click WALRUS click click

It was a ridiculously wet day today. Just like this day back in February.
TIME FLIES-

Acme Cafe

As the title indicates, I will be posting a little foodie post about Acme Cafe !!
Located near Gastown on Hastings and Abbott, Acme Cafe is THE perfect for brunch. If I lived near the area, you now know where you'd find me during brunch hours.
With UNLIMITED coffee (which is a HUGE deal for coffee addicts like me at brunch), impeccable service, and food that makes you drool from the menu, Acme does it well.




I went with my parents and my neighbour. It was a jolly, random brunch in December. I had the Quiche of the day which was tuna in my case. It was served with soup and house green salad. MMMMmmm. It was a pure, filling satisfaction. My dad ordered the shrimp and avocado sandwich which was served with broccoli slaw. Lemon meringue pie followed for dessert and more coffee !!!! Weird how I didn't go to the bathroom like 6 times during the brunch.. I only went twice. Hehe.






What I wore: black Keith cape, dalmatian brooch, the Aldo heels that I seem to always wear..... I'm SUPER into black these days. If you see me NOT wearing black, I don't know.. that is probably not me. Ahahhaha.
Ew, I've got so much hair. But guess what !? This was back in December.. Now I've a fair amount of hair because I got it ALL CHOPPED OFF !! HUZZZZAHHHH !!!! Anyways, when I came home I learned how to make the clean bun and I had fun with my new flip-up mickey mouse shades from Urban Outfitters.



Check out more on Acme Cafe !!!
Website Website Website
Urbanspoon Urbanspoon Urbanspoon
Flickr Flickr Flickr
Twitter Twitter Twitter

Wow, aren't they TECH-SAVVY !??!!

dedicated to life

EVERYDAY LIFE SOUNDS LIKE A BORE. BUT IT'S ALWAYS FULL OF BREATHS AND ORGANIC BEINGS. RIGHT ? THEN IT SHOULDN'T BE A BORE. WE SHOULD ALWAYS SHARE LOVE, FOOD, DRINKS, AND LAUGHTERS. JUST ASIDE FROM FASHION AND MUSIC AND MARKETING. HERE'S WHAT I'VE BEEN PREOCCUPIED WITH. SOMEWHAT.

Canzine Fest - Festival of Zines and Underground Culture. Held by Broken Pencil Magazine. Interesting finds and a nice collection of creative Vancouver locals. First time visiting W Storyeum. What a beautiful place right on the outskirts of Gastown !! Was good time spent. Look out for such events, Vancouverites.






------- @ The Hwang's --------




It's just so joyful to receive little presents for no reason. The other day I received OBAMA socks from an unni; she also gave me SIMPSONS ERASER when I really needed an eraser. LOOOLL. But this one was great !! It's the cutest incense kit from Thailand !! YAAAYYYYY !! HAPPINESS. Thanks, DK.



HALLOWEEN. HALLOWEEN. HALLOWEEN. HALLOWEEN. MESSY MESSY FUN FUN HALLOWEEN.






Remembrance Day spent calmly with my lovely, Jacqueline !! We became "twins" for awhile eating late lunch at a Belgian restaurant. Then we finally hit up Bump n' Grind Cafe on Commercial Drive. The americano was thoroughly enjoyable and in my opinion, better than 49th Parallel. Am I making a big statement !? YES. Nonetheless, I still believe that 49th Parallel's coffee sure is good, too !! :) :)





I can only pray that more of such days will follow. LOVE YOU ALL. Trying to listen to happier music these days. It's working. It's happening.