Afternoon tea at Ladurée

While on the blogging topic of afternoon tea, I remembered there is a place that I went but never wrote about, mainly because I was so stressed out during that month and I went to busy myself with other projects.

When Ladurée first opened in Vancouver in 2016, I remembered going on the opening day and wait in line for HOURS to taste their macarons. The seating area was super small and not a lot of tables, so no wonder it takes forever to get in. While getting a quick macaron fix, I saw on the menu that the place offers Afternoon tea at $48 CAD and since they fly their products in, I guess the price is decent. I knew I had to try it but not sure when since everyone that I know are super busy.

The opportunity presented itself after 2 years – we went to Ladurée for Afternoon tea as part of my friend’s bachelorette party 😀

The entrance was super cute, decked with macarons and other cute pastries decor. Very Parissienne!

The Menu~

Everything is so cuteeee!!!!

I got the Marie-Antoinette tea which came with a cute mini chocolate. The Marie-Antoinette is a Chinese black tea blend with rose petals, citrus fruits and honey.

Top tier – Macarons!

Second tier – Madeleines

Bottom tier – Mini Tartelette Passion Framboise, Mini Chou Praliné, and Financia

Petit Croque- Monsieur Emmantal Cheese

Finger sandwiches – I got the Avocado et Piquillo and Smoked Salmon

Fruits salad – strawberry, kiwi, mango, oranges and pineapple

Everything that was on the table! LOLOL.. Our table corner was too small to take a whole pic of the table.. so the top tier of the macarons is cut off 😦

Overall, it was such a nice experience and I would definitely go back. Thing is, the price has increased to $55 per person while I was looking up at the menu online to write this post. But people, who are in the Vancouver area, please go try it! Everything is super cute!

Drink Menu can be found here
Food Menu can be found here

Ladurée Robson
1141 Robson St, Vancouver
BC, V6E 1B5
604-336-3030
ladureecanada.ca

Birthday Afternoon Tea at Laurence&Chico

Recently, and I mean like, 3 months ago (LOL), my bff took me to afternoon tea for my birthday and the place is super fairy-inspired whimsical like.

I first heard of this place by a local foodie blogger and the decor was super strange that I just know that I NEEDED to go visit!

Some other online reviews that I’ve read about this place mentioned that it’s sorta like Alice in Wonderland meets Tim Burton and I 100% agree!

I apologized for a boring post, but I lack motivations in writing reviews nowadays. But do enjoy the pictures

Spring display at Laurence & Chico

Their teacups are custom made! It’s so cute and strange

Even their multi-chrome utensils are custom made!

The utensil and plate set made it seems like you’re eating in a magical forest near a magical source of water!

Tea choices box – Design on the wooden box is 100% COMPLETELY HAND PAINTED WOWOWOWO

Tea choices! According to bff, the selection seems to be similar to David’s Tea

It looks like a tree from a VERY VERY VERY mysterious forest!!!

Bottom tier

Bottom tier

Tea set! I got the Fleurs de Jasmin tea

The waitress included a chocolate mousse cake in the tea set as a birthday bonus. Thank you so much!

People on different YVR food blog recommended to go check out the washroom. My bff actually went to the washroom first and when she came out, she told me to bring my phone with me and look up. LOL

Laurence & Chico Cafe
833 Bute Street
Vancouver, V64 3Y4
604-688-8680

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Recently I went on a week trip to the east coast of Canada, mainly to attend my brother’s convocation in Ottawa, Ontario, but the family and I managed to squeeze a last minute Montreal day trip LOL. Ottawa is super nice, I remembered going there once a month with my parents when I was younger when I was still living in Montreal, Quebec.

Flying over the rockies at 8:30 pm as sun was setting down

Not much happened on the first day. We went around to look for places for breakfast since we arrived SUPER early, like at 7 am.  After breakfast at Cora, we “slowly” drove back to the hotel and napped in the parking lot waiting to be checked in and dropped off our luggage. Then we went around to explore the campus where my brother studied. I asked my Montreal friends how was the weather in the east coast adn every is like “oh it’s super hot, up to 30 C with humidity!” I packed all summer clothes. The day started out nice, then it was pouring like crazy and got super cold. WTF. Left Vancouver because of the rain, came to Ontario to greet by the rain. WTF.

I really wanted to go to the Canadian Museum of Nature. I remember when I was younger when I still lived in Montreal, I begged my parents to take me there for my birthday because they started a dinosaur exhibition. The place still brings me happiness even though it had been renovated a lot from 15 years ago. It still have the charms but I wish they have the “garden” again.

My “happiest” place in Canada 🙂

The big air-filled Jellyfish

The famous staircase

Some dinosaur displays

Aquatic animals exhibit

“Night” shot sort-off. I really want to take a pic of the building with the pretty lit up jellyfish but it started POURING from nowhere so I had to quickly snapped a picture, hence why picture is not centered properly /cries.

Montreal was really fun. I get to revisit some of my favorite places such as Vieux Port and where I grew up. We spent most of our time in Chinatown and Downtown, mainly Vieux Port.

Where the European feels start….~

Notre-Dame

Cutest gift shop building ever!

We also went to my old apartment and my old elementary school.. Then we visit my mom’s relative before driving back to Ottawa.

Can’t wait to go back again!

 

 

First Afternoon Tea date in 2018 with my bff! I think the last time I went was like 2-3 years ago at Fairmont LOL. Avery Cakes and Tea House is a really cute location. Very extra in terms of the French Victorian Decoration – I feel very much in the Marie-Antoinette era.

Interior Decoration

We ordered the Creamy Berry Tea for our tea set. I’m surprised that there is only 1 pot of tea even thought we ordered a set of afternoon tea for each of us. At other places that I’ve been for Afternoon Tea, we each get our own pot of tea. Towards the end, since we drink so much tea, the tea has no more flavored. 😦

Our Afternoon Tea set! Since it’s still their Winter/Christmas Menu, it comes with a Nutcracker decoration! Very cute!

We both ordered the Chicket Noodle Soup instead of the Red Bean Jelly

Bottom Tier: Savoury
Scallop and Prawns, Mini Scones with Salmon, Tuna Sandwiches, Fried prawn with salad, beef slider, Satay Chicken Kebab

Bottom Tier: Savory (Angle #2)

Middle Tier: Sweets (+ savory)
Croissant with Chocolate/ Matcha coating, Streawberry Fruit Tarts, Strawberry Mousse cakes, Beetroot cup with crab salad

Top Tier: Mini Cakes
Yuji Matcha Green Tea roll with red bean cream and Chocolate Coconut cream log

Bonus Tier!
Mini Cream Puffs – Chocolate and Matcha

Price was on the expensive end – $49 per person. Food was average but the decor is stunning. I would go again for their desserts as some of them is seasonal. Slightly disapointed that it’s 1 pot of tea shared between 2 people. However, unlike other Afternoon Tea place, you don’t need to make a reservations days in advance.

Interested in going? Here’s their info down below

Avery Cakes and Tea House
112 – 4751 Garden City Road
Richmond, BC V6X 3M7
(604) 285-7771

 

Hong Kong Disneyland 2017

I can’t believe I went to Disneyland in October again, even though it’s a different Disney! So it’s still the same cute Disney Halloween Decor during my trip there. Nothing wrong with that, but I would like to see other Disney themed decor…

The weather predicted that it would rain for 2 weeks during my stay in Hong Kong but THANK GOODNESS they were wrong! Finally visited Toys Story Land that was opened in 2013 and also the newly built Iron Man ride that JUST OPENED this year! Can’t wait to go back in 2023 for the official opening of Marvel Land!

 

The gate to the most happiest place on earth!Mickey’s fountain. Looks way better at night with the lighting~

Entrance~ Same old, same old, with the pumpkin and Halloween color Mickey

Pumpkin Mickey!

Hong Kong’s Harry Potter Theme Cafe – 9 3/4 Cafe

[Edit] I put the wands name on the pictures~~~ SOMEONE PLEASE correct me if I’m wrong and also help me find the missing names LOLOLOL

It’s been a long time since I have blogged about anything really.. But I’ve just came back from my 2 week trip to Hong Kong to visit some relatives and I went to some really awesome places that I just need to blog about!

The day before my flight, a friend of mine sent me an article regarding a Harry Potter themed cafe in Hong Kong and I JUST HAD TO put it in my “To-Go” list! I planned to go on October 6th, but it was reservation only and everything was booked until October 10! Luckily someone cancelled and I was able to do the Lunch/ Afternoon Tea session.

They have 3 seating sessions: 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm for afternoon tea, 6:30 pm – 8:30 for dinner session 1, and 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm for dinner session 2.

The cafe is pretty small, yet cozy. I tried to take as many pictures as possible without disturbing any of the people that are already sat down  LOL. Also, since the place is super small and everyone are up and about taking pictures, it was really hard to take pictures with good angle, so these pictures doesn’t do the place justice (at least to my opinion haha)…

Also, I suggest to download a good translation app on your phone or bring someone that can READ Chinese, as the Menu is in Chinese. It would be fun of understand the menu because each dish and drink have a reference to the things in Harry Potter!

There is a trolley that is going through the platform at the entrance~

As you enter the cafe, there is Harry’s trolley – Hedwig on a half entered trolley 🙂

The seats are decorated with images of Patronus~

More Patronus chairs, they also provide a clean basket where you can put your stuff! If you have been to Hong Kong, you’ll know how people carry their purse/bag + another bag for water bottle, umbrella, shopping goodies, etc XD

Mounted on the wall is a replica prop of the Nimbus 2000

Beside the Nimbus 2000, we have the Nimbus 2001

On the other side of the cafe, we have a shelf with all the magical books and a large crystal ball~ Divination class anyone?

The other shelf beside has books, magical knick knacks, wand boxes, scrolls – I wonder if those are students’ essays?

Our table with fake candle and glasses of water. THOSE GLASSES ARE MAGICAL! They can rock back and forth/ tilt but will never spill! Definitely a great magical touch! I google the glasses and you can find those on amazon here.

The Drink List – To be honest, this is only the first page! These basic drinks represent the 4 houses and of course we have the Butterbeer – which a nice take on the actual Butterbeer from Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The butterbeer was butterscotch soda topped with whipped cream. The other 4 drinks are soda with Aloe jelly at the bottom. Ravenclaw was blueberry flavored. The Gryffindor one was Mango flavored according to the lady beside our tale. Not sure about Slytherin and Hufflepuff. The waitresses are super busy so I couldn’t ask them.

Also, there are drinks that are in a “lightbulb” glass which make reference of “potions” in the Harry Potter universe. The drinks are equiped with an LED plastic ice cube thing to add a nice touch to the “potion” My understanding is that they have Love Potion (red duh – Strawberry), Polyjuice Potion (milk tea???), Felix Felicis (BRIGHT Yellow – cause gold is lucky? hahaha. Yes I know “Felix Felicis” is clear but the only clear drink is water and that’s not original or Vodka but that’s not kid friendly…) and Veritaserum (bright green)

Wands display! Seraphina Pickery wand is the prettiest (5th from the left) (Although I was told that it belong to Professor Trelawny’s by one of the waitress – cough cough hmm ). They also have wands from characters of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them! So with the help of the internet  Universal Studio Online Store, Noble Collection, Harry Potter Shop, I managed to named the owners’ of the wands (BONUS POINT FOR PPL WHO CAN NAME THE ONE I CANNOT FIND!)

Left side (top to bottom):
Cho Chang, Lupin, ???, Harry Potter, Seraphina Picquery, Queenie Goldstein, George Weasley
Right side (top to bottom):
McGonagall, Percival Graves, Grindewald (??), Hermione Granger, Fred Weasley, Fenrir Greyback, Cedric Diggory, Death Eater (snake)

The other wand display!

Left Side (top to bottom):
James Potter, Luna Lovegood, Narcissa Malfoy, Dumbledore, Umbridge, ???? (Kinda looks like Snape’s but the other side has Snape’s…), Neville Longbottom, Death Eater (brown)

Right Side (top to bottom)
Draco Malfoy, Fleur Delacour, Sirius Black, Voldemort, Snape, Molly Weasly, Viktor Krum, Bellatrix Lestrange.

One of the wall has portraits LOL

9 3/4 Cafe’s version of Butterbeer

Of course I have to order the Ravenclaw drink because I’m a Ravenclaw! Blueberry soda and grass jelly. Slight disappointed that it’s a murky purple instead of the BRIGHT BLUE colored from the menu…

Onion rings (I couldn’t read/ understand the chinese after being translated by Uncle (who isn’t a HP fan) so not sure what reference this dish is from the book)

Cheese on fries with roasted ham – again don’t know what the dish is reference is to the book

Aragog’s salad – if I understand the Chinese that my uncle said correctly LOL.

Cheesy Broccoli – Forbidden Forest???? I’m not sure if I caught the translation right hahaha….

Wand props that guests can take to pose with!!! Of course Harry Potter’s glasses props!

As I was leaving, I saw this private party room! I jsut had to go in to take pictures! The panel is the image of the Great Hall which chairs representing each of the 4 houses!

THERE ARE EVEN FLOATING CANDLES AS LIGHT DECORATION! Another shelf of magic books and of course, the Sorting Hat!

I wish the menu was translated into English because if I didn’t have my uncle to go with me, I wouldn’t be able to order. Also, this place is cash only so remember to go to the ATM before going to the cafe!

For more enquiries please visit 9 3/4 Cafe’s Facebook Page here

Address:
4/F, Prosper Commercial Building, 9 Yin Chong Street, Mong Kok
Phone:
852-94326555

 

Compassion Fatigue and Burnout

Author Note: I haven’t written in a blog post since forever. There are just too many things happening in my life that I forgot that I have this type of outlet LOL. But here is just some snippet that I thought I should share with the internet and MAYBE I can help out someone out there… Even though no one really read my blog anymore… But this is super important so I’m going to make a quick post. I might revisit here and reedit.. but at the moment I just want to let this out before I change my mind.

I never thought that it would EVER happen to me. When I was going to school, there were lots of class sessions mentioning about compassion fatigue and burn out because being a Veterinary Technician is a stressful career. I never thought I would one day, fall victim. Growing up in a traditional Asian family, my mindset is a little bit different – we would push ourselves beyond our limits, pain is only temporary, always suck it up and do it because our parents been doing so for a long time. So I’ve been doing that – enduring stressful situations one day at a time, affected by other people’s anxiety etc, dealing with incompetent people and these eventually took a toll in my mental state.

Image Source:  Sander Training

Eventually, I was at a breaking point – I dread going to work, I distanced myself from my coworkers (even though I really want to be buddies buddies with them), take awfully LONG naps (2+ hours), started to look forward to weekends and STAT holiday where I plan to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, started to feel that being ALONE is FUN that I don’t want to go out with ANYONE etc.

Because of these changes affected my life productivity in negative ways and made me hate myself, I decided to go to counseling. Luckily, my work benefit do offer this type of service for free because OMG, counseling sessions are EXPENSIVE af.

However, it was the smartest decision that I’ve made in 2017. It wasn’t as scary as I thought it was The counselor was easily approachable and got me to open up quite easily (I’m someone that tend to keep feelings in). Trust me, it is SO much better to tell your worries to an unbiased problem because even thought I rant to my best friend, they would take my side so like nothing really is solved… I meet my counselor biweekly, or at least I tried, because she does have limited spots. She help me set biweekly goals that are challenges that I am comfortable in facing to decrease my stress and anxiety.

At least with me, I feel like different after just 2 sessions – lighter, happier, and less guilty. Compassion Fatigue is real and I cannot stress that it is important to get professional help. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

One of the suggestion was journaling – and I’ve been doing that around November 2016 -January 2017 but stopped because my days was being uneventful and sometimes I have to write 2 entries at once because I couldn’t keep up with daily writing as I was too tired. But I restarted it and just write a few points as opposed to a long entry and it is actually SO MUCH EASIER. I bought stickers and colourful markers for it. I even dug out felt markers from my high school days to decorate each entry. I used to roll-eyes at Pinterest but now I use it on daily basis to get inspiration (I EVEN GOT THE APP FOR IT) for journal header.

I’m still experimenting with the layout and header designs so it’s not that uniformed.. but I still love it!

I could write so much more on this topic but I decide I should stop there. I didn’t want to write about it in the first place because I feel embarassed and ashamed. So I rather quickly make a post here before I get cold feet. So this entry is not very well edited, I’m sorry. But I hope it helps someone out there.