My last day in Brisbane

So here we are. 26th October 2010. After tonight I will not be back to Brisbane for a while. I do feel bad about leaving in such a haste. I feel like I have not had enough time to properly say goodbye to people I care about and everyone seem to have a million questions I have not had the opportunity to answer.

The first reaction from most people after hearing the news is "why?" I do not have a very convincing reason, other than "why not?" You only live once and life is too short. I want to make mine an adventure; and I want to see the world. As lovely a city as it is, Brisbane never really feels like home and I feel like it is time to move on. The opportunity came along, and I grasped it.

I do not know what is awaiting in Singapore and to be honest I am a bit scared. But if we let fear control our decisions, we would never get anywhere. Marc Jacobs once said that people often confuse excitement with fear (or something like that). So instead of being scared, I am determined to be 'cited about this!

And it is not about the money. Soooooooooooo not about the money. I think I am in the wrong profession if I want to get rich. And there are so many things in life that takes priority over wealth - God, family, friendship, life experience, happiness, health... As long as I can feed myself and can afford buying Vogue and chocolates (among other more practical things like rent and the bills) I am happy~

So many incredible things in my life seem to start with me doing something unexpected. I do hope moving to Singapore will be one of them. And if it turns out to be a terrible mistake, at least it is something that I have done for myself and I can look back and say "hey, at least I've tried!!"

Thank you guys for being such amazing people and being in my life. The past eight years in Brisbane have been such an incredible experience and I would not trade anything for it. Nothing will be the same without any of you guys. Thank you for all the wonderful memories you have given me, which will always remain in my heart and I will cherish forever.

Take care, until we meet again.

My name is Zita Chan and I am a chocoholic

There is KoKo Black in Melbourne, Lindt Chocolat Café in Sydney. And finally, Max Brenner in Brisbane.
As a chocolate/dessert cafe, it has quite a decent sized menu. Chocolate drinks are served in 8-9 different styles, all available in dark, milk and white chocolates. There are a large variety of desserts, from the fondue, waffles, mousse to the more unexpected Choc-Banana pizza. Coffee and tea are also included in the menu for those who prefer something less sweet - although I think that would defeat the whole purpose of going to a chocolate cafe! I ordered dark chocolate suckao, which is pretty much a fun way to serve hot chocolate. Warm milk is continuously heated in a small metal cup suspended over a candle. Chocolate chips are served on the side and stirred through the warm milk as you sip the hot chocolate through a metal straw. The drink is rich and thick and is kept warm the whole time, which is what hot chocolate should be!!!
For anyone who wants to bring home a piece of Max Brenner, there is a shop attached to the cafe, selling all sorts of chocolate, giftboxes and a chocolate cookbook.

Chocolate to die for: my favourite shop to get chocolate in Brisbane! Their chocolates smell and taste AMAZING and are so special. The owner is apparently selling the shop at the end of the month though. Hopefully the new ownership will not change the quality of the chocolate!

"God gave the angels wings; and he gave humans chocolate." - Anonymous

Things I will miss about Brisbane...

Not in any particular order

1) Picture-perfect weather
2) Gelatissimo
3) Sourdough bread
4) Gallery of Modern Art
5) Free yoga class at Lululemon
6) UQ (which I have missed for the past 2 years) and Stuartholme (6 years!)
7) A "real" oven
8) Boost Juice
9) Jalna yoghurt
10) Vintage shopping in Paddington
11) Cappuccino at Hudson Coffee
12) Le Bon Choix
13) Vogue Australia
14) St Stephen's Cathedral
15) Looking for the Southern Cross on a starry night

To be continued...