• Payphone (ft. Wiz Khalifa) - Maroon 5
• Part of me - Katy Perry
• All I need is you - Hillsong
• Best man I can be (ft. RL, Tyrese, Case)  - Ginuwine
• Both of us (ft. Taylor Swift) - B.O.B
• Bridge over troubled water - Simon & Garfunkle
• Don’t worry (ft. Janet Jackson) - Chingy
• How to save a life - The Fray
• Fix you - Coldplay

I’ve begun working full time for a charity trust on a community development research project that aims to increase the health and well-being, and the quality of life of the people in Tamaki region of Auckland. The office is based in on a small community house in Glen Innes - a seemingly deficit, ghetto or within an area which its’ socio-economic standing is very low. Whatever word(s) you may use to describe the area, I am surrounded by friendly locals and a variety of food - which are incredibly cheap. 

Thus beginning of the monthly food report for August, with some of the work food I’ve had… 

1st day at work, post-project debriefing hui - a working lunch with local Chinese delicacy: crispy pork on rice with wonton soup.

The above is a pot of wonton soup (with extra vegetables) - one of which me and the Glen Innes Healthy Kai Project team was trying to promote to the locals.  

Few minutes away is Nosh, where there are salads and non-fried seafood on menu: Salmon wrap and roast vegetable salad. I hope to see and introduce healthier food options as thus in the G.I. town centre..

My colleague Sorcha’s quick roasted kumara salad made in the house.

Seems like for every project debriefing hui (meeting), it is followed by Chinese takeaways. These are really good and cheap here, no wonder the locals eat this regularly…

I heart pastry, danish, panetton, my mornings with these…

Quick sampling the new recipe at local bakery: satay chicken salad wraps. These are only $3.00 here.

Somethings we have on the table for morning tea-

Sushi from the locals. $8.00 for a pack.  

This is a plate of Hangi Kai (Maori: food) which is steamed conventionally. It came in a huge container for $10, which the local marae does fortnightly to raise funds. It was interesting, definitely. Especially having not tried hangi outside Rotorua. Their ‘Maori Bread’ was quite dense. There was an intense smokey scent to the food, I thought it was worth a try.

And cannot miss the infamous SHIN cup! I know my colleague loves it. 

Having the house located 5 minutes away from the Bays mean that a good afternoon can be spent over a working lunch on Tamaki Drive with risotto, seafood chowder, calamari and lamb shanks.

Not to forget their gelato, something missing in Glen Innes.




Apart from work, I’ve been roaming around Auckland for the following:

Seems like Mt Eden is MY place to go for sweet things.

One of the best brunch ever this year served by the folks on Parnell Road. Definitely worth a try.

Waited for a good 40 minutes in Epsom for this. So good. Tad salty these days though.

Real spicy chicken nibbles on upper Queen st.

I love sukiyaki, this one was on High St. He had a huge plate of curry. 

My calamari salad and the boys’ pasta in Parnell. Mm Mmmmm~

Drove all the way to Manukau City to try out their best Malaysian. Hand made Roti was good. Two Asian girls, three plates. Done.

The return of Hot and Spicy Chicken! I had a bite, and watched him devour this spicy and greasy quarter pack in a blink. Mmm.

I prefer these rolls at Sals. They’re so good…

Noodlage cooked at home. Above: My spaghetti with bacon and whatever, below: Jamie’s bibim myun. Spicy as heck. Banoffee and gelato from Mt. Eden to dessert.




So here ends my report for August. I’ve realised that my love for food is becoming intensified as time goes on, putting me on the fast track to weight gain. I’ve bought myself protein powder in addition to the occasional workout routine. Fingers crossed that I can control my cravings and appetite…!