I think I had a palate awakening in Thailand. I usually anchor my travels to art and scenery ā sometimes even philosophy. For example, Iāll go to a stone garden to reflect about Zen and history. I knowā¦. I know. I could be insufferably nerdy. Truth is, I simply have to get out of my head sometimes.
Thatās why this time I chose to travel a little more sensually ā to taste, more than observe.
Spice, specifically, blew my mind and burned my tongue. One dish made me cry, but it hurt so good. Iām a condiment prude so this is all new to me.
Anyway, here are some things I ate. I donāt remember their names now but I will write about them soon. What a wonderful experience. I will be back to taste more.
Bkk color diary made of silk, spice, teak, and shine. āļø Funny thing is itās my first time in Thailand. I always thought itās just there anyway so thereās no urgency to visit. Before you know it, months turned into years. Aside from the food, the color palettes are also spicy š¶ļø Yum!
I always tell my friends the book is like āChicken Soup but make it heritage and design-driven.ā If you want to hear more about the creative process behind it, read this interview with @rollingstoneph
Thank you @mel_wang_wang š
QC Stories: The City We Call Home is now on view at HOMEBASE Lounge.
Relive a few moments from launch day, then visit the exhibit to explore essays, poems, art, and photography reflecting the city we call home.
š Public Viewing
March 22ā29, 2026
Hours: 10AM - 5PM
Still buzzing from yesterday. Iāll post more pics soon, but in the meantime, let me show some moments from Sabado, our QC Stories launch at Homebase.
Itās a homecoming of sorts where old friends, new friends, friends of friends, and family gathered. My deepest thank you to everyone who came and made the book and launch happen. I will save my longer spiel for another day.
No tears were shed or at least none in front of me š but let me tell you, I was pleasantly overwhelmed by the heartwarming reception and conversations with people on how certain places reminded them of the loves of their lives.
Itās an honor to have reminded them of moments that matter. Again, thank you for sharing this experience with us. š§”
For the sake of being emphatic, let me repeat a line from my forewordāa line that rings truer each day: Country-building starts with city-building, and city-building starts in the household. Thatās how we build a home for everyone. It begins with the awareness that we are all caretakers. We are all conduits.
