If it had been a couple of years ago, I would have chosen retail therapy. Not anymore. Ever since I’m back in Canada, shopping no longer improves my mood. It actually causes more distress. But as human, it’s natural of us to seek momentary indulgence to tend our emotional pain and heal our soul. (excuses, excuses…I know) So instead of comfort buys, I now rely on comfort food.

After receiving two rejection emails within hours apart, I went to the only Japanese grocery store in the city, picked up three おにぎり(onigiri), a packed of 納豆 (natto) and 十割そば (100% soba). Braving the chill, I stopped by a Cantonese restaurant in Chinatown, ordered a bowl of plain congee and youtiao, took out my notepad, Pigma Micron 01 and began drawing.

And it finally dawned on me that rice is indeed my ultimate comfort food.