Got a package from Aunt Emy today. Thank you!
Monday, October 16, 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Kabuki
Got an invitation for free Kabuki ticket from Miho, and went to Kabuki za in Ginza to see the show at 16:30.
We left after a show, then realized we could have seen the second show too....
Had some fish dinner with her, as she has less chance of having great fish dishes in Boston.
Great surprising birthday event for the evening.
We left after a show, then realized we could have seen the second show too....
Had some fish dinner with her, as she has less chance of having great fish dishes in Boston.
Great surprising birthday event for the evening.
FREE BREAD!
Organic store opened in the neighbor today, and they had a offering of free bread of 300. Why not. Went 5 min before the opening, but saw a line of about 50 people waiting in the outside. The power of FREE stuff.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
Baby underwear
Spent an entire day sewing this made of the belt clothe I got from Suitengu. Minor mistakes, but baby won't care....?
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
焼きおにぎり
After renewal of my drivers license, went over to Mukawa (actually, now Ishihara) household. Ordered sandwiches for lunch and here's a grilled rice ball for Milli. She was baning her forehead quite often while playing with her toys, but never cried. If adults stay calm and don't make it such a big deal, they keep going without crying.
Her way of raising a child really gives me a courage in every direction.
Got some used stuff and a gift from Ishihbara dad from Germany, left before the evening rush started. And I noticed, not many people give me a seat to pregnancies on the train, even though they're in the priority seats, even though I beam them... they simply ignore my existence.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
メロンパン
Went to the antique market in Yurakucho International Forum. They had melon bread van opened and we had one for snack. Nothing really calling so we moved on to Bic Camera, purchased electric shaver for the man. Had lunch at Muji café, bought some clothes and sofa cover. Break at THE Starbucks we exchanged our marriage rings back then, then went back home.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Finally!!
Last day in the office. My boss tried to surprised me by gathering around the all staff (which I really hate those kind of get-together-and-say-farewell-although-I-don’t-think-we’ll-see-again), and this is what I got. I don’t know what to do with this one, but just gave faint smile to everyone, wishing this would be over soon…. I’m so bitter….
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Monday, September 04, 2006
なると
Went to Hokkaido fair in Shinjuku Isetan, and got THE fried chicken at Wakadori Naruto from Otaru. We've been to this place when we traveled to Hokkaido last year. Ohhhh, it tastes SO Good!!
Sunday, September 03, 2006
カボチャソフト
While waiting for THE fried chicken, had pumpkin ice cream with seed sprinkled over it. Sugar for my blood!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Sunday, August 20, 2006
PRACTICING
PARTICIPANT DAISUKE
Kobayashi family came over. R was practicing feeding bottled milk and how to ease a baby, with a help and patience by Daisuke.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
ジャーン
Inside of it were: Juicy (rice with veggie and pork bits), black rice, fried bitter melon, fu-iri-chi, gobo chikuwa, so-ki (pork lib), purple sweet potato, and green with sesame seed. Was pretty a lot we couldn't finish.
母娘弁当
Instead of buying Tofuyo, my favorite fermented Tofu in Awamori (Okinwan liquor), bought this lunch box for our dinner.
きしもと食堂
沖縄すば！
Went to Shinjuku Isetan to check out Okinawa Fes. Had some pork products, dragon fruit juice, and this Oknawa Suba after we waited in line for about 15 min. It was gooood!
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Peach & Pa
Met up with Peach & Stevie, after shopping in Omotesando with Z. They're busy preparing for their wedding in Nov. We're so glad Peach is commited to look after Stevie!!
DUDE!
Walking around Harajuku with Z, found this sign board and immediately reminded me of Stevie and Joel.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
LUNCH
Had lunch in Ginza with my man and mother. She ordered Soba Zushi - sushi made with soba instead of rice.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
kick
Hiroko woke up at two in the morning suddenly. She was kicked. However, it wasn't the usual kicking suspect, but was in fact Tonchan giving her a nice kick from the inside.
Instead of being excited at this new development, though, she was just tired and didn't like her abdominal muscles being stretched and now kicked from the inside!
Instead of being excited at this new development, though, she was just tired and didn't like her abdominal muscles being stretched and now kicked from the inside!
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Sushi Yohei
Went to Nishi Ojima with Jen and Renfield to check out the sushi place that I've been wanting to go to. It serves Edomae Sushi, but nothing is raw.
The meal started with entree: Zuke Maguro (marinade tuna), abalone and its liver, pate of horse mackerel and liver of sole fish, squid, and shrimp head. Pate was awesome. You might can't imagine the combination of head meat of horse mackerel and liver or sole fish, boiled with water and garlic to mix together, then cooled to be a pate. Too bad I couldn't drink, it was a perfect accompaniment for sake!
After wooing-ahhing of entree, the master started making sushi. Zuke Maguro (marinade tuna), marbled sole marinade in sweet vinegar, marbled sole marinade in sesame oil and soy sauce, with a spice of mater's bad jokes here and there, red squid, marinade and lightly grilled horse mackerel, squid lightly cooked in soy sauce, giant clam, shrimp, Sayori (Japanese needlefish) marinade in sweet vinegar with sweet shrimp crumb underneath (awesome!), lightly grilled Ayu (sweet fish), by now Jen's mind is swept by the delicacy of sushi, forgot a few shots of sushi photos, red squid with sweet soy sauce on top, marinade and lightly grilled sardine, clam cooked in sweet soy sauce, conger eel with sweet soy sauce on top (melts in your mouth!), and fried egg with grated scallop eyes mixed. We were stuffed!
The distinction of his sushi is that each peace is designed to be completed. The blend of neta (fish on top of rice) and rice perfectly matches to make one. Ordinary sushi is rather easy to imagine its taste: it's a fish on top of rice. As long as the fish is good, it should taste good. So, some people might be disappointed by the difference of his sushi and regular sushi that we believe what it is.
It wasn't a happy night despite of the wonderful meat we had; Renfield got sick on the way back....
The meal started with entree: Zuke Maguro (marinade tuna), abalone and its liver, pate of horse mackerel and liver of sole fish, squid, and shrimp head. Pate was awesome. You might can't imagine the combination of head meat of horse mackerel and liver or sole fish, boiled with water and garlic to mix together, then cooled to be a pate. Too bad I couldn't drink, it was a perfect accompaniment for sake!
After wooing-ahhing of entree, the master started making sushi. Zuke Maguro (marinade tuna), marbled sole marinade in sweet vinegar, marbled sole marinade in sesame oil and soy sauce, with a spice of mater's bad jokes here and there, red squid, marinade and lightly grilled horse mackerel, squid lightly cooked in soy sauce, giant clam, shrimp, Sayori (Japanese needlefish) marinade in sweet vinegar with sweet shrimp crumb underneath (awesome!), lightly grilled Ayu (sweet fish), by now Jen's mind is swept by the delicacy of sushi, forgot a few shots of sushi photos, red squid with sweet soy sauce on top, marinade and lightly grilled sardine, clam cooked in sweet soy sauce, conger eel with sweet soy sauce on top (melts in your mouth!), and fried egg with grated scallop eyes mixed. We were stuffed!
The distinction of his sushi is that each peace is designed to be completed. The blend of neta (fish on top of rice) and rice perfectly matches to make one. Ordinary sushi is rather easy to imagine its taste: it's a fish on top of rice. As long as the fish is good, it should taste good. So, some people might be disappointed by the difference of his sushi and regular sushi that we believe what it is.
It wasn't a happy night despite of the wonderful meat we had; Renfield got sick on the way back....
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Friday, June 02, 2006
Monja
Went out with Jen for dinner at Komugi, a Okonomi yaki restaurant in the neighborhood. Filled ourselves with Okonomiyaki and Monja. Although she had a small blood blister on her toe, she was happy with her Yuzu Sour Shochu.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Commuting Bus
Crowded commuting bus in a hot and humid morning. One of those so called "mentally challenged" people who suddenly bursts out, sings, mumbles, regardless of the surroundings but, assuming, be in one's own world which is far, far beyond our understandings. Repeating the same phrase over and over and over in the crowded bus.
Next to it, a mother with a daughter of age 4 to 5, with picture cards, trying to teach her how to count. Mother's voice was loud, not sure if she was aware of the tone, maybe competing with the "special" one's shout, or was devoted to teach her daughter intensely. But it somehow didn't look heartwarming scene at all. Mother's voice sounded so tired, just like a machine repeating. Not pleasant at all.
"How many apples do you see?" "Three." "Which is larger, 6 or 4?" "Six." Behind the dialogue, the "special" one shouts whatever doesn't make sense to no one but himself.
No other conversations were heard on the bus, even though it was packed.
It's just insane. Drive me nuts. Get me out here.
Was not a great beginning of my morning, but it was only a dawn of my miserable day...
Next to it, a mother with a daughter of age 4 to 5, with picture cards, trying to teach her how to count. Mother's voice was loud, not sure if she was aware of the tone, maybe competing with the "special" one's shout, or was devoted to teach her daughter intensely. But it somehow didn't look heartwarming scene at all. Mother's voice sounded so tired, just like a machine repeating. Not pleasant at all.
"How many apples do you see?" "Three." "Which is larger, 6 or 4?" "Six." Behind the dialogue, the "special" one shouts whatever doesn't make sense to no one but himself.
No other conversations were heard on the bus, even though it was packed.
It's just insane. Drive me nuts. Get me out here.
Was not a great beginning of my morning, but it was only a dawn of my miserable day...
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Friday, May 19, 2006
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
あき&はるか
Haruka came to town for her visa at US embassy. Went out dinner with her and Aki at Turkish restaurant in Shibuya.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
IKEA
Went to IKEA in Minami Funabashi with my mother on Sun. Crowded with family with kids, super cheap stuff. Dangerous...
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Karatsu
Sky was gray and windy this morning, we borrowed umbrellas from Yoyokaku, and head to the famous Karatsu castle, so called Maizurujo (dancing crain castle). It had elevator (is it a trend these days? Good for elders/challenged people for sure) up to the top of the castle at 100 yen. Took a look around inside of the castle, with some swords that Renfield was keenly taking photos.
Rain started, and we walked around the city, hit Hikiyama Museum that exhibits (actually, it's a storage in show case style) the carts used in the Karatsu Kunchi Festival. Most of these are made late Edo era, more than 150 years old, made with many layers of papers and Japanese lacquers, and still used at the festival every year.
Kept walking toward the station, we had lunch at arcade, and checked out some pottery stores of Karatsu Yaki. Purchased very simple 2 sake cups.
Returned to Yoyokaku, hit bath before the dinner of Shabushabu of Saga beef for the night. Delicious!
Rain started, and we walked around the city, hit Hikiyama Museum that exhibits (actually, it's a storage in show case style) the carts used in the Karatsu Kunchi Festival. Most of these are made late Edo era, more than 150 years old, made with many layers of papers and Japanese lacquers, and still used at the festival every year.
Kept walking toward the station, we had lunch at arcade, and checked out some pottery stores of Karatsu Yaki. Purchased very simple 2 sake cups.
Returned to Yoyokaku, hit bath before the dinner of Shabushabu of Saga beef for the night. Delicious!
Friday, May 05, 2006
Iki Island Day 2
Woke up around 7:00, hit onsen before breakfast.
Typically ryokan's breakfast tends to huge. At this Hirayama Ryokan, they had huge TOFU called Shima dofu sitting on the table, among the other dishes from the island, including organic vegetable salad from Okami's firm.
After the breakfast, Okami gave us a ride to a Katsumoto cho port via picking up her 3 grandchildren and a friend, to take a boat to an island called Tatunoshima.
Elder grandchild, Koto chan looked interested to Renfield, as he didn't look like a local at all, she became a friend of his since then, and we took the boat to the island together.
In 10 min, we arrived a small island with beautiful beach and water. Sand was so smooth and water was emerald green, unlike the other beach of Japan. Hung around for a couple of hours, got on the boat to get back to the port.
Said good by to Koto chan and Okami's camp, took taxi to the other side of the Iki Island to take a ferry to the main Kyushu Island.
Walked around Yobuko port after got off the ferry, snacked some local goodies, took bus to Karatsu heading to a ryokan called Yoyokaku. This is the main reason we came to Karatsu!
Tired from the all travels, I was glad to see the bath with iris leaves. It was a boy's day/iris festival according to an old event calendar of Japan.
Dinner was off course fabulous. Stuffed ourselves, again, we went to lounge to read for a couple of hours.
Typically ryokan's breakfast tends to huge. At this Hirayama Ryokan, they had huge TOFU called Shima dofu sitting on the table, among the other dishes from the island, including organic vegetable salad from Okami's firm.
After the breakfast, Okami gave us a ride to a Katsumoto cho port via picking up her 3 grandchildren and a friend, to take a boat to an island called Tatunoshima.
Elder grandchild, Koto chan looked interested to Renfield, as he didn't look like a local at all, she became a friend of his since then, and we took the boat to the island together.
In 10 min, we arrived a small island with beautiful beach and water. Sand was so smooth and water was emerald green, unlike the other beach of Japan. Hung around for a couple of hours, got on the boat to get back to the port.
Said good by to Koto chan and Okami's camp, took taxi to the other side of the Iki Island to take a ferry to the main Kyushu Island.
Walked around Yobuko port after got off the ferry, snacked some local goodies, took bus to Karatsu heading to a ryokan called Yoyokaku. This is the main reason we came to Karatsu!
Tired from the all travels, I was glad to see the bath with iris leaves. It was a boy's day/iris festival according to an old event calendar of Japan.
Dinner was off course fabulous. Stuffed ourselves, again, we went to lounge to read for a couple of hours.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Iki Island
Pigeon woke me up around 5 in the morning, didn't expect I heard coo in such city area of Nagasaki.
Took morning bath, had big breakfast, then checked out and went to Nagasaki Station to catch a train, Kamome (seagull). It had big leather seats, and slippers (!?), and a drink free of charge. Could be a better train than Shinkansen (bullet train).
Arrived Hakata before noon, the city was already crowded since it was the local huge festival day, Hakata Dontaku. Escaped by bus to the port, we got on board of Jet Wheel to Iki Island. The water was calm and in 1 hour, we got to the port of Ashinobe. Really Genki Okami (owner) of Hirayama Ryokan was waiting for us at the port, and gave us ride back to the Ryokan. Heard it was a stormy day the previous day, and so bad that the ships had to change the course to come in the island. How lucky we are, and I am such a fair weather woman!
Hit Onsen first, relaxed, read some, and we moved on to a dining room for dinner. Okami was telling on the way to Ryokan that her husband was on a ship to catch fish and they had many Japanese flounders and the other kind. Surely our expectation rose, the dinner started with apricot liqueur and sea urchin in a shell!!. Sashimi was also good, no fishy smell at all. They had fresh squid sashimi, which was so fresh it was clistal, and still faintly moving!! We were so full I couldn't finish the sea urchin rice at the end.... This island can grow rice, oats, fruits, vegitables, and off course rich in sea food.
Crawled back to the room, waited for stomach to digest the dinner, we went to a special massage of leg/feet for myself, and the dead sea mud pack for the man.
Hit Onsen before going to bed, and the night was over.
Took morning bath, had big breakfast, then checked out and went to Nagasaki Station to catch a train, Kamome (seagull). It had big leather seats, and slippers (!?), and a drink free of charge. Could be a better train than Shinkansen (bullet train).
Arrived Hakata before noon, the city was already crowded since it was the local huge festival day, Hakata Dontaku. Escaped by bus to the port, we got on board of Jet Wheel to Iki Island. The water was calm and in 1 hour, we got to the port of Ashinobe. Really Genki Okami (owner) of Hirayama Ryokan was waiting for us at the port, and gave us ride back to the Ryokan. Heard it was a stormy day the previous day, and so bad that the ships had to change the course to come in the island. How lucky we are, and I am such a fair weather woman!
Hit Onsen first, relaxed, read some, and we moved on to a dining room for dinner. Okami was telling on the way to Ryokan that her husband was on a ship to catch fish and they had many Japanese flounders and the other kind. Surely our expectation rose, the dinner started with apricot liqueur and sea urchin in a shell!!. Sashimi was also good, no fishy smell at all. They had fresh squid sashimi, which was so fresh it was clistal, and still faintly moving!! We were so full I couldn't finish the sea urchin rice at the end.... This island can grow rice, oats, fruits, vegitables, and off course rich in sea food.
Crawled back to the room, waited for stomach to digest the dinner, we went to a special massage of leg/feet for myself, and the dead sea mud pack for the man.
Hit Onsen before going to bed, and the night was over.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Nagasaki
Left home early to Haneda Airport to catch a flight to Nagasaki. Got there before noon, left laggage at Ryokan Sakamotoya . First we went to China town (very small compare to the Yokohama one), and had lunch of Chanpon for myself, and Sweet and Sour Pork for the man at Kouzanrou.
Took tram up to the final stop close to Glover Garden, and took incline elevator. Hung around the garden for a while, checking out the houses the foreigners used to live back in the days. These are all in Western style, but interestingly they used the Japanese roof tiles, so the overall figure is quite unique. The weather was nice, almost 30C degrees.
Got a little tired from the sun, we went back to the Ryokan, took bath, and waited for the local gourmet, Shippoku course meal for dinner. Off course we stuffed ourselves, and went to bed a lot earlier than we usually do.
Took tram up to the final stop close to Glover Garden, and took incline elevator. Hung around the garden for a while, checking out the houses the foreigners used to live back in the days. These are all in Western style, but interestingly they used the Japanese roof tiles, so the overall figure is quite unique. The weather was nice, almost 30C degrees.
Got a little tired from the sun, we went back to the Ryokan, took bath, and waited for the local gourmet, Shippoku course meal for dinner. Off course we stuffed ourselves, and went to bed a lot earlier than we usually do.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Friday, April 21, 2006
Monday, April 03, 2006
青山墓地
Walked around during the lunch break in Aoyama Cemetery. Windy day today, expected the cherry blossom falls like snow, but just a few.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Nancy's Sobetsukai
Uploaded photos from last Sat's Nancy's farewell party. Since Renfield was sick, I left him at home in bed, and joined her and the gangs from 13:00 in Roppongi Hills.
Early evening, we moved on to Hartland, hanging out while Steve and Ed were smoking cigars.
Then we walked down the Roppongi street toward Nishi Azabu, to a Spanish pintxos urant that Ed knew.
Early evening, we moved on to Hartland, hanging out while Steve and Ed were smoking cigars.
Then we walked down the Roppongi street toward Nishi Azabu, to a Spanish pintxos urant that Ed knew.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Saturday, March 18, 2006
TODAY'S LUNCH
Went to a pizza restaurant, and ordered blue cheese and red cabbage pizza for myself, while Renfield is eating the non-cheese pizza.
Friday, March 10, 2006
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