What did you do yesterday?
Yesterday I had the day off. I cleaned my dirty apartment and took a nap. I listened to music and read.
After my lazy Friday afternoon, I prepared to go out. I ate Korean food at a restaurant, about 30 seconds from my train station. I rode the train .6 km to the next train stop. There I met my Japanese English-teaching coworker, along with her friend. We went to go see her husband play jazz. They played good sets but short sets. Afterwards I was led to the piano, where I played one of my songs, which was actually unamenable to jamming with her bassist husband. Following this, I went to a Latin bar I know.
I met some GOCers there. Young GOCers. What better people can you meet? They were two college ladies and one male escort, all early twenties, dressed up in black formal wear. The girls were college students doing the Semester at Sea study abroad program, and he worked on their `cruise` ship.
Truthfully, their manners embarrassed me. The English speaking Moroccan bartender, with whom I am pretty friendly, was nice enough to pour these tourists shots. They took the first one, and after that they became immediately became very suspicious of some hidden cost. Their mood quickly soured. After they paid for their beers but not the free shots, he poured them each another shot, and despite the free first shot, they were not polite enough to drink.
Indeed the mood soured due to the male of the trio wishing to leave. It was too bad. We lingered on for 30 minutes or more, there and outside, but most of it was just negotiations on their departure. I offered to take them to Karaoke -- what is more Japanese than that? But they chose bedtime instead. It was alot of fun, though, talking to them, even though they really wanted to leave. We got in some brief, but charged and enjoyable `chit chat.` It was good to see GOCers. I don`t remember when I last saw a GOCer my age, let alone talk to one.
If some of you are wondering why I am in Japan for three years, one year short of the amount time I was at Umass, here is part of the answer. I want Japan to be a major story line in the narrative that is my life. Perhaps I watch too much TV, but for while I`ve thought of the individual venture of living as like a movie, or at least a book. It is filled with plot lines and sub-plots, characters appearing and disappearing, themes occuring, submerging, and reappearing way down the road. 1 year is nothing, that is tourism, not living in the country. 2 years is good, but it still straddles between a stretch of tourism and a major life occurrence. Obviously, I missed GOCers tonight, and that was no secret between me and the college students. (I miss college, too, and while we are at it, I miss young people.) However, in my forlornness, the GOC brohim sarcastically commented, `3 years? Good luck with that!` implying that, since I like GOCers, it is a dumb idea to be staying here.
Sometimes, I have the same sentiment. Well, more than sometimes. I wonder if spending my early twenties in a place where I have few good friends, and only slightly more who understand me is a good idea. Isn`t your early twenties supposed to be blur? And if not shouldn`t you at least be setting out on the path towards your thirties and beyond?
Well, definitely no on the latter. 21 is too young to start the real world, Im sorry. If all I did in life was school and then job, then too bad for me. That said, however, the jeopardy staying in Japan puts my supreme goal of becoming a physicist in does worry me. However, that is a long topic that I may venture into another time. In any case, I wanted to come to Japan since I saw Colin Thames`s Macross Plus VHS tapes, and am living out that desire.
Ultimately, I cannot take the hedonist or at least complacent viewpoint that it is better to live an easy life than a hard life. (Japan is the easy life, I hear you say. And yes, I do not lack any material necessities.) Such a view, as came from a man who spends his early twenties working on a college cruise ship, I will not personally value because it comes from a different value set. Perhaps he values skimming the surface of the world, tasting a little bit from each country`s pot, perhaps he values a long party. I value immersing myself in this one particular country because for some reason, I find strong affinity with it. Therefore, I give up pleasure now, in order to attain satisfaction and enjoyment from creating the 3 year narrative arc that of Japan.
Let me discuss more about these GOCers. I was mostly talking with one girl, because the other two people were fairly hostile until the very end. Nevertheless we had a good time. I enjoyed our GOC banter. GOCers are more subtle than one imagines. Funny they did not pick up my hints that they should drink those shots. Well, they probably did. Yes the GOCers were definitely rude. GOCers are rude to other cultures. We think we are kings of the world, largely because everyone acts like we are. If the rest of the world chose not to speak English to us while we were abroad, perhaps we from the GOC would be more humble. But GOCer to GOCer, things are different. We keep our emotions cool, and rarely get heated unless we mean it. We are welcoming to strangers, but always keep an shield of indifference. We are also direct, and the best dialogues usually involve at one side the communicating the impolite truth to the other while the other side eagerly recepts. And if the street is two ways, all the better. Perhaps it is the GOC mixture of frankness and politness that makes us unique. And, with regards to our friendliness, is it a surprise that a nation of imigrants would be welcoming to strangers?
Yes, living in Japan, it is a fact -- The GOC is more welcoming to strangers than other countries. I am making no claims more than this. Take Japan for existence. Japanese are very welcoming to friends, and strangers can become friends, but to strangers they are not as welcoming.
I saw some young GOCers and enjoyed myself, although regretted seeing them leave early. As long as I become a physicist, everything will have worked out for the best in the end. I miss The GOC, and am looking forward to a good New Years party, hopefully with a lot of young strangers at one of my good friend`s houses.
In the meantime, I have still to finish this plot line here in Japan. Among the remaining things I wish to do: visit the other main islands of Japan, and get a Japanese girlfriend. Hopefully the latter will be gotten shortly. Although, as I said before, I don`t hang out with a lot of young people. However, in the next two weeks, I should be going to one or two restaurant parties. I`m looking forward to this. The last one was the event of the season, and moreover, I met a girl with whom I went on about 4 dates. (She wasn`t my type.) So I`m hoping for good things at the next ones. Travelling to Kyushu, Hokkaido, and Okinawa is not too difficult.
Signing off, from an internet cafe.
Me
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Predictions. Future Predictions.
It is said that Japan influences our Western culture, but we do not see this except through anime. Well, I will make the following prediction for women's fashion, based on what I see in Japan.
I predict that within 1-2 years, the current trend of wearing deep deep royal blue or almost purple, especially as pants and jeans, will spread to the lady consumers of The G.O.C.. It is a very striking fashion, probably a little bit too far ahead of where The G.O.C.. is at right now, but in line with the natural development of women's fashion as I saw it in December and September past.
You heard it hear first ladies and gentlemen. Feel free to hire me for trend consulting when my results prove accurate.
I predict that within 1-2 years, the current trend of wearing deep deep royal blue or almost purple, especially as pants and jeans, will spread to the lady consumers of The G.O.C.. It is a very striking fashion, probably a little bit too far ahead of where The G.O.C.. is at right now, but in line with the natural development of women's fashion as I saw it in December and September past.
You heard it hear first ladies and gentlemen. Feel free to hire me for trend consulting when my results prove accurate.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
"Been away long?" "Long Time."
Let it never be said that I don't love winter. It's snowing outside. The second snow in a week. Falling outsside is the kind of snow that would have children hoping in vain for a school cancelation the next day. Nothing beats a good snow.
Last Sunday it snowed. It was snowing in the morning, while I was at church. After the service there was an unusually packed Bible Study. This meant there were 7-8 people. The guy who runs it and who has taken me under his wing was of course there. So were 2 regulars. His wife was there, and so was his daughter, who apparently rarely comes to church, and I noticed didn't take communion. Not sure why she came on Sunday. But i spoke a little Japanese and explained the Moore Protestant Catholic divide in Japanese. After church everyone else went to coffee hour, but I wussied out and went home. Felt pretty bad about that, think its kind of rude.
I am not sure where I left off, and I don't feel like checking the archives. Sometime in January. Well, I started a Japanese class that meets five days a week for ~ 4 hours, for 200 minutes class time each day. I think it is a good price, considering how much it meets. It is cheap, relatively speaking, of course because there are 20 students in the classroom. I do think that getting more personal attention is a tangibly positive thing. We are going slower in this class then in my summer class, but that is not a bad thing. It gives time for the concepts to sink in. For example, I think I have adjectives down alot more solidly than before, as well as the groupings of verbs.
One nice thing about the class is everyone is so friendly. Everyone. I guess we all share a common interest -- learning the language. The youngest is 14 (!) and the oldest is either a French man or a Malaysian man, both of whom are married to a different Japanese woman. The 14 year old is from China and staying with her older sister who is doing the same thing, attending class, but for longer. Most people don't have jobs who attend the school. One Korean 25 year old works from around 8,9 -- 12.30, then class at 1.15 -- 5.00, then work from 6-9 ! crazy! As I said, everyone is so friendly. I have befriended a couple people in the class. Last week I went out to a club with two Taiwanese classmates. We spoke in English, Japanese, and translated Taiwanese. The club was ok. Then we went for fresh sushi at 6 am. I am no sushi conneisure. It was good, but i couldn't taste the freshness! I couldn't taste the life force that had just been sucked out of it. I thought about the circle of life. I thought about the Lion King. Then I went home.
Work is going good. By that I mean, my present job. Next week is my last week teaching these kidz, before their final exam the week after. So I am gonna have a little party during class and give out candy. For one class we still have a lesson to do, so gonna try to plow through that quick. For the other class... at some point during the semester I accidently skipped a day's lesson. I could never figure out what it was. So they will have a free day/ party for their last day, maybe play games or something.
Nothing beats class parties! These kids are graduating from college in about a week, so I'm sure they don't care anyways. They finished work for all their other classes, so they are on cruise control. I am reminded of my senior year Spanish class -- 3 guys, a crazy teacher, and 20 girls. We had a tortilla party at the end. By the end of the year, of course, Spanish class had devolved into anarchy. There was myself, Dan, and Kyle, 3 loud males. Kyle hated the teacher. He always disrespected her to her face, and refused to do her bidding. He was a funny guy, of course, so he pulled this off with some aplomb, but it was pure hatred. I played the polar opposite. I did whatever she asked me with good natured, but exagerated relish, made frequent attempts to befriend her and asked her to hang out, and was a teacher's pet to the extreme. And Dan was somewhere in the middle. That lady was crazy, now that I look back. How many nice middle aged lady teachers are handshaking chain smokers? She had a real nervouse smile, and was alway talking about the PhD she was pursuing in her free time. Guess you had to be there. Now it was well known amongst our grade that Latin class was free conversation time, and had been since sophomore year. They apparently used to discuss the teacher's dating life and all sorts of innapropriate stuff. We often heard them next door from our room making a ruckus. Well, actually, I believe that our low profile class beat their's in terms of slacker joy. It was a topsy turvey world where students ruled the classroom. Instead of a low energy, low priority chill time like their's, our class was an egalitarian society reaching towards the lofty goal of doing as little work as possible. After two years under the iron curtain of our previous Miss B, our chain smoking nice old lady was a dream. But for some reason Kyle still hated her.
Anyways, I'm gonna have a party for the students and am looking forward to that. I informed one set of classes last week, and will inform the other at the beggining of next.
In other news... the job situation is tight. I got an offer from the Assistant Language Teacher company I'm sort of hired for for 2 jobs. one 30 minutes past the middle of nowhere, and the other one not really anywhere either. I declined the first. I want to live in Kobe very badly. Barring this, I want to live in a city. I wont be in Japan forever, and want my time here being spent making friends and memories. I don't think I will make many friends in the countryside, becuase where would I meet anyone? The Japanese countryside's beauty still appeals to me, but it just wont work for me right now. I want to move away from Tokyo. Seen a lot of it, time to see the next spot. Besides, I hear Tokyo is the most unfriendly city in Japan. I was offered the second job, and this evening, emailed her back turning it down. I hope I am not shooting myself in the foot. Hiring season is now. I need to get on the ball asap. I applied to 5 jobs last week and 1 tonight, all in or near Kobe. One rejected me, and haven't heard back from the others. I just upped my resume today though (kinda stinks that I applied last week,) to put down that I have taught young kids English since January. (just between you and me, I've subbed for a friend 3 times.) the guy who works there is really cool, and I wanted to ask him if it was OK if i put the school down on my resume and references. He said sure. He has also given me career advice the past 2 times ive worked there. He's American, owns the school, been here for 10+ years. I think he understands the situation Im in, and I definately appreciate his help. I appreciate the help of all the people who have given me a hand along the way to getting these various jobs. When I get older, I think I'll try to do the same thing for young people who need it.
Weird thing happened to me today. I was browsing in the supermarket when I hear a soft voice say "Hi" behind me. The voice sounded like a dead child's. It also sounded like "Hi" as opposed to "Hai" and was clearly projected in my direction. I turned around and did a double take, although I am not sure if it was because I saw this ghostly voice came from a body that was staring at me, or if it was because she was so hideous. She looked at me and said in a very good accent "are you free?" My heart was thumping. She had butter-yellow bucked teeth, googly eyes, and just looked sad. "What do you mean?" I asked. "Are you free, tonight?" she replied. What the heck was this scary looking 30 year old asking a stranger in a supermarket if he was free for? I essentially was, but said "No." She said sorry, turned around, and immediately walked away very quickly away. I noticed she wore a helmet and a backpack. I had wondered if she was a prostitute, but then figured they usually don't approach people in supermarkets wearing a helmet and backpack.
I suppose it is human nature to abhor the untouchables. She was so ugly that I actually feared her, my heart was literally thumping. She was different, no doubt about that, else why would she approach me to begin with. But as I imagine it now, she was just a lonely woman on a Saturday night, who saw a lone gaijin who probably also had no friends (correct) and wanted to meet. I rejected her, and ultimately didn't feel good about that. If you say that it is not one's duty to befriend every lonely person, you are probably right. But as a Christian, I think it is probably my duty to connect with that person who so obviously and so sadly reaches out for companionship. After all, Jesus talks about going amongst the lepers and friendless. Moreover, I should not be kind to this woman out of duty, but out of empathy, (not sympathy.)
Thoughts like these were running through my head as she was speaking to me. That is why I asked her "What do you mean?" If she had clearly expressed her desire, say, to get a drink at a bar, I probably would have done that. But instead she didn't, and by propriety, I couldn't extend a provisional friendship, because then rejection would be even more painful. If I had to do it over again, I'm not sure how I would have done things different. Bear in mind, I also wanted to come home and apply to more jobs.
Anyways, that's all I wrote, apparently.
Last Sunday it snowed. It was snowing in the morning, while I was at church. After the service there was an unusually packed Bible Study. This meant there were 7-8 people. The guy who runs it and who has taken me under his wing was of course there. So were 2 regulars. His wife was there, and so was his daughter, who apparently rarely comes to church, and I noticed didn't take communion. Not sure why she came on Sunday. But i spoke a little Japanese and explained the Moore Protestant Catholic divide in Japanese. After church everyone else went to coffee hour, but I wussied out and went home. Felt pretty bad about that, think its kind of rude.
I am not sure where I left off, and I don't feel like checking the archives. Sometime in January. Well, I started a Japanese class that meets five days a week for ~ 4 hours, for 200 minutes class time each day. I think it is a good price, considering how much it meets. It is cheap, relatively speaking, of course because there are 20 students in the classroom. I do think that getting more personal attention is a tangibly positive thing. We are going slower in this class then in my summer class, but that is not a bad thing. It gives time for the concepts to sink in. For example, I think I have adjectives down alot more solidly than before, as well as the groupings of verbs.
One nice thing about the class is everyone is so friendly. Everyone. I guess we all share a common interest -- learning the language. The youngest is 14 (!) and the oldest is either a French man or a Malaysian man, both of whom are married to a different Japanese woman. The 14 year old is from China and staying with her older sister who is doing the same thing, attending class, but for longer. Most people don't have jobs who attend the school. One Korean 25 year old works from around 8,9 -- 12.30, then class at 1.15 -- 5.00, then work from 6-9 ! crazy! As I said, everyone is so friendly. I have befriended a couple people in the class. Last week I went out to a club with two Taiwanese classmates. We spoke in English, Japanese, and translated Taiwanese. The club was ok. Then we went for fresh sushi at 6 am. I am no sushi conneisure. It was good, but i couldn't taste the freshness! I couldn't taste the life force that had just been sucked out of it. I thought about the circle of life. I thought about the Lion King. Then I went home.
Work is going good. By that I mean, my present job. Next week is my last week teaching these kidz, before their final exam the week after. So I am gonna have a little party during class and give out candy. For one class we still have a lesson to do, so gonna try to plow through that quick. For the other class... at some point during the semester I accidently skipped a day's lesson. I could never figure out what it was. So they will have a free day/ party for their last day, maybe play games or something.
Nothing beats class parties! These kids are graduating from college in about a week, so I'm sure they don't care anyways. They finished work for all their other classes, so they are on cruise control. I am reminded of my senior year Spanish class -- 3 guys, a crazy teacher, and 20 girls. We had a tortilla party at the end. By the end of the year, of course, Spanish class had devolved into anarchy. There was myself, Dan, and Kyle, 3 loud males. Kyle hated the teacher. He always disrespected her to her face, and refused to do her bidding. He was a funny guy, of course, so he pulled this off with some aplomb, but it was pure hatred. I played the polar opposite. I did whatever she asked me with good natured, but exagerated relish, made frequent attempts to befriend her and asked her to hang out, and was a teacher's pet to the extreme. And Dan was somewhere in the middle. That lady was crazy, now that I look back. How many nice middle aged lady teachers are handshaking chain smokers? She had a real nervouse smile, and was alway talking about the PhD she was pursuing in her free time. Guess you had to be there. Now it was well known amongst our grade that Latin class was free conversation time, and had been since sophomore year. They apparently used to discuss the teacher's dating life and all sorts of innapropriate stuff. We often heard them next door from our room making a ruckus. Well, actually, I believe that our low profile class beat their's in terms of slacker joy. It was a topsy turvey world where students ruled the classroom. Instead of a low energy, low priority chill time like their's, our class was an egalitarian society reaching towards the lofty goal of doing as little work as possible. After two years under the iron curtain of our previous Miss B, our chain smoking nice old lady was a dream. But for some reason Kyle still hated her.
Anyways, I'm gonna have a party for the students and am looking forward to that. I informed one set of classes last week, and will inform the other at the beggining of next.
In other news... the job situation is tight. I got an offer from the Assistant Language Teacher company I'm sort of hired for for 2 jobs. one 30 minutes past the middle of nowhere, and the other one not really anywhere either. I declined the first. I want to live in Kobe very badly. Barring this, I want to live in a city. I wont be in Japan forever, and want my time here being spent making friends and memories. I don't think I will make many friends in the countryside, becuase where would I meet anyone? The Japanese countryside's beauty still appeals to me, but it just wont work for me right now. I want to move away from Tokyo. Seen a lot of it, time to see the next spot. Besides, I hear Tokyo is the most unfriendly city in Japan. I was offered the second job, and this evening, emailed her back turning it down. I hope I am not shooting myself in the foot. Hiring season is now. I need to get on the ball asap. I applied to 5 jobs last week and 1 tonight, all in or near Kobe. One rejected me, and haven't heard back from the others. I just upped my resume today though (kinda stinks that I applied last week,) to put down that I have taught young kids English since January. (just between you and me, I've subbed for a friend 3 times.) the guy who works there is really cool, and I wanted to ask him if it was OK if i put the school down on my resume and references. He said sure. He has also given me career advice the past 2 times ive worked there. He's American, owns the school, been here for 10+ years. I think he understands the situation Im in, and I definately appreciate his help. I appreciate the help of all the people who have given me a hand along the way to getting these various jobs. When I get older, I think I'll try to do the same thing for young people who need it.
Weird thing happened to me today. I was browsing in the supermarket when I hear a soft voice say "Hi" behind me. The voice sounded like a dead child's. It also sounded like "Hi" as opposed to "Hai" and was clearly projected in my direction. I turned around and did a double take, although I am not sure if it was because I saw this ghostly voice came from a body that was staring at me, or if it was because she was so hideous. She looked at me and said in a very good accent "are you free?" My heart was thumping. She had butter-yellow bucked teeth, googly eyes, and just looked sad. "What do you mean?" I asked. "Are you free, tonight?" she replied. What the heck was this scary looking 30 year old asking a stranger in a supermarket if he was free for? I essentially was, but said "No." She said sorry, turned around, and immediately walked away very quickly away. I noticed she wore a helmet and a backpack. I had wondered if she was a prostitute, but then figured they usually don't approach people in supermarkets wearing a helmet and backpack.
I suppose it is human nature to abhor the untouchables. She was so ugly that I actually feared her, my heart was literally thumping. She was different, no doubt about that, else why would she approach me to begin with. But as I imagine it now, she was just a lonely woman on a Saturday night, who saw a lone gaijin who probably also had no friends (correct) and wanted to meet. I rejected her, and ultimately didn't feel good about that. If you say that it is not one's duty to befriend every lonely person, you are probably right. But as a Christian, I think it is probably my duty to connect with that person who so obviously and so sadly reaches out for companionship. After all, Jesus talks about going amongst the lepers and friendless. Moreover, I should not be kind to this woman out of duty, but out of empathy, (not sympathy.)
Thoughts like these were running through my head as she was speaking to me. That is why I asked her "What do you mean?" If she had clearly expressed her desire, say, to get a drink at a bar, I probably would have done that. But instead she didn't, and by propriety, I couldn't extend a provisional friendship, because then rejection would be even more painful. If I had to do it over again, I'm not sure how I would have done things different. Bear in mind, I also wanted to come home and apply to more jobs.
Anyways, that's all I wrote, apparently.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
fijacion oral
Oh man! I just cooked some dank food!
I have been planning both of these meals for a couple days now. I am trying to stay on a tight budget, eat different things, and eat deliciously, so these meals fit perfectly within those constraints, although with a moderately high starter cost.
First, I had okonomiyaki -- Japanese pancake. You get these at restaurants, there is meat, sometimes fish, sometimes veggies, mixed in a pancake like batter with shredded cabbage throughout, topped with a rich brown sauce things and maybe seaweed.
I mixed together an egg, okonomiyaki flour, and water in a bowl. Once it was nice and thick, I stirred in a ton of diced cabbage. Next I fried some meat and mushrooms. Once they were almost cooked, I removed some, and poured over the rest my ton-o-pancake mix. Then I put on the top of the pancake the rest of the meat and mushrooms. I let the thing fry for about 5 minutes, and then flipped it over. I went heavy on the okonomiyaki sauce as I poured it over the top. I added shredded seaweed on top. After a couple minutes the thing was done and I plated it up.
It was pretty good. Def filling. I might have had too much flour and perhaps too much sauce. But, it was def a change of pace. My Japanese food abilities now include stir-fry, kimchee fried rice (technically Korean?), and okonomiyaki. Next up: shabu-shabu and tempura!
I have also had a hecka big sweet tooth recently. Now, I can't go out and buy a whole box of digestive biscuits every time I feel like having desert. So I decided to make crepes. First I did a test crepe. Because I've never done them before. I whisked (all with a fork) together an egg, quarter cup water, quarter cup milk. I had bought what said "something something BUTTER" on it, and it turned out to be spread. So I melted about a tablespoon of spread and added it to the bowl. Finally I added a tiny bit of salt. I mixed all these together. Next I added in a half cup of flour, a little at a time, and mixed it all till it was as smooth as I could get it. This was the test crepe. I had total 3/4ths cup batter.
I greased up a frying pan, heated it up, and dumped in 1/4 cup. I sworled the batter around in a circle. Now, the batter was not flat, little airy lumps popped up, like when making various Indian breads. I couldn't get any of the crepes flat. Is this a common problem with crepes?
In any case, I flipped it over when it looked set, and cooked it for about less than a minute more. Then I put it on a plate.
Next I halved a banana lengthwise and fried it up. I put one half on my first crepe. I wanted to add whipped cream, preferably fresh, else in a can, but they didnt have canned, and i dont have anywhere to whip. So i bought some plain yogurt. Unfortunately I left the yogurt out so it was a little melted. Also, it needed sugar. I stirred some sugar into some melty yogurt in a bowl and it melted even more, instantly. My guess is the sugar lowered the melting point of the yogurt. In any case, I added this sweet yogurt to my banana on the crepe, and of course, I had also bought some hersheys chocolate, and dumped some of that on there too.
It was delicious! But the crepe was cold. I thought it was more important the banana be hot than the crepe. I WAS WRONG! So the next two crepes I ate right after making each. Now you may be wondering -- "Eo-dog, you said you used 1/4 cup batter and yet you still had half a cup left. This means that there are two crepes left. You also said you cut a banana in half and used half for the first crepe. There is one half of a banana left. Assuming you put the whole banana-half in one of the last two crepes, what the heck did you put in the other??!!"
This is a good question, it raises an important issue that I thought of myself. And you are right, I did use the whole second half of the banana for actually my second crepe. I didn't feel like frying any more bananas for the third, but of course I couldn't have an empty crepe. So my second crepe was like a hot version of the first. And my third crepe I filled with rhubarb compote. It was good. I think some chunks of fresh rhubarb, for texture, would have been exquisite. Also, the plate was real messy and creamy chocolaty, so I got a little bit of that going on with the rhubarb.
Well, thanks for joining us today. Man, I feel like a rat... named Remy!
I have been planning both of these meals for a couple days now. I am trying to stay on a tight budget, eat different things, and eat deliciously, so these meals fit perfectly within those constraints, although with a moderately high starter cost.
First, I had okonomiyaki -- Japanese pancake. You get these at restaurants, there is meat, sometimes fish, sometimes veggies, mixed in a pancake like batter with shredded cabbage throughout, topped with a rich brown sauce things and maybe seaweed.
I mixed together an egg, okonomiyaki flour, and water in a bowl. Once it was nice and thick, I stirred in a ton of diced cabbage. Next I fried some meat and mushrooms. Once they were almost cooked, I removed some, and poured over the rest my ton-o-pancake mix. Then I put on the top of the pancake the rest of the meat and mushrooms. I let the thing fry for about 5 minutes, and then flipped it over. I went heavy on the okonomiyaki sauce as I poured it over the top. I added shredded seaweed on top. After a couple minutes the thing was done and I plated it up.
It was pretty good. Def filling. I might have had too much flour and perhaps too much sauce. But, it was def a change of pace. My Japanese food abilities now include stir-fry, kimchee fried rice (technically Korean?), and okonomiyaki. Next up: shabu-shabu and tempura!
I have also had a hecka big sweet tooth recently. Now, I can't go out and buy a whole box of digestive biscuits every time I feel like having desert. So I decided to make crepes. First I did a test crepe. Because I've never done them before. I whisked (all with a fork) together an egg, quarter cup water, quarter cup milk. I had bought what said "something something BUTTER" on it, and it turned out to be spread. So I melted about a tablespoon of spread and added it to the bowl. Finally I added a tiny bit of salt. I mixed all these together. Next I added in a half cup of flour, a little at a time, and mixed it all till it was as smooth as I could get it. This was the test crepe. I had total 3/4ths cup batter.
I greased up a frying pan, heated it up, and dumped in 1/4 cup. I sworled the batter around in a circle. Now, the batter was not flat, little airy lumps popped up, like when making various Indian breads. I couldn't get any of the crepes flat. Is this a common problem with crepes?
In any case, I flipped it over when it looked set, and cooked it for about less than a minute more. Then I put it on a plate.
Next I halved a banana lengthwise and fried it up. I put one half on my first crepe. I wanted to add whipped cream, preferably fresh, else in a can, but they didnt have canned, and i dont have anywhere to whip. So i bought some plain yogurt. Unfortunately I left the yogurt out so it was a little melted. Also, it needed sugar. I stirred some sugar into some melty yogurt in a bowl and it melted even more, instantly. My guess is the sugar lowered the melting point of the yogurt. In any case, I added this sweet yogurt to my banana on the crepe, and of course, I had also bought some hersheys chocolate, and dumped some of that on there too.
It was delicious! But the crepe was cold. I thought it was more important the banana be hot than the crepe. I WAS WRONG! So the next two crepes I ate right after making each. Now you may be wondering -- "Eo-dog, you said you used 1/4 cup batter and yet you still had half a cup left. This means that there are two crepes left. You also said you cut a banana in half and used half for the first crepe. There is one half of a banana left. Assuming you put the whole banana-half in one of the last two crepes, what the heck did you put in the other??!!"
This is a good question, it raises an important issue that I thought of myself. And you are right, I did use the whole second half of the banana for actually my second crepe. I didn't feel like frying any more bananas for the third, but of course I couldn't have an empty crepe. So my second crepe was like a hot version of the first. And my third crepe I filled with rhubarb compote. It was good. I think some chunks of fresh rhubarb, for texture, would have been exquisite. Also, the plate was real messy and creamy chocolaty, so I got a little bit of that going on with the rhubarb.
Well, thanks for joining us today. Man, I feel like a rat... named Remy!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Shizzle Bizzle
Hey there. Nice to see you again! Wow, you look great! You're getting in shape! It must be all that exercise! Did you get a hair cut? You look ugly. I preferred the old hair cut.
Well, now that we've broken the ice from our long sojourn, let us rekindle our relationship. I can tell you more longwinded stories, and you can nod your head, half paying attention while I ramble.
I went home for the holidays. It was nice. It was good to see the family and friends. Christmas was good. It was a relaxing, but rushed time. 10 days isn't much time. And I flew at least business class both ways, which was hecka nice. I should say that coming back to Japan was in some ways harder than leaving in the first place. I was moving into a new apartment. I had gotten back into a GOC rhythm. There was no new job or anything terribly new to look forward to. So I came back, and it was a little bit bittersweet.
I lug my heavy suitcase on a 2-3 hour train trek to my ew apartment. The girl who I'm living with -- M --was surprising short, ie no long winded intros. This is fine, and the communal space is spare so its not like there is anywhere to chat, but it was still weird to be like, "oh, you're moving in now. hi nice to see you. this is how much rent is. when do you want to practice english and japanese together? im having friends over tonight does that bother you? ok bye." whatevs. i dont care.
I won't go too deep into it this post, but she is extremely neat and demanding about neatness, I think to an unreasonable extent, and that causes me stress. I know I'm messy, but I think things such as leaving the sponge in the sink, and not leaving the proper bathroom doors open and closed is stupid to keep complaining about. Just close the door, put the sponge where it should be, and call it a day. Moreover, there is no table in the kitchen, though there used to be when I looked here in December, so that bothers me, gonna have to talk about that. She's out a lot, so I have privacy, which is nice.
I got back on the 30th and on the 31st was what we like to call "the new year." We had a whole gang celebrating. Me and old roomie J. J's Nova comrade and this comrade's visiting English friend. My friend N and her visiting English friend. Also, there was another English person there. We GOCers were greatly outnumbered. It felt like the war of 1812 all over again. (Which we won.) But I think everybody won on New Years.
We go over to J's apt. We shoot the breeze and play pass the computer so I can put on music I like. That's always a fun game. We started getting sloppy with canned G&T's, screwdrivers, and man-sodas (beer,) for this young crowd (i.e. no geezers.) Then we played drinking card games. This was a lot of fun. In Japan, you don't often get to go over to someone's apartment and just let loose. A lot of people go out to bars or clubs, (and often leave early to catch last train home.) But the whole, let's go over to so-and-so's apartment just isn't done too much in this country, so it was a refreshing change of pace. That is why I was marginally bummed when we decided to go to Yokohama, but that is what the people wanted.
On New Year's Eve the trains are open all night -- so that people can go to temples any time they want. We get on the train, are on it for midnight fireworks in Yokohama, and at midnight J's friend pops open a bottle of bubbly. We pass it around like the gaikokujin we are, (don't worry, drinking in public is allowed here.) I had a good time on that train, actually. Not sure about everyone else, it took over 90 minutes.
We get to Yokohama and go to the amusement park. We wait in line for about an hour. This wasn't hecka fun. There were two French dude-bro's in front of us who were not a fun time. We ride the rollercoaster and it was amazing
ly unspectacular. Next we go to a shopping mall for some reason and wander around wishing everyone a happy new year in Japanese, essentially saying, I think, "good morning and good luck" (trans. from Edward. R. Murrows). Then some people get tired, some people get club urgings, (but didn't go clubbing) and everyone pretty much splits up. I was bummed that they called it a night, but what are u gonna do. I went part of the way home with some people, (not everybody, N lives near Yokohama, for example.) And then took the very long train journey home.
I didn't get to sleep until daylight, which was probably good for my jet lag. I had messed up sleep cycle until about two days ago. I think what kicked it into normal gear was work yesterday. I have to leave here at 6.47, so I gotta get up at 5.30. Getting up this early, I actually went to bed at 10.30 last night and slept aight! I can't believe I got a good nights sleep going to bed that early. And then I woke up at 5.30 no problem. I think I am turning into an old man. I have also been strong and resisting the urge to nap. btw: work is the same, only add 1 hour to the commute each way. But i dont care too much bout that.
The town I'm in is cool. Higashi omiya. I want to go explore it more. It's a small town alright, but it's got a club! What the heck is there a club doing in this small town? (it's expensive to get in, so it's not on the list of my things to do, but it is nestled between a 24 hour fast japanese food joint and a mom and pop cheap foods store.) there is also a bar about two buildings away that seemed kind of lively on New year's day, but havent ventured there too yet. Too cheap/broke. I'm not an alcoholic, really, but there is limited public space in Japan, and as I said, people don't go over to each other's places.
One more interesting thing. On Sunday, I woke up at about 7 am, with my messed up skedul. So I decided to go to church. I can see the Church from my window, its lit across the street, but also across the tracks, so what would be a 30 second walk is more like a 3 min walk. I sneak in, cuz I'm a little bit late, and listen to the priest talk alot. No reciting prayers in the first part, just listening to the preist, I think reading from and talking about scripture. Some usher was nice enough to get me a hymnal and an order of worship. Eventually the priest's monologue ends and people sing a song or two, a couple prayers, and communion starts. I sang along to the hymns tho they were written in Japanese. Brrra! Brrra! The lady next to me encouraged and helped me to fill out a visitor's card. I wrote my name. And she handed it in. Communion came to us. First a peice of spongy bread was brought on trays to everyone. And then grape juice in small individual glass shooters was brought to everyone on a special tray. I ate and drank when everyone else did. I didn't recite the prayer though, because I wasn't exactly sure what I was praying. After this was the announcements, at the end now, before the final hymn. Some people stood up, said some things. Priest said some stuff, some lady stood up, bowed, people clapped. Then the priest read my card and I stood up, bowed, and they clapped! It was crazy.
After church the lady who was sitting next to me dropped me off with this nice man who spoke English. Turns out this church is basically the umbrella Protestant church of Japan founded after WWII. We talk for about 5 minutes in the pews, and then we go I think to leave. I bow to the minister and want to go right to leave the church, but the minister directs me left to coffee hour, saying "doozo" (please.) OK...
So I go to Coffee hour, and it probably lasted almost and hour for me. I small talked with that guy, very nice. Some other people spoke English. I talked to them a little. They were all very nice and directed me to sit down at this table, which I did. I had all the snacks and tea they offered me. It was very warm and hospitable. Apparently, after Church, since some people are interested in learning English, they have the day's translated scripture and go over it in English. I didn't do that this time, but maybe sometime I will help them. As I was indicating that I was going to leave soon, and also when certain people were leaving, people said, "yeah, so, see you next week." Note the period. So apparently I am in this church now, which is I think is essentially the Japanese version of the church I was in in the GOC. As someone told J, who told me -- "Once you're in a Japanese club, you're in it for life." But that's cool. It should be a good way to get involved in the community and maybe practice Japanese.
That's all he wrote for today. Gotta go! Bai Bai!
Well, now that we've broken the ice from our long sojourn, let us rekindle our relationship. I can tell you more longwinded stories, and you can nod your head, half paying attention while I ramble.
I went home for the holidays. It was nice. It was good to see the family and friends. Christmas was good. It was a relaxing, but rushed time. 10 days isn't much time. And I flew at least business class both ways, which was hecka nice. I should say that coming back to Japan was in some ways harder than leaving in the first place. I was moving into a new apartment. I had gotten back into a GOC rhythm. There was no new job or anything terribly new to look forward to. So I came back, and it was a little bit bittersweet.
I lug my heavy suitcase on a 2-3 hour train trek to my ew apartment. The girl who I'm living with -- M --was surprising short, ie no long winded intros. This is fine, and the communal space is spare so its not like there is anywhere to chat, but it was still weird to be like, "oh, you're moving in now. hi nice to see you. this is how much rent is. when do you want to practice english and japanese together? im having friends over tonight does that bother you? ok bye." whatevs. i dont care.
I won't go too deep into it this post, but she is extremely neat and demanding about neatness, I think to an unreasonable extent, and that causes me stress. I know I'm messy, but I think things such as leaving the sponge in the sink, and not leaving the proper bathroom doors open and closed is stupid to keep complaining about. Just close the door, put the sponge where it should be, and call it a day. Moreover, there is no table in the kitchen, though there used to be when I looked here in December, so that bothers me, gonna have to talk about that. She's out a lot, so I have privacy, which is nice.
I got back on the 30th and on the 31st was what we like to call "the new year." We had a whole gang celebrating. Me and old roomie J. J's Nova comrade and this comrade's visiting English friend. My friend N and her visiting English friend. Also, there was another English person there. We GOCers were greatly outnumbered. It felt like the war of 1812 all over again. (Which we won.) But I think everybody won on New Years.
We go over to J's apt. We shoot the breeze and play pass the computer so I can put on music I like. That's always a fun game. We started getting sloppy with canned G&T's, screwdrivers, and man-sodas (beer,) for this young crowd (i.e. no geezers.) Then we played drinking card games. This was a lot of fun. In Japan, you don't often get to go over to someone's apartment and just let loose. A lot of people go out to bars or clubs, (and often leave early to catch last train home.) But the whole, let's go over to so-and-so's apartment just isn't done too much in this country, so it was a refreshing change of pace. That is why I was marginally bummed when we decided to go to Yokohama, but that is what the people wanted.
On New Year's Eve the trains are open all night -- so that people can go to temples any time they want. We get on the train, are on it for midnight fireworks in Yokohama, and at midnight J's friend pops open a bottle of bubbly. We pass it around like the gaikokujin we are, (don't worry, drinking in public is allowed here.) I had a good time on that train, actually. Not sure about everyone else, it took over 90 minutes.
We get to Yokohama and go to the amusement park. We wait in line for about an hour. This wasn't hecka fun. There were two French dude-bro's in front of us who were not a fun time. We ride the rollercoaster and it was amazing
ly unspectacular. Next we go to a shopping mall for some reason and wander around wishing everyone a happy new year in Japanese, essentially saying, I think, "good morning and good luck" (trans. from Edward. R. Murrows). Then some people get tired, some people get club urgings, (but didn't go clubbing) and everyone pretty much splits up. I was bummed that they called it a night, but what are u gonna do. I went part of the way home with some people, (not everybody, N lives near Yokohama, for example.) And then took the very long train journey home.
I didn't get to sleep until daylight, which was probably good for my jet lag. I had messed up sleep cycle until about two days ago. I think what kicked it into normal gear was work yesterday. I have to leave here at 6.47, so I gotta get up at 5.30. Getting up this early, I actually went to bed at 10.30 last night and slept aight! I can't believe I got a good nights sleep going to bed that early. And then I woke up at 5.30 no problem. I think I am turning into an old man. I have also been strong and resisting the urge to nap. btw: work is the same, only add 1 hour to the commute each way. But i dont care too much bout that.
The town I'm in is cool. Higashi omiya. I want to go explore it more. It's a small town alright, but it's got a club! What the heck is there a club doing in this small town? (it's expensive to get in, so it's not on the list of my things to do, but it is nestled between a 24 hour fast japanese food joint and a mom and pop cheap foods store.) there is also a bar about two buildings away that seemed kind of lively on New year's day, but havent ventured there too yet. Too cheap/broke. I'm not an alcoholic, really, but there is limited public space in Japan, and as I said, people don't go over to each other's places.
One more interesting thing. On Sunday, I woke up at about 7 am, with my messed up skedul. So I decided to go to church. I can see the Church from my window, its lit across the street, but also across the tracks, so what would be a 30 second walk is more like a 3 min walk. I sneak in, cuz I'm a little bit late, and listen to the priest talk alot. No reciting prayers in the first part, just listening to the preist, I think reading from and talking about scripture. Some usher was nice enough to get me a hymnal and an order of worship. Eventually the priest's monologue ends and people sing a song or two, a couple prayers, and communion starts. I sang along to the hymns tho they were written in Japanese. Brrra! Brrra! The lady next to me encouraged and helped me to fill out a visitor's card. I wrote my name. And she handed it in. Communion came to us. First a peice of spongy bread was brought on trays to everyone. And then grape juice in small individual glass shooters was brought to everyone on a special tray. I ate and drank when everyone else did. I didn't recite the prayer though, because I wasn't exactly sure what I was praying. After this was the announcements, at the end now, before the final hymn. Some people stood up, said some things. Priest said some stuff, some lady stood up, bowed, people clapped. Then the priest read my card and I stood up, bowed, and they clapped! It was crazy.
After church the lady who was sitting next to me dropped me off with this nice man who spoke English. Turns out this church is basically the umbrella Protestant church of Japan founded after WWII. We talk for about 5 minutes in the pews, and then we go I think to leave. I bow to the minister and want to go right to leave the church, but the minister directs me left to coffee hour, saying "doozo" (please.) OK...
So I go to Coffee hour, and it probably lasted almost and hour for me. I small talked with that guy, very nice. Some other people spoke English. I talked to them a little. They were all very nice and directed me to sit down at this table, which I did. I had all the snacks and tea they offered me. It was very warm and hospitable. Apparently, after Church, since some people are interested in learning English, they have the day's translated scripture and go over it in English. I didn't do that this time, but maybe sometime I will help them. As I was indicating that I was going to leave soon, and also when certain people were leaving, people said, "yeah, so, see you next week." Note the period. So apparently I am in this church now, which is I think is essentially the Japanese version of the church I was in in the GOC. As someone told J, who told me -- "Once you're in a Japanese club, you're in it for life." But that's cool. It should be a good way to get involved in the community and maybe practice Japanese.
That's all he wrote for today. Gotta go! Bai Bai!
Just the Two of Us
From the first time the internet placed you in my sight
I knew that we should talk before we both said alright.
Although questions arose in my mind would I be man enough
Against dirt choose clean and be standin up?
From the bedroom that first night
Sleeping light wondering -- will we be alright?
People talking all loud didnt get me upset
But what did was when i didnt have internet.
The next day I don't think one bit I sent,
While you mailed me texts about the bathroom vent.
I try to live cleanly -- but I'm afraid of this --
Your impatience when I let the sponge lay in the sink.
Then to my knees and I begged the law please
Let me be a good tenant all she needs.
Deposit, utilities, and cleaning fees too
I pledge my rent to you.
Just the two of us, we can make if we try
Just the two of us.
Just the two of us, building castles in the sky
Just the two of us, you and I.
I knew that we should talk before we both said alright.
Although questions arose in my mind would I be man enough
Against dirt choose clean and be standin up?
From the bedroom that first night
Sleeping light wondering -- will we be alright?
People talking all loud didnt get me upset
But what did was when i didnt have internet.
The next day I don't think one bit I sent,
While you mailed me texts about the bathroom vent.
I try to live cleanly -- but I'm afraid of this --
Your impatience when I let the sponge lay in the sink.
Then to my knees and I begged the law please
Let me be a good tenant all she needs.
Deposit, utilities, and cleaning fees too
I pledge my rent to you.
Just the two of us, we can make if we try
Just the two of us.
Just the two of us, building castles in the sky
Just the two of us, you and I.
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