tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-103829132011-04-22T08:59:06.651+09:00Seize the food, for Japan is time-service only! In other words, this blog is to preserve, share, and make the most of my six months left living in Japan. Yes, I am obsessed with food. Cheap food!foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.comBlogger1131100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1122349044966836202005-07-26T12:17:00.000+09:002005-07-26T12:37:24.973+09:00

need sleep, need food, not rain rain rainPacking is tricky!Teachers were going to help me move all the last furniture, everything, out this morning but due to the weather they're going to do it after I leave tomorrow! I did my best and packed nice neat labeled boxes, just like if I were moving. I hope it makes it easier for them.Soon I should pack the modem to send back. I should also stop by 7-

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1122215087956383072005-07-24T23:16:00.000+09:002005-07-24T23:24:47.963+09:00

9am eat pancakes & tape TV, erase messages, clean jars, clear paths to door10am check Lloyd's -> bank (0. check acc't 1. water bill 2. Lloyd's 3. close acc't) OR school to get stuff under desk~12-1pm gym (before 4pm), eat lunch4pm Hani-kyotosensei & Recycle shop?pm finish packing both suitcases?pm dinner~9pm turn off fridge, empty food containersprepare all things to go to school 9am next

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1121177929616594622005-07-12T23:03:00.000+09:002005-07-12T23:29:48.333+09:00

I got a funny e-mail:"This is Ms. [teacher who sits next to me] writing .I would like to inform you what kind of food I prepared for supper.First of all,  cooked rice, miso soup and some pickles .Then boiled vegetables , sasimi ( tuna fish ), fried NIGAURI ( a kind of squash,  a bitter taste).Good-bye ."

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1120710339428749882005-07-07T13:10:00.000+09:002005-07-07T13:25:39.466+09:00

Other kyotosensei bought my SONY rajio-kase, woohoo.I might get my plane ticket refund next Friday.I forgot about the Fourth of July until late that night.Did I mention the cockroaches went away about four nights after the first sighting? It's a nice bright day but not too hot.

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1120667832483058342005-07-07T01:19:00.000+09:002005-07-07T01:37:12.523+09:00

Teacher who sits next to me treated me to my craved kenchin udon today at lunch. For the first time she mentioned her son today. He's "more than thirty" years old and has a wife and lives in Tokyo.Still getting frustrated at "work" ... I should say, getting even more frustrated at "work" now that the end is near. Remind self to dig out pension booklet.Wow, farewell parties for me. Where to have?

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1120139487947867582005-06-30T22:19:00.000+09:002005-06-30T22:51:27.990+09:00

Why does sour stuff make you involuntarily wink?Plums here aren't purple and red like the ones I'm used to at home. They're yellow and orange like nectarines. They're not very big either. Still, I am enjoying them. I gave one to teacher who sits next to me and she said when she was young plums had very big seeds and not much fruit. They've been improved within her lifetime.A few days ago she had

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1119707394217323402005-06-25T22:33:00.000+09:002005-06-25T22:49:54.236+09:00

Today was super hot, 35 degrees, but I'm not complaining because I had a great day. The left pocket and his visiting brother joined me at base school's cultural festival. We played games and lots of students recognized me this year and excitedly said hello and what's up! I even recognized some students from visit school who came to see the bunkasai. Tomorrow is another full day of bunkasai. Will

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1119455891431305202005-06-23T00:19:00.000+09:002005-06-23T00:58:11.493+09:00

U-kyotosensei bought my iron and board and gave me 20000yen for them. After I looked at the amount I tried to say it was too much but he wouldn't hear it. In another attempt I returned most of it as otsuri and still he would only take 10000 back. He's too nice. I feel bad for letting him ask about it and buy it in the first place because I didn't realize he was just being nice.As part of mentally

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1119366008778520302005-06-21T23:13:00.000+09:002005-06-22T00:00:08.816+09:00

There appear to be baby cockroaches running around since last night. They chose the night that a couple friends came to check out the stuff I'm selling to make their debut. When I step on them with my slipper they lie still a split second before jumping up to keep running. Then I step on them good. Sometimes they jump up again, though. It's freaky.Why are they here now? Does heat bring them out?

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1119237586981113072005-06-20T11:51:00.000+09:002005-06-20T12:19:46.986+09:00

The air is thick and warm, it feels like the temperature is exactly the same as my body so that I meld with the atmosphere and am weighed down with the mass of everything around me. The school is hectic but time seems to be moving so slowly. Teachers are pressing towels to their faces to lift the sweat. Not even the sun is piercing or bright enough to break the heavy dullness. I could flop over

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1119118768021704342005-06-19T02:14:00.000+09:002005-06-20T11:51:23.863+09:00

Today I did yoga to yoga versions of the FuyuSona theme and Jupiter, a song by Ayaka Hirahara. I couldn't help snickering as the Winter Sonata song played.Love the gym. I think I'm gonna miss the Japanese gym. I like seeing the old people doing aerobics, it's cute. I like seeing the boney people lifting weights and the little towels for wiping sweat off machines hanging neatly folded. I'll miss

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1118315799624788442005-06-09T19:27:00.000+09:002005-06-09T20:16:39.656+09:00

Hawaii has more things Japanese than I ever realized. Some are available just as readily as in Japan. Sushi, onigiri at ABC stores. Any Japanese grocery you'd ever need at Daiei. Japanese goods and even Bookoff at Shirokiya. Some things unfortunately cost twice as much as in Japan. Saint Germain's bakery goods were like the Japanese ones but had an American look to them, rough versions.Everyone

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1117030836539175032005-05-25T22:31:00.000+09:002005-05-25T23:20:36.543+09:00

My mom is with her parents in Hawaii. Usually she writes to me with her computer but she must be busy. That's why I heard the news from my dad, who is taking care of home. I don't know if I will get to see my Gung Gung again. I wanted to really. There was a reunion but I guess as far as I knew being in Japan was more important than visiting. I kept saying I would go see my Gung Gung and Popo when

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1116855930720368192005-05-23T22:16:00.000+09:002005-05-23T22:45:30.753+09:00

I like aerobics instructors who - what can I call it - woot(?) during class. This guy is like a cowboy, he also likes to clap intermittently and whirl his hand over his head at random times during the routine. It's cool though, it makes me laugh. Oh another thing, he always messes up his words and laughs at himself. Oh and last thing, he uses English phrases like "and one more please!" It's so

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1116591827104362712005-05-20T20:50:00.000+09:002005-05-20T21:35:03.026+09:00

The gym was so quiet when I got there today. It was eerie. When I left, though, there was a huge long line for the hip hop class. Not just young ladies, mostly older actually. I shouldn've stayed to watch. Ran 20 minutes, 3.something km. It's hot in there, not like running outdoors. Then took a yoga class with a hairy-legged bike-shorts-wearing but yasashii older instructor. I like that class. I

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1116434379621595262005-05-19T00:12:00.000+09:002005-05-19T01:39:39.626+09:00

How about I work on a cruise ship with international people and live in Hawaii while not working?There are two See's Candies shops (in the Kanto region, at least) in Japan. "Flown fresh from California" haha.Should I go back to school so I can be a nutritionist? Then I might be more uptight than I already am.I read a news article about a little kids' school in NJ that teaches five year olds to be

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1116424834558555822005-05-18T22:20:00.000+09:002005-05-25T23:55:01.693+09:00

Ran 1km on treadmill. Did the yoga class but was disappointed. My back hurts. The instructor for the "original" yoga on Monday is better. It may be a non-challenging class but at least I get some relaxation out of it. She has good pace.Today at school I looked around the library and was amused to find in English Jane Eyre, The Tale of Genji, Japanese Children's Folktales, a fat Danielle Steele

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1116336062759943002005-05-17T21:41:00.000+09:002005-05-17T22:21:02.773+09:00

Woke up happy!Sun was bright.At school I had a couple not bad classes. First group had eight volunteers! Second group had two, so I had those two pick more to come up to the front. It's funny how sometimes the mention of a prize persuades the first volunteers to go for it. I often hear urge their classmates, Hey let's get a prize! Anyway, I keep in mind Sensei's advice and just have fun. If

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1116168856548964672005-05-15T22:18:00.000+09:002005-05-15T23:54:16.556+09:00

Woke up early enough to have time to speed over to market through narrow scary side-of-road path. That's so ghetto, when will they fix that for non-car people. I've decided to go to newer market in the opposite direction from now on anyway. Neither of them have non-fat milk though.Grabbed "American Cherry" containers for nice teacher taking me to tea and for host. Grabbed three mini croissants

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1116162298588220522005-05-15T21:05:00.000+09:002005-05-15T22:11:07.876+09:00

Fried stuff ain't so great, like soggy oily tempura crumbs on the top of my udon!I craved fish tonight, negi-toro don to be exact. Alas I didn't go for it.I bought steak tonight! More on that when I talk about shopping.I am happy. I feel very free, determined, excited about what I've got ahead of me. I get waves of fear in the pit of my stomach, no, more like waves of sadness that crash at which

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1115915623593789782005-05-13T00:45:00.000+09:002005-05-13T01:38:08.943+09:00

Time to be buying ticket for plane back home soon.It's been darn cold the last couple days.Yesterday I got my own library card for school.New teacher who sits next to me says the funniest things like only referring to her spouse, "my bad husband... I don't care about him, he can do whatever he likes, and I do what I like. But... I make food for him and...sometimes I chat with him and sometimes I

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1115737821774141852005-05-10T22:56:00.000+09:002005-05-11T01:56:07.813+09:00

First day back at base school after "GW". TT. These days, depending on the class and the teacher, I get so frustrated no matter how much I try to prepare and tell myself to be patient. One class was dead silent. It bothers me because they all know the answer to what I'm talking about but not one will make a sound. Of course I could pick out a student but that is no fun. All the teacher has to do

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1115731855082407022005-05-10T22:30:00.000+09:002005-05-10T22:34:53.413+09:00

Picture 3.jpgNew Weezer is out. You can hear it end-to-end at Weezer's space.When I first heard it I thought it wasn't good; just like how I felt when I first listened to Pinkerton! In one night, though, I'm liking it a lot. It feels familiar and simple but very modern and hodgepodge. nooks and crannies.

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1115649278660895932005-05-09T23:34:00.000+09:002005-05-09T23:37:46.486+09:00

With the other half of the chicken breast that the left pocket didn't use, I finally decided to try Julia's recipe for Korean-Style Spicy Chicken because I pretty much had all the ingredients.I didn't marinate at all though, maybe a couple of minutes of mixing counts. I used a whole white onion, two cloves of garlic and about a dinner-spoonful each of soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegared red pepper

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1115648130952095572005-05-09T23:20:00.000+09:002005-05-09T23:20:03.920+09:00

(just add my own noodles and egg and tofu...!)

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1115637348055099302005-05-09T23:19:00.000+09:002005-05-09T23:19:29.263+09:00

I smell like OFF! with DEET.Ran to the river tonight. Mypace.The left pocket is making one and a half chicken breasts with black bean sauce from packet.Last night I made Mee Rebus from box using yakisoba noodles and had the other huge serving at visit school for lunch today. Japanese teachers saw it and asked if it was kare (Japanese curry), if it was so-su aji (in Japanese, sauce is a specific

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1115535083562885672005-05-09T21:40:00.000+09:002005-05-09T23:20:43.100+09:00

daifuku: cheese, matcha, sakura, peach, blueberry (chocolate and coffee/tea ones not pictured)

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1115536778485755612005-05-08T16:16:00.000+09:002005-05-08T16:19:38.573+09:00

Today is Hut no Hi (Hut Day) at Pizza Hut. We tried pan crust this time instead of cheese-filled. It's yummy too.Time to hang laundry.

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1115488010093764612005-05-08T02:46:00.000+09:002005-05-08T02:48:54.053+09:00

Ran today. Went further than usual, to the river, but not along it like last year. Will work up to that.Cleaned up a bit today. That's good. It's really good when you sleep on a futon on the floor, as in Japan.The left pocket made me french toast for breakfast! YUM! It was his first try, too. Bravo!

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1115470217056945202005-05-07T21:40:00.000+09:002005-05-08T00:18:12.296+09:00

it's au-to-ma-ticFun unmanned train with great view.Foggy...See the bridge in the background? I think that's Tokyo Tower between the orange (2nd) and green (3rd) frames.inside DecksThere's a nostalgic Japan themed area where you can look at and buy some vintage memorabilia, candies and toys.It snowed!Here's the Chinese themed area inside Decks. It has lots of ramen and typical Japanese Chinese

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1115460582871525372005-05-07T19:05:00.000+09:002005-05-07T19:28:44.416+09:00

3/9at SATY to see Howl's Moving CastleThis taco rice was surprisingly fresh and tasty and filling! Only 500yen too, I think.10% off crepes dayCrepes are rarely less than 300yen. The guy behind the counter was a grouch but look at the cute crepe he made. haha.3/10more tonkatsu at the stationIt happens that this tonkatsu restaurant is a chain. I've seen it in more than one other nice shopping mall

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1115454973621765302005-05-07T17:27:00.000+09:002005-05-07T18:51:05.133+09:00

4/3 Orchard RoadOA Bakery & CafeTaiwanese Beef Noodle, S$5.00. Nice atmosphere and service at this place. Not so many choices on the menu though.Teck Kee Tanglin PauIt's just on the next block from OA Bakery & Cafe. I snagged a Lo Mei Kai, S$1.40.Good even after sitting through a movie! It looks so yummy and it was! Not too dry, chewy, tasty. YUMYUMYUM! When I got to the bottom (MouseOver picture

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1115397984051067082005-05-07T14:36:00.000+09:002005-05-07T17:11:37.373+09:00

4/2 Orchard RoadI thought this was pretty cool. It's on a crosswalk on Orchard.Inside Takashimaya at Ngee Ann City...I said I was determined to try another kaya toast after Killiney Kopitiam. Here we go!Quite simple process...Ya Kun Set A, S$3.70. YUMYUM!Ya Kun slices the toast thinner so it's almost like getting twice as much as we got at Killiney. It was nice.Chicken Rice, S$3.50. For some

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1114236284137817362005-05-07T13:54:00.000+09:002005-05-07T17:14:51.600+09:00

4/1 Chinatown 2At Tanjong Pagar Plaza Market/Food Centre...50's Fried Carrot Cake. Chili on the side. He gave us disposable chopsticks too.Small, S$2.00. YUMYUMYUM!The left pocket saw this duck...I don't care for duck but it looks pretty good.Back out on the street...At Cake History, a nicely displayed corner bakery...First the curry puffs caught my eye, then the soft floss breads and variations,

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1114971522873335622005-05-02T03:15:00.000+09:002005-05-02T03:18:42.876+09:00

Oh, it's raining right now. Got rained on during the ride back from the mall. Rain.Another thing, I keep forgetting to take my camera when I go out these days. No pictures of matcha boba or Ohachi or neat Japanese t-shirts with cool designs or strange English on them.

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1114885969804993232005-05-02T03:10:00.000+09:002005-05-02T03:12:49.743+09:00

Yesterday (Saturday) I got a[nother] bad haircut. But looking at this site let me feel better!Today the left pocket and I went to the mall and I looked at girly shops all day. He's so nice. Thank you left pocket.I wanted a hat but I couldn't find one worth it. I got a neat top for 1000yen.Had matcha milk boba which was super rich (that's matcha...) but good. Very yummy, hit the spot since I was

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1114775584359427892005-04-29T19:56:00.000+09:002005-04-29T20:53:04.360+09:00

Just got done running. Today was suddenly very very hot. This morning I had wanted to take a walk in the nice warm sun after breakfast but when the left pocket told me the temperature I realized it felt too warm. 31 degrees Celsius high.Breakfast was orange and cranberry scones and three cheese garlic spinach omelette. The scones were made from mix sent from my mom. They were pretty easy to make

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1114664735354659852005-04-28T14:07:00.000+09:002005-04-28T14:05:35.356+09:00

What to do for Golden Week? Enjoy Japan. See new things.Surprisingly, I heard that not many students will absent from school on the two days between all the days off. This year Golden Week falls in such a way that Fri-Sat-Sun and Tues-Wed-Thurs are consecutive holidays. I'm taking Monday and Friday off too.It bugs me when the voices of teachers who are standing around talking suddenly turn into

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1114527180652326882005-04-26T23:37:00.000+09:002005-04-26T23:53:00.653+09:00

I saw this stuff called Eye Talk in a drug store a few weeks ago and it took me awhile to figure it out. Can you blame me? It's just a little bottle accompanied by a little pointy stick and no picture on the box except for a close-up of an eye. Seeing an illustration on a competing brand's box, I realized what it was for. Call me old fashioned but I couldn't believe they make this stuff. I

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1113669539928946132005-04-18T22:50:00.000+09:002005-04-22T18:39:17.776+09:00

3/31 GeylangHaig Rd. Market & Cooked Food CentreThe food centre had mostly C ratings but we were hungry and thought any place in Geylang would have good food.S$2.50 Nasi Lemak. After I order, a guy leaning on the stall says, "Chicken!" and smiles and I nod and repeat, "Chicken!" thinking, Yeah, that's chicken in the pic uh huh and... When the left pocket sees our plate he says, "Where's the fish?

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1113805573092887692005-04-18T15:05:00.000+09:002005-04-18T15:26:13.093+09:00

It's bad enough when one answer catches on and each member of the class recites it as their own answer. It's just a downer when the things that catch on are "I don't like studying" and "I don't like English". With the classes today it was "I like nothing. I don't like nothing". This round of second years at visit school look and behave better than the ones I had to teach when I first came to

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1113656678765841692005-04-16T21:56:00.000+09:002005-04-16T23:47:45.030+09:00

3/30 along the riverFirst, Clarke Quay (pronounced like "key")...The left pocket tried Yong Bak Kut Teh. S$6.60 isn't what they charge locals, is it?Sensitive Plant! (mouseover)This makes me think of the movie Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, Spirited Away.At Boat Quay...At Marina Square...Iced Milo! Had to try it. It was good! YUMYUM!Mee Rebus from a Nasi Lemak & Popiah place. It was interesting.

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1113407238949487232005-04-14T00:46:00.000+09:002005-04-16T16:21:53.140+09:00

3/29 Chinatownfirst the view from the lousy YWCAcoming out of the MRT stationduriansTiong Bahru Boneless Hainanese Chicken Rice S$2 YUMYUM!This place is on Smith Street. First we looked through the food center across from it but went for the more spacious, cool, fresh-aired shop. The chicken rice came with a biggish bowl of soup we shared...woulda been nice if they gave each of us a bowl.a youth

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1113370899601208902005-04-13T13:19:00.000+09:002005-04-13T14:41:39.603+09:00

I had the cafeteria's lunch today, teriyaki chicken. No picture because I didn't expect to be eating anything special today so I didn't take my camera. I chose the lunch because it wasn't anything fried. It was alright, but not very teriyaki at all. I can't speak for Okinawa (where teriyaki originated?) but of the places I've been during my time in Japan, I've surprisingly not really encountered

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1113316148087177502005-04-12T23:08:00.000+09:002005-04-16T15:20:32.750+09:00

3/28 Orchard Roadone of the many Bee Cheng Hiang outletspork, chicken, spicy... regular pork tasted bestI asked for two but after walking away peeked in to find only one. S$2something. YUMYUMYUM!weighing dumpling dough at Din Tai Fung in Paragon's basement levelIn America it's soy sauce. In Singapore it's soya sauce.look at that shrimp! ten Pork & Shrimp dumplings for S$9.50 YUMYUMYUM!six super

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1113179260847842282005-04-11T09:50:00.000+09:002005-04-12T01:12:31.473+09:00

3/27Plaza Singapura KOPITIAMWe stayed in the mall all day (after finally getting up in the afternoon) because it was raining. It wasn't hard, there was plenty to see in Plaza Singapura anyway.RIVERSIDE INDONESIAN BBQ's Ayam Panggang (Grilled Chicken set), S$3.80. YUMYUMYUM! This was SO GOOD! It is the only place that has a line at peak eating times. This chicken was our first real meal and it

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1113148191632089932005-04-11T00:45:00.000+09:002005-04-11T09:51:07.793+09:00

"Pasta""Chicken"Classy, no?Differences between countries...milk taxi!3/27, 2am KOPITIAM on the cornerroast pork rice (small S$3) and "Home Made Barley" (S$1.50)Too late and too exhausted for food, I think. The left pocket got duck rice (medium S$4.50) and Sprite Ice, which unfortunately tastes like alcohol. bleh!

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1113146247682661482005-04-11T00:14:00.000+09:002005-04-11T00:30:46.916+09:00

Here are my pick of pics...

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1113075960162392022005-04-10T04:07:00.000+09:002005-04-10T04:46:00.163+09:00

Went to Shinjuku Gyouen today for hanami, to see cherry blossoms. It was like being at Disneyland, so crowded. The weather was nice but I wish it had been even warmer. I found it funny to see so many men taking pictures with little pink flowers.Between getting off the train and going to the park, the left pocket and I searched Takashimaya's food basement floor for bento to take with us for lunch.

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1113073115467333402005-04-10T03:48:00.000+09:002005-04-10T03:58:35.466+09:00

My mom sent me an e-mail about this game. It's strange but fun to play!THE RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:Click on link then click on blue circle. Use the rules below.Everybody has to cross the river.Only 2 persons on the raft at a time.The father can not stay with any of the daughters without their mother's presence.The mother can not stay with any of the sons without their father's presence.The thief (

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1112978878412386222005-04-09T01:44:00.000+09:002005-04-09T01:47:58.413+09:00

I tried to post some foods we ate but got an error and I don't see Blogger's new link for retrieving a lost post so I'll have to do it again later. My contacts are hugging my eyes too much.Goodnight!I love my magazines!

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1112975578276615752005-04-08T23:46:00.000+09:002005-04-09T01:43:48.260+09:00

I got a bunch of Singaporean fashion magazines. I never buy fashion magazines. Call me ignorant but I'd never seen magazines in English full of Asian models and therefore never realized they existed. How different my life would be if I'd grown up with such magazines around me. I'm so intrigued by my Singaporean magazines.Singapore prices are so reasonable. The climate is nice (my hair and skin

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1112805048010504852005-04-07T01:14:00.000+09:002005-04-09T01:42:23.043+09:00

It's nice and warm! Sakura are blooming. Gotta get out and see some this year. Last year they bloomed when it was still cold and windy and I went to the park to see them too late.School starts on Friday. I went in on Tuesday to work with Drama Club. They're quick learners. I'm going in again tomorrow.There's a new teacher to replace the teacher that sat next to me. She seems to like to talk. She

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1111752560658426782005-03-25T20:52:00.000+09:002005-03-25T21:09:20.683+09:00

I lied about that being the last post. How about a school update. The third term just ended. In Japan, graduations happen in March and new school years start in April.Not much activity for me. I did start working with the English Drama club members on their new project. The girls who earlier this year were just first year students doing helping roles are now the leaders. I was afraid when they

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1111751534385623842005-03-25T20:40:00.000+09:002005-04-11T00:18:06.293+09:00

Okay this is last post for now. I need to make dinner!Last week the left pocket got his mom's more-or-less recipe for japchae. We didn't have enough beanthreads or maifun or harusame or whatever you call those noodles, so we used bifun! While making it we ran out of room in our pan with all the random veggies I cut up to use (spinach, carrot, onion, chingensai or Shanghai bokchoy?, hakusai or

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1111749947665048292005-03-25T20:09:00.000+09:002005-03-25T20:34:05.573+09:00

In search of yet more tonkatsu my brother spotted not only katsudon but curry udon as well in a lunch set display. This restaurant in the new extension to the department store attached to my train station had other choices besides tonkatsu so I'd be able to get something different. There were nice looking 890yen lunch sets which came with a main choice accompanied by mini don and udon of your

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1111747769129611702005-03-25T19:18:00.000+09:002005-03-25T20:06:05.040+09:00

After the Studio Ghibli museum we went to check out Shinjuku.We tried dinner at a Ginza Lion restaurant building that had several floors with themed foods. Seeing plastic foods that looked good, we went to the floor that was the beer floor. I got this bibimbap. It had lots of flavorful stuff in it and a good amount of very soft beef. It was okay.There's nothing like Shinjuku at night.We spotted a

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1111650985714151452005-03-24T13:29:00.000+09:002005-03-25T20:06:36.330+09:00

The left pocket and I are going to Singapore.What (and where) to eat?Thanks in advance, and to those I've already asked!

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1111501929700581092005-03-24T02:21:00.000+09:002005-03-24T13:29:20.236+09:00

You're not supposed to take pictures inside the museum but as you see I still took a lot outside.

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1111423341700840382005-03-22T17:00:00.000+09:002005-03-22T16:58:31.233+09:00

We went by bike to the big new mall. It's got a killer food court, not to mention it's pretty and has millions of pretty things inside it. First mission: eat something!A new item at the LocoMoco place! I think the place's name is LocoMoco. Left pocket went for it and tried the steak locomoco even though the plastic model of it looked shabby and even though meat usually comes really fatty and low

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1111410268345721682005-03-21T22:37:00.000+09:002005-03-22T23:00:34.450+09:00

March 5.One of my brother's goals in coming to Japan was to eat good tonkatsu. The left pocket looked on Metropolis and it listed Maisen Tonkatsu as the best tonkatsu in Tokyo, so we went, got off at Harajuku and walked down Omotesando to find it.The left pocket and I got hire cut lunch sets. It came with daikon, onions and almond jello dessert. Only 800-something yen.My brother got ro-su, which

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1111410633976128352005-03-21T22:10:00.000+09:002005-03-21T22:18:05.526+09:00

This new baby takes a lot of attention..!I just couldn't stand not having one for train trips and while at school. Like a Cabbage Patch Kid, went to the store and brought it home last Thursday, March 17. Yay! Now the left pocket is getting one too.Today we stopped by Akihabara to get me an adapter to keep the battery charged on the trip to Singapore!

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1111042037817815612005-03-17T15:26:00.000+09:002005-03-17T15:47:17.820+09:00

Earlier today the teacher next to me was stamping his hanko and asked me if I knew why the word is hanko; han meant stamp but why the ko? I didn't know. He explained how it's the same ko as in onna no ko, where it means child, which is like little one, which is closer to little stamp. I never thought of my hanko as such a cute thing!However that's not what I was thinking at the time, earlier

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1110986978564718752005-03-17T15:15:00.000+09:002005-03-17T15:16:24.546+09:00

Took my brother to his first meal in Japan at Ootoya.There's tofu steak under those veggies. The sauce is so good and spicy!Brother pocket tried the karaage and hot soba set. The cool thing is that you can choose from hot or cold udon or soba.I got a picture just in time before the left pocket's chopsticks got to his chicken!

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1110986383144217792005-03-16T23:53:00.000+09:002005-03-17T00:25:05.920+09:00

This was my idea for lunch on the way to pick up my brother from the airport. Actually, I ate three of these. The korokke were I think five for 100yen and the butter rolls were 50yen each. Nice, no?

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1110986107941578302005-03-16T23:52:00.000+09:002005-03-17T00:15:07.943+09:00

Today one of the English teachers from the academic counseling department came and gave me a 500yen coin for helping one student prepare for her college interview. I thought it was pretty strange that such money goes out just for advising a student on how to go through an interview. I saw the list of teachers on the clipboard and most of them had more than 500(yen) next to their names. Too bad

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1110901775271008522005-03-16T00:24:00.000+09:002005-03-16T01:02:23.713+09:00

Yesterday (Monday) was White Day. I'd forgotten about it until Left pocket asked me what kind of cake I wanted from Cozy Corner. Aww! Believe it or not I was more in the mood for apple so I asked if I could have an apple from the market instead. I ate some of it tonight after dinner, it was good.I also received a big box from the confectionery across from school, a White Day present from all the

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1110558346117678902005-03-12T01:06:00.000+09:002005-03-12T01:25:46.116+09:00

I saw Howl no Ugoku Shiro with my brother this week. It's now my favorite Ghibli film, even over Mimi o Sumaseba (aka Whisper of the Heart or If You Listen Closely) and Tonari no Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro)! Why? I think because I saw it pure Japanese and only Japanese--no influence from subtitles or dubbed voices--and was able to understand most of it myself. Also maybe because the story was not

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108566132813886622005-03-09T21:01:00.000+09:002005-03-09T21:04:45.080+09:00

A pre-prepared filler while I'm busy showing my brother around... by the way the last couple days the temperature was in the mid-high teens. Nice and warm!This "party" pack of sandwiches is made by the bakery in the supermarket. It was, what, 504yen or something? I can't remember exactly.I wonder if I'm going to dislike whole wheat bread when I return to the US. I rarely ate white bread before I

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1110041182809355952005-03-06T01:42:00.000+09:002005-03-09T21:00:46.970+09:00

snow at visit schoolThis was taken from the second floor staff room after I'd arrived at school. It was still snowing steadily.snow on the cemetaryOn the way to the airport from school the snow was very light.slushy roadThis was taken on the way away from visit school.

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1109899980013913332005-03-04T09:35:00.000+09:002005-03-04T10:34:40.620+09:00

(Entry's title thanks to Fumiyo.) Until today I'd never had to walk through the snow. For snowboarding, of course I walked in the snow but I was distracted by the fun I was having at the time.I did make it safely to visit school--which even on the finest day I'd say is not the smoothest stroll--20 minutes late. I was worried about how terribly late I was but as I saw some students on the way I

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1109901249967059572005-03-04T09:33:00.000+09:002005-03-04T11:08:48.513+09:00

It's foodpocket, the left pocket, and Chu Chu Seal. Made with Portrait Avatar Maker.

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1109827072744481452005-03-03T14:16:00.000+09:002005-03-03T15:09:53.436+09:00

Okashi means sweets or snack. They are often left on teachers' desks by other teachers who went on trips or are distributing a box of omiyage that they received from some meeting with another person.Here are pictures of other okashi I received in February that I didn't post about.

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1109746400073443412005-03-02T15:50:00.000+09:002005-03-03T05:29:54.243+09:00

Muahaha!The left pocket's in the kitchen tonight! And he's making...Pork chop!

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1109745615449171242005-03-02T15:27:00.000+09:002005-03-02T15:42:31.910+09:00

Lucky ducks in some parts of the world can get a free scoop of Baskin-Robbins ice cream on March 2nd, just for being signed up with Yahoo!

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1109694152732554302005-03-02T01:22:00.001+09:002005-03-03T14:11:13.256+09:00

What is this? Something inspired by memories of all the japchae recipes I've looked through on the internet; an attempt to copy California Thai food; an experiment? Do I know? I think I started with a vague idea but whatever it was it had changed by the time I finished making it.First, I pulled out the surplus bag of bifun purchased from the Smart&Final-like supermarket that I think is a wonder

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1109694130586082652005-03-02T01:22:00.000+09:002005-03-03T14:09:17.980+09:00

Did we spend the whole month of February eating out? Maybe, but I don't want to think about it! Finally the kitchen (and everything else) is clean enough to prepare our own food in!This was our second homemade meal (the first was wakame udon; sorry no pictures!) and it was GREAT! Toasted chicken salad (the left pocket's was a melt) with an unintentionally generous amount of mayonnaise and a lot

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1109658159764561742005-03-01T15:15:00.000+09:002005-03-01T15:52:41.630+09:00

ponkanThese are some of the ponkan you can get in Japan. I believe this bag was 298yen and they were great quality back in January but the last couple bags I bought have been very dry.I see dekopon at the market too, which are large softball-sized ones with wrinkly navels jutting out.Without knowing what ponkan were, at first I was surprised at how much they were like small oranges. The skin and

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1109440937287959932005-02-27T03:01:00.000+09:002005-02-27T03:10:28.273+09:00

soft chocolate recipe by FumiyoHere's the recipe I asked her for from Valentine's Day.

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1109250299034197292005-02-24T22:03:00.000+09:002005-02-27T03:00:56.230+09:00

okayu setOkayu is like rice soup, but since this was from a Chinese restaurant, was it supposed to be jook? But it wasn't like jook, it was like rice soup. Well it was yummy and vegeful and I got two shrimps this time and this lunch set was only 580yen!

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1109250173498765332005-02-24T22:00:00.000+09:002005-02-25T00:53:00.966+09:00

Fuyu no Sonata BentoDo you know FuyuSona? Fuyu no Sonata, or Winter Sonata, is the Korean drama TV series that started the Korea-boom in Japan. It is so popular, people go to Korea just to take Fuyu no Sonata tours. It is so popular, they make bento using its name. Somehow, this ekiben, or train food, became the teachers' lunch and again I was lucky enough to receive the extra one.The box lid

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1109059299749320172005-02-22T16:15:00.000+09:002005-02-22T17:01:39.753+09:00

I just remembered. Here I am at school and I can't post about food because my pictures aren't on this computer and so I'll do my music post since I spent so long thinking about it. Thanks Renee!What is the total amount of music files on your computer?I'm not usually on my own computer so I don't remember the number! At one point it was over a gig but that was a long time ago and it must be less

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108997688697799702005-02-21T23:40:00.000+09:002005-02-22T14:11:02.993+09:00

I like the quality of the pictures my (edit: three year old) CanonS300 takes but suddenly my Li-ion battery won't even last an hour anymore. Do I buy a new 40 (US) dollar battery or go for a whole new camera?I would want a pocket-sized camera. But I don't want to give up picture quality just for super tiny size. Thin is good. Light but metal. My S300 can take movies around 10-20seconds long. I'd

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108993464375609452005-02-21T22:37:00.001+09:002005-02-21T22:50:31.763+09:00

Ringoyaki, or ......apple jelly-filled pancakey thingIt reminded me of apple newtons!

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108749757092675472005-02-21T11:23:00.000+09:002005-02-21T11:25:27.680+09:00

Last Friday I finished visit school's second years' interview testing. The teacher and I asked each student a total of four questions from a page of 12 and they were supposed to ask me a question. One boy asked, Do you like..pens? The two other boys being tested cracked up, the teacher laughed and shook his pen questioning the boy's meaning as I lifted an unamused brow. Reluctantly I said, Pens?

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108744704473901972005-02-19T01:38:00.000+09:002005-02-19T01:38:24.473+09:00

Ku-chan's sushi mug

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108744640175537662005-02-19T01:37:00.000+09:002005-02-19T01:37:20.176+09:00

wafu kinoko spaghetti, or Japanese style mushroom spaghetti

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108649561778464922005-02-17T22:14:00.000+09:002005-02-17T23:36:39.273+09:00

I ate kinoko spaghetti for lunch. I can't believe I don't mind the mushrooms!!! I'll put up a picture later.ESS club (English Speaking Society) had a party and though it was sabishii with only 5...4...3 of us in the end, at least we spoke English! We played Fruit Basket, Concentration, and Scattergories. Sachiko, the leader, had her Bon Jovi CD but I played Foo Fighters and No Doubt, hoping to

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108568764868676122005-02-17T21:24:00.000+09:002005-02-21T22:36:31.356+09:00

snow on my umbrellawinter wonderlandYesterday it snowed!! Morning rain and sleet to snow when I walked to school, then big pieces as I watched out the window, then back to small. Roofs, trees and cars got covered but the white didn't last all the way until work was over.snow on the fishI went to the lunchroom at the end of lunchtime and I wasn't the only one who was forced to settle for the only

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108639412049281452005-02-17T21:23:00.000+09:002005-02-17T21:58:35.250+09:00

Yesterday's dinner was Yoshinoya's chicken teriyaki bowl, 360yen, and salad, 90yen. I had tried the niwatori teriyakidon once before and was not impressed with the quality of the chicken or with the taste but I figured grilled chicken was more appealing than anything fried so I gave it another go.The niwatori teriyakidon isn't available at all Yoshinoya shops, unlike in the US where chicken is

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108556777607980422005-02-16T21:26:00.000+09:002005-02-17T13:58:18.936+09:00

Yoshinoya's ComebackI warned you it was coming, the day the Yoshinoya beef bowl returned. Well it came and went but the left pocket and I were there! You bet we filled our pockets with a fair share of the gyudon. Only thing is we had to wait in this line. Crazy people! In the cold!back of the lineI think we waited more than an hour. At first I saw a couple people eating inside but when I asked

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108397299553897622005-02-15T23:08:00.000+09:002005-02-16T11:49:43.240+09:00

On Monday at visit school I did the same as at base school, I passed out Hershey's Kisses in silly valentine envelopes I found from a previous ALT's supplies. It's fun seeing teachers get excited-happy about receiving something. I get the same way!HomemadeAfter passing out my cheesy valentines, a young teacher I call Mayaya came to my desk and brought me these walnut brownies in return! Homemade,

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108306502996664782005-02-10T23:27:00.000+09:002005-02-16T00:46:29.216+09:00

Since I won't be there on Monday I gave base school teachers Hershey's Almond Kisses (that my mom sent me all the way from California!) in Valentine's envelopes. Many teachers seemed 1.surprised that Valentine's Day was coming up and 2.amused that I was giving something out indiscriminately for Valentine's. One teacher went out of his way to not only ask me about the customs in America but to

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108304865420670302005-02-09T23:27:00.000+09:002005-02-16T11:36:27.076+09:00

cute little strawberriessecret weaponThe chou roll cake was on sale for only 100yen!easy shortcakeThis picture is from last December, the first time we had it. I think the strawberries were a little bigger that time.

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108301590279199272005-02-09T22:31:00.000+09:002005-02-15T01:04:50.856+09:00

I did it, I ordered the right one. Katsudon isn't ever a very pretty food; the egg on top makes it look like the surface of a strange planet or moon. Naturally base school's lovely cafeteria's version is no exception. Still, perhaps you can enjoy it.katsudon (MouseOver picture)The thing is, I wasn't as happy as I thought I would be with my katsudon. This could be because of a number of reasons.

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108286491958645972005-02-08T23:20:00.000+09:002005-02-13T23:56:57.350+09:00

Here's a heartwarming story from the staff room. I hadn't bothered to make sure the cafeteria was open today and, being Tuesday, it was the beginning of the week for me at base school so I have an excuse for being out of it. Lo and behold, today was another no-cafeteria-and-teachers-order-special-bento day so when the bentos started to be passed around I asked the teacher beside me about the

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108121203722126952005-02-07T23:26:00.000+09:002005-10-27T19:20:12.463+09:00

There is a music teacher at visit school who has a daughter who is applying to a fancy music school in Britain. She seems to be a very talented and dedicated pianist. Sometime last year, I was asked through the JTEs at the school to help translate and fine tune her resume in English. The music teacher was very thankful to me for helping with that and gave me a fancy cake to thank me. Recently I

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108121177734708442005-02-07T20:25:00.000+09:002005-02-13T02:20:31.253+09:00

A little explanation about the title: "hisashiburi" is similar to "long time no see" and it's appropriate here because I haven't been to Sushi Ondo in awhile!counter seatsHere's a view of one of the rows of counter seats. Sushi Ondo, like most kaitenzushi restaurants, is a big place and tonight there weren't too many people there so rather than sit at the counter, the left pocket and I were able

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1107791393663051442005-02-07T12:45:00.000+09:002005-02-12T14:53:41.763+09:00

Sansai udonI finally got to taste it, visit school's cafeteria sansai udon. Like the tempura udon, it's only 230yen. It was indeed oishii, as Fumiyo had insisted.Does it look good? Sansai means mountain vegetable and refers to the topping that looks like brown and green stems and ferns (the other toppings are wakame, green onions and a slice of kamaboko). The only thing I can surely name in the

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10382913.post-1108054057857816202005-02-06T23:39:00.000+09:002005-02-11T20:28:03.450+09:00

Osaka sushi mixWhy the label called this an Osaka sushi mix, I'm not sure. I suppose these types of sushi originated in Osaka. Did you know that in the Kansai area (Kyoto, Osaka, etc.) and in the Kanto area (Tokyo, etc.) they use different kanji, or Chinese characters, for the word sushi? I learned that from a sushi chef in Tsukiji fish market.Anyhow, this pack is from the local supermarket. It

foodpockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419682855242852378noreply@blogger.com3