Artist Statement

It was nice and cool last night because the rain cooled down the temperature! However, we have high 90F (32C) again!!! I need to be careful not to catch a cold.

Today, my boyfriend came nearby, so I had a lunch with him at my favorite restaurant! I had taco rice and tomato + carrot smoothie. Having lots of vegetables makes me happy :) Yes, of course I am happy because I saw him, too ;)

Anyway, last week I said I am thinking of taking a food related class, but I changed my mind. The class was pretty expensive, and I found many pros and cons, which made me suspicious about it.

Then I asked myself: why I wanted to take the class? and realized that I care how people see me! I knew that before, but I reconfirmed it. It is a popular qualification, so maybe I made a rash decision!

Cooking is my daily work. At the same time, it's my artwork. I believe it is an economical art because you can eat! If I have an appetite, I can create. I never run out of ideas, at least I can eat normally. Every meal, I try to keep my own way to express my feelings and thoughts. I hope people see that in my dishes and enjoy :)

I know I might change my idea someday, but this can be my artist statement as of today!

So, I thought what I need now is not a class, but something for a change! Last Saturday, my boyfriend and I toured 3 gyms. I might start to go to gym. I used to go when I was a student and I know that I can cheer myself up and improve my work by getting some exercise!

Will see...

Oops. I was writing this last night but again posting this in the next morning. I'm not a night person!

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Kitchen Accidents

It rained very hard last night, so we have sunshine today :)
Cicadas are buzzing loudly... it is really hot!

On Saturday, I received an anniversary reminder from Yahoo! Calender.
What anniversary?!
I wondered and opened the message and realized that it was a reminder of the day I cut my finger with a rice bowl!
Right... my boyfriend set it to remind every year.

Back on August 9th, 2005, I was frustrated by my work (my supervisor). While washing the dishes, I was complaining to my boyfriend about my work... and suddenly, a rice bowl broke in two and I cut my right pinkie finger!!! Quite quickly, it bled a lot and I couldn't see my finger, which I thought part of my finger was torn! We were in panic and called an ambulance and went to the hospital...

The doctor stopped the bleed and wrapped a bandage on my finger. Just that?! I thought I need to put a stitch!!!
As I thought, the next day the bleed didn't stop and I went to the hospital again. A different doctor saw me and sew up the wound with a stitch.
Only a finger but I had tough days...

When I am tired, I need to be careful. I sometimes pick up a hot pan with bare hands.　Also, I often peel my nails with a peeler. Very scary, but I once used a knife upside down and put my hand over to cut food... Luckily the knife wasn't that sharp, so I didn't cut my hand but was very dangerous!!!

I think I need this reminder once a year, just to be careful every time I cook!

By the way, today is the 5th anniversary since my boyfriend and I have been together. My boyfriend was busy, so we didn't go out for dinner. Maybe this weekend!?

Actually, I am writing this diary again the next day... Last night, I was watching reruns of the Olympic games and got tired by the time I write. I was very excited about Kosuke Kitajima's gold medal swim! Also, the day before, I was glued to the tube watching judo!!! Masato Uchishiba was so cool! I watched the match on live!!!

Okay, see you again :)
Have fun watching the Olympic games!

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Google Street View in Japan

Hi! Last night I heard thunders again... How changeable the weather is! But today we have clear skies (no clouds in the morning)! Hope not rain tonight.

I forgot to write about this, but Google has just supported "Street View" in Japan on August 4th! Now you can take a virtual walk in Japan ;)
For instance, search "Tokyo Japan" on the Google Maps and click the "Street View" button on the map! You can explore cityscapes, landmarks, points of historical interest, and more!

Searching your neighbors might be fun!
Unfortunately, Google's street view car didn't run near our home, so I couldn't view my house. Hope you can find yours :)

HERE is the search result of Shibuya!
The cylinder-shaped building you see right in front is Shibuya 109, where I mostly shop my clothes.

I hope you enjoy exploring Japan ;)

By the way, HERE is Manhattanville College!
It is the college I graduated from!!!
You can't tour the campus but the linked view is the entrance!

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Swarovski Crystal Decoration

Hi! It is extremely hot and humid today... We have high 95F (34C)!!!
I really hate to take a packed train on this kind of day :(
Of course I tried not to stand next to sweltering passengers!

You know what!? I just changed my cell phone to SAMSUNG mobile 920SC!
I was thinking of getting iPhone, but I changed my mind. The big concern was the "touchscreen" and I thought I will not get used to it!
SAMSUNG mobile 920SC specializes in camera function, which I thought was useful, but it actually lacks in quality and wasn't that good... it was only a phone!
Anyway, I am satisfied with my Swarovski crystal decoration ;)
It took me 2 hours!

Changing my story, today is not my day!

This morning, I couldn't nicely put my makeup on because of the sweat...

Then, when I connected my cell phone to the PC using the provided USB cable, our main PC (at home) froze... and Windows didn't start up after that. I called the support team but they just kept on transferring my call X(

I hope this is the last bad thing, but the recipe I made yesterday was way off task! I should read more carefully the next time...

Hope I have a happy day tomorrow!

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Konapun

Hello! It is hot and humid again. I feel dull.

I forgot to write about this, but there was an International Tokyo Toy Show 2008 at Tokyo Big Sight in June.
I didn't attend it, but the next day I saw on TV that Bandai (a Japanese toy making company, as well as the producer of a large number of plastic model kits, famous for Tamagotchi) has exhibited their toy called Konapun, which is the toy I wanted when I was small.

Konapun is a toy that you can make miniature dishes from the special powder and water. You won't be able to eat it, but it is harmless to eat. "Kona" and "pun" both mean powder in Japanese. The image shows how to make a donut in "Konapun Donuts Kitchen"!

There are many other series available!
The search at Bandai's catalog shows 35, so maybe there are 35 different kinds of series.
In July 2008, they are going to release "Konapun Kitchen Studio"!

Actually, Konapun was sold again after 20 years in June 2006.
I remember that my friend had one!
I asked my mom, but she didn't buy me!!!
Of course I didn't give up and made a creperie from cardboard and cooked some real small crapes (pancakes) in the kitchen and served... I remember that I made a mess of it but that was all I could do :(
It is about 10 to 50 bucks, so now I can buy one or all!
But I won't! I mean, I want a real kitchen!!! Ha-ha :)

Anyway, I am so excited to see it available again.

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Bye-Bye Kuidaore Taro

Hi! This morning, I saw on TV that Osaka's famous restaurant Cui-daore has closed on July 8th!
Cui-daore was a massive eight-story restaurant with a different Osaka cuisine on each floor. Actually, Kuidaore Taro (a mechanical drum-playing clown - he has a younger brother called Kuidaore Jiro, which looks the same) in front of Cui-daore is even more famous! It is kind of a landmark of Osaka!
In 2006, when we visited my boyfriend's home, we stopped by at Osaka for sightseeing and took a picture in front of it ;)

Speaking of Osaka, it is very famous for Takoyaki!
Takoyaki is a popular Japanese dumpling made of batter, diced octopus, tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger, konnyaku, and green onion, topped with okonomiyaki sauce, green laver (aonori), mayonnaise, and katsuobushi (fish shavings).
There are many street vendors selling Takoyaki around Dotonbori area, so it is hard to tell which one is good! They all say Japan's best!

Also, there is a Haagen-Dazs shop in Dotonbori where you can eat Takoyaki shaped ice cream puffs! Those come in 6 different flavors, which is pretty cool!!!



Someday, I want to visit Osaka again.

You know what!? I fell from stairs this morning :(
Hope it won't bruise.

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Natural Disaster

Today, the sun showed up, but the forecast says it's gonna rain again this weekend :(

This morning, we ate the last of the ikanago no kugini that my grandma gave us. Next year, I really want to cook it with her to learn how!!!

Yesterday, I wrote that global food crisis is closer than we think.
In addition, we people live in Kanto region need to be prepared for a great earthquake, which might take place soon.
Severe earthquakes have hit Japan since the beginning of the twentieth century.
In 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake (magnitude of 7.9) took place, which caused extensive damage over a wide area including Tokyo. Then in 1995, the Great Hanshin Earthquake (magnitude of 7.2) took place, which devastated much of the Hanshin area, including Kobe and Awaji Island. And in 2004, the Chuetsu earthquake (magnitude 6.8) took place, which ravaged the central region of Niigata prefecture. In 2007, the Noto Peninsula Earthquake (magnitude 6.9) and the Chuetsu Offshore Earthquake (magnitude 6.6) took place.
We have frequent earthquakes these days, so we are overdue for a large one! I need to provide against it but it depends on where you are. I might better check the safest place to take cover during the earthquake.

Speaking of earthquake, Tokyo Fire Department has asked for the survival food recipes using preserved (canned) food products and familiar vegetables in April. I submitted some of my recipes. Hope I could pass preliminaries since I had a call from them that I am a nominee.

Sorry for the gloomy topic again.
Bad weather until yesterday made me think pessimistic.

Tomorrow, I will write something happy!!!
I have a lot to write!

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My Recipe Newsletters

Hello!
It's raining like the rainy season.
We have such a gloomy season in early summer called "tsuyu or baiu" in Japan. I hope the weather clears up by the weekend.

Anyway, on Wednesday, my recipe newsletters were introduced on the seasonal page of Mag Mag.
Mag Mag provides a newsletter delivery service, which I believe is the best in Japan. I write a newsletter on Fridays since 2004. It has been about 4 years already, but this was the first time to be featured!!!
Sorry that everything is in Japanese, but the image here is how my newsletter caption listed.
Currently, I have 871 readers.
Hope it increases.

Changing my story, yesterday I had laser hair removal done.
I searched on the Internet and was in between medical laser (such as Laser Diode) and beauty salon's IPL (Intense Pulsed Light).
Finally I decided to have IPL.
My friend goes to the salon and she said it was good, so that proved decisive :) For me, friend is more trustworthy than the Internet.
I purchased 2-year package, hoping to save time shaving...
I mean, I wanna take more time for my cooking!
Sounds crazy? Could be, but Joke! Ha-ha.

Okay, gotta go now.
See you again :)

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My Plan for Summer Vacation

Every summer, I visit New York with my boyfriend.
It is already our 5th visit this year.
In other words, it has been already 5 years since we came back to Japan. (We used to live in New York.)
Actually, the first year, we went there in winter because the tour package was real cheap.
However, the weather was freezing cold (we forgot about the weather), so we decided to go there in summer from then on.

Badly, fuel surcharge is increasing every year.
5 years ago, it was about $50, but now is about $400!!!
Including airport tax and the other fee, we will be charged about $500 this year...
So, this year, I searched more precisely for the least expensive tour package.
But up to this point, I don't find any good one :(
I thought of booking plane ticket and hotel by myself, but surprisingly, the total price seems to be the same as the tour package.
However, today I found that if we select a little bit luxurious hotel, the total price becomes a good deal.
I guess I am talking to myself too much today.
No one understands this, right?
Okay, to conclude, I am still thinking!!!

Anyway, today, I forgot my key at home again...
It was the second time to borrow the key at real estate this year!
To justify myself, I forgot it because it was a garbage day!
Last time as well, I was thinking of throwing out garbage before I leave home, which my boyfriend doesn't do!!!

Finally, writing about my cooking!
Today, I will show you my Neapolitan Couscous Salad.
I came up with this idea from the meal served on the plane last year :)
The idea is everywhere!

Okidoki!
Bye for today!!!


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Happy Valentine's Day!

Yesterday, I was going to write my diary but didn't have a chance...
To make an excuse, I felt very drowsy at night and went to bed early.
It is very chilly these days so the weather might be the reason!!! haha.
Anyway, I will try my best to keep my diary.

The pic here is Valentine's chocolate cake which I made two years ago.
I used HERSHEY'S chocolate whipped cream for the filling.
I drew heart patterns on the cake.
Isn't it a lovely idea?!
The recipe is here.
I think I showed you most of my pretty Valentine's Day recipes ;)

Different story.
Recently (might be from the latter half of 2007) many food companies are promoting their products by offering free food product samples. They ask web users to create recipes or write about the products on their blog in return.
Whenever I find an offer, I apply for it. Luckily, I win most of the offers... In other words, I have a lot of tasks!!! I enjoy cooking but hope I can manage to use them all.

I have a many things to write!!!
There are a lot of new food products in Japan and they are all unique and interesting.
Hope I can write about them one by one every day.
About upcoming event-related food in Japan, too :)

Tonight, I am going to cook croquettes for my boyfriend.
I hate to fry things on weekdays but since he doesn't like sweet stuff, he should love them!
Also, I have another gift for him! Hope he likes that as well :)

Okay, I gotta go now.
Have a happy Valentine's Day!

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Hand Care Items

Yesterday, I couldn't write my diary because my home PC couldn't go online... Sometimes our LAN has a temporary problem, so this might be the reason. Hope it is fixed by this evening.

Anyway, I wish I could have a day off... my supervisor is verrry annoying. But I'm a good girl, I hardly ever take off from work!

Moaning is enough!
Today I want to write about my hand care items.
Since I cook almost everyday, my hands are brittle and cracked in winter. So this winter, from November, I started to use some hand care products!

The image on the right is Edible Hand Cream.
Since it contains edible ingredients, you can use it while you are cooking! It costs a bit but helps a lot!

The image on the left is Casabella's Water Stop Gloves. I hate to wear gloves while washing dishes but I soon got used to them. They just fit my hands!
Also, I love this kind of pink :)

Okay. I gotta go now.
See you again tomorrow.

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Suica

Tonight, I have another company year-end-party...
I have forgotten about this so I don't feel like attending this year... but I have to.

Anyway, yesterday, I didn't get any present from my boyfriend :(
He was sorry about it but I'm very shocked!!!
So, this weekend, when we hold our year-end-party in Ginza, I will ask him to get something!

Me? I bought him a hand strap for cell-phone that has a logo of penguin: Suica (rechargeable contactless smart card used as a fare card on train lines in Japan.) I remembered that he said he switched to mobile Suica (which is the mobile version of Suica) and he wants the penguin strap that goes with his mobile Suica installed cell-phone. So I looked for it all over Shinjuku station. Finally, I found not the strap but the Suica card case with a cute penguin icon chain at kiosk. He attached the chain to the cell and he was satisfied with it. I wish I could get the strap, but surprisingly, none of the station staff knew about the Suica character goods store so I couldn't even look for it...

Okay. I gotta go now.
See you tomorrow!!!

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