Golden Eho-Maki

Writing the same thing as last year, February 3rd is Setsubun. It is the day before the beginning of Risshun (spring season). On Setsubun, we cleanse away all the evil of the former year and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come. This special ritual is called Mamemaki (bean scattering). On this day, it is customary now to eat uncut maki-zushi called Eho-Maki ("lucky direction roll") while facing the yearly lucky compass direction, determined by the zodiac symbol of that year.

The lucky direction of the year 2009 is east-northeast. If you eat Eho-Maki facing in that direction it will bring you luck. But just remember you have to eat all without speaking! Say "delicious" after you complete it ;)

The image here is Eho-Maki that I made last year. It's sushi rice is colored gold with curry powder. Don't you feel lucky?! Also, I used seven lucky ingredients including lucky colors such as red and yellow: anago (conger eel), boiled shrimp, cucumber, red bell pepper, kinshitamago (sliced egg crepe), sakura denbu (seasoned shredded codfish), and black olive.

Hmm... What kind shall I make this year...

Will see! I will post it next year on this day again if I still keep my diary ;)

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Pollen Season

Do you have hay fever?

Me? Not yet... so I need to be careful not to develop it! This morning I saw on the news that the hay fever season has arrived earlier this year because of the warmer weather. The pollen count is expected to be 3 times higher than last year! I can't part with mask until summer, I guess.

Different story. My dad temporarily came back from China during CNY, so my family + my boyfriend had dinner at yakiniku restaurant last night. My family has been to Karuizawa (a popular tourist spot) on that day so my mom gave me some souvenirs. Then this morning, I saw on the news that there was Asamayama (active volcano in Karuizawa) eruption early this morning. How scary... The eruption was small but an alert level was raised. Whew! I'm glad that my family came home safe!!!

Anyway, we have small but frequent earthquakes almost daily... The Meteorological Agency isn't giving a warning but I need to be prepared for something bad to happen :(

PEACE!

Oh, by the way, I downloaded a cute wallpaper for my cell the other day. CALGOT & MAIMAI, I found them on the Net last year and I love them since then ;)



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Fugu Chiri Nabe

Yesterday, I had "Fugu Chiri Nabe" (puffer fish hot pot dish) with my co-worker for lunch. Fugu (puffer fish) is an expensive type of fish. Usually served as a fine dining but this was only for $10!!! I always watch TV while running at the gym, and every Thursday, there is a show that features lunch menus at great prices! (The restaurants can cut prices because they use the portions that can't be served for dinner but still are high-grade!) Mostly, those featured restaurants aren't close to my workplace, but last week the one nearby was featured! I think I should better keep an eye on that program ;)

Changing my story, the peacock store near my house (I wrote about it before) is going to close down tomorrow. Everything was 30-50% off yesterday evening, and I found nothing left when I stopped by at night!!! How fast... and everyone knows the value.

You know what!? Sad thing here again. Yesterday I found that the boxing class (at the gym) I loved will end this month. The class was held on Sunday evenings and now I don't have a class to look forward... Inconveniently, all other interesting classes are held during the day. Is the gym for homemakers?

It is raining here today... but good weather to prevent flu outbreak!

Damn me... I just cooked once this week. Maybe next week, I will cook more!

Okay, I gotta go now.
See you next month ;)

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