60th Birthday

Today we (subsidiary company) celebrated our company president's 60th birthday during our lunch break. I didn't check the place beforehand, so I was surprised when we arrived there! It was the cafe I always go! (Where I met merce-san last month!)

We had a special pre fix menu there: salad, main dish, rice, pasta, and dessert ;) How nice from the daytime... I didn't want to go back to work...

We took 2 hours lunch time, so we needed to work 1 hour extra, which was pain in the neck... but the president was happy, so we all were happy to spend time with him!

That's all for today! See you again ;)

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Spring Vegetable Pancakes

This morning I realized that the sakura season is over and all tree leaves are green.

Yesterday, I made spring vegetable pancakes! I mixed chopped ham, asparagus, and red onion in the pancakes. Then I cut ham with a sakura-shaped cookie cutter and decorated on top. Those black dots in the center are black sesame seeds.

Our relationship is still strained, but I am doing fine with my boyfriend. I never thought I fell in love with him again... I forgot to enjoy the sakura trees but I am enjoying my life with amor.

I am still a girl! Ha-ha ;)

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Curry and Rice with Everything!!!

Hi! We have fine weather almost everyday. The high today is 75F (24C)!!! My heart is still freezing, though...

It's not me but my co-worker (a guy) had "curry and rice with everything" for lunch... He forwarded me the image but how unappetizing (image on the left)...

In Japan, at some curry and rice restaurants, we can choose our favorite topping(s). There is a restaurant called CoCo Ichibanya where you can choose from more than 30 topping choices! Some crazy guys tried the curry and rice there with everything (image on the right)... Can you imagine eating this?! Yuck!!! Why guys like to do such a stupid thing...
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Tomorrow I am going on a date with my boyfriend! I'm seeing him for the first time in days. Good luck to me!!!

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Bento Box for Onigiri

Hi! It is getting warmer day by day. Now the high is 68F (20C)!

I found cute bento boxes for onigiri! You can carry a side dish in it, too :)

Anyway, I am still having worries about my boyfriend... He says there is no problem but I just doubt him... I sometimes feel I should have got married sooner. If we have a child, he/she will be a link between us. I am doing fine, but I realized our relationship is very fragile after 6 years!!! I hope I can get over this feeling... If I could, I believe we can be happy later. I know my work is important, but my love is more important now! Love is truly without reason! I can't do anything else!!!

Sorry about this...
See you again with a different topic the next time!

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Birthday Dinner

On 4/4, on my boyfriend's birthday, we went to the Italian restaurant again! The manager prepared us a nice pre fix menu at a special price. Thank you!!! We had a good time. I gave him a tie as usual. I always give him a good tie so that he can use it everyday.

Yesterday, sakura trees were in full bloom. I forgot to bring my camera with me, but it was really nice.

Anyway, what do you think is the true love? Is that a romance?
Last time I said my boyfriend might be cheating. I am not sure whether that is true or not, but feeling our relationship is too complicated since we are living together for long. Do guys hate being settled? I just realized I am in love with him again... because I can't reach his heart. Isn't it funny?!

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Sakura Season...

Sakura was almost in full bloom yesterday. (These pics are from yesterday.) Today, the high is 64F (18C), so I hope all buds open up!

Anyway, I attended my grandpa's funeral in Shiga the other day. He died at age of 94. He lived a full life! Since he was a monk, his ceremony was held at his temple, Konnenji (the temple is famous for 600-year-old pine tree). More than 13 monks came and recited a sutra. It was a gorgeous ceremony!

During his life, I remember he was very close to grandma. He commuted everyday to see her when she was hospitalized. When they were young, they enjoyed traveling around different places every year. They were always together! I still can't believe he is gone. My grandma should be sad... the time is surely passing...

While I was very saddened, my smallest sister (I don't know whether I wrote this before or not, but she is mentally deficient) told me that our grandpa is always in our heart. He is not dead! She was so sweet... I thought I need to live long for him!!!

It was freezing cold in Shiga, but sakura there was nice, too. It was his dream to die under sakura trees. He should be happy! May he rest in peace.

The image on the right is the food we had on the last day. We were all busy preparing for the ceremony but we had a good time with our relatives!

I am going to the gym now since it remodeled on April 1st! This is why I am early this morning ;) Also, today is my boyfriend's birthday, so I have a plan this afternoon! Getting busy now!!! See you again :)

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My Accomplishments

Hello. It was again cold this morning. I predict the cherry trees will blossom this weekend!

I will list the rest of my accomplishments this month.

On 3/12, I got honorable mention at Kamada(dashi soy sauce products manufacturer)'s contest. My prize winning recipe is Microwave Steamed Salty Sweet Chicken Cake.



On 3/17, my Stir Fried Mozuku recipe won the highest award at mozuku recipe contest organized by Itoman Mozuku Sangyo in Okinawa. Mozuku (Cladosiphon okamuranus) is noodle-like seaweed which is mainly produced in Okinawa. Since it was my 2nd time to apply for this contest, I didn't think I would get a prize again, so I was really happy about the result!

On 3/23, I won the outstanding performance award at Cookpad's gochujang recipe contest. Gochujang is a Korean hot miso sauce. I poured it on the rice omelet using namuru (Korean versatile vegetables).





On 3/24 I won a B prize again at Valentine's Day contest held by Kyoritsu Foods ( food manufacturer). I used their sugar sprinkles to decorate the cake.







On 3/24, I won the outstanding performance award at tomato recipe contest held by Town Planning Association of Ebetsu city in Hokkaido. I found the contest day before the deadline, so I was very surprised to receive the award. Maybe I shouldn't try too hard?!

On 3/25, three of my recipes were posted on QBB (cheese and milk products manufacturer)'s website. I was asked by QBB to create recipes using their newly released cheese products ;)

On 3/27, my Bibim Tuna Roll won the highest award. The contest was to create recipes using Yazuya's cereal rice and Ontayaki (plate). I am happy to receive good reports from the judges, too!

As usual, I won some sample products, too. Ajitsuke nori (flavored nori), mentaiko (cod ovum), fish collagen supplement, konjac noodle, TBC beauty drinks, dish soap, and ironware. Then last but not least, I won the moffle maker! I collected bar-codes on the packages of sweet ingredients and applied. I don't usually win this kind of sweepstakes, so I was lucky.

Actually, I am finishing up my diary in Shiga. I was right that I brought my PC with me since I have some spare time in spots.

See you again!

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Sakura is in Delay

Hello! The high is 53F (12C) and chilly almost daily, so the sakura buds are still closed. However the closest viewing spot is now illuminated :( They will end the light-up on 4/1! I think they should extend the time...

Anyway, there are too many unpleasant things going on around me. I am keep on losing Cookpad's contests. My effort won't match with results!!! They don't offer that big prizes so it is not about the prize, but the recognition for my effort! Damn it!!! Then yesterday, I was sorry to see that Mao Asada couldn't stand on the podium at ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2009. I hope she can do it the next time! Then about my grandpa, he passed away on the 29th. In ordinary circumstances, the wake and funeral will be held immediately, but since my grandpa was a monk, we need to wait until related parties to hold a mass. I am very shocked to hear about his death, but what made me more nervous is my boyfriend... A girl is calling his cell at night! Can you believe it!? He doesn't change his attitude towards me, so I might be wrong... I want to believe I am wrong!!!

Sorry for my complaints...
I hope everything will be fine when spring comes!
Fight!!!

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Nice Italian Cuisine

It is still cold but the sun came out again!
I think sakura will be in full bloom by this weekend!!!

Yesterday, we had a convivial party at an Italian restaurant in Omotesando. The party was hosted by our president (for female employees only) and we enjoyed foods in season complemented by wines! The course meal was similar to what we had last year, but since I was not familiarized with the place at that time, it didn't stand out in my memory. However, this year, I could savor the taste! All dishes were really delisious!!! I was so excited that I reserved the restaurant for my boyfriend's birthday, of course, at a special price ;)
I can't wait to go there!!!

And now for something completely different, I heared a shocking news from my mom this morning. My bedridden grandfather on the father's side contracted pneumonia, lying at death's door... He is going to be 94 on May 9th. Last time I saw him was about 2 years ago, after he recovered from a stroke. I have a very nice picture of him with grandma. He was doing fine for a while but it relapsed. Since then he was bedridden and now he is suffering from pneumonia. How fragile our life is...

Let's appreciate every day!

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Ichiro Led Japan to WBC Title

Hi! It is cloudy, rainy, and cold again :(
Cherry blossoms are not yet blooming.



This morning, WBC was featured in most of TV programs! I was not that crazy about the game, but when I saw Ichiro smiling and happily accepting an interview, I felt something quite important to it. He usually keeps a straight face, you know!

Anyway, tonight I have to attend a convivial party after work. It is mandatory... The party will be held at the same Italian restaurant as last year. Last year I forgot to bring my camera with me, so this year I did! I will post the pictures if I get nice and yummy shots of foods!

May I complain about something?!
I think there are too many point services around us! Credit points, airline points, shopping points, etc... I just realized my Internet points have expired before I redeem them. I try to remember expiration dates for all but unfortunately those points were managed by my boyfriend, so it was lost before I realize it :( Anyway, I wish at least those points can be easily transferred to the other point services, so that I can manage them easily...

That's it for now!

Talk to you again soon ;)

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My Friend's Wedding

It is cloudy and windy almost daily, but luckily it was sunny with no wind on Saturday, on the day of my friend's wedding! Also by luck, I didn't catch the cold from my boyfriend ;)

She was my college classmate. Her college in Japan has a sister school in the US, which is my college, and she came on exchange when I was sophomore, if I'm right. I am glad that she invited me to her wedding since it was only a short period of time that I studied with her. She held a ceremony at wedding chapel of her college. I don't have her permission, so I will post her picture in the distance ;) Don't you think she's beautiful!?

The wedding banquet was held at a hotel. I had a good talk with my old friends! The wedding meal was gorgeous and delicious. (I forgot to take pics of some dishes since I was lost in conversation. He-he.) The place was full of love and I thought I need to be more thoughtful and attentive to my boyfriend...

However, I was just sorry for a while. When I got home, my boyfriend left all dishes unwashed and left all rubbish on the floor, so I was very mad at him and scolded! Then this morning, he forgot to pack his onigiri and left for work, so I hit the ceiling :( I know I need to be nicer but you know what I mean...

Okay, this is all for today!
Bye bye :)

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