Where Do You See Yourself in 10 Years?

Good question! Kym posed this question on her post yesterday. I always think what I wanted to do NOW but I haven't actually thought about where I'll be in 10 years.

Let me think...



ME - In 10 years, I am a loving wife ;) Hope to have a child (a gentle boy like my darling I wish but maybe a hasty girl like me...). Having enough time for household work, I hope myself not working full-time but teaching Japanese cooking to foreigners part-time. In addition, maybe using YouTube or some other revolutionary tools, I want to share my cooking worldwide! Still dancing hula and going to GYM. I hope I always have a dream that keeps me motivated.

MY DARLING - In 10 years, my darling always loves me and so do I. I see him still doing whatever he wants to do. I don't want to limit his potential, so I support him no matter what he does. I might breath down his neck when I'm under stress, but not as often as now. he-he!!!

TRAVELS - I still visit NY every year with my loving family ;) Want to visit Hawaii and Okinawa within less than a decade.

Where Do You See Yourself in 10 Years?

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Wedding Invitations

Today (8/4/2010), we are sending out our wedding invitations because it is "大安 (taian)", the luckiest day of the week in Japanese calendar :D

My darling did a great job putting stamps and stickers on the cards!!!

Our wedding reception is going to be small in scale, but full of our ideas! We decided to invite only selected people who we have special feelings.

I hope all can enjoy :)

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Lost Again...

This is the last moment I wore my heart shaped loop pierced earrings. I mean, I lost one side few minutes later... This photo was a clue, but I couldn't find it even if I went back the way I came since that time :(

Actually, this is my second time to lose one side of loop pierced earrings. Ironically, always my favorite ones!!! How come it comes off?! Maybe I need to put backs.

Hope not happen again!!!

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INCEPTION

Did you watch "INCEPTION" already?
My darling and I watched it on Saturday.
It's a must-watch movie :D

Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive. Being offered a chance at redemption, one last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible-inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea from the dream but to plant one.

To tell the truth, I wanted to see more lines for Ken Watanabe since his role in the last half of the film was a injured person. Anyway, the movie was very interesting. I never thought about dreaming in my dream in several levels. Likely but unlikely scenario is very depthful, made me bask in the afterglow of the story.

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Happy

I like the word "happy".

Simply because the letters look happy with double "P"!
Also, the way it's pronounced is happy.
I feel joy from the word.
I feel uplifted.
It gives me courage.
Makes me feel positive!!!

I don't think we have an exact word for this in Japanese.

My darling bought this book in NY.
Be Happy: A Little Book to Help You Live a Happy Life
It's a great book to open when you want to forget about all the hustle and bustle of everyday living :)

Life is not easy, but be happy, yeah!!!

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DIEGO DE ALMAGRO Reserva

I again found a nice 10-bucks red wine :)

It's a powerful full-bodied red wine made of 100% Tempranillo grapes (in Spain), displaying vanilla aromas combined with spicy and fruity hints.

It pairs perfectly with beef stew or BBQ!!!
If you remember, my Beef Beer Curry and Rice would go perfect with it!!!

Enjoy ;D

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Hello Kitty Postage Stamps

I've been searching the Net for new postage stamps and found new Hello Kitty postage stamps again!!! The theme is "Expo 2010 Shanghai China". I love heart-shaped stamps ;) Glad to find two hearts per sheet this time!!!

BTW, postage stamps featuring "Hello Kitty & Dear Daniel" was issued last year. That was cute too, but there was only one heart per sheet.

Oh, did I tell you that I love Hello Kitty the best?! I used to collect Kero Kero Keroppi when I was in junior high school, though. He-he ;)

Anyway, I have to get a heap of work done... but with deliberate speed, you know?!

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Italian Lunch Buffet @ INOW

Before I forget, we had delicious Italian lunch buffet in Jiyugaoka last week.

INOW is the finest organic Italian restaurant since 1983. My darling picked up a flyer with 200-yen-off coupon at the train sation, so we decided to go there to have lunch.

Their buffet menu includes:

1, all-you-can-eat antipasto and seasonal breads
2, all-you-can-drink wines, tea, coffee, and juice
3, pizza or pasta of the day
4, seasonal dessert

What attracted us was "all-you-can-drink wine". Their pink sparkling wine was really refreshing when the weather is hot. We felt like putting on the ritz. He-he ;)

The total was 1600yen per person with the coupon. We don't drink that much wine, but pretty good deal for those who drink!

Anyway, we have steaming muggy days for 2 weeks or more. Drink water!!!

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Champagne @ BVLGARI

On the weekend, there was an event at BVLGARI that you can enjoy free champagne while shopping. To benefit this event, we aimed to the shop our wedding rings on Saturday.

We temporarily felt rich.

Why temporarily?! Because my credit card didn't go through for it exceeded the cap!!! It seems like I untimely used my card before the last month's withdrawal X(

I immediately, called the support center to approve the payment, but that behaviour was far from rich...

Anyway, we finally bought our wedding rings!!!
I will show you later when they are done with carvings ;)

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Bye Bye Pack Rat

Can you throw things away?

Me? I tend to be a pack rat myself. I have hard time throwing things away...

I have changed my living place for many times but I always carry everything with me. My clothes, keepsakes, artwork, textbooks, stuffed toys, knick knacks...
Thing is, I always think I will need them later!!!
Thus, I guess half of my living space is used as a storage. In other words, I am paying the rent for the storage!!!

To overcome this situation, I've got a really good idea!

"Take a picture before you throw out!!!"

Now you can simply ask "Am I really going to use it?" and if your brutally honest answer is "No!" or even "Well...probably not", or if the thing is not used for 3 years, then take a picture and throw it away.

You can keep all those pictures in your tiny memory card as keepsakes and view them anytime. You might see them more often than in your storage ;) Also, you can remember that you already threw them away, JIC!

Yes. I'm gonna execute this rule before I move to my new home in March!!!

Dreaming of a cozy home with my darling :D

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My Accomplishments

On 6/13, my Creamy Soy Egg with Savory Tomato Bowl was printed on the recipe cards. I love to add milk or soymilk and mayonnaise in the egg mixture because it makes the egg soft and smooth when you heat and scramble. Those tomato chops are marinated with salt and sesame oil. Very simple but savory. Mmm!!!

On 6/20, my Teriyaki Pork Egg Rolls won the appetizer award at the Yodoran (iodine-enriched egg) contest! I rolled up thick omelet with pork and sauteed with teriyaki sauce. Mmm yummy ;) It is a great egg recipe to go with the beer!

Regardless my enthusiasm, I received only 2 awards in June X( Also, my blog submission was rejected since I lack recipe contents... Maybe I could concentrate more time and energy on the contests and my recipe stuff after March 2011 when I moved to a new home. Of course I will still do my best meanwhile.

Time to go!
Have a good day ;)

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Mister Potato Crisps

Mister Potato Crisps is made from 100% high-grade imported potatoes. It comes in a 160g or 45g package.

The product is manufactured in Malaysia. The finely sliced potatoes are washed in cold water to remove starch from its surface to prevent the potato chips from sticking to each other when fried. These chips are then cooked in trans-fat free oil and lightly flavored. Thus you can enjoy unique crispy texture with non-salty healthy tastes!

I found this potato chips at the drug store. 160g can was sold at 100yen (3.5RM), so I bought only one to try out. Unexpectedly it was pretty good, so I decided to get another one the next day but most were already sold out when I returned.

To tell the truth, it tastes better than PrinXXXX :D

Try out when you find one!!!

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The Shape of the Clouds

My darling found a duck shaped clouds in the blue sky. Can you see it?!

Yesterday was a national holiday, Marine Day (third Monday of July). This weekend was sunny with blue skies but pretty hot and humid (high 95)! Almost daily, it is too hot to walk without a parasol. Plus sweltering nights continue... I can't sleep well without AC.

Anyway, I am pretty exhausted having too many things to do. I wish I could be a billionaire, using my time for my stuff. You know what I mean... Regardless my busyness, I will update my diary because I know it is easy to quit. Keep in touch :)

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Kaimana Hila @ YouTube

While in NY, my darling took a video of my hula as usual. This time, I danced at Brooklyn Heights Promenade where offers you a vista of the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge :D BTW, I always somewhat have a problem... The concrete was really hot like an iron plate because the temp was near 100F on this day X( Thus, my steps are unsteady...

Kaimana Hila (which means Diamond Head - the famous volcano on the Eastern edge of Waikiki) is a famous Hawaiian song. The song is about a group of friends (girls and boys) seeing the sights in old Waikiki. The funniest part is Kapiolani Park (the racetrack). You can see me jumping like a horse. Ha-ha!!!

Like before, I posted it on my YouTube account.
Please enjoy!!!

I will only show this video to my blog buddies who keep in touch with me on a regular basis or Tipness club members who took this "hula hula" class. Please send me a request from my YouTube account. I will add you as my friend to share the video.

※Tipness（ティップネス）のHULA HULAで習ったKaimana Hila（カイマナヒラ）の振り付けをビデオに記録♪Kaimana Hilaはシンガーでクムフラ（古典フラの継承者）Sandii（サンディー）さんのアロハセラピーな楽曲です。見たい方はリクエストメッセージを下さい☆

Thanks for those who have already taken a look!

The new term has started from this month! The next one is a popular Hawaiian love song! I will post a video again after 3 months when I completed the term ;)

See ya!!!

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Dish Soap

When I visit NY, what I always feel myself compelled to purchase is dish soap!!! I guess that's the curse of my hobby (cooking) :P

This year I found DAWN on sale at c99! Believe it or not, it costs about 4 bucks in Japan!!! Palmolive is also sold at a high price. However, liquids are heavy to take back, so it is not worth the price, though...

Anyway, shopping is stress-relieving, you know ;)

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CLINIQUE: NEW All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage

Rollerball-type eye serum is now hot in Japan!!! CLINIQUE's NEW All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage is something I really wanted to get in NY :D

This instantly cooling rollerball helps massage away bags, refreshes and hydrates puffy eyes on contact. Brightens eye area immediately and over time. Combats dark circles, too. With caffeine, potent antioxidants and soothing botanicals. Oil-free, non-irritating. Ophthalmologist Tested.

Believe it or not, it costs $42 in Japan while it is available at $25.50 in the U.S.!!!

Keep it in the fridge! It cools down and refreshes your eye area more!!!

Try it out ;)

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