Now that`s fresh

I was digging through my photos from Argentina looking for those potential blog posts i`ve been wanting to put here (there are so many things!) and i came across these two pictures i took in our local supermarket. RIght now i`m in Japan where the quality of vegetables and fruits is incredible, but so is the price! In Argentina, on the other hand, the price was incredibly low but the quality was often mediocre - something i am fine with most of the time since i don`t need to spend my life savings on my weekly groceries! One day we came across these big displays of the freshest mushrooms i`ve ever seen. You can literally pick `em yourself! Amazing! It did make me want to wash my hands before choosing any other groceries, though. And, yes, the mushrooms were delicious.

Spread the Net - Cairo to Capetown

So a couple of guys i knew from when i went to Mount Allison, Peter Loewen and Sam Millar, have decided to do something kind of crazy and very admirable. They`ve decided to ride their motorbikes the length of Africa. All the way from Cairo to Capetown by motorbike. And they`re doing this to raise money for UNICEF`s "Spread the Net" program. The program raises money to buy mosquito nets to help prevent the spread of Malaria, a disease that kills over 1.3 million people a year and thousands of them children. The nets help save lives and only cost about $10 each, but they are still too expensive for many who live in third world countries (or "developing nations"). Peter and Sam originally set a goal of $5,000 but have reached 45% of that in just one week so they are raising their goal to a whopping $25,000! They will ride this summer and they have a website and blog and even a Facebook group set up so you can follow their progress as they prepare and as they ride. If you sponsor them for just one penny per kilometer of their journey, it will cost you just $60. Of course, you can donate as much or as little as you want. Every little bit helps buy a net and save lives. You can also watch the video of Rick Mercer and Belinda Stronach explaining the cause on the Spread The Net website.

Check out the websites and please, donate!
Cairo To Capetown Ride
Spread The Net

Spy vs Spy

So i`m also occupying my free time these days by watching Season 1 of "MacGyver." Good ol` MacGyver. Did you know that you can put out an oil well fire with nitro-glucerin? Or that MacGyver was so folksy? "He`s part Boy Scout, part genius. And all hero." (back of the box) I`m having a lot of fun watching these old episodes but i`ve decided to alternate MacGyver with that other spy classic "Get Smart" since they`re making it into a new movie. You just can`t beat the originals. Both of them are terribly dated (Cold War, anyone?) and hilarious, though Get Smart is actually MEANT to be hilarious. I also love that, according to the logic of television, all people in the world speak English, just with different accents.















Also (i just became aware of this), did you know that Henry Winkler was one of the producers on MacGyver? That`s right "The Fonz" (sp?) from Happy Days was a producer on a whole bunch of shows throughout the `80s and `90s, including MacGyver (for 74 full episodes!!!). Weird.

AND, did you know that Teri Hatcher was a guest star on MacGyver? One episode each season for roughly 6 years. She was 22 in MacGyver`s first season!! Woah! I almost didn`t recognize her with her hair all poofed up and her voiced all squeaky and playing a total ditz. You`ve come a long way, baby. Oh wait...

Then:

And Now:

A Few Good Books

Those who know me know that I have long been a reader. You can blame my parents or my school teachers or maybe it`s in my genes, but i LOVE to read. You might even blame LeVar Burton and his Reading Rainbow program i watched as a kid. (By the way, LeVar Burton also played Jordie LaForge in Star Trek: The Next Generation and was in Roots). If i am late going to bed or if i miss getting off at my stop on the train it is usually because i am immersed in a good book (this has happened more times than i care to think of and i have actually accounted for it in my travel time to work so as not to be late!).
Lately i have been reading a lot more non-fiction but still make room in my schedule for a good novel every now and again. I think "Reading Week" and "Canada Reads" and other programs aimed at encouraging reading (especially those aimed at youth) are necessary, important and fun. Adding to this list is Amazon.ca (or .com or .jp depending on where you are). They have selected the "52 Best Books Ever Written" and they are challenging readers to read one a week in 2008, according to the promotional e-mail i got today. Normally i just delete these e-mails, choosing instead to select my own books (i have shelves full and overflowing with books i am working my way to reading and yet i still borrow and buy new books all the time). And one per week is a little fast for me! But the idea is good and the list is full of classics. The idea is that they will unveil a new title each Saturday (and presumably we would rush to order it from their service). You can, of course, find most of these books at almost any used book shop or even on Amazon`s "Used Books" service for much much cheaper. Also, i think Amazon`s list may be a little biased since they appear to be in cahoots with Penguin Classics for their selections. I was surprised, looking at the list so far, at how few of these i`ve actually read.
So here is the link for you to take a look: Amazon`s 52 Best Books Ever Even if you don`t read all of them ( i know i won`t), may i suggest picking up two or three and finding out why they are such classics. To many people "classic" = boring. I, for example have never made it all the way through a Jane Austen novel without falling asleep repeatedly and then just renting the movie, during which i would again fall asleep repeatedly. But this list has many books that are ideal for a wide variety of readers. And contrary to popular belief you don`t actually need your high school English Lit teacher standing over you to enjoy a "classic." Nor will anyone ask you to write an essay about it later (though you can by all means if that`s what gets your motor running). So grab a coffee or a glass of wine and get into a good book.

Warabimochi

Or "Little Tasty Balls of Goo"
Japan is known to many around the world for its unique culture. For some it is the mysterious geisha, for others it`s the advanced technology and corporate culture. Yet for still others (usually people who have lived here briefly) it is known for its weird snack foods. Things like squid-jerky, deep fried chicken cartilage and hot balls of battered octopus are staples for many Japanese when they get an attack of the munchies. This past weekend i had the chance to try yet another of their odd snacks (having already tried all the above mentioned snacks). This one is called "warabimochi" and consists of clear little balls of gelatin that the snacker spears on a small wooden skewer and then rolls or rubs into the pile of brown powder and eats. The balls are made from "kudzu vine starch" (whatever that is) and my electronic dictionary claims that the English translation of "warabimochi" is "bracken-starch pastry." Sounds delicious, doesn`t it? "Hey, Kids! Who wants some bracken?" "Yay!!" The brown powder is made from soy and sugar. Is there anything these days that ISN`T made from soy?! The result is an interesting and inexpensive snack that tastes pretty darn good! Perfect for either a light desert or a mid-afternoon snack attack.

Guinness

Here are a couple of recent pictures of Guinness that mom sent me via e-mail (thank you, mom!). I can hardly believe how much he`s grown! This must be what it feels like to get older: noticing how fast young things grow! Next, i`ll be fulfilling my destiny of sitting on the porch yelling at kids to get off my lawn. Anyway, mom reports that Guinness now knows a few different words like sit, come, and treat (i wonder which he figured out first!), and is answering to his name. And apparently he is going to puppy class now and playing well with the other dogs, despite being the youngest and the largest in the group.

Four Seasons English Grand Open!

My old head teacher at Nova, Peter, has just opened his own small English school this past week in Amagasaki called "Four Seasons English" and we had an opening party on Saturday to celebrate. About 20 people showed up, almost all of them ex-Amagasaki Nova students! That`s a lot of people to fit in a one-room english school! We had snacks and played games and then went to a local izakaya (a Japanese style pub) and had dinner and drinks. At the school we played a game called "Jenga" that i`m sure most of you are familiar with. For those who aren`t, the game is played by taking blocks out of a stacked tower of blocks and placing them on top, building the tower higher and more wobbly with each move until someone makes a mistake and the whole thing comes crashing down to roars of laughter from the players. There were so many people that we played in teams and Peter ingeniously worked an English quiz into the game (i love when learning is fun). By the end of the game we had one helluva towering tower going and 20 spectators watching and cheering each move and applauding each success. It was also really nice to see all my old students yet again. Michiko also showed up all the way from Tokyo! Michiko used to be one of our staff at Amagasaki Nova. In fact, while she worked at our branch she was the only staff! Now she has moved back to Tokyo and has a much better (and higher paying) job that she enjoys. At the izakaya we were able to chat and catch up and exchange stories from the last six months while i was away. Thank you to Peter and Yuki for inviting us along and to everyone who came and had fun.

First signs of Spring

I like to consider myself somewhat of an optimist these days. I excercise, i study, i try to approach each day with a sense of potential and promise and to look on the bright side of things. But when Japanese tradition says that "technically" Spring begins on February third after the Setsubun festival, one can`t really blame me for being skeptical. Especially since we`ve had snow flurries two out of the last three days and as i type this i can barely feel my fingertips, it`s so cold in my apartment.

Maybe it`s just the Canadian in me that cries out, "No way it`s Spring `til you see dem daffodils, bye!" (My inner Canadian has a funny accent, i`ve discovered). Yet yesterday Ulala and i were walking to the grocery store to buy some overpriced vegetables and we saw these little blooms on an otherwise bare bush (or is it a tree?) and thought, "Screw the snowflakes that keep getting me in the eye! This means it`s almost Spring!" See? Optimist.

And now for something completely different. Some funny tidbits courtesy of another blogger to brighten your "Spring" day:
Newsdroppings On ShoeBox Blog Enjoy!

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Gone Fishin`

So we went out to dinner tonight with Matt and Emi and had a fantastic time. They took us to a restaurant within walking distance of our house. Ulala says she had heard of it before (but i don`t know if i believe her). The unique aspect of this place - the "gimmick," if you will - is that you have to fish for your dinner!! You have the option of just ordering off the menu OR you can get a short rod and line and some little shrimp for bait and hook your own meal from the massive pools that make up most of the restaurant`s space. In fact, most of the seating area is designed to look like giant Viking boats that are constructed right over the pools, so you literally can fish from the comfort of your table! Brilliant. Matt warned me to be patient since the fish don`t always bite quick but he and i had barely wet the bait when i snagged a nice big Tai and only seconds later he reeled in a "shima-aji" (i`ll have to look up what that is in English). We had my catch as sashimi (raw slices - still twitching!) and his we had deep fried. Both were delicious. Then Ulala caught another Tai and we had that in a sort of dark sauce and baked. Last but not least Emi went and caught one of the flounders that Matt and i had no luck with and we had that deep fried as well (it was good but i just kept thinking, "Mom used to step on these and scream in Shediac, NB...). Needless to say, i am amused and very, very full. =) Here are a couple pictures for now and Matt and Emi have promised to e-mail me the much better pics they took of the evening.

The tanks and pools.

The waitress holding our first catches.

The resulting demise of said catches.

Scary AND delicious!


Pics from Matt:





Pics from Emi:

Megumi`s Birthday

So today i woke up nice and late with red wine hangover that i honestly thought might kill me. I`m old and don`t drink much anymore. Hangovers serve a good reminder of why that is. Last night was Megumi`s birthday party (her actual birthday is on the 15th - same as Michelle Culligan) so Ulala and i went over to Emi`s house for a pot-luck dinner and celebration. We brought curry-beef stuffed tomatoes, which i made. Then there was much imbibing of red wine. I am very happy to report that you can buy Argentine Malbec (only one maker, though) at my local supermarket and Chilean Cabernet at the convenience store. Wonderful! But as many wiser than i have pointed out, "just because you can doesn`t mean you should." Thank you to Emi and Matt for a great time. They are excellent hosts. Last night was a lot of fun. This afternoon, on the other hand, not so much. Overall it was very much like something out of Black`s Books. Here are some photos from the fun part:

We made gyoza!

From left: Malcolm McDowell, Ulala, Megumi, Haruca, and Naoko. Trivia note: Mr. McDowell and i share the same birthday, along with the Olsen Twins. You ARE better for knowing that.

Megumi and Ulala. I honestly don`t know if they`re singing or going to kiss the weird little character.

Megumi, Haruca, and Naoko.

Emi, Megumi, and the culprit wine.

Gotaro, Miyuri, Haruca, Naoko, and myself.

Matt and Brad.

Megumi enjoying the cake.

Ulala also enjoying the cake.

Megumi with a sugar-high.

Nap Time!

I subscribe to "Spanish Word of the Day" from dictionary.com (great site!) and today was "Siesta," one of my favorite words in any language. This is despite the fact that i`m not much of a napper. But who doesn`t like a break in the middle of the work day? Now "siesta" is a word that has found its way into the English lexicon, so i was well aware of its meaning before today. What i didn`t know was the history of the siesta:

siesta, noun
nap

"Many Spanish words come from Latin, and siesta is no exception. It comes from the Latin words ‘sexta hora’ - the sixth hour - which means noon, if you start counting at dawn. Taking an afternoon nap became much more common in Spain after the Civil War ended in 1939. There was a shortage of well-paid jobs, so men would often go to work at two different jobs, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, going home at midday to eat and rest. "

Thank you, Dictionary.com!

Message from the Wombat

This is almost too awesome for words. But there are words. So click the link and PAY ATTENTION!!

Global Mindshift - Wombat

In other, unrelated news:
Today is a national holiday here in Japan. Since i have everyday off right now this means nothing to me except that the bank is closed. I`ve asked three people what the holiday is for and no one could tell me. Then Ulala remembered that it was National Foundation Day. So i looked that up, which was way easier than trying to find the holiday myself. And since i don`t really feel like re-typing the history of the day since that comes awfully close to approximating work (it IS a holiday after all), VOILA!! The Wikipedia Article Explaining Japan`s National Foundation Day! Enjoy! If you can stay awake through reading it.

Osaka Snow Day

Once or twice a year it snows in Osaka. It is not an anomaly per se, but it is rare. Usually it doesn`t stick either. But today there is snow. Lots of snow. Big flat flakes, some as big as a an inch across, falling so think that we can barley see the buildings in our neighbourhood. The view out side our window is just white and i love it. Reminds me of home where, as i understand, they are almost buried under the white stuff. =)




I feel especially bad for these guys (below), working away despite the weather. Because snow and frozen ground are rare in Osaka city, construction tends to keep going all year round. Doesn`t mean it`s not COLD!!


Ulala has decided this snow means she can stay in her pajamas all day and watch TV (how this is different from other days, i`m not sure). It`s been 17 days since we got back to Osaka and she`s still only half-unpacked her suitcase! Sheesh. Thankfully she starts work next week. I will miss spending so much time with her but i think it`s good she gets out of the house and DOES something with her day. Me, i have more interviews this coming week and am waiting patiently to hear about the small school job that i really want.

Now i`m of into the snow to do some grocery shopping. We`re having guests for dinner tonight and we`re making one of my favorites: Kimchi Nabe!


Addition: I took these on our walk to the grocery store. Reminded me of Toronto, all slushy and slippery.