Curry

Curry is one of Japan's most popular dishes.  In the USA, sushi is very popular as a Japanese dish but we don't make it often at home.  Making sushi is usually for a special occasion.  In contrast, many Japanese make curry at home very often. The great thing about Japanese style curry is that with the simplicity of the recipe, everyone can enjoy tasty dish.  Many people have their original recepes.  Japanese curry is less spicy and thicker than the Thai and Indian curry.  Commonly, it is served in three ways which is curry rice, curry noodle and curry bread.  Various types of curry are sold in boil-in-the-bag pouches and roux blocks.  It is not at all an exaggeration to say that curry is the national food of the Japanese. 

ESL 142

The ESL142 was my second English semester at NCC.  Honestly, it was much harder than the previous class.  And I'm sure it's the same for everyone.  I had to do a lot of work within a limited time since I have a child.  I felt I almost screwed up.  However, I thought that It was a great experience.  I have never finish reading English book before, although I tried to read several times.  But surprisingly, I read two books in this semester.  Also, writhing a summary of a book was my first experience. I guess it really helped me get used to writing.  Writing blogs also helped me to create ideas.  Especially, the environmental topic was very interesting for me. I hope I'll be able to this pass class, so I can take a little break to realx and enjoy during the summer.

Sauna

I used like to go to public bath called "sauna" when I was in Japan.  The sauna facility in the city area of Japan is amazing.  They have many kind of large spa pool and sauna, masssage, nail, hair cut, dinning room, and lodging. It is feeling like you are in a resort!!??  Taking sauna bath after work used to be one of the best way to rid of stress for me.  Bathing in a sauna could be unusual for the people from other country because it is done without a single item of clothing on. But don't worry, men and women are separated.  Sometimes, when I had to work overtime until late at night, I stayed overnight at sauna with my co-workers.  It may sounds weired, but it is one of my pleasant memories.  

Ise Shrine

My home town called shima-city in Mie Preficture is located in the southern Honshu, Japan. It is about about 2.5 hours from Osaka by train. Ise Shrine is an important Shinto Shrine located in about 20 miles form my home town.  It has been designated a National Treasure by the Japanese government.  Amaterasu-Oomikami, a god described in Japanese myth was enshrined in the shrine.  The People from all over Japan come to the shrine to pray for a happiness and a healthy year.  People can visit there all year around but the New Years day is the busiest because the first visit of shrine or temple at New Year called "Hastumoude" is one of our important religious event. I also like to visit "Okage Yokocho" next to the shrine grounds where it feels time slipped back to Edo period around 1700s.  I love to eat Japanese traditional sweets there!!

Teaching language

My seven-years-old son only speaks English.  I thought my son would be bilingual before he was born.  However, the thing was not easy.  And I realized that it really needs patience.  I have been teaching him a Japanese for long time.  After he started going child day care, he became more familiar with listening and speaking English.  He understands some Japanese words but he always responds me in English.  Sometimes I get confuse when I having conversation with him in Japanese and English.  It is very stressful.  He also can not communicate with my family in Japan.   Since he likes Nintendo games, I try to motivate him to learn Japanese to get a job at Nintendo when he grow up!  One of the reason I decided to go back to school is that I really felt I need to improve my English for my son, when I realized it is difficult to communicate in Japanese.  Because I felt that he won't be listen to me when he grow up if I don't speak English well.  I hope he will be able to speak Japanese better by the time we go to Japan.  Raising child in a different contry is really a big challenge.

Magnolia bakery

I wasn’t a big fun of cupcake.  However, since I read an article about Magnolia bakery on Japanese weekly newspaper in New York, I was very interested to try it.   Magnolia bakery is originally located in downtown of New York City.  The bakery became very famous since it was featured on popular TV drama “Sex and the City”.  Their shop now is located in Los Angeles and Dubai too.  When I went to the Natural History Museum last week, I stopped at one of their shop in Grand Central Station.  I personally didn’t like American cake.  It is hard to find good pastry in the USA.  Even it is three or more stars restaurant’s pastry had never satisfied me.  Therefore, honestly, I didn’t really expect it would be good.  I tried a cupcake called Japan cupcake and Chocolate cupcake. (I shared with my son.) They were both surprisingly amazing!! The sponge cake was soft and fluffy (I don’t like wet and heavy kind of sponge cake). The icing was stunningly rich and not too sweet.   I had never had a cupcake which made me so happy.  There is a famous cupcake bakery shop called “Crumbs” in Westport and it is also originated from NYC. I was really disappointed when I eat their cupcake a few months ago.  In contrast, Magnolia bakery’s cupcakes are truly great!  

Gaspe Peninsula

Gaspe was the final destination of my trip in Canada.  It took about twelve hours From Montreal by bus.  I and my friend were exhausted when we get there.  We stayed in the motel near the bus stop and we went to buy dinner to the town which is located the walking distances from the bus stop.  The town looked empty and quiet.  My first impression about Gaspe was deserted place. I just saw few people in the supermarket area.  I don't think I can live here.  Next day, we took a bus another an hour to see Perce Rock.  It is popular photographed spot in Gaspe Peninsula.  Perce was a small tourist village. The view of Perce Rock was very beautiful!!  We also visited museum and unique shops there.

This ten month journey gave me an unprecedented experiences and memories.  I had many encounters during this journey and I’m still getting in touch with them. Our dream is travelling across Canada once again when we retire.  I can hardly wait it!!