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visions of clarity...do as infinity

Monday, September 29, 2008

Tradition

After watching おせん, the traditional way of life appears to be disappearing from this world because of modernization and companies who no longer feel that the traditional way is the best or most profitable.

Do people not feel a sense of loss even in the face of profits and money?

Maybe it's for that reason why I feel like I want to see what I can, get what I can, try what I can before everything disappears and only things that are familiar to me remain.

Isn't it exciting to discover something from the past that you've never known about before?

I think it's time to start examining what we can preserve, how we can preserve it and leave something for people in the future.

Looking at how the business model has pushed out people like those who work in Isshouan in おせん, it makes me think about those fabulous pineapple tarts that were handmade by my aunt's friend, or those crumbly light brown cookies that are shaped like butterflies made by traditional methods. I don't eat a lot of these goodies that I used to love anymore [especially those butterfly shaped cookies. I can't remember what they are called!!! ;_;] because they taste terrible. It's time to hunt for the recipe and make it on my own.=P

Tradition and Modernity. Can't they both co-exist?

*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Music from おせん]
[mood : sad]
[food : Japanese!~ kaiseki? heh.]

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Sunday, September 28, 2008

おせん

Hi!



Ahh.. Every time I watch the drama, おせん, I always get reminded about how I too want to learn all the the traditional methods of cooking and reverting back to those times! Too bad school gets in the way most of the time and the quick dinner I made tonight is a prime example of how times have changed.

For dinner, I cooked up chye poh with minced pork [they call it ground pork here though] and vegetables with seasonings. The chye poh was pre cut and packed in a vacuum sealed pack, the minced pork was pre minced and bought at the supermarket and finally, the vegetables were frozen vegetables. On the other hand, in おせん, they made ハンバーガー / Japanese Hamburger Steak from scratch! They bought the meat from a small shop, chopped up the meat by hand, mixed it with the seasonings and stuff, shaped it by hand, then fried it over a wood fire before finally making a sauce to pour over it.

The vast difference it would make is, I think, tremendous! I would like to mince my own meat but I don't really have that much time to spare [though I'd love to try it one day and make siewmai! =D]. =( I would love to learn all the traditional cooking methods though, the very basic stuff like how cooking delicious rice is an art. Not all rice was created equal.

Ahhh. Maybe I should gotten that Kikunoi [one of the most famous Kaiseki restaurants in Kyoto] book after all to start learning about 会席料理!!! [Kaiseki Ryouri = Kaiseki Cuisine] HMM. Not that I have the time or money to cook it here anyway. Haha..=P Maybe recreating Imperial Chinese dishes is easier? =P

Another show I want to watch is 花いくさ which is about Iwasaki Mineko, the geisha who wrote a book about her experiences. I personally didn't fancy the book much but I love watching anything about Japanese culture [hence why I love おせん so much!] that it's forgiven.=P

Maybe I should do a sub-focus on Food and Traditional Culture in Japan for my Asian Studies concentration? HMM!

Time to do Japanese homework! Luckily, it's on food. ;)
cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Bohemian Rhapsody Queen]
[mood : thoughtful]
[food : 丼!]

Wendaye: My screen cracked. o(T_T)o

Jiamin: According to my mom I lost weight. But I don't think I did. O__o Haha.. EAT HEALTHIER FOOD and you'll be fine. ;)

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Tuesday Special - Aurora Borealis

Hi!

Randomly, I haven't posted one of these totally unrelated entries in a while.=P Time for some randomness!



From Wikipedia:
Auroras are natural colored light displays in the sky, usually observed at night, particularly in the polar zone. They typically occur in the ionosphere. In northern latitudes, the effect is known as the
aurora borealis, named after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek name for north wind, Boreas. It often appears as a greenish glow or sometimes a faint red, as if the sun was rising from an unusual direction. The aurora borealis is also called the northern polar lights, as it is only visible in the North sky from the Northern Hemisphere. The aurora borealis most often occurs from September to October and from March to April.

I want to go to Alaska or Canada to see this... *_*!!! =D =D =D And since I'm already located in a totally northern part of the world, I might as well go even further north right? Haha!


It's so gorgeous.^_^

There's a lot of folklore and information about this phenomenon.=) Maybe someone will catch it sometime soon! It's now the season for it after all. ;)

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : STAY GOLD 宇多田ヒカル]
[mood : -_-]
[food : Korean!]

Zhilei: Go and study more!!! =P Haha..

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Monday, September 22, 2008

Happy First Day of Fall!

Happy First Day of Fall!

When the leaves turn golden, the wind emboldens.

*[-witchstone-]*

[music :
浮誇 陳奕迅 + 好心分手 盧巧音]
[mood : Fall!]
[food : Honey Roasted Chicken Wings]

Labels:

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Endless Shrimp, Chawanmushi and Cholesterol Raising Adventures

Hello!~

I'm currently trying to remember what I've been eating the past few days because I need to write it down for my Bio homework. -_-" It's failing miserably of course. Thankfully, I have photo updates for everyone! =P Still no sign of my laptop sadly, so once again I shall have to be brief in posting photos.


At Red Lobster, waiting for our Endless Shrimp!!! =P


My favourite of the night: Garlic Shrimp Scampi! =) This is but one of the plates I ate...

Squee! More photos on Facebook, including the yummilicious Biscuits!

We walked to the Farmer's Market at Kerrytown and came back with some interesting buys..

Including..


Pop-Your-Own-Indian Corn-on-a-cob!!! =D =D =D It's so cute!! Haha. Sadly, we only figured out the best way to pop the corn when we were down to the last cob.. [We bought 3..] =(

Delicious though!!!

Walking in the Arb in the evening is a super wonderful activity! =) There were enough people around so it didn't feel deserted, but not too many people either so you could really enjoy nature on your own.^_^


The favourite photo-taking spot! LOTR fields..

And then it was time for Japanese Food Night!!!

If there was more time *ahem sorry* we could've made much much more but.. This was our first time trying to make Chawanmushi!


茶碗蒸し!!! =D =D =D Success!!! It was a perfect, silky smooth texture thanks to Laoda's experience at controlling the flame. ;)

Yummy~ I might want to make Chawanmushi again sometime. It was delicious!!

And today I ate 鍋焼きうどん [Nabeyaki Udon] at Yamato in Kerrytown. Yum~ =D

Time to continue trying to remember how much and what I ate..-.-"

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : 風の町へ FictionJunction KEIKO]
[mood : ^_^"]
[food : Chawanmushi? =P Honey Chicken Wings!!!~]

Must Watch:


Original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qKmTomLa4I

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Saturday, September 20, 2008

DAMN THEM

Hello

I am extremely ANNOYED by the CRAP service that I'm having to suffer with because of my choice of a laptop brand. And it's just my luck that they have such a crap customer service system in this vast country.

After spending $40 [not including my box..] on shipping to a faraway state in the south , and getting
my delivery confirmation AND signature, they claim they didn't get it. DIDN'T GET IT?! HOW DARE THEY TELL ME SUCH A THING!

I wanted to scream at the guy on the phone and tell him he better go down to the warehouse IMMEDIATELY and see if my laptop is there but obviously that is a ridiculously impossible idea so I didn't.-_-" It's hardly the poor guy's fault anyway. It's those useless people somewhere out there who either forgot that my laptop arrived or didn't enter the information into the system.

IDIOTS.

He told me they'd get back to me when the office is open on Monday and if they don't, I'm going to call them again. And if they STILL don't have my laptop by then, I am so suing them. Like. Immediately.

MY POOR LAPTOP!!! I bet it's crying because it's alone in dank dark corner of their horrible offices.-_-" さびしいと思う!!! かわいそう...(T_T) And I want to cry for my laptop too.

My instincts told me the entire week to call them. But everyone told me I shouldn't have to because they'd be fixing it anyway. I should never ignore my instincts. Seriously. I tell myself this every single time and yet never do something to change my behavior. I really should kick myself.

My poor laptop!!!
Weeps
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Beautiful World 宇多田ヒカル]
[mood : ANGRY RAWR]
[food : ENDLESS SHRIMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

When I am less annoyed with useless customer service, I'll blog about our ENDLESS SHRIMP at Red Lobster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~ xD xD xD

wendaye: Hahaha. YES PLEASE THANKS.=P

Jiamin: It's very meaningful lyrics really.. You should go read the translations! =) JIAMINNN MY LAPTOP I AM ANGRY.

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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

宇多田ヒカル - COLORS

ミラーが映し出す幻を気にしながら
いつの間にか速度上げてるのさ

どこへ行ってもいいと言われると
半端な願望には標識も全部灰色だ

炎の揺らめき 今宵も夢を描く
あなたの筆先 渇いていませんか

青い空が見えぬなら青い傘広げて
いいじゃないか キャンバスは君のもの
白い旗はあきらめた時にだけかざすの
今は真っ赤に 誘う闘牛士のように

カラーも色褪せる蛍光灯の下
白黒のチェスボードの上で君に出会った

僕らは一時 迷いながら寄り添って
あれから一月 憶えていますか

オレンジ色の夕日を隣で見てるだけで
よかったのにな 口は災いの元
黒い服は死者に祈る時にだけ着るの
わざと真っ赤に残したルージュの痕

もう自分には夢の無い絵しか描けないと言うなら
塗り潰してよ キャンバスを何度でも
白い旗はあきらめた時にだけかざすの
今の私はあなたの知らない色

あ~!ロイのコンピュータが日本語をタイプできた!~ よかった~ 最近、三年生の日本語授業はとても面白いと思う!今、みんなは日本語レブルは少し上級だから、もっと日本語でことがたくさん話せる!それから、LSAの先生達はみんなとてもいい先生と思う!私の先生はとても可愛い~ハハ!でも、時間がないので、練習がたくさんできない...

この上の歌はとてもいい歌だと思う!歌詞は面白くて、意味がたくさんあると思うよ。

じゃ~ 今度もっと少しタイプする!もっと難しい文法と単語を使える。今、試験のために勉強しているから...
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : COLORS 宇多田ヒカル]
[mood : 勉強!!!~]
[food : Chessmen!]

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Thursday, September 11, 2008

A Walk Around...

Hello

Today the sun was shining brightly, the sky was blue blue blue, the weather was warm and the bees were buzzing! Naturally, everyone was out enjoying the warmth in the sun [20+ degrees! Perfect!] and I was in good mood because I only had one class today! ^_^v

With my camera conveniently located in my backpack, I started to take photos on my walk home from lunch... ;)


The flowers, too, are enjoying the sunshine..


The peaceful neighbourhood we reside in.^_^


The beginnings of what will be yummilicious APPLES!!! =D =D =D I cannot wait for apple season!! I WILL take full advantage of it and go apple-picking, apple-baking, apple-eating...


The uninspiring block of apartments we live in..


The messy living room!! =P Whaley lies serenely on the couch, waiting for it's next hug. ;)

I have more photos actually.. But seeing as this isn't my laptop and I can't really find an image editing software [I'm sure Vista has one, I'm just not a Vista user..], I'm only posting a few so as not to clog up my Picasa account.=P

Ahh. Finally photos of where I live in Ann Arbor that
isn't East Quad! =P I miss East Quad though, it has a very nice homely feeling in there.=) Tomorrow, we're going back to see sensei and visit the new Intensive Japanese students!!! That should be exciting..

And on Saturday, it's Mid-Autumn Festival time!~ May the weather be as lovely as today's.=) It's still warm now at night [a toasty 18 degrees]!!! I am pleased.^_^

AND we had home-made cong you bing for dinner!!! Admittedly, since it was made by me [with supervision by the Master Chef], the standard wasn't QUITE the usual one but I thought it wasn't too bad..=P Now for improvement and learning how to make guo tie one day!!!

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Endless Story REIRA Starring Yuna Ito]
[mood : ^_^]
[food : CONG YOU BING!!!]

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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Late is Never a Good Time

Hello

It's.. far too early in the morning to be awake but I need to study for my quizzes.=(

I think I need better time management and
more self discipline!!! [I think this feels more like a reminder to myself than anything else..] I need to spend more time at home studying. I need to spend less time cooking and/or chatting. I need to get a grip on my schedule. I need to get involved in more things that are NOT SSA-related and make more friends [and time for myself that I enjoy a lot]. I need to finish this Mid-Autumn so I can get my schedule back in order.

I need to do a lot of things basically.

And change starts TODAY!!! xP

Today [yesterday?] I learnt some interesting concepts in Psychopathology. Which I'm starting to really enjoy and getting really worried that I won't do well on my exam.=( Don't you think you hate failing on classes you like more than on classes you don't care so much about?

I also need to declare my Asian Studies major, sort out my graduation progress and figure out my study abroad plans.

It's currently freakishly cold for fall at a chilly
4 degrees Celcius. What is wrong with the world's weather!!! =( All my plans to wear skirts are dead because it's too cold and I'm too lazy to dig out my leggings.. And because it was warmer in the day, I just wore a shirt and regretted it a lot when I walked home in 6 degree weather.

Maybe thinking in Fahrenheit will make me feel better.=P Actually no. It's 40 degrees Fahrenheit.. Which still sounds pretty low.-_-"

I'm so busy, I haven't even managed to send my laptop for repairs!! =( I need to call them again to confirm that I need to send it to them myself. I can't believe Fujitsu doesn't provide you with a box to ship the laptop to them! xP GROWLS.

I am in a bad mood. Can you tell? Playing a happy tune like Se a Vida e on loop will hopefully help.

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Se a Vida e Pet Shop Boys]
[mood : grumpy]
[food : Pasta! But I feel like baking.=(]

YX: That's a good idea actually. Haha.=D

Jiamin: You too.=P And I don't have time to read my email except to check for school stuff. (T_T)

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Sunday, September 07, 2008

Se a Vida e

Pet Shop Boys - Se a Vida e

(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Aah-aah-aah-aah)

Come outside and see a brand new day
The troubles in your mind will blow away
It's easy to believe they're here to stay
But you won't find them standing in your way

Se a vida e', I love you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Come outside and feel the morning sun (Aah-aah-aah-aah)
Se a vida e', I love you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Life is much more simple when you're young (Aah-aah-aah-aah)
Come on, essa vida e'
That's the way life is
That's the way life is

Although we see the world through different eyes
We share the same idea of paradise
So don't search in the starts for signs of love
Look around your life, you'll find enough

Se a vida e', I love you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Come outside and feel the morning sun (Aah-aah-aah-aah)
Se a vida e', I love you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Life is much more simple when you're young (Aah-aah-aah-aah)
Come on, essa vida e'
That's the way life is
That's the way life is

Why do you want to sit alone in gothic gloom
Surrounded by the ghosts of love that haunt your room?
Somewhere there's a different door to open wide
You gotta throw those skeletons out of your closet and come outside

So you will see a brand new day
The troubles in your mind will blow away
It's easy to believe they're here to stay
But you won't find them standing in your way

Se a vida e', I love you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Come outside and feel the morning sun (Aah-aah-aah-aah)
Se a vida e', I love you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Life is much more simple when you're young (Aah-aah-aah-aah)
Come on, essa vida e'
That's the way life is
That's the way life is
Come on, essa vida e'
That's the way life is
That's the way life is
Se a vida e', I love you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Come outside and feel the morning sun (Aah-aah-aah-aah)
Se a vida e', I love you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Life is much more simple when you're young (Aah-aah-aah-aah)
Se a vida e'

I love this song.=) It's my favourite song by the Pet Shop Boys I believe! =P And today, I've realized some kind of meaning behind the lyrics.. And I find them rather inspiring.=) It's nice to have some positivity around you, even if they come from a simple song.^_^

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Se a Vida e Pet Shop Boys]
[mood : peaceful and tired]
[food : chicken soup!]

PS: Cleaning up a kitchen which has been reduced to a pitiful mess breaks not only my heart [my poor pans! my poor plates!] but also my back [ouch.sinktoolow.OUCH.].

YX: Hahaha. But cold is good! =P And there's a nice breeze!

Liu-yi: You're welcome!!! =) It's from a French recipe for creamy chocolate cake!! =P I'll try my best to not cook too much this semester.. ;) So far, I'm succeeding! Haha..

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Thursday, September 04, 2008

And the semester begins

I am so busy I can barely breathe.

But it's not all that bad, my days aren't too long.. It's just that there's a ton of stuff to do now and to think about so I feel like I have stuff to do all the time. Which I guess is what I wanted? It'll be better in 2 weeks so I remain optimistic, if a bit grumpy from certain things.=P

Thankfully, I appear to have rather ok classes so far.=) My Psych teacher is
totally funky, my Japanese sensei is hilarious [is this a common trait in all Japanese teachers??], my Stats teacher is not too bad and my Bio teacher can be rather humourous at times.=P

I need to clean my house and go to the supermarket to stock up desperately. Thank goodness Roy has a car.=D

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Spirited Away OST]
[mood : -________-]
[food : Roy's Pork Stew Thingy]

YX: Come visit us and enjoy COOL weather! =P

ZL: =( Ganbatte ne?

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Welcome

visions of clarity...do as infinity
by witchstone

My Emotible!
starry-eyed: filled with such youthful hope and optimism that one's eyes twinkle even when it's dark

Wish List

ie: motivation to save money!
- clothes
- shoes [heels! boots!]
- the perfect tote
- coats/outerwear! [Soïa & Kyo, Burberry...]
- Gackt - nine*nine
- Gackt Photobooks:
1 The Gift The Sixth Day & Seventh Night Tour Document (2004)
2 Crescent Photobook (out of print)
- Cookbooks!
1 Thomas Keller The French Laundry Cookbook
2 The Nobu Cookbook
3 Emily Luchetti A Passion for Desserts
4 Alice Medrich Pure Dessert
- Anime/Manga
1 Rurouni Kenshin
2 xxxHOLiC
3 Tsubasa -RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE-
- Proficiency at Japanese!
- Learn French for Food!

Links

My Flickr Page
spoonerisms*inc a food blog (by wendy & I)
my translation blog

witchstone...
follow me on Twitter

Checklist: EAT!

The Common Grill, Chelsea
The Black Pearl, Ann Arbor
Good Girls Go To Paris Crepes, Detroit
Bella Ciao, Ann Arbor
Craft, NYC
Momofuku, NYC
Alinea, Chicago
The French Laundry, California
Goto, Singapore

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