What happens when you receive a package from your dear friend who resides in Tokyo? In my home the entire family gathers to see what has been sent. Marie sends me many fun packages. My husband and boys enjoy the chocolates and candy. And, I receive many wonderful girly things like lip balm, hand gel, soaps, etc. I feel like a kid at Christmas for all the packaging is brightly colored and brilliantly decorated. None of the labeling is in English. All the print is Japanese. Sometimes I have no clue what is in the packaging until I open it to peek at the contents. On one occasion I had left the contents of one of Marie’s care packages on my kitchen table. I was at work one day and my husband called me at work and this is the conversation we had: My Hubby: “Babe, I think some of... Read the Rest →
What happens when you receive a package from your dear friend who resides in Tokyo? In my home the entire family gathers to see what has been sent. Marie sends me many fun packages. My husband and boys enjoy the chocolates and candy. And, I receive many wonderful girly things like lip balm, hand gel, soaps, etc. I feel like a kid at Christmas for all the packaging is brightly colored and brilliantly decorated. None of the labeling is in English. All the print is Japanese. Sometimes I have no clue what is in the packaging until I open it to peek at the contents. On one occasion I had left the contents of one of Marie’s care packages on my kitchen table. I was at work one day and my husband called me at work and this is the conversation we had: My Hubby: “Babe, I think some of... Read the Rest →
I have vivid memories of running down a street in New York City’s Chinatown. I had just finished eating a wonderful meal and a sweet treat. I was taking in all the sounds (firecrackers mostly) and sights of Chinese New Year’s celebration when suddenly, I wandered into a procession of dragons and drums. I didn’t wander into the main parade, which had already taken place. I had found myself in the middle of a large celebratory crowd. Perhaps it was a school, or a special club, I’m not sure, but what I do know is that they were not stopping their forward momentum for one little girl. The dragons swirled around me and I was both horrified and excited. When I could no longer see my parents I ran….and apparently I was running in the same direction the procession was heading for the dragons seem to pursue me. I eventually... Read the Rest →
I have vivid memories of running down a street in New York City’s Chinatown. I had just finished eating a wonderful meal and a sweet treat. I was taking in all the sounds (firecrackers mostly) and sights of Chinese New Year’s celebration when suddenly, I wandered into a procession of dragons and drums. I didn’t wander into the main parade, which had already taken place. I had found myself in the middle of a large celebratory crowd. Perhaps it was a school, or a special club, I’m not sure, but what I do know is that they were not stopping their forward momentum for one little girl. The dragons swirled around me and I was both horrified and excited. When I could no longer see my parents I ran….and apparently I was running in the same direction the procession was heading for the dragons seem to pursue me. I eventually... Read the Rest →
Maki Sushi is a no-nonsense and all-business type of dish. What you see is what you get, but what you should always expect and look for is the quality and freshness of the ingredients used. Sushi is considered to be a popular Japanese viand that is composed of rice mixed with vinegar, sweet mirin and other ingredients. There are several variations of sushi presentation; the most common is made with seafood. The origins of sushi were first developed in Southeast Asia and spread to China and finally reaching Japan. The work sushi literally means “sour tasting” from an ancient archaic form of language. The vinegar used is from fermented rice that breaks down the proteins in the fish and turns it into amino acids, resulting in the unique taste that develops which is called Unami in Japanese. The modern version of sushi that we enjoy today was developed by Hanaya... Read the Rest →
Maki Sushi is a no-nonsense and all-business type of dish. What you see is what you get, but what you should always expect and look for is the quality and freshness of the ingredients used. Sushi is considered to be a popular Japanese viand that is composed of rice mixed with vinegar, sweet mirin and other ingredients. There are several variations of sushi presentation; the most common is made with seafood. The origins of sushi were first developed in Southeast Asia and spread to China and finally reaching Japan. The work sushi literally means “sour tasting” from an ancient archaic form of language. The vinegar used is from fermented rice that breaks down the proteins in the fish and turns it into amino acids, resulting in the unique taste that develops which is called Unami in Japanese. The modern version of sushi that we enjoy today was developed by Hanaya... Read the Rest →