Her two front teeth, her two front teeth
Gee, if I could only have her two front teeth
Then I could wish you, "Merry Christmas"
I am such a bad mummy (dejected sigh).
My baby has lost another front tooth and I don't even know when!
She broke one of her upper front teeth a long time ago, but just this week, I noticed that another one is broken clean in half. It had to have been within this week because last week when I checked it was still intact. But when did she do that? Could it be from the bones that I gave her to chew? (unlike most dogs who chew bones with molars, she likes to nip on them with her front teeth) Or did it happen when she try to catch a frisbee? Although I can maybe get away with not feeding her bones, I cannot stand to take away the frisbee from her! It's only her second favorite activity, next to swimming, and I already don't take her swimming enough.
Science Diet, what are you not doing enough to strenghen the teeth of my baby?!
Friday, October 29, 2004
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Only In Japan
Someone has gone and invented a camera for your doggie! Called Wonderful Shot, it's a digital camera with an 8MG memory card, strapped on to the dog's collar. You can take pictures with a click of the remote control. The sales pitch is "See what your dog sees."
Now, I got suckered into buying the dog bark translator “Bowlingual” to find out that the only thing that Libby ever says are “I feel lonely” “Please don’t leave me by myself” “Play with me!” No such thing as “I am happy!” “I love you!” for when she’s happy she doesn’t speak!
So I will not pay almost $90 for a doggie cam to find out what Libby sees. I know exactly what she sees: the food on my plate, people’s knees, bushes, grass, cats, and the occasional doggie butts.
Now, I got suckered into buying the dog bark translator “Bowlingual” to find out that the only thing that Libby ever says are “I feel lonely” “Please don’t leave me by myself” “Play with me!” No such thing as “I am happy!” “I love you!” for when she’s happy she doesn’t speak!
So I will not pay almost $90 for a doggie cam to find out what Libby sees. I know exactly what she sees: the food on my plate, people’s knees, bushes, grass, cats, and the occasional doggie butts.
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Getting Prepared for the Big One
A series of three quakes shook Japan on Saturday September 23, 2004. The largest one was measured at Richter scale 6.9, in Niigata prefecture, some 200km northwest of Tokyo. It happened around 6pm. I was in the kitchen frying ribs, when all of a sudden I heard the clinking sound of wine glasses and when I took my eyes away from the frying pot, I saw the glasses swaying precariously on the rack, then I felt the ground shaking. For a split second, I thought about turning off the stove and go hide in a room where there’s no risk of being scalded by boiling oil, but I decided to stand my ground and finish frying the ribs. After a few seconds of shaking, I actually felt dizzy (funny isn’t it?). And the quakes occurred two more times, all in the coures of dinner preparation.
Last night, I watched on TV the damage caused by the quake. They showed National Guards evacuating people from dangerous areas and I was glad to see dogs among the rescued. Twenty-six people have already died as a result, mostly elderly people and young children. Some 100,000 people were forced to evacuate and are now living in emergency shelters with not enough food or blankets. Over 200 aftershocks have occurred, sometimes as large as scale 5.
When we first came to Tokyo four years ago, our relocation advisor told us we should prepare an earthquake kit and familiarize ourselves with the emergency shelters in the neighborhood. I always brushed it off as paranoia, but seeing it happen, albeit just on TV, convinced me that it’s time we get prepared.
After carefully surveying my entire apartment, I have decided that the walk-in closet in our bedroom would be where I keep the kit (i.e. we’ll try to run there when the house starts to fall apart). I picked it because: a) it has no windows so no danger of being decapitated by falling glass, although come to think of it the window glass at my place is of the type that don’t break apart, but one can never be too careful; b) we will never be cold due to skimpy clothing items; c) it’s right next to the bathroom which, due to all the pipes running in the walls, is supposed to be structurally sound, relatively.
Now, what should I put in the kit? The Niigata earthquake has proved that you really do need 3 days of food because that’s how long it’s taking to get food and other supplies to the area. The recommendation is 2L of water per person per day. I think that’s a ridiculous amount of water, but anyway, I will keep a case of six 2L bottle water in the closet. Food is a tough one. If I stash candy bars and cookies in the kit, I will just end up eating it, so I’m going to stock it with canned food, with the pull-open top of course. (Maybe just one or two candy bars.) When I was talking to my colleagues yesterday about the earthquake, one guy said that it would be good to have a tabletop gas stove, the type for hotpots that uses canisters, in case you want to have something hot to drink. Hmmm, not a bad idea, I will throw that in too, along with some instant coffee, tea bags, our camping mugs, two sleeping bags, a tent (one family interviewed on TV was saying how grateful they are to have a tent to protect them from the icy rain), foam mattress, flash lights, heating pads (another useful item according to the rescue authority) Libby’s food, bowls and toys. Man, it’s just going to be like a camping trip!
Last night, I watched on TV the damage caused by the quake. They showed National Guards evacuating people from dangerous areas and I was glad to see dogs among the rescued. Twenty-six people have already died as a result, mostly elderly people and young children. Some 100,000 people were forced to evacuate and are now living in emergency shelters with not enough food or blankets. Over 200 aftershocks have occurred, sometimes as large as scale 5.
When we first came to Tokyo four years ago, our relocation advisor told us we should prepare an earthquake kit and familiarize ourselves with the emergency shelters in the neighborhood. I always brushed it off as paranoia, but seeing it happen, albeit just on TV, convinced me that it’s time we get prepared.
After carefully surveying my entire apartment, I have decided that the walk-in closet in our bedroom would be where I keep the kit (i.e. we’ll try to run there when the house starts to fall apart). I picked it because: a) it has no windows so no danger of being decapitated by falling glass, although come to think of it the window glass at my place is of the type that don’t break apart, but one can never be too careful; b) we will never be cold due to skimpy clothing items; c) it’s right next to the bathroom which, due to all the pipes running in the walls, is supposed to be structurally sound, relatively.
Now, what should I put in the kit? The Niigata earthquake has proved that you really do need 3 days of food because that’s how long it’s taking to get food and other supplies to the area. The recommendation is 2L of water per person per day. I think that’s a ridiculous amount of water, but anyway, I will keep a case of six 2L bottle water in the closet. Food is a tough one. If I stash candy bars and cookies in the kit, I will just end up eating it, so I’m going to stock it with canned food, with the pull-open top of course. (Maybe just one or two candy bars.) When I was talking to my colleagues yesterday about the earthquake, one guy said that it would be good to have a tabletop gas stove, the type for hotpots that uses canisters, in case you want to have something hot to drink. Hmmm, not a bad idea, I will throw that in too, along with some instant coffee, tea bags, our camping mugs, two sleeping bags, a tent (one family interviewed on TV was saying how grateful they are to have a tent to protect them from the icy rain), foam mattress, flash lights, heating pads (another useful item according to the rescue authority) Libby’s food, bowls and toys. Man, it’s just going to be like a camping trip!
Monday, October 25, 2004
Commuter Fun
I take a train to work everyday, the train that leaves Akasaka Mitsuke station at 7:55am. When I get off the train, it's another 10 min of walking to my office, and every morning, I can always count on running into the same people going towards the station, and I always wonder what's the story behind.
There's the old bald guy with glasses always in a black tunic, the thickness of which changes with the season. He looks like a Feng Shui guy of some sort. By chance, I even found out where he lives and works. Am not a stalker, I swear.
There's the elementary school boy who shivers in a T-shirt and shorts even in the deadliest of winter storm. I was told boys often try to win the contest at school by wearing only a T-shirt and a pair of shorts all year round.
There's the lady with the stick, who I don't think is really blind. Seriously, I am sure I read somewhere that it is illegal in Japan to pose as blind people.
And my favorite is the cute couple who are obviously newly weds. Every morning, I see them go towards the station, in their work clothes, hand-in-hand, their wedding bands shiny on their fingers. A couple of months ago, the girl doesn't go to the station any more, and I thought, she must have quit her job. And I was right, for this morning, I saw them again, except she was in jeans and a sweat shirt. I guess she must be going to the station with him to see him off.
By the way, I take this as another sign that I should quit too!
There's the old bald guy with glasses always in a black tunic, the thickness of which changes with the season. He looks like a Feng Shui guy of some sort. By chance, I even found out where he lives and works. Am not a stalker, I swear.
There's the elementary school boy who shivers in a T-shirt and shorts even in the deadliest of winter storm. I was told boys often try to win the contest at school by wearing only a T-shirt and a pair of shorts all year round.
There's the lady with the stick, who I don't think is really blind. Seriously, I am sure I read somewhere that it is illegal in Japan to pose as blind people.
And my favorite is the cute couple who are obviously newly weds. Every morning, I see them go towards the station, in their work clothes, hand-in-hand, their wedding bands shiny on their fingers. A couple of months ago, the girl doesn't go to the station any more, and I thought, she must have quit her job. And I was right, for this morning, I saw them again, except she was in jeans and a sweat shirt. I guess she must be going to the station with him to see him off.
By the way, I take this as another sign that I should quit too!
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Challah!
challah
This is the first braided bread that I've ever made, and I can't say I am not pleased (the black bits are poppy seeds not burned).
It's supposed to be a Jewish egg bread, but since I've never had the real thing, this will be what challah tastes like to me. Even my picky husband approves.
Garfield the Cat
This is Tama-chan, a very fat yellow tabby often seen near my office where he suns himself. Am not entirely sure if he belongs to anyone, but I have heard the owner of a clothing store call him “Tama-chan.” Tama means ball in Japanese and I think it’s a very suitable name for him.
Anyway, has anyone seen the Garfield movie or the preview of it? Why did they have to use a computer-generated cat that doesn’t even really look like Garfield, when there is Tama-chan? Tama-chan not only looks like Garfield, but from what I can tell, also has the same personality. I have never seen him in any activities other than sleeping and eating. And even his facial expressions remind me of Garfield, especially when he puts up with passersby who pet him.
Tama-chan, you could’ve been a Hollywood star, if not for those slack-off casting scouts who were too lazy to look. But then again, knowing Tama-chan, he couldn't care less about fame and fortune, as long as he has a warm bike seat to sleep on and a hearty meal when the sun goes down.
Chinese, anyone?
The problem with Chinese cooking is that there are just no clear-cut recipes out there. Open up any Chinese language cookbook and you see under the ingredient section phrases such as “a little bit of salt”, “the appropriate amount of cooking wine” etc. How am I to know how much is “a little bit” and exactly what is “the appropriate amount”?!! If you are like me, who’s never had to cook while living at home, hence missing out on the opportunity to learn from your parents, you are doomed. And that is exactly why my entire repertoire of Chinese dishes is made up mainly of stir-fried green vegetables, the only dish my dad hand-taught me when I was little.
So why would I attempt to make a Chinese dinner? It all started when I went grocery shopping on the day that typhoon #23 made landfall in Japan and saw Chinese chives on sale, 2 bunches for 99yen (a bargain in Tokyo). I thought, I know how to make stir-fried egg and chives. So I bought two bunches. Come Saturday, I realized that stir-fried eggs and chives a meal does not make. I have to come up with a meat dish. Stupid me, who had to ask for my husband’s opinion, to which he gladly offered, “Can you make some tang-cu-xiao-pai (sweet and sour spare ribs)?” Great, he had to pick the one dish with the difficult sauce, which most of the Shanghainese restaurants in Tokyo couldn’t even get right. But he’s worked very hard all week, and just twisted his knee running with our dog, Libby, so I thought I should indulge him a bit. I drew the line, however, when he asked if we could have a soup to go with it. Do I look like iron chef?
So out came the Chinese cookbook that a friend of mine brought back for me from China years ago. Low and behold, there’s the recipe. But wait, under ingredients for sauce, it only listed what’s needed, with no amount whatsoever, like I am supposed to know intuitively how much to add. And to top it off, the spare ribs had to be deep-fried first. Did anyone know this? As if to highlight my inadequacy at making Chinese food, all I have in my kitchen is olive oil, so I had to run to the grocery store again to buy vegetable oil. But I am the proud owner of a tampura frying pot, complete with thermometer to test oil temperature (bought two years ago, and never been used). Why would someone who has never deep-fried anything own a tempura frying pot? Well, I am a firm believer that you first have to have the right instrument before you can make anything.
So after three trips to the grocery store, I am finally ready to cook. Three earthquakes later (richter scale 6.9, 200 some km northwest of Tokyo), and a minor panic over not knowing when the ribs were done, Dinner is Served!
Doesn't look too bad, huh? But as it turned out, I still didn’t fry the ribs long enough to give it the right texture. And I have to confess that I was so discouraged by the vague instructions in the recipe that I cheated and bought a sauce package. Jason’s comment, “No wonder it doesn’t taste right.” Ha, at least now I can blame it on the store-bought sauce.
So why would I attempt to make a Chinese dinner? It all started when I went grocery shopping on the day that typhoon #23 made landfall in Japan and saw Chinese chives on sale, 2 bunches for 99yen (a bargain in Tokyo). I thought, I know how to make stir-fried egg and chives. So I bought two bunches. Come Saturday, I realized that stir-fried eggs and chives a meal does not make. I have to come up with a meat dish. Stupid me, who had to ask for my husband’s opinion, to which he gladly offered, “Can you make some tang-cu-xiao-pai (sweet and sour spare ribs)?” Great, he had to pick the one dish with the difficult sauce, which most of the Shanghainese restaurants in Tokyo couldn’t even get right. But he’s worked very hard all week, and just twisted his knee running with our dog, Libby, so I thought I should indulge him a bit. I drew the line, however, when he asked if we could have a soup to go with it. Do I look like iron chef?
So out came the Chinese cookbook that a friend of mine brought back for me from China years ago. Low and behold, there’s the recipe. But wait, under ingredients for sauce, it only listed what’s needed, with no amount whatsoever, like I am supposed to know intuitively how much to add. And to top it off, the spare ribs had to be deep-fried first. Did anyone know this? As if to highlight my inadequacy at making Chinese food, all I have in my kitchen is olive oil, so I had to run to the grocery store again to buy vegetable oil. But I am the proud owner of a tampura frying pot, complete with thermometer to test oil temperature (bought two years ago, and never been used). Why would someone who has never deep-fried anything own a tempura frying pot? Well, I am a firm believer that you first have to have the right instrument before you can make anything.
So after three trips to the grocery store, I am finally ready to cook. Three earthquakes later (richter scale 6.9, 200 some km northwest of Tokyo), and a minor panic over not knowing when the ribs were done, Dinner is Served!
Doesn't look too bad, huh? But as it turned out, I still didn’t fry the ribs long enough to give it the right texture. And I have to confess that I was so discouraged by the vague instructions in the recipe that I cheated and bought a sauce package. Jason’s comment, “No wonder it doesn’t taste right.” Ha, at least now I can blame it on the store-bought sauce.
Friday, October 22, 2004
Fall is upon us!
My beautiful pumpkin roll. So moist and fluffy and the nice orangy color! Yummy!
http://bread.allrecipes.com/AZ/WintrSqshRlls.asp
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