Sushi Maki!
17 September 2005
Mt. Iwaki & Sushi "Maki" Rolls
It's that time of the month again...to update my blog for all of my "avid" readers! He he he...September has been full of fun. I've been adventuring out around Aomori prefecture on my new Yamaha 50cc scooter! My latest and greatest highlights are a hike up Mt. Iwaki (in preparation for my pilgrimage up Mt. Fuji on 09/30!) and last night's wild and crazy sushi "maki" making fiesta with B.E.
M.S., G.M., B.E. and I conquered Mt. Iwaki last Sunday. We ascended slowly but steadily, taking lots of "brief breaks" to re-fuel with trail mix and take snapshots of ourselves perfectly posed on "kami" (god) rocks. Conversation on the climb ranged from repetitive random remarks of M.S. on the subject of a Macro-lens, and "would you rather" questions...like, "Would you rather spend the rest of your life traveling but unable to return to your home country, or vice versa, never able to leave your homeland?" Being the incredible itinerants we are (at present anyway), we all elected the first option. Though, I would mandate family and friends to regularly visit me! We reached the peak in time to see sunset, and for a few seconds I stood still, mesmerized by a kaleidoscopical mural of intense hues painted across the sky. I forgot about my hurting hamstrings, and was overcome with gratitude...for life, for love, and for the opportunity to be there in that instant.
Then, last night B.E. and I prepared an immaculate Japanese feast! We made our own sushi "maki" (rolls) and tried out some interesting combinations. My favorite was the salmon, avocado and cucumber mix, though the egg and apple amalgam was a close second! We also cooked up homemade miso soup and boiled "edamame" (soy beans) with sea salt. Speaking of which, did you know that sea salt has approximately 50 trace vitamins and minerals and ordinary table salt has only 2?! Discard overly chemically refined table salt which is primarily composed of sodium chloride and opt for the "good stuff"--celtic sea salt. How was that pitch delivered? Are you convinced?
Peace, prosperity and productivity to you all...thanks for introducing me to that T.Y.!
M.S., G.M., B.E. and I conquered Mt. Iwaki last Sunday. We ascended slowly but steadily, taking lots of "brief breaks" to re-fuel with trail mix and take snapshots of ourselves perfectly posed on "kami" (god) rocks. Conversation on the climb ranged from repetitive random remarks of M.S. on the subject of a Macro-lens, and "would you rather" questions...like, "Would you rather spend the rest of your life traveling but unable to return to your home country, or vice versa, never able to leave your homeland?" Being the incredible itinerants we are (at present anyway), we all elected the first option. Though, I would mandate family and friends to regularly visit me! We reached the peak in time to see sunset, and for a few seconds I stood still, mesmerized by a kaleidoscopical mural of intense hues painted across the sky. I forgot about my hurting hamstrings, and was overcome with gratitude...for life, for love, and for the opportunity to be there in that instant.
Then, last night B.E. and I prepared an immaculate Japanese feast! We made our own sushi "maki" (rolls) and tried out some interesting combinations. My favorite was the salmon, avocado and cucumber mix, though the egg and apple amalgam was a close second! We also cooked up homemade miso soup and boiled "edamame" (soy beans) with sea salt. Speaking of which, did you know that sea salt has approximately 50 trace vitamins and minerals and ordinary table salt has only 2?! Discard overly chemically refined table salt which is primarily composed of sodium chloride and opt for the "good stuff"--celtic sea salt. How was that pitch delivered? Are you convinced?
Peace, prosperity and productivity to you all...thanks for introducing me to that T.Y.!
28 August 2005
Minnesota and Summer Break Finale!
I recently returned from a lightening trip to Minnesota! I was there for exactly 7 days, and in that span of time I managed to travel to all edges of the state. I flew into Minneapolis and ate at an outrageous organic raw foods restaurant, attended a funeral for my great-uncle Lyle in Hawley, re-visited my University in Morris, interviewed for an Ambassadorial Scholarship with Rotary International in Duluth (and I've just received confirmation that I've been selected for one!), spent a night on the Iron Range in Aurora with good friends T.R. and L.R., and I had 2 whole days in my hometown: Little Falls. The highlights include making homemade pizza in Mo-town, rollerblading along the Mississippi, playing morning basketball with my papa, and jamming on the guitar with my brother Andrew!
Tomorrow Toyama H.S. will resume normal classes so I celebrated my last day of summer break with baking biscuits and biking to Asamushi beach for an impromptu sand volleyball tourney! Then, tonight I met friends at my favorite Korean BBQ restaurant "Gyu Kaku" and had some delicious "bibimba" --which is steamed rice topped with marinated bean sprouts and other vegetables and served in a hot stone bowl. For those who often read my rambles, do you notice a common theme? Somehow food always works it's way into my life...I love to write about it, read about it, make it, and most definitely eat it!
Tomorrow Toyama H.S. will resume normal classes so I celebrated my last day of summer break with baking biscuits and biking to Asamushi beach for an impromptu sand volleyball tourney! Then, tonight I met friends at my favorite Korean BBQ restaurant "Gyu Kaku" and had some delicious "bibimba" --which is steamed rice topped with marinated bean sprouts and other vegetables and served in a hot stone bowl. For those who often read my rambles, do you notice a common theme? Somehow food always works it's way into my life...I love to write about it, read about it, make it, and most definitely eat it!
26 July 2005
Scooter trip, Rye beer bread & more...
Yeah for summer! Toyama H.S. is now "officially" on break...meaning, the students only have to attend classes in the a.m. versus all day! I still have to make appearances at school, but I'm allowed to deviate from the 8-4 monotonous grind. Yesterday I spent the morning finishing J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (which I highly recommend!), and today I'm baking rye beer bread. I just got a loaf out of the oven and had a substantial slice smothered in raspberry jam. Good food is just the greatest...I couldn't say that enough.
On the subject of taste buds and such...I joined a gourmet club! We meet monthly, and potluck specialty dishes of a pre-determined theme. Last Sunday we did Indian cuisine. I made a chickpea curry salad which went over well! We'll do Spain next so I'm entertaining the idea of making some gazpacho. That is Spanish isn't it? Any other creative ideas are most certainly welcome!
Then, to address today's title "scooter trip"...I took one last weekend to visit my friend R.A. The drive was spectacular, the sun was shining, and by the time I reached "Shiura" my thighs and forearms were the same color as my red Yamaha Beluga! I have got to start using sunscreen. We spent the afternoon trekking around, posing for pictures, and in the evening at a campfire for a BBQ. I indulged on grilled "kabocha" (pumpkin), some skewered chicken, and "hotate" (scallops) in soy sauce.
The highlight of the evening was a conversation with a local surfer where we spoke of the Japanese spirit and how it's expressed in events like the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri...which is coming up the first week of August! From the 2nd-7th the population of Aomori City will nearly triple with festival enthusiasts to partake in the parades, view the fireworks, and listen to the rhythms and melodies of the Nebuta drums and flutes!
On the subject of taste buds and such...I joined a gourmet club! We meet monthly, and potluck specialty dishes of a pre-determined theme. Last Sunday we did Indian cuisine. I made a chickpea curry salad which went over well! We'll do Spain next so I'm entertaining the idea of making some gazpacho. That is Spanish isn't it? Any other creative ideas are most certainly welcome!
Then, to address today's title "scooter trip"...I took one last weekend to visit my friend R.A. The drive was spectacular, the sun was shining, and by the time I reached "Shiura" my thighs and forearms were the same color as my red Yamaha Beluga! I have got to start using sunscreen. We spent the afternoon trekking around, posing for pictures, and in the evening at a campfire for a BBQ. I indulged on grilled "kabocha" (pumpkin), some skewered chicken, and "hotate" (scallops) in soy sauce.
The highlight of the evening was a conversation with a local surfer where we spoke of the Japanese spirit and how it's expressed in events like the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri...which is coming up the first week of August! From the 2nd-7th the population of Aomori City will nearly triple with festival enthusiasts to partake in the parades, view the fireworks, and listen to the rhythms and melodies of the Nebuta drums and flutes!
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