Went back to Aomori to celebrate New Year and it was blizzard when we drove back. Everywhere was white and we only could see the car in front of us, so glad we made it to Aomori alive. S brought me to eat the popular ramen in Aomori. He said that they opened at 11am and usually sold out by 2, 3 pm. Even though the shop is supposed to operate til night, they normally do not open due to out of stock. We waited for around 30 mins and I ordered set A that came along with the ramen and char siew don with egg. The soup was thick and perfect for winter, the don was so delicious!
In October, we had visited Kabushima Shrine for the very first time. Who knows that the shrine was burnt to the ground within the few months time. The fire incident was said to be accidental and no human involvement. S wanted to go visit again to make contribution to the re-construction of the shrine. Sad to see in own eyes, the seagulls were gone, the top of shrine looked barren and the entrance were barred from entering. All the shrine workers had to make do in a small space located near the shrine. Hopefully they are able to raise enough money to build it again.
no more shrine
not allowed to enter
one coin lunch in hachinohe soba resturant
300 yen fried squid that tasted like takoyaki
their soba improved since the last time we eat it ! No regrets this time!
Went to local farmer market in Oirase and they have a restaurant offering vegetarian buffet lunch. It was always packed with people. It was not cheap but they had a wide variety of food and quite yummy. I have gotten used to eating many vegetables in my daily life (compared to my preference of meat in Singapore) and learnt to appreciate the taste of vegetables. I do still prefer meat but vegetables are staple in Japanese food, not meat. I was so hungry since I did not eat breakfast and had at least 3 - 4 helpings. S was staring me in shock lol! He said I ate so much. The good part of eating vegetarian buffet regardless the big amount you ate is that you will release some out soon hahaha!
Its bonus month payout time! I requested crab yet again and we went to our favourite sushi restaurant in Oirase. This time we got smarter and made reservation with the orders. The last time we went without notice, most all the orders were unavailable. Hence this time was glitch free and our crab dishes was served within minutes. One coin lunch book vol. 3 had special offer for dinner, 1000 yen dinner set which comes along with 6 pieces of sushi, sake or beer, appetizer and fried porcupine and octopus. While eating, the chef came to clear the dishes and accidentally taken my crab dish (nearly finish but not yet). I was crying in my heart when I realised the dish was gone! Sob Sob Sob!
Thank you Bubu for working so hard to support our family and bringing me to eat what I love!
Recently, Japanese TV shows been showing that 塩顔”イケメン”男子 (salt face handsome men) are making waves in Japan. Its interesting how they used the flavour to describe certain category of men. There are several criteria to describe 塩顔”イケメン”男子:
1) Fair and slender
2) Not those thick double eyelid.
3) neutral type of face meaning not so masculine, can even be pretty
4) Looks weak but his Adam's apple and hands are shown clearly (in this case manly).
5) Look good in just a simple sweater, glasses
Salted faced men are typically not my type, since they usually look weak, fair and slimmer than me lol! But there are several ideals men that fitted the description and yet look so cool. 1. 坂口健太郎 Kentarô Sakaguchi (24 years old)
So cute!
2. 羽生結弦 Yuzuru Hanyu (21 years old)
He looked really weak when he is not skating but once he is performing, he came alive! He made those jump (triple axel and quadruple) looked so effortless. Its a joy to watch his performances. He recently broke the 3x world record of the scores and first man to have won Grand Prix Final for three consecutive seasons.
3. 綾野剛 Gō Ayano (33 years old)
Not my type but his acting is good, S likes him. He's able to take many types of roles.
Before snow starts, S made a list of the shrines he wanted to visit that very day. We ventured the towns that we never been before. It was raining and freezing cold that day, could not stand the weather even with my layers of clothes. Its out to pray and ran back to the car for me lol. While S had to wait for shrine master to finish the calligraphy stamp. Went to Sannohe to visit the famous castle on top of the hill. Sanohe is a small town and we went to their road station to have lunch.
narasaki shrine @ Hachinohe. (mountain shrine)
never seen a entrance made out of trees!
suwa shrine @ sannohe, the shrine with unique tree gate
Yesterday while the guys were having their company dinner session, we had a catch up session ourselves! Just before we left the house, S reminded me to make dinner reservation and told me what I should say in Japanese. I managed to complete the task til I don't understand what the lady was replying. Turnout that she was asking I had the wrong number opps! So when i called North 40-40 the right time, I panic and got all my Japanese and accent all wrong (that's what S said). My speaking and listening ability over the phone totally cannot make it.
It was so much fun chatting with Kristi. She is due for delivery in 2 weeks time. Can't wait to see her new born! I also finally got my base pass today so I be able to visit them in the base next time! We were sharing many horrifying delivery stories or choices and pregnancy myths. Sounded so scary...
This the time for salmon catching in autumn again! This time we invited Bao and Kristi to join us. My okaasan and obaachan came along as obaachan had never seen the festival before and was curious about it. It was freezing cold despite most did not look like it, especially those foreigners was in just shorts. The spectators including me were covered in layers and mountain jacket. Okaasan sliced the salmon into two and brought half of it. While we finished the rest on the same night!
Doing the famous Japanese rugby player pose!
he got it fast!
finally his turn!
crazy masked man that purposely posed for me when I was taking his photo
