Farewell Mr Lee Kuan Yew

Before Mr Lee Kuan Yew passed away, i had been actively updating his news when he was hospitalised. Then when i read that he died on 23 March, then it really sank in that he was gone. This past week, because of his death, Singaporeans become united once again (the kampong spirit that seemed to have disappear is once shown). Many braved through the hot weather, endless waiting (2 hours, 5 hours, 10 hours) to pay respects to one man that established the foundation of prosperous tiny country that only appeared to be a dot on the world map. Volunteers, organisations, taxi driver, florist gave out free food, drinks, flowers, rides to those that went to pay their respects. I guess this would be his final lesson for all us to be united as one nation again. 

I had glanced those that bad mouthing and cursing about LKY on social media, well shame on you! No country policies are prefect and Mr Lee had given his all and best to ensure our survival. You wouldn't have cuss and shame a stranger's death, let alone doing it on a man who had created Singapore which was once filled with new immigrants,  no resources and a Malaysia that's hoping that the separation would teach us a lesson in being defiant against them.  

I am thankful and proud that i am a Singaporean (nevertheless i might disagree with retirement policies and other issues). Because of him, our red passport visa-free entry to most countries, I do not have to worry about the dangers getting home late at night (my american friends told us that once they moved back to the states, he would get a pistol for his wife as everyone does to ensure their own safely and at that point i was thinking you gotta be kidding and they were serious), my waiting period to obtain Japanese spouse visa is around a month and able to work in Japan (unlike other countries have to submit tons of paperwork, wait around 6 months to get approval and even with approval they are not allow to work in Japan). 

Thank you Mr Lee Kuan Yew for everything that you had done so that current and future generations of Singapore are able to enjoy fruits of your contributions. Farewell..... 

credits to eva comics for this drawing
http://evacomics.blogspot.jp/2015/03/tribute-to-mr-lee-kuan-yew-and-his-wife.html

La' Bosco French Cuisine @ Aomori

Went back to Aomori last week and stayed 1 night at my parents in law house. S had gathering session with his fire fighter's group in late afternoon and we went to this French restaurant for lunch. We were the first group and the interior was lovely. Small details with flowers and plants decorated the restaurant. The food was delicious and very gentle (Tasty yet you won't feel its too much and oily). I like it more than Misawa North 40-40. While S was away, time passed quickly since okaasan and i have a common topic: Korean drama! We were sharing our favourite actors and dramas haha!

always in his military jacket

pumpkin soup 

set lunch around 1400 yen ($16) yummy!

the best fruit cake i had in ages!

their plates and cups are so pretty!

chef at work

Pollen craze!

Spring is coming soon! All the pollen is spreading like crazy, the car is covered with pollen. Yesterday while i was driving, we saw a gust of pollen spreading everywhere! Its so obvious it looks like sand dust and so you can imagine most people have pollen allergy. Poor S had it worst this year, his eyes, face, nose are all swollen! On the base, Dunkin' Donuts has newly opened, it replaced Cinnamon Rolls which i love but dare not eat often. American desserts are always so sinful and high calories. As expected, the queue was long but after tasting it, both of us felt it was soso, S said its healthy version doughnuts while i never like doughnuts much anyway so it might be my own bias. Anyway should be our 1st and final time buying it lol!

Coke came out with plant version, taste like diet coke just slightly tastier  

the doughnuts.....

went to eat again using 1 coin lunch. Too oily for me

OIRASE Sushi Counter

With the one coin book, we went to visit a sushi place in Oirase. It was hidden right behind the famous ramen store, you wouldn't think of walking towards back which appeared to be a dead end and realise there is another restaurant. From the book, the seafood don looks delicious so i was constantly repeating that i wish to visit this place. In fact, it was my first choice and this must be the cheapest and tastiest don i ever tasted! So glad they launched this book otherwise we will have never know this place exist! Their speciality should be crab as their menu listed majority of crab dishes and the price is reasonable. We will certainly be here again, hopefully to eat the crabs!

appearance of the place

they have sushi buffet at night time but for 4 groups max per night

this for 500 yen with the book!!! unbelievable! Amount is just nice for ladies but for men, guess u be hungry again later

it also comes along with soup, drink and chawamuchi!

Mexican Buffet @ Misawa Club

Went on base for lunch buffet which offered Mexican food every Tuesday. Everyday offers different type of buffet, have yet to try all of them. Mexican food has many of ingredients and all super filling with their chips, rice, tacos shell and fatting sauce; avocado sauce, sour cream etc. Most of us didn't eat so much apart from me since it was my first time and so i was greedy enough to try everything. Apparently the food did not sit well with Bao and S. Bao had stomach ache twice and S ended up having a cold by end of the night. Not sure if its the cold weather or the food though. Few days later my turn to have sore throat lol!! We are all so weak......  

3 plates were all mine! scary right!

Sending Friend off

If you have been following my blog, you would know that i met fellow Singaporean here in Misawa. Unfortunately, her husband and her only stayed in Misawa for short term and they are now relocated to Okinawa, enjoying cooling weather unlike freezing Misawa. Hopefully we will get to meet up again :) We sent them off on Sunday and tried a new hamburger set launched by Misawa. Every town usually will have something special, like Aomori is Apple, Yokahama machi is Scallop etc. Misawa is famous for having U.S base here and hence most of the cafes near the base are prone to American taste and preference. Good idea for them to come up with these hamburger set.   

tasted good!

bye guys! Bet uguys will like Okinawa more haha!

Misawa Club Surf & Turf Buffet

Didn't know there is Crab buffet on base every Friday until our friends told us.... What had i missed for 1 1/2 years! As everyone who visited Japan before will know seafood is super expensive, especially if you go Hokkaido market; 1 crab would cost around 8000 yen at least ($90). Even though the crab is not from Japan but still what a bargain at 20 usd per person! And so off we went and I fulfilled my crab satisfaction to the max! They had other food like prime beef (also thumbs up), fish, prawns and dessert etc. But the best and main attraction is still the crabs. I brought my Singaporean friend along since she also like seafood. S did not enjoy it so much as i do as he felt tired to remove the shell and disliked the hassle. Well no effort, no gain... I ate around 3 plates lol!

Either garlic or steamed.

another food but so so 

so good!

prawns blah! prime rib ooooo!

１コインランチ八戸 (1 coin lunch Hachinohe)

Recently, we happened to come across the 1 coin lunch book launched in convenience store. Most Japanese workers typically spend around 510 yen ($6) for lunch, hence the marketers came up with the concept of using 1 gold coin (500 yen) to pay for 1 meal during lunch time at various restaurants. The book cost 1000 yen to buy and it is meant for 1 person only so if 2 person wish to get the same deal then 2 books are required. It is a very good deal as the normal set would cost 700 yen and above without the book. I checked and there is also a Tokyo version as well. The Hachinohe version is best for me since it included Misawa, Oirase and Hachinohe which is around my area. 

https://www.facebook.com/onecoinlunch  (For Tokyo)

Do note the deadline on the book since its only for limited time period and you are only allow to visit each restuarnt and enjoy their deal for 3 times. The lunch set is fixed accordingly and not allow to choose others unless you wish to pay normal rate. 

P.s Just checked and noticed the Tokyo version is already over but they might launch a 2nd version.  

the book

tempura is delicious, soba soso.

our 1st time using the book! We saw plenty of people holding on the the food as well!

Night Out

Finally have the time to meet up and have dinner together! This time we tried a new restaurant and there were no other customers until we left. Not sure why, most restaurants in Misawa closed on Wednesday even most clinics are also closed on that day. Why is that so? I wonder....

Nabe for 4 of us @ 1500yen only!

Hop to next place for drinks and desserts for us

Only in Misawa, cheese rolls!