One Coin Lunch @ Cafe MatiereIKEZAKI (Misawa)

Went for lunch with our one coin lunch book, decided to visit the bakery cafe used to locate in Sky Plaza and relocated somewhere else. They are also the bakery that sell the famous Misawa burgers in the airport. Its only available for sale in airport, they do not have it in the cafe. S love their lunch menu but since I do not like bread that much (bread with meat is another thing), we rarely go. This time, the cafe actually offer one of Misawa burger with the book, and came along with fries and drink. Super good deal! The burger was so crispy and filling.

Here is the new address and link: https://tabelog.com/en/aomori/A0203/A020303/2002730/

Currently its pretty lacking in reviews and photos since they are not using their old link anymore. Do give it a try!

S's acquaintance came from Takko Town famous for garlic and they even have garlic coke! She heard I was interested in it and brought it for me!. Thank you!

Ordered extra ham and egg croissant,  260 yen. Crispy outside , tender inside! 

Yummy burger! Fries for 2 person since S went along. All for 500 yen! (Do note that this is under One Coin Lunch Hachinohe Book Promotion, have to buy the book to enjoy the promo. They do not sell the book in the bakery, you have to buy it in bookstore)

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Free sample (New product) by the chef! Kinako bread (Roasted soya bean flour). Tasty!

British English Vs American English

Since I stay near the Misawa base, it is natural that I mingle with American friends as we attend Japanese classes together. Sometimes as we talk, my English will crack them up since the words I use is not the words they would use. My good friend, Kristi (also an American) which I used to hang out frequently before she moved back to the States, never pointed out so I never realised until quite recently.

Singapore used to be colonise by the British hence our education system (Cambridge GCE O Level, A Level), English and law etc are modelled after them. Even though we watch drama from the States, never thought that it would be so different until my friends pointed out.

Scene 1: Went to スシロー (conveyor belt sushi chain) and I was exclaiming that I hope there's no queue at all (it was new in town so usually the waiting time can be long). A (American friend): queue? What do you mean?... Oh you meant line? We do not use the word "Queue" unless we are in a theme park or something.

Scene 2: In Japanese class and A was passing around the cookies (rectangular chocolate shaped)  she brought. Did not recall the exact conversation but I said Biscuits! A: you said it again! British English.... Me: what? Biscuits? That's British? A: Yeah, we called it cookies. We only call biscuit for crackers we eat in the morning.

Scene 3: Driving passed a spectacles shop in Japan. A: What is that shop over there? I can't read the Katakana. Me: should be a spectacles shop. A: ?? Spectacles?  Me: You know, the shop that sell sunglasses, contact lenses etc.. A: Oh! Glasses shop! (The rest of American friends were laughing in the car). Spectacles is an outdated word in the states, we do not use the word at all. 

Scene 4: Facebook conversation I had with my other friend. He also corrected my British English lol...

Was reading through online the words that differ from British style and America style. Realised most of the words I would use all from British. I was not offended when my American friends pointed it out but it was quite funny and we all had a good laugh. Now I know why sometimes they do not understand me, I thought it was my pronunciation, accent or my bad English?!. 

First Stomach Flipping!

Hideji sleeping position ever since we adopted him 4 months ago is either in the curl position (protecting his vulnerable spot such as stomach and paws, ready to spring up into action) and sleeping sideways. When he slept deep enough, he would stretch out this legs and slept sideways. However recently we noticed that he started to sleep in a different position (sleeping with his stomach facing up). This position is called as "dead cockroach" and only happened to indoor pets that are secure and comfortable with his surroundings. Another reason might be he felt overheated and expose his tummy to cool down.  He did not sleep in this position often but when he did, so so adorable! Looked like a broken toy, his response is slower than usual and basically let us touch anywhere without resistance. If he gets too comfortable, he will even roll his eyeballs and you can only see the white area only.

asking for a rub

He was pleading, give me more rub please! don't stop.... 

Outing w Friend

Hanged out with my friend and brought her to my favourite Kadoya that served yakitori and nabe (only in winter season). Even though she stayed in Misawa, she had yet to visit many places in Misawa. It was such cold and windy night, the roads were covered in ice that I had to walk so slowly. After a satisfying meal, I met another friend on the street. He had noticed me while I was in the r restaurant but was not sure if it was me. Just nice my friend also knew him as he helped out in her event before. 

got him a new sleeping mat but seemed to be little small 

looked like he was going to have a stiff neck lol!

Changed his neck collar, so cute!!

Had not tried it before, the grilled blended with avocado really well

super delicious hotpot

Ya she loves this place

sleeping sleeping and sleeping

Flanders Dog Cafe & Bar @ Hachinohe

We went to a dog cafe introduced by my friend in Hachinohe. Encountered difficulty in locating the cafe (It was on 2nd level) and we turned into small bumpy alley which resulting Hideji puking his breakfast lol! The good part was he puked behind my shoulder while I was holding him so my coat was barely stained. The bad news was that all the half digested dog food was on the door, seat belt and in between the gaps of seat and the door. Oh well, what a way to start the day....

The cafe is a place that allows customer to bring their pet along and they served pretty items edible for dogs as well. Their food was quite tasty. We switched our dogs with each other as their chihuahua (Spin) loves to interact with humans. She kept wanting to come over. So we passed Hideji over to them. Unlike Spin, Hideji was very nervous (pretty sure he never been such places at all) and his miserable face said it all (probably thought we going to send him away). Only started to relax and in drowsy mood when he was back with us and started dozing off with his chin on S's leg lol. 

Since there were no other customers around, we let them ran around the cafe. Hideji was always chasing after Spin and Spin was always escaping lol.... 

p.s It appeared that once Hideji is placed in unfamiliar surrounding, he have a tendency to stick to us. When S went to the toilet, he wanted to follow. When S walked around, he also followed. 

https://www.facebook.com/Flanders.cafe/

Heard that its crowded during weekend from my friend.

800 yen w salad. Tasted pretty good

Hideji did not seem happy at all

Nice time with our dogs

Spin loves humans than dogs

Eventually Spin likes Hideji this time. Her tail was never up the past times she met Hideji

7 年忌 (7th Year Nenkai Hoyo)

Went back to Aomori to attend my grandfather in law 7th year death anniversary. It is a Buddhist memorial service to honour the deceased held in certain number of years such as 1st, 3rd, 7th, 13th years and so on. I was told to dressed in dark colours, flashy or bright colours are a major no. For the first time since our wedding in Singapore, I finally get to meet and talk to S's uncle and aunt. Been wanting to meet them for so long but we never had the chance. They lived in Yokohoma and we always missed them when they came to Aomori to visit. 

My grandmother in law hired the monk to come to the house to chant and pray. Thereafter we moved to hotel to have our lunch. Did not take photos beside the meal as I was told by S it not a good idea to take pictures. On a side note, before we started eating, all of us held the drinks in our hands and said献杯 (Kenpai used only in funeral time). Since I did not know and did not have such culture in my country, I said it wrongly (乾杯 Kanpai) . The good thing was that I sat at the end of the table and maybe only S heard me lol! He said its not a joyous moment so I cannot use 乾杯(Kanpai). Well nobody told me beforehand, how was i supposed to know...... 

Gift for Hideji from S's aunt! He loved it!

Finally a family picture with his uncle and aunt since the wedding!

Lunch @ T's Burritos

New lunch place on base! S was telling me how tasty it was and how big the portion was. Basically sells tacos and burritos. Super tasty though the tedious part is to choose your own ingredients and dressing (like subway but double choices lol). The good part if you can eat everything, just tell the staff to help you instead of jamming the line pondering the choices.   

We have been allowing Hideji to stay with us in the living room as it was too cold elsewhere. Only our living area has stove. We would still send him to his cage during bedtime with hot water-bottles (do not think it works well but better than nothing). Every morning when we opened the door, he is always in a rush to enter since its so warm.   

My father in law gave us oysters (expensive), as big as our palms!

what a sexy pose! 

Since too cold in winter, we allowed him in living room where there's heater but only restricted to the grey mat. For some reason he loves to stick his butt into the tiny stool. 

He loves snow! super active when he sees it

800 yen set each ($10) it was worth it, better than Tacos Bell in my opinion

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