natural structures

(Delicate Arch)

There are various arches of rocks in Arches NP.
It is really interested that those holes of arch-like rocks were formed
by erosion, frost and so on.
Those rocks are like man-made structures.

I went on a hike to "Delicate Arch" about 3 miles.
It was very windy day, so really hard to hike than usual.
Eventually, I could see very spectacular arch, so it was worth it.

But, I'm worn out...
I will fall into a deep sleep tonight.

Good night.

scenes from the western movie

Today I visited "Monument Valley" where was located in Navajo tribal area.
That park was used as scenes of western movies.

I have never seen western movies, but my father sometimes watches
those movies.
If I can take him there, he would be really excited!

I ate lunch before visiting there.
I knew there was one local food of Navajo tribal, so I tried that.
I ordered "Navajo Friedbread" and beef stew.
That bread tasted slightly sweet, I liked it.

After lunch, I drove on the unpaved road and trailed around
"West Mitten Butte" about 4 miles.
I felt able to get energy from the Butte.

Tomorrow, I will move to Arches NP.

realize my wish

I have been interested in one place in US from the time
I had been in Japan.
But I forgot the name, so I didn't think I could realize the visit there.

One of my acquaintances gave me the guide book about National Park
in US because he had moved to Japan.
I thumbed through that book, and I found the place where I had
wanted to visit.
Also, I knew it was not impossible to visit there from SB by car.

Today I realized the visit "Antelope Canyon" that was located on
Navajo land, Arizona.

Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon was formed by erosion.
Rainwater runs into the extensive basin above the slot canyon section,
picking up speed and sand as it rushes into narrow passageways.
Over time the passageways are eroded away, making the corridors
deeper and smoothing hard edges.

I could see the various scenes by the angle of sunshine coming in
through a gap of canyon.

How can I express the scenery of Grand Canyon?

I got up at 6:30, and then opened the curtain.
It was sunny day, so beautiful.

All cars that was parking in front of motel were covered with frost.
It was easy to guess outside was really cold...
I have spent 2 winter season in SB, so my body is sensitive to the cold.

It was so so cold as expected.
My nose and ears changed the red color immediately.

I got to Grand Canyon at 8:50, now it was off season , so
there were a few visitors.

First I visited "Mather Point".
When I looked the view from there, I just stood there.
I couldn't find the proper words to express that spectacular scenery.
How excellent...

After lunch, I had a time, so I decided to hike about 5 miles.
I could meet the "Elk" during the hiking.
Thanks Elk for giving me the chance to take your picture.

Tomorrow I will move to Page to visit Antelope Canyon.

from Arizona

I left home early in the morning for the Grand Canyon.
There were no traffic jams near the downtown in LA, and my trip started to
go smoothly.

I believed there was the road sign, kind of like "Welcome to Arizona!",
at the border between CA and AZ , so I held a camera still.
I succeeded to take a picture of the road sign that showed to enter Arizona!
But it is a little small to find the sign of "Arizona"...

I could see snow at intervals as I approached my destination, but it is not
snowing and the snow almost melt.
That area is totally different climate from SB!

to keep my energy

I will go on a trip to the Grand Circle from tomorrow to April 3.
I plan to visit Grand Canyon NP, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley,
Arches NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Zion NP, and Las Vegas.

If it's not windy, raining, snowing, I will hike in the parks.
I usually get hungry easily, so I definitely need some candies to
keep my energy when I hike.

The cookies in the picture are my favorite American candies.

Those will become my energy source!

learning at any age

Today, the class that I attend was last day in this semester, so some of
students who had attended perfect or had been absence a few times got
certificate of achievement.

One of my classmates was only student with perfect attendance.
I don't know her age, but she already has grandchildren.

She looked like really happy to be able to receive the certificate.

I learned the importance to keep studying or trying something
at any age from her attitude toward studying English.

I have something I want to try using my English after going back
to my country, but I sometimes lose my confidence for my next challenge.
However, now I believe I have to try that because I really want to do.

I felt refreshed, so I enjoyed my favorite beer "Guinness"!

What's the flavor of the green part?

(Green tea cookies & Roasted tea)

I have a party tomorrow because the class that I attend
more than a year is last of this semester.
I usually bring homemade cookies, chocolate chip
or Earl Gray cookies.

First I thought to make Japanese food using soy sauce,
but some people might not like soy sauce taste.
However, I wanted to bring Japanese style foods.
Hmmm... what should I make?

I totally forgot there was the representative Japanese flavor
because it was hard to get the candies of this flavor
at the supermarket in US.
Also, I remembered to bring the ingredient of this flavor
when I had gone back to Japan temporary.

I made the two-colored cookies using this stuff.
Do you know what flavor the green part is?
I suppose it's easy for my Japanese friends to understand it.

The flavor is "Matcha" that is powdered green tea.
In Japan, there are many kinds of Matcha-flavored candies,
ice cream, cake, pudding, cheesecake etc...

I'm a little nervous if everyone of the class like my Matcha cookies.

What's your name?

While waiting my sandwich at South Coast Deli on last Saturday, I read
the "Independent" to pass the time.
A small advertise caught my eye;
"Wine sale, up to 70% off! March 20, 2010 2-5pm
Tasting & Touring in Milpas"

I asked myself "What's the date today? What time is it now??"
At that time, it was March 20 at 2pm, and I thought I gotta go.
I grabbed lunch, and then went to Milpas.

There were various wines that produced in Napa, Monterey,
Temecula, Oregon.
I decided to buy a bottle of Syrah at Chateau Julian and a bottle of
Chardonnay that there was no mention of the vintage and the name.
It was just written about the volume, the percentage of alcohol and
government warning.

I was so interested in this unnamed wine, additionally,
it was just $3!!

I don't try yet, but I really look forward to tasting it.

Japanese style patisserie in Sanata Monica

(Tarte Fruits & Cheese Cake)

When I go to the Japanese supermarkets, I always search the Japanese
style patisserie around there, and I can usually get the information.

Today I went to "The Getty" and Japanese supermarket "Mitsuwa"
in Santa Monica.
I already knew there was one Japanese style patisserie close to Mitsuwa,
so I decided to go this shop and get cakes from yesterday.

I always need much time to select items in restaurants or cafes.
This patisserie has about ten kinds of cakes, so it took a long time to choose.

I enjoyed these cakes with the coffee of "Peets Coffee" after the dinner.
Additionally, I could talk with my parents by phone.

I had a happy day today!!

eat up a sandwich

(cheesy veggie toasted sandwich at SOUTH COAST DELI in Goleta)

I was always surprised that the portions of meal were so big
when I just stared living in SB.

Especially the size of hamburger combo, sandwiches, salads, steaks
in U.S. are almost twice than Japan.
So I could not eat them up.

Recently I feel that the size of my stomach gets bigger little by little,
because it's not impossible to eat up a hamburger combo,
a big sandwich and so on.

I suppose that I can't be satisfied with the Japanese size of meals.

HAVARTI

One of differences between U.S. and Japanese supermarket is that
there are many kind of cheeses in U.S. and those are inexpensive!
I like cheeses, so I already tried a lot.

One day when I went to the supermarket and chose a cheese as usual,
one elderly lady said me "That is so delicious. I love it. You should try that".

The name of the cheese is "HAVARTI", and you all can get at Trader Joe's.

HAVARTI is creamy and not too salty, really tasty!

I made a appetizer using sun dried tomato, balsamic vinegar
and HAVARTI, and put them on the my favorite plate.

These three ingredients are so nice combination!

Amelie

As some of readers of this blog already know, I love Paris.
I put the maps of Paris on the wall, decorate the tiny Eiffel Tower
on the small table.
One of my dreams is to live in Paris more than a year♪

Actually, it's almost impossible to go to Paris right now, so I sometimes
listen one CD that I feel like I'm in Paris.
It's "Amelie" that is the sound track of one of French movies.

I always enjoy a glass of wine or a cup of coffee with croissant
when I listen this CD.

Chinese dress

I have a dear Chinese friend to know each other for about a year.
She is kind of like a the sun or sunflower.
Her smile makes everyone happy, and she has a positive way of thinking.

When we talk, we can use English and Chinese characters to understand
what we want to say.
It's sometimes easier using Chinese characters.

Today we met for the first time in a month, and she gave me
the fabulous birthday gift (wine) and the warm and thoughtful card.
It's not just any wine, this bottle of wine wears Chinese dress.
It's so sweet!!

She will become mother soon.
I believe that she definitely become great mother.
I'm really excited to meet her baby from now!

Julie&Julia

This is one of my favorite movies.

When I looked the commercial "Julie&Julia" first time, I was captivated
by this movie immediately.
I figured it out that this movie definitely made me happy, because this has
many things what I like, Paris, enjoy cooking, try to do something,
and eat eat eat!
And Julie who is one of lead characters is same generation with me, so
I can identify her thinking.
I have one favorite line what Julia said in this movie "Don't be afraid!"

There are many things I want to do after going back to my country.
But sometimes I get scared whether I actually can do those or not.
So I always keep in my mind "Don't be afraid. I can do that."

a bottle for...

I like to collect the items to decorate my room.
The posters, figurines, baskets etc...

I found the lemonade that the shape of bottle was so neat
in the supermarket.
I didn't want the lemonade, but really liked the bottle, so I bought it.

Now I think that I can use this bottle for vase or carafe.
If you all have other ideas, let me know!!

once in a while

My friend had brought the salmon salad to yesterday party.
I love a salmon, especially salmon sushi.

I had a little leftover of this salad, and I remembered there were
nice focaccia that I had bought in the farmers market.

I put them on the plate, and I thought my lunch would be perfect
if I had a glass of wine.
I decided to enjoy a glass of white wine at lunch once in a while.
It was the lovely holiday lunch♪

Happy Birthday!

My close family friend will go back to Japan in the end of March.
They have one daughter whose name is "SAKURA" meaning cherry blossoms.

My other friends and I hold the farewell and Happy Birthday of SAKURA
party at my home in this evening.
SAKURA will turn one year old in March 15.
I have a image of eating strawberry cake in the birthday, so I made
the rolled cake with strawberries.

The Cherry blossoms season is coming up soon in Japan.
The cherry blossoms in full bloom is so beautiful, elegant, and spectacular.
I cannot see the cherry blossoms again this year, but I enjoyed
the pear blossoms in full bloom in last and this February.
The pear blossoms are white color and so cute blossoms.

Anyway, Happy Birthday, SAKURA!!

Where is Akita?

I had lived in Akita Prefecture (Prefecture is kind of like State)
in Northern Japan for about 5 years because of my father's job.
Almost readers of my blog might have one question ; where is Akita???
I post the map of Japan, so let's try to study about geography of Japan.

Akita is snowy place in winter, but summer season is cool.
When I had lived there, I didn't need the air conditioner.

One day, my friend gave me "INANIWA-UDON (UDON is one of noodles
in Japan)" that is one of representative foods in Akita.
INANIWA-UDON is really smooth texture and taste good, I love it!

As I already explained, Akita is snowy place, so I arranged on
the white dish in the image of snow.

Thanks to my friend, I could enjoy this UDON in SB.

I have not been to not only Akita but also other Northern area in Japan
after moving to another area, so I have a plan to visit there in this summer.
I might be able to report about the local foods, the accent, and people
in Northern Japan.

lunch at the beach

(my usual bench)

(ONIGIRI & water)

Recently I feel the season turn a l little bit from the sun.

When it is sunny day and I have a time, I go to the beach and sometimes
bring lunch.
Usually I bring 2 rice balls (ONIGIRI) and green tea or water for my lunch.

Today was not windy, not chilly, not a cloud in the sky, so beautiful day.
I went to the beach, and sat the usual bench headed toward westerly direction, Japan.

This lunch time while listening the sound of wave make me feel relaxed.

favorite boots

When I walk on the street or shop in the supermarkets,
people who don't know me sometimes say
"Your (boots, scarf, purse...) is so cute!".
These words make me so happy!!

Today I wore my most favorite long boots that had brought from Japan,
and went to the class.
On my way to the classroom, one man said me "That boots suits you!".
I was so glad that this man also liked my boots!

I like this brand (KOOS), so I might get a little different design
long boots of KOOS next winter.

Cakes at cafe

I don't usually eat candies and cakes a lot, but I get the urge
to go if I obtain the information about desserts of
the reputable restaurants or cafes.

I have heard the reputation that one of cafes in downtown had
a good apple pie, and I have been interested in the apple pie
of this cafe.

My two friends and I had free time in this afternoon, so we went there.
There were five kinds of desserts ; New York cheesecake, Bread Pudding,
Chocolate Cake, Grandmother's Cake (probably like a lemon pie),
and Apple Pie.

We ordered three different Cakes (New York cheesecake,
Chocolate Cake, and Apple Pie with vanilla ice cream♪) and shared them.
These all tasted so good, but my favorite was New York Cheesecake.

Today I could resolve my small worry and eat fabulous
desserts with my friends.
So happy day!!

talk talk talk!

(my necessities)

I have been taking the "Pronunciation and Conversation" class
for about a year.
This class is one of my significant place to learn English and
to meet and talk with a lot of classmates who came from various countries.

Today one of my classmates not only took an interest in "Kanji"
(Chinese character, we Japanese call "Kanji"), but wrote
by imitating one Japanese word.
I was so thrilled to be able to tell and teach about my country.

I still remember clearly that first semester was the painful memory for me.
I had not had any confidence in my mind to talk with classmates
using English.
For the first several weeks I had struggled why I could not expressed
my thinking like other students.
But I had kept the words of my teacher in my mind.
"talk talk talk!" and "practice practice practice!"

Of course, I still mistake a lot, so I have to keep "talk talk talk".
I strongly believe that talking and mistake a lot improve my English.

visit again

2 weeks ago, I had been the cute olive oil & vinegar shop in Los Olivos
with my co-workers and customers, and had tried olive oil & vinegar tasting.

Each olive oils have the distinctive taste and these are so tasty.
Some of vinegars have fruity flavor, so these are best eaten for dressing.
They basically sell many kinds of olive oils and vinegars, but there are
other unique dishes, baskets, and many different style bags.

When I had visited this shop first, I had bought nothing.
But I have had some items of this shop on my mind after first visiting,
so today I visited again.
Of course I enjoyed tasting again.

After careful thought, I bought a bottle of olive oil that the taste was
a little bit creamy and buttery, and a neat basket for breads or fruits.

Hmm, third visiting might be coming soon.

For "SAKE"

I like to go to the kitchen utensil shops.
Sometimes I buy some glasses, dishes and plates compulsively.

Today I went to "Sur la table" that is my favorite cookware shop in SB.
I didn't have a plan to buy something in this shop, but I liked the neat and
small paired carafes at a glance.

Probably these carafes are for wine or water.
But I will use for "SAKE".
When I was in Japan, I sometime enjoyed cold SAKE especially in summer season.

As you all already know, there are many kinds of SAKE in Japan.

I look forward to drinking SAKE using these carafes with my family or friends.
Next I have to get some tiny glasses!!

Bon Appetit♪

When I don' t have much time to cook for dinner, I usually make
"Spaghetti Aglio, Olio & Peperoncino with bacon".

This is so simple ingredients, easy, and tasty.

<Spaghetti Aglio, Olio & Peperoncino with bacon>
＊ Ingredients (for 2 persons)
・ 1/2 pound spaghetti
・ 3 slices thick cut bacon (cut about 1/2 inch size)
・ 2 garlic cloves
・ 1 dried red pepper
・ 1/2 teaspoon salt
・ 2-3 tablespoon olive oil

＊ Directions
1. In a large pot, bring to a boil 3 quarts of salted water.
Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8minutes.

2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large saute pan.
Add the minced garlic and the dried red pepper.
Saute the garlic until light brown.

3. Add the bacon until a little crunchy.

4. Drain the spaghetti in a colander.
Place the spaghetti into a pan.

5. Add the spaghetti water and salt.
Mix well for 1 minute.

Bon Appetit!!

nice choice

There are a lot of Mexican restaurants and cafes in CA, but I have
tried a few times.

Today I had a plan to go lunch with my friend, but we didn't
decide what to go
We were just so hungry, so first went to the mall.
There are some kind of cafes.

"Do you wanna eat hamburger?" → "Hmm…, no."
"Japanese?" → "No."
"Cakes in Starbucks?" → "That's is not lunch." Yep, you are right.

Finally we decided to go to the Mexican cafe.
Why did we avoid Mexican foods?
Because it was hard to imagine the taste and the look
by just looking the menu.

I checked the ingredients of all dishes, and then
ordered "Quesadilla(ケサディーヤ- for Japanese friends)".

Quesadilla is kind of like Mexican style "Grilled cheese"
The taste was so nice! I loved that!!

2 months left until back to Japan.
I have to hurry up to eat Quesadilla at many restaurants!!

wish her happiness

In this April, my important friend will get married.
We met 13years ago at the entrance ceremony of our university.
We hung out while eating some sweets, went driving for the beach,
enjoyed Karaoke, went shopping, drank beers or sake...
Anyway, we spent much time together, probably than each boyfriend at the time.

She sent me the invitation card in the end of February, and at that time
I knew the exact date of her wedding ceremony.

I really really hope to attend the big day in her life and celebrate her.
But I move to Japan a month later after her ceremony.
I had to give up...

She seems to plan to have wedding ceremony at the Shrine, so she will
wear the pure white "Kimono(Japanese traditional garment)".
It is easy to imagine how beautiful she is.

After I go back to Japan, I have a plan to go trip various part of Japan.
Of course I will visit her house to celebrate and give a hug!

Indian style or Japanese style?

Japanese love curry.
I have never heard that people said "I don't like the curry".

This is the curry kit to make easily.(first and second pictures)
The small mascot like a egg says ;
"This is Japanese style curry invented by Indian ."

When I looked this kit first, I could not imagine the taste.
So I bought and tried this curry at dinner tonight.

This is not totally normal Japanese style curry.
I felt spiciness than others.
But taste is so good!
It is nice collaboration between India and Japan.

These 2 colors foods on the small white dish are Japanese pickles.
These have an essential role for Japanese curry!

GOCHISOUSAMA-DESHITA♪

Happy Hour!

Today, I went to one of restaurants in downtown of SB.
I visited this restaurant before 6pm, so this restaurant provide the happy hour service
I enjoyed a few kinds of wines.
I tried chardonnay, Pino Noir, and Syrah.
Syrah is so amazinig..
That is not too strong tannin and totally fruity.
These wines are exactly SB style fruity wines.
SB is rich in many kinds of wines.