What I ate for 中秋節--"moonviewing" (月見) mochi consisting either of redbean paste covered with ground peanuts or ground peanuts covered with redbean paste.
Hmm.... miss the traditional mooncakes.
McDonalds' even had a moon burger of some sort but I didn't try it. The advertisement was pretty funny though--two rabbits fighting on the moon.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Belly Dancing
Went to see a belly dancing performance at the American Club in Tokyo recently. One of my friends knew someone who knew a belly dancer and we all got invited to their inaugural performance in Japan.
Apparenty, the audience consisted mostly of Japanese belly dancers--people who take classes for fun just like paupau), and boy were they flamboyantly-dressed. Even my Japanese friends commented that the crowd was "different". Should have taken some pictures of the audience...
But when it came to rushing to the buffet table, everyone became obaa-sans. You'd be surprised how fast those ladies can move on high-heels yet maintain their poise. I thought the buffet was free-flow so I stupidly waited for the crowd to disperse before I went. Man, by then the food was almost gone, and little remained of the most popular dishes.
But, back to belly dancing; paupau gave me some ideas of how complicated it was and how many different muscles one had to use. To my layman's eyes, it was amazing how the dancers could move their bodies in those ways. It must be tiring, having to quiver and wiggle the right portions of one's body. For maximum effect, a dancer told me, one has to sit at most a few steps away from the performers. Too bad in our case they were all far away on the ballroom stage.
The star of the show, a professional dancer from Cairo did something amazing (sadly not captured on film)--somehow her stomach muscles were so well-controlled that she could place a walking cane horizontally across her hips and grip it in place with her belly!
Amazing, but a little long. Most of us were quite sleepy when it ended.
Apparenty, the audience consisted mostly of Japanese belly dancers--people who take classes for fun just like paupau), and boy were they flamboyantly-dressed. Even my Japanese friends commented that the crowd was "different". Should have taken some pictures of the audience...
But when it came to rushing to the buffet table, everyone became obaa-sans. You'd be surprised how fast those ladies can move on high-heels yet maintain their poise. I thought the buffet was free-flow so I stupidly waited for the crowd to disperse before I went. Man, by then the food was almost gone, and little remained of the most popular dishes.
But, back to belly dancing; paupau gave me some ideas of how complicated it was and how many different muscles one had to use. To my layman's eyes, it was amazing how the dancers could move their bodies in those ways. It must be tiring, having to quiver and wiggle the right portions of one's body. For maximum effect, a dancer told me, one has to sit at most a few steps away from the performers. Too bad in our case they were all far away on the ballroom stage.
The star of the show, a professional dancer from Cairo did something amazing (sadly not captured on film)--somehow her stomach muscles were so well-controlled that she could place a walking cane horizontally across her hips and grip it in place with her belly!
Amazing, but a little long. Most of us were quite sleepy when it ended.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Halle Berry just joined...
so said a co-worker today as I bumped into him in the hallway. Hahaha, can't resist using this headline to draw people in. Today two new college grads came in and one of them, according to him, looked like Halle Berry. I would have said Janet Jackson, but anyway, it's interesting to see more and more non-Japanese work in Tokyo.
Even on the streets around where I live (a fairly-residential area), I see gaijin almost every day.
Even on the streets around where I live (a fairly-residential area), I see gaijin almost every day.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Happy Mid-Autumn
熊对能说：穷成这样啦，四个熊掌全卖了；
兵对丘说：兄弟，踩上地雷了，两腿咋都没了；
王对皇说：当皇上有什么 处， 看，头发都白了；
口对回说：亲爱的，都怀孕这么久了，也不说一声；
果对裸说：哥们儿， 穿上衣服还不如不穿！
比对北说：夫妻何必闹离婚呢；
巾对币说：戴上博士帽就身价百倍了；
臣对巨说：一样的面积，但 三室两厅；
我对你说：中秋节要到了,祝万事如意！
(谢谢海栋)
兵对丘说：兄弟，踩上地雷了，两腿咋都没了；
王对皇说：当皇上有什么 处， 看，头发都白了；
口对回说：亲爱的，都怀孕这么久了，也不说一声；
果对裸说：哥们儿， 穿上衣服还不如不穿！
比对北说：夫妻何必闹离婚呢；
巾对币说：戴上博士帽就身价百倍了；
臣对巨说：一样的面积，但 三室两厅；
我对你说：中秋节要到了,祝万事如意！
(谢谢海栋)
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Randy Pausch's last lecture
Carnegie Mellon has a lecture series known as "The Last Lecture" where each speaker addresses the audience as if it was his/her final lecture ever. Semi-retired surgeon poon forwarded an article about Randy Pausch, a CMU CS prof who, after being diagnosed with a terminal disease, is living his final days to the fullest. The following videos capture indeed, his "Last Lecture".
Prof Pausch was instrumental in setting up, among other things, Building Virtual Worlds--a highly-acclaimed project class where students of vastly-different disciplines create 3D virtual worlds. We used to attend the final day of that class when students showed off their creations. Costumes, stage performances, gags accompanied technologically-impressive interactive computer animations. One of the things I loved about dear old CMU.
Some (near) quotes I like from his lecture:
"Brick walls are there for people who are really dedicated to show their commitment."
"If you expect a morose and depressing lecture, I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"It's sad that people perceive you as arrogant, because that limits your potential for success in future."
"Give someone time and he/she will surely surprise you in a good way."
"I don't know, but one of my brightest and most promising young faculty is standing in front of me bustling with excitement, and I would like to hear more."
Videos:
Part 1 of 10
Part 2 of 10
Part 3 of 10
Part 4 of 10
Part 5 of 10
Part 6 of 10
Part 7 of 10
Part 8 of 10
Part 9 of 10
Part 10 of 10
Prof Pausch was instrumental in setting up, among other things, Building Virtual Worlds--a highly-acclaimed project class where students of vastly-different disciplines create 3D virtual worlds. We used to attend the final day of that class when students showed off their creations. Costumes, stage performances, gags accompanied technologically-impressive interactive computer animations. One of the things I loved about dear old CMU.
Some (near) quotes I like from his lecture:
"Brick walls are there for people who are really dedicated to show their commitment."
"If you expect a morose and depressing lecture, I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"It's sad that people perceive you as arrogant, because that limits your potential for success in future."
"Give someone time and he/she will surely surprise you in a good way."
"I don't know, but one of my brightest and most promising young faculty is standing in front of me bustling with excitement, and I would like to hear more."
Videos:
Part 1 of 10
Part 2 of 10
Part 3 of 10
Part 4 of 10
Part 5 of 10
Part 6 of 10
Part 7 of 10
Part 8 of 10
Part 9 of 10
Part 10 of 10
Monday, September 17, 2007
Dressing up is pretty fun
Ever since I arrived in Tokyo, the urge to dress up, to take more notice of the external appearance has been steadily creeping up on me. Perhaps it is an excuse to buy stuff, perhaps years of being encouraged to dress up (thanks bb & her mum) has finally rubbed off :)
Anyway, a friend recommended The Suit Company, a more-formal/business attire retailer whose selection and prices are actually pretty decent. Thanks cbw!
Bought a tie and jacket over the weekend that I look forward to wearing, if only the weather will turn more autumn-ish. It's 29 degrees C outside at the moment...
Oops, gotta replenish that hair wax soon :P
Anyway, a friend recommended The Suit Company, a more-formal/business attire retailer whose selection and prices are actually pretty decent. Thanks cbw!
Bought a tie and jacket over the weekend that I look forward to wearing, if only the weather will turn more autumn-ish. It's 29 degrees C outside at the moment...
Oops, gotta replenish that hair wax soon :P
Kiddyland
... is definitely not just for kids :) After G-nie told me about this place and his "rirekkuma" I was curious and checked it out. What kind of toy shop could be nestling close to Chanel along Omotesando(表参道) in bustling Harajuku(原宿)?
Well, six floors of most of the toys that captured the hearts of children worldwide.
Bought some cuddly stuff for my niece and upcoming nephews, plus a couple more for my sisters. Almost couldn't resist buying the 4-foot tall Jack Skellington from the Nightmare Before Christmas.
Well, six floors of most of the toys that captured the hearts of children worldwide.
Bought some cuddly stuff for my niece and upcoming nephews, plus a couple more for my sisters. Almost couldn't resist buying the 4-foot tall Jack Skellington from the Nightmare Before Christmas.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Squid Ink Omelette Rice
Heehee, 2nd item in my omu-raisu collection. Never thought Mediterranean-style squid ink would go well with omu-raisu, but it was pretty good :) Takashi and Hiromi took me out to this pretty interesting restaurant in Machida-shi (町田市). Judging by Hiromi's initial sniff of disdain, Machida-Shi sounded like the proverbial hill-billy country for sophisticated Tokyo socialites, but she was won over by the food and the atmosphere.
"Real sushi"
Still can't figure out which to dip into soy sauce and which not to... but the uni was sweetly delicious. Am starting to like that stuff, despite the gooey texture. Top quality sushi if I may say so, even though I'm no expert. Wish I could find the place again though...
弓道道場
I was very lucky to get invited by a friend to a Kyuudou or Japanese Archery studio to watch his wife practice. The doujou (or studio) is located near Asakusa (浅草), in the midst of a very charming old Tokyo neighbourhood. Narrow alleys and quaint houses, very Japanese and reminiscent of Doraemon cartoons.
As one can see, the archers shot at the targets at the far end, which was actually a wall of sand that was meticulously maintained.
The sensei's family has been involved in 弓道 for many generations. He is very well-respected in the international community yet wonderfully hospitable and humble. Brought us out for a _real_ sushi dinner afterwards. I felt really honoured to be part of the whole evening.
Walking along the quiet streets, I thought all we needed was a full moon to illuminate the surroundings and make the whole scene look like a postcard from Kyoto.
As one can see, the archers shot at the targets at the far end, which was actually a wall of sand that was meticulously maintained.
The sensei's family has been involved in 弓道 for many generations. He is very well-respected in the international community yet wonderfully hospitable and humble. Brought us out for a _real_ sushi dinner afterwards. I felt really honoured to be part of the whole evening.
Walking along the quiet streets, I thought all we needed was a full moon to illuminate the surroundings and make the whole scene look like a postcard from Kyoto.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
A poem
by Robert Frost that I read recently explores the balance between transitory bliss and how it must eventually die to become earthly beauty.
Its movement and order induces me to accept each change as a positive rather than as a decrease in value; Though gold turning to green, "flower to leaf", and "Eden to grief" each involves a loss in color and beauty, such a change is ultimately an inherent order of nature, rather than a forced one.
"So dawn goes down to day." However, this downward turn is no fall to be mourned. Dawn is tentative, lovely, but incomplete and evanescent. Dawn progresses into the warmth of daylight and full life. The hesitant perfections of gold, of flower, of Eden, and finally of dawn changed into elements of potentially larger worth.
Each downward turn is a blessing in disguise, a chance to reflect and to learn, to rest and to resume the journey later.
Thank you, my dear friends, for your care and concern.
Also, I'll not forget that
...
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Its movement and order induces me to accept each change as a positive rather than as a decrease in value; Though gold turning to green, "flower to leaf", and "Eden to grief" each involves a loss in color and beauty, such a change is ultimately an inherent order of nature, rather than a forced one.
"So dawn goes down to day." However, this downward turn is no fall to be mourned. Dawn is tentative, lovely, but incomplete and evanescent. Dawn progresses into the warmth of daylight and full life. The hesitant perfections of gold, of flower, of Eden, and finally of dawn changed into elements of potentially larger worth.
Each downward turn is a blessing in disguise, a chance to reflect and to learn, to rest and to resume the journey later.
Thank you, my dear friends, for your care and concern.
Also, I'll not forget that
...
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
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