Day 119 - 雀踊りDay!!

July 24, 2011

Yes, the day has finally come. After months of practice, my dance team, Tsubasa, is performing in this summer festival in Sendai. Around 2000 people were performing today! It was a festive day~~

I believe each team dance 3 times during the day. The first one was the “stage” dance. The next dances were both parade dances. Thabisa, Pepi, and I were the “foreigners” in the group. It was Pepi’s last day in Japan! It’s great that we could all participate in this traditional event together.

The day started at 8:30. I was fortunate enough to have friends who came to take pictures. Thanks Mayu, Eriko, Emily, Winsy, Amanda, Andy, Lisa, etc.! I felt very blessed to have supportive friends like you. =) At the end of the event, all the teams danced together!! I was fun fun fun!

I’m so glad I joined this group. They are all very nice people and I want to do it again next year! =)

Day 114 - 土用の丑の日 (Doyou no ushi no hi)

July 19, 2011

Wooohoo, I love learning new things. =) Yesterday I was wondering why there are shttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifo many eels on sale now. I’ve always loved eels. I have heard eel is especially good for men… (?) To “expand” my Japanese culture knowledge, I asked my tea lady why there are so many more eels on sale now.

Apparently, eel is very nutritious (Hmmm, I should have known it eh?). According to a website, eel is very rich in many vitamins, and it helps lowering one’s cholesterol and blood pressure. Well, I’m not sure how reliable the info on this site is, but eel sounds like something good to eat. =)

Ok, then what does it have to do w/ that 土用丑の日？ According to the Japanese calendar, it’s a day in summer, and it changes every year. Eel-eating is good especially during hot days. Because eel is very nutritious, it’s healthy to have ell during hot days to replenish energy and nutrients. The “丑” in “丑の日” is pronounced as “ushi”. Since eel in Japanese (unagi) also starts with “u”, it has been a tradition to eat eel (unagi) in this 丑の日 (ushi no hi). Hmmmm, to be honest, I’m still not a hundred person sure I know what this 丑の日 really means, this is just a rough explanation of this unagi-eating tradition.

Ha, anyway, I actually haven’t had any unagi since I came here because unagi tends to be somewhat expensive. It’s interesting to hear this cultural stories in this Japanland.

I am happy to be here! =)

Day 5 -- Spring time...?!?

March 5, 2011

This is something called "Sakura mochi". I got this at the little cute bakery just below my house. They have good cakes. =) Hmmmm, I've tried almost all their cakes.... Ha, I guess that's another reason why I'm gaining weight... This time, I've decided to give their mochi a try. The pink part is cherry blossom-flavoured mochi. The outside leave is a piece of cherry blossom leave, and the inside is filled with red bean paste (yes, Japanese loves their red bean paste..haa!). People usually eat it during spring time since sakura is such a big thing in Japan. Perhaps it means spring is near.....? (well, for a day, I felt spring is springing...but SNOW came...............and it has been pretty cold since then...)

Sooooo, here comes the taste. =)

The mochi and the red bean paste part were pretty good. The mochi was chewy like...a mochi. =) The red bean paste was not overly sweet. NOW...the leave part.... It was SALTY!..... I did not like the saltiness w/ the sweetness here... It's kind of strange. I had it with my tutor during our tutoring session today. Well, it's a traditional Japanese snack. It's a good experience. I like the mochi...except the leave. haa!

Woooo...spring time + sakura. They make me think of....GOLDEN WEEK! YAY!! Now the Aomori trip is becoming more real. Tonight, Winsy, Emily, and Sophie came to my place to search for hotels in Aomori. Well, initially I was thinking of Hirosaki, but absolutely no hotel room was available in that area. LUCKILY, there were hotels in Aomori!!! =) The hotel we booked is only 3 minutes away from JR Aomori staion on foot! How nice....! It's not expensive too! I am excited. =) Man, i'll be so broke...

so this is my little blab about this spring theme thing. Enjoy spring everyone...when it's here. ha! =)