A special dinner experience in Akitamachi

Akitamachi is the only place that comes into life at night in Tokushima-shi (city). It seems out of place at first because most places in Tokushima will be out of business by 8 pm. If it is weekend, either Friday or Saturday night, then the numbers of visitors around the area are increasing and turned to be our own ‘little Kobe’. Thus, the choices for good restaurants can be found here. So, for a few times we have had came here for some celebrations with the lab members. The latest and the best one was on the last 21st August.

That day was Hiroshima-san birthday, Yuka Hiroshima, my friend. She is a dentist who wished to be a full fledged scientist and had finished her PhD training early this year, March. The dinner was a last minutes plan and she had found a good place for the 6 of us. Being a true Tokushima blood, she knew quite well places around this city and that was one of the best things having her to arrange the dinner.

Initially, we were supposed to have a dinner celebrating the success of organizing the symposium but the Prof was not keen to have it as yet. He has a few health issues at the moment and is very worried about it. Even his diet now consisted of only fishes and more vegetables compared to his normal lunches and no more in between snacks like instant noodles. As for that, we decided to have a dinner on our own, and at the same time to celebrate Hiroshima-san birthday.

The restaurant has no name-plate in front of the shop as any restaurant will normally do. And only Hiroshima-san knew the place. Thinking of the two things had made the dinner seemed special, even before we had the dinner.

Hasegawa sensei and I went to the Acty area of Akitamachi by bicycle. After waiting for 10 minutes, the rest of the gang arrived. Like a herd of chicken, we just followed Hiroshima-san. It was only 4 minutes walked from the Acty building. And there was really no signboard of the shop. The door is secluded in between two shops. We had to walk through an alley that only allowed a person to go through at one time to get to the door. The whole things were like entering an underground society house or something. The first thing that catches my eyes when I reached the front door was next to the door, there was a decoration where the water was flowing through a half sliced bamboo into a big ‘buyong’. It gave a sound of serenity. There was also a small bamboo tree. Everything was simple but made me realized that I was in Japan.

It was a small restaurant; two storeys building that can provide dinner to the most around 30 people at one time. The interior designs were definitely having some aura of Japanese styles with dim light to bring out the exclusiveness. The foods were presented in a way that really emphasized Japan cultures of eating. The meals came with small dishes of mix cuisines that have some elements of east and west style of cooking. The sashimis (slices of raw fishes) were undoubtedly fresh. Most of the dishes were seafood, only one contained chicken which I opted out. All were delicious meals that came with great presentations each time. It was not too much to say that besides food, we were also paying for the presentations, which I am glad to do so. Above all, it was a night to remember.

Tea ceremony in Zuiganji Temple

Friends of Kak Intan who are now also friends of mine, Tokonaga-sensei and Fuji-san visited me last Saturday for a chit-chatting and making up for a long lost time between us. It was almost 8 months that the three of us last met.

Fuji-san then invited both of us to witness a Japanese tea ceremony in Zuiganji Temple the next day. Thank God the ceremony started in the evening, after iftar. If not I would not have the gut to go because the first day of fasting was usually testing for me.

Wearing a yukata, kimono for summer season that I bought end of summer last year (at a discounted price) off we went after the Maghrib prayer. The yukata had to be put on by Fuji-san because I don't have a slightest idea of how to do so, though this was my third time wearing yukata.

Fuji-san and I

Tokunaga sensei and I

Zuiganji Temple is located nearby the Tokushima-shi. The tea preparation had started when we arrived. I was in awed of the garden surrounding rather than with the tea presentation itself. It was a simple ceremony where every attendee sat on a wood benches and witnessed the processes of preparing the green tea. More information on the ceremony can be found in the Wikipedia. For a 300yen fee (paid by Fuji-san for the three of us) we were served a sweet rice cake and three sips of green tea (macha) served in a tea bowl (chawan). The original ceremony is more tedious as the one that my Japanese host mother (of Hiroshima) had for me in her house last year.

Fuji-san then showed us her newly bought house and treated us for Italian meals that night. I reached home almost 10 pm, feeling excited and happy. At the least expected moment, someone will always shows up at my door and brings me happiness. A work of God.

To cane or not to cane?

Kartika and the news of caning had landed me in a hot soup, so to say.

I had always try my best to avoid discussion on drinking alcohol with my Professor. He, as everyone near and dear to him, is known to love drinking and at the edge of being an alcoholic. His previous PhD student from Bangladesh who is a Muslim drink beer occasionally. Thus, for him, it was alright for Muslim to drink beer. It was until the arrival of me, a hard to preach Muslim that always comes up with answers to defend her religion's regulation, which includes of not eating halal meat or chicken. The halal meat story was another attacked on me that will come anytime necessarily (especially if we wanted to go out for party) because his other previous Muslim student consumes all types of meat besides pork.

He started the story of Kartika yesterday while he was having his lunch and me, the fasting student was sitting at my desk doing some write-up. I was quick to play it down because caning seems harsh but if it is a law, it is a law. We never knew the reason of making drinking alcohol prohibited in Islam. Any critical point of view from a logical mind is nothing to compare to the law of Allah. Besides, Kartika herself is willing to accept the sentenced.

I understand my Professor view because he drinks alcohol every evening. Seeing news of caning punishment by just having a beer, seems as an insult to him, probably, or got him excited. I can saw it clearly just now when we had another discussion of drinking alcohol. He looked upset when I said, "Drinking alcohol is the lowest..." and paused. I paused because I forgot the suitable words. You can see distressed in his face as if I would say that Islam would put him to the lowest group of man, a group of alcohol drinker. He then looked relief when I ended the sentence with "....form of crime." However, we came up with all sort of stories that both of us finally agree that drinking alcohol is not good if one become addicted, as he told me a story of a friend of him. And I took the middle way out by saying that if one knows when to stop before get drunk, then it is OK. But in Islam, it is prohibited.

I am wondering if he is trying to get my approval of him drinking alcohol, because I think he took it seriously that he came up to me to discuss about this matter once again today. I will never understand this man, never! By the way, he can do as he please with his life. Any other view against his is just 'any other view'.

If ones is not in my heart, then their lives have nothing to do with me.

Personally, I think Kartika has the right to do whatever she think alright with herself. If she think that caning is OK, then it is OK.

We will never know the next destiny of our life. Maybe we will die in the next second. I believe that handing the future of our life in God's hand is the best thing to do. Don't worry so much and don't be blinded with logic. Lighting is not always followed with storm.

Much ado but no update...

A lot of things took place in my life since the last three weeks. Many new places around Tokushima had been visited, many new and old friendships rekindled, interesting events happened and the list goes on until today. It was all started with the international symposiums organized by our laboratory and today, I spent the evening after iftar with Fuji san and Tokunaga sensei observing a tea ceremony performed in a temple. I am happy and merry. Above all, the events were all worthwhile, once in a life time moments.

Some events made me I realized that memories no need to be captured in films or digital cameras, because they are best captured with eyes and leave a permanent images in the brain. And because I am using brain to kept all the information, I needed sometimes to update this blogs. The brain need to be defrag and sorted out because of many new information was save in a short time, just like the hard disk of a computer. Hopefully, I will be able to put up some pictures and stories soon. Cheers!

Fasting month is coming...

I love fasting month or Ramadan. It is such a joy for me because I will not have any agenda for lunch or breakfast which will bring to the most good result by the end of the month, losing weight. Besides that, I feel more holly. Nah! Joking, I just feel blessed.

My father passed away to see his Maker on the 5th day of Ramadan after 6 days under induced coma. He who love eating, was very passionate about breaking fast menus. Every single day during Ramadan, he would usually made sure that there were at least 5 dishes on the table. Besides that, he would tried his luck by making all sort of businesses associated with Ramadan and Hari Raya. Once, my mother yam stalk's asam pedas made her way to the Ramadan Bazaar. Another time, he made some money being the middle man, found cattle and buyers for Hari Raya.

After he left us, it seemed that Ramadan was a little quite. And with me in Japan, it was even quieter for my mother. Anyhow, hopefully with new members in the family, Yan, Nana and Auni, it should be merrier than before.

Happy Ramadan to all Muslims around the world. Peace upon you!

Summer is getting hotter

The weather for the past few days were really hot. But really reminded me of Malaysia because it's windy.

BTW three participants for summer program from USM will be coming today. Haswati plan to stay with me which means that I will have a company for a week. Iiii desu yo!

Summer holiday

Starting from today12th until 14th, it is a summer holiday for Tokushima University. Three days and I should be happy. But then again, I have no plan for holiday and no where to go. Because of that, I am now happily blogging while doing some lab work in the best laboratory of the whole world!

Even the Professor went missing since this morning. I am wondering if he will ever come today.
He told me once last month that I should not take leave because my time in Japan is counting and I will not have enough time to finish the experiments. I just wanted to tell him right into his face that I don't have any plan anyway. But, I always guarded myself, as Dr Kannan advice me beforehand. I'll continue to do just that, for the sake of my PhD....hahaha! (How's that sound? Pity me...)

Egg curry anyone?

I am going to explain here how to prepare a curry, a simple Malaysian curry. Mira had requested this and I hope that she will be able to prepare it for her Japanese friends (It is actually a North Malaysian way of preparing curry). Gambatte!

I learned to prepare curry when I was young, probably around 12 years old. It started by assisting my mother to peel the onions and garlics. And after sometimes, around 5 years I would say, I was asked to cook for the family under her guidedance. Then one day she said, 'You can cook on your own as I need to go somewhere.' That day, I showed my tantrums; out of fear not to cook the curry alright and and also from being left behind at home with three guys alone, my late father and my two younger brothers (as none of them would help me in the kitchen). Sigh! Anyhow, the curry turned out just nice and I was so happy because one of my brother compliment the curry. That was enough for me to keep cooking for the family whenever I was home. (See? It is easy to buy my heart.)

This curry preparation is for also suitable for fish, egg, prawn and cuttlefish. This time, it is egg curry time.

From right, clockwise; dried asam gelugor, halba campur and dried curry leaves.

Ingredients

Part A
Spice -- Halba campur which consisted of fennel, fenugreek, black mustard & cumin seeds (optional)
Curry leaves (optional)
1 clove of garlic - minced
1/4 of large onion - minced

Part B
1 pack of curry powder. I used the Adabi brand curry powder.
Half of large onion
4 cloves of garlic
--> Blend with a cup of water

Others
Half pack of instant coconut cream powder - made it into liquid by adding 1 cup of warm water.
Dried Asam Gelugor (Garcinia atroviridis) - 3 pieces or maybe substitute with tamarind (about 1 inch in diameter)
Egg - 3 (or as you like)
Tomatoes (as you like)
Cucumber (if you like)
Oil for stir frying (about 5 tablespoons)
Water (1 cup)
Salt for flavoring (about 1 teaspoon - depending on personal taste)
Sugar for flavoring (1/2 tablespoon)

Instructions:
1. Heat the oil in a pot and saute Part A ingredients until lightly brown.
2. Add the Part B ingredient (curry paste) into the pot. Mix well.
3. Add a cup of water, dried Asam Gelugor, salt (1/2 of teaspoon) and sugar. Let it simmer until it's cook (the surface of the curry paste will look oily). It will take around 5 to 10 minutes depending on the heat (use medium heat is better to avoid burning the whole thing, heh!) and the volume of water used.
4. Once the paste is cook, add a cup of coconut cream.
5. Mix well. Leave it to slowly boil.
6. Once boil, reduce the heat a little. Then, poached an egg and slowly put it directly into the curry soup. Repeat with the next eggs but at different locations in the pot to avoid the eggs attaching to each other. (If you are preparing fish or prawn or cuttlefish curry, this is the time to add those). Leave it for 1 minutes.
7. Add the tomatoes, cucumbers. Mix slowly to avoid breaking the eggs. Leave it to simmer for around 5 minutes.
8. Taste and add more salt if you like it salty.
9. Turn off the heat. The egg curry is ready to be eaten. Hot plain rice is the best choice!
It will take around 30 minutes to prepare this curry.

Voila!

Tail of typhoon

It seems that typhoon had reached Tokushima earlier this year. Typhoon Etau, that was her name. I thanked God that it only touched Tokushima lightly. However, yesterday August 10, it was whole day heavy down poured.

I was glad for the rain, but it was really a heavy rain. Today morning, I was told that a primary student went missing after being swapped away by a strong stream of a small river. That was sad and scary. When I saw the news afterward, then I knew how bad the typhoon was. It was reported that 13 people died due to the typhoon.

Anyhow, it was supposed to end tomorrow. My heart goes out to the victim's families. May they be strong to face the lost of the love ones.

The cold summer

This year summer is quiet cold.　I was definitely looking forward for the hot humid summer as the previous years and lots of sun. It's usually accompanied with very high electricity bill because of high usage of the air conditions. And the dried leaves that remind me of Malaysia.

But instead this year summer turned out to be cloudy and raining, most of the days. Sometimes, the morning rain which make me thinking of my village, changes the whole concept of summer this year. These weather puzzled even the Japanese. This is especially true when they are not used to heavy rain.

As Matsuo-san said, "The weather is not right anymore."

Anyway, I am not complaining. (^_^)

Black out!

There is a first time for everything, be it good or bad. Last night, around 3.30am I woke up. There was no sound of fan moving. When my eyes wide opened, it was a total dark. Usually the laptop mouse provided some light.

Ah! It must be blackout. Blackout? In Japan.

I dare not to move out of my bed. After sometime I heard a car was parked somewhere nearby the building, some movements, somebody shouting something but not too loud and after 20 minutes or so, the fan was moving again.

Very fast and efficient. And that was my first time experiencing the electricity blackout in my apartment.

My cousin brother, Adik

My cute baby brother whom we called Ayish has never failed to make me laugh. Last week, when I called my mother, he insisted to talk to me. My mother told me that he had been waiting few days to tell me something.

It was about his new hand phone. His father, my uncle next door bought him a new hand phone. His parents wanted him to learn reading and writing by sending him SMS regularly. What a brilliant idea! By the way, I think probably this new hand phone was easier to type rather than the last one and that's the reason of him getting the new one.

So, when he said that his old hand phone that contained my number was no more, I just asked him innocently.

"Pi mana telephone lama Adik?" Literally in English it shall means, "Where have your hand phone gone?" or it simply means "What happen to your old hand phone?"

Guess what his reply was.

"Dia pi Thailand, jumpa kawan lama dia." Hampeh!
He took it literally and said "He went to see his old friend in Thailand....bla...bla"....

Well served me right! I need to be more alert next time.

God! This boy always make my day and my house seems brighter whenever he's there. God bless him.

Out of word, out of world!

Sometimes life can be very dull for me . I am halfway of conquering the unknown, but so my spirit, half hearted.

Today or to be exact the past few days, the only times I really talked were when I was on the phone with my mother or Ina. The rest of the times, I was talking to myself. Loneliness was killing me, it was tiring talking to oneself because we tend to analyse everything under the microscope.

The truth is I am feeling a little bit tired, physically. And that made my mind down with flu. The cycle is here again. I want to lay low and let the world move without me.

Too many death, too many hatred, too many lost love and the negative charges are making me sick. Oh! World of dreams, please have me, will you? The reality is too harsh to live into. I wish that I could vanish whenever necessarily. (^-^)