Monday, April 26, 2010

Sushi, will be missed...

The first time I came face to face with sushi was when the boss organized a welcome party for me...it seemed like ages ago. The sushi set was served and decorated nicely. But having the thought that I was about to eat raw fish meat, the desires flew away. After having one out of four, the taste-buds said no. Luckily, another south east asian originated student was there, my labmate (she was not in the picture). She finished the whole things plus the one that she ordered. I was very curious. What was so special about the sushi?

Not giving up the hope to understand sushi from the tastebuds of sushi lovers sense of taste, I never stop trying to have sushi after that one occassion. As destiny put me into this path of life, my boss love having party, regardless the agenda and we, the labmembers were always part of the troops. Apart from that, once awhile, I would joined other Malaysian students to have 100yen sushi. The 100yen sushis were a little different from the original sushi served in the old style Japanese restaurant. Besides the fast food style of serving, some of the 100yen sushis were added with mayonis or cheese; just like the one in sushi-king. 

Eventually, after many trials, I was able to eat sushi, and appreciate the freshness of the taste. And even started to miss them. 

The best and the costliest sushi set that I ever ate was in Niigata last year. Courtesy of the boss and other teachers, I paid nil for the dishes.

There were 10 types of sushi on the plate. The one on the most left of the plate was the most expensive and savory sushi. The meat was a tuna meat taken from a nearest part of the fish stomach. It contained a high amount of fat which made it delicious. The most right on the plate were pieces of fermented ginger. I am not very sure but it was said that having the fermented ginger in between the sushis help the tastebuds to differentiate the flavor of each sushi better. The yellow sushi wrapped with seaweed on the left side was a sushi of the sea urchin eggs (uni). The fresh one tasted better, but usually a little expensive than the one in 100yen shop. 

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Meeting for an event....

We, Malaysians in Tokushima are going to held a one day football or soccer matches next week. About 9 universities will participate.

It is nothing official of sorts, only a mutual understanding among Malaysian students from the universities all over Japan, where each university will take turn to organized the event.

As the oldest single ;), I'll be helping the girls to co-ordinate the event; well, since all the guys want to play the games and win big prizes, we shall support. (^_~)

After all, I had submitted the manuscript to the journal and now is waiting for the editor's feedback. Acceptance or rejection; either one will comeback. Just brace myself! So, the endurance that I had gone through for the past 4 months shall be celebrate. This event is a good excuse to be out of the lab, ONLY on the weekend. *smile*

While cycling to Isma's house for a meeting today, I stop and took a few photos of Tokushima's Park. This park used to house a castle, so the sceneries of the outer part of park were similar to the other old Japan's castles.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Orchids II

He brought-in three more types of orchid plants....

Global chilling of Japan?

 
The Bizan after rain, a scenery through a window of my lab.

Snowfall during sakura season took place in Tokyo and upper part of Japan. The southern part, as in Shikoku island, experienced rainy days, plus the windy Tokushima made the temperature around here lower than usual. Based on the news report, this abnormality happened after 40 years, since the last time.

If Malaysia is enduring a global warming signature of higher temperature, compared to the common tropical weather; Japan is indeed having a global chilling. Scientists shall find a new name to describe these unusual phenomenons. 

 
 The picture is from MSN News
The uncommon scenery, cherry blossom and a carpet of snow

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Snow during spring...

This spring, everyone was looking forward for the chirping of the birds and the smiley sun. Instead, Japan was again having winter. The weather had gone haywires with snow returning after cherry blossom season in some parts of the country. Other parts were having non-stop rain. Quite a weird scenario, but with some countries in the world were dealing with more harmfull experiences (earth quake?), this was not a problem at all.

It is wet everywhere, but seeing the green Bizan is like a seeing miracle in front of your eyes. Why?

Last two weeks, the mountain was full with flowers; white, purple, peach, and pink. Today, it was all green, fresh green.

Am I complaining? Not really. It is just that I love warm weather, and missed it dearly after almost 6 months. (^_~)....

Friday, April 16, 2010

Love of winter?

Winter is really not my favourite season. The coldness of the weather and the unstable emotional person (ME!) that I need to handle each and everyday, are two of the reasons for me to despise the season. But then again, there is one thing that I like about the season, beside snowing; it's the season of the red fruit (that's 2 thing that I like about winter? hhhmmmm). Not the rambutan (that I missed so much!) but the strawberry.

Being in Tokushima have their own advantage. Yes, there is no big shopping complex as in Kobe, Osaka or Tokyo, and difficult to go from one place or another because of  the limited transportation. For the transportation, a similar problem as in Malaysia but with one better condition where nobody can bet on the punctuality.

Opps! Again, I digress.

The price for vegetables and fruits are cheaper, that's the advantage of living here.

I tried my hand at photography....with strawberries posed as the models.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Hanami I

Japanese, I guess, knows how to enjoys simple things (but beauty) in life. Hanami party is actually about appreciating the lovely scenery of sakura flowers. Our lab organized a party at the Sebu Park (Sebu Koen), last two weeks. The day was nice with winds blowing up the flowers......