Jen's going-away party

Yesterday was September 11th, the memorial day of the terrible accident. But, I did not feel special behaviors surrounding me, except for when I watch some memorial events through TV news and sports programs such as baseball game. Yesterday, I joined “Jen's going-away party” successfully organized by Cheryl, because Jen is going to move to CA to start her new job as PD researcher. BBQ party was held at Kapioloani Park since 2:00 p.m. and over 25 people gathered. As usual, I did not have good idea what kinds of dishes I should take there, and finally I took California Roll and Seaweed salad. Participants were Jen’s collaborators having worked together for this decade, and had various background; divers, from UH, NOAA (http://www.noaa.gov/) and USGS (http://www.usgs.gov/) etc. I like BBQ party, because we easily make friends with different background. I want to bring back this custom to Japan.

Mexic○n F○od

It's weird that this article is often attacked by spam comments. So I tried to process the title, not to be searched.

At home, usually I cook easy dishes based on Japanese food. I have few chances to eat junk food, hamburger etc. than expected before moving here. One thing which changed my eating scene is that Mexican food became necessary to my usual dishes. It is no wonder that Mexican food is so popular as home food in US, because population of Hispanic people is increasing every year. Ensemble with beans, cheese, cabbage, tomato, meat and salsa sauce wrapped by Tortilla is tremendous tastes! In my fridge, I necessary keep Tostitos (lime flavor)(http://www.tostitos.com/home.php), to put it inside of sandwich. But I use ketchap, but salsa sauce to save money....

p.s. I'm glad to hear that Lance Armstrong and Sheryl Crow got engaged, because I've been fan of both this decade.

Japanese restaurant

My living area, Moiliili, is the area where many Japanese people moved and started their new life over one hundred years ago. Therefore, there is Japanese cultural center (http://www.jcch.com/) and there are many Japanese restaurants. I visited most of restaurants before, but one is still remained to be visited. That is "Hide-chan restaurant", which is located within 2 minutes walk from my apartment. Hide-chan is one of popular Japanese male name. This funny and cheap name prevented me from visiting. Because my friend whose name is Hide-chan visited this island this week, I first went to this restaurant with him and his friend.

Unlike expectation, the inside of it is tidy and there are many people. They serve many dishes; Oyako-don, Una-don, Katsu-don, Sashimi Tei-shoku etc., with economic price. It may become my favorite place.
I found an article on web site, which introduce this restaurant. （http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Jun/20/en/en09a.html）

Dumpster truck

Landlord and neighbors in my apartment are good person, but noise is generally trouble everywhere in the center of city.

This guy is running around our apartment since around 6:30 a.m., lifting up dumpster and then eating garbage. Just after moving here, I used to be disturbed by this noise and could not sleep. But I may be adaptable person. Now I can keep sleeping in stead of this noise. And sometimes I can not aware even the alarm of clock. Am I winner?

Wrist Watch

Because the battery of wrist watch was dead, I asked Longs Drugs to change it, and recovered it 1 week after. Then I went to the sea, dived into just 5 feet depth and it was broken in 20 minutes… F○○k in fixing! The staff in the store said for my complaint that once they unsealed the battery case, they can not warrant it. My English skill was too poor to continue this argument. I had nothing but saying “Okay, I see”.
Actuary, it’s OK. I’d bought this broken watch just in $20, 5 or 6 years ago. And it was not appropriate to my age and status! Then I bought $45 brand-new watch at Wal-Mart. It is appropriate to my status. I’m $45 man-.

Security around UH

Though I believe that Hawaii is safety area in USA, there were some assaults a couple of months before, and attempted kidnapping last month around UH. At a regular column on the newspaper published in UH（Ka Leo O Hawaii）, we can see what’s kinds of accidents happed in campus during the last week. “Marijuana” is familiar character in this column. The cleaner in our floor, Ken, said that generally security is not good around good university in mainland. Campus had been built in the center of the city, but rich person went out of the city to suburb area. Then, slum would be naturally formed, though the campus was still there.

Teflon pot

I often use this pot, which I bought by $10 at Longs Drugs before. I’m not sure something chemicals are dissolved out, but bad smell comes from hot water, when I boil it. Since this was made in Ecuador or Columbia, the way of coating with Teflon might be rude. It is too bad to boil water for the tea, but seasoning of other dishes allows me to use it due to masking it.

Latest news says that Teflon is suspected to cause cancer (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8404384/). Is it OK to use this guy? The risk of Teflon is still under surveys, but it should be better to buy another aluminum pot. Originally I don’t care such a chemical problems about foods, than other person. Even if fish includes significant amounts of mercury in their tissues, I still eat them. How about you?

Health check

I took my car to a factory to ask to change engine oil, because I felt that fuel efficiency was not good, and the volume of engine had been getting larger. Luckily, a factory to check cars, “Jiffy lube” was also located close to my apartment! Charge was totally $35, including clean up, check of brake and tire pressure, exchange of oil and filter and so on. Car’s conditions were greatly improved! When I drove automatic car in Japan, I did not feel that the engine oil was so critical for car condition.

Barber

As it is getting hotter, I decided to have my hair cut. Last time, I went to beauty salon at Ala moana shopping center, but I needed to make reservation and the price was little bit expensive. Then this time, I went to another small barber close to my apartment. It was exciting to try another barber.
Knocked and opened the door. There were no waiting person, and barber was about 40 year old Vietnamese. Following to my order, he started. But, he did not seem to have good technique. I asked him about his experience. He said, he quitted engineer at base, and started barber just one year before. Oh, that’s why there is no waiting person. He took hair clippers, help me~.
Within 15 minutes, it finished. Just $10. Totally it’s OK. I might use this shop next time, too.

Water melon

Some Japanese believe that Hawaii has only summer season, but actually we have different season here. There is no air conditioner in my room. When I sleep, I was wearing long sleeve shirts in March, then changed to T shirts in April and May, just underwear occasionally in these weeks. What's next?
Water melon is also representative fruits in summer in Japan. These days, we often see water melon at super market here, too. It seem to be start of real summer season!

To be interesting, most of their shapes are oval. In Japan, round one is major, and square one and pyramid one are also sold.... http://www.rakuten.co.jp/kudamononosato/472951/