ズボラ飯

This might have to be one of my favorite dorama of all time. It's called 花のズボラ飯 (Hana no Zuborameshi), which loosely translates to Hana's sloppy meals.  It's a dorama about a lazy girl who makes meals with whatever she has in her fridge, but the end result ends up tasting really good! The dorama is based on a popular Manga of the same title.

The first episode just dropped online and if you have some free time, you should check it out. There were two zuborameshi were quick bread dishes.  The first one is called シャケトー. The idea is to mix Sake Fish flakes with Mayonnaise, put it on top of bread, and toast it. The second dish in the first episode was ピザトースト・シャンチョビ味, which is pizza toast, sanchovi flavor.  The sanchovi is a mix of words between Sake and Anchovis, because the girl (played by Kurashina Kana) uses the Sake flakes instead of anchovies. The pizza part is just tomato paste or tomato spaghetti sauce.

シャケトー

ピザトースト・シャンチョビ味

This dorama is awesome because I can see myself making these things if I were living alone (which will most likely happen next year after saving some money!). Also, I like Kurashina Kana a lot in this dorama. I didn't particularly like her in 私が恋愛できない理由。

beans

The other day I was look through the Eat Right 4 Your Type book that Lauren gave me, which details the blood type diets that I've been talking about.  As I've said, it's been working. And while weight loss is not the primary objective of the diet, as the author says, for Type A's, it's a natural consequence of being on this diet.  I'd like to really become a master of my diet, but with my other priorities, it's certainly difficult to make it perfect. That said, I think I can make the effort to make a major part of my diet beans. Beans are supposed to be good for me, and it really is the main source of protein for type A's, which are considered to have developed a digestive system akin to "agrarians."

With that context, I present to you the various types of beans, provided by mayoclinic.com.

Type of legume		Common uses
	Adzuki beans Also known as field peas or red oriental beans	Soups, sweet bean paste, and Japanese and Chinese dishes
	Anasazi beans Also known as Jacob's cattle beans	Soups and Southwestern dishes; can be used in recipes that call for pinto beans
	Black beans Also known as turtle beans	Soups, stews, rice dishes and Latin American cuisines
	Black-eyed peas Also known as cowpeas	Salads, casseroles, fritters and Southern dishes
	Chickpeas Also known as garbanzo or ceci beans	Casseroles, hummus, minestrone soup, and Spanish and Indian dishes
	Edamame Also known as green soybeans	Snacks, salads, casseroles and rice dishes
	Fava beans Also known as broad or horse beans	Stews and side dishes
	Lentils	Soups, stews, salads, side dishes and Indian dishes
	Lima beans Also known as butter or Madagascar beans	Succotash, casseroles, soups and salads
	Red kidney beans	Stews, salads, chili and rice dishes
	Soy nuts Also known as roasted soybeans or soya beans	Snacks or garnish for sa

draw strings and 08

Ever since Lauren's gotten me on this diet, I've been losing a lot of weight.  Well, actually, I'm not dropping that much weight, but I'm getting rid of a lot of unnecessary fat. So much so that my pants are no longer fitting me - the waist is too big. And actually, the other day I was able to fit into my 28' khakis that I was ready to throw away.

Part of it is eating less, but also this blood type diet really works. The idea behind is that based on your blood type, certain foods are good and bad for you.  The entire theory rooted in history, and how valid the claims are I do not know.  I'm a blood type A, which, if I remember correctly, is the earliest blood type.  And as a blood type associated with early agrarians, I'm supposed to essentially be a vegetarian.  Meat is not good for me, although poultry is neutral (thank god, I could never go full-on vegetarian).  Leafy greens are really beneficial.

The other blood types developed over time.  Hunters and gatherers, who ate a lot of meat, are associated with type Bs.  ABs are the last to develop.  Again, I'm not sure how valid the historical context is, but the author of this "Eat Right 4 Your Type" makes a compelling argument, using personality traits to back up his claims.  I'm just happy that coffee is good for me. 


On a completely different note, I chatted with ChoyShin yesterday and after some conversation about 08, she said:

"Haru? He's 08?!"

because my friend posted

Since Cliff, who rarely posts anymore, posted, I feel compelled to also write about my recent doings.  It's been quite a tumultuous past month.  I began a relationship with a long-time friend that I am enjoying so much.  It's been two years since dating, but for various reasons, I feel so confident and comfortable in this relationship.  But I'll save this story for another time.

Starbucks Green tea latte (soy milk), no syrup.  The closest thing you'll get to a genuine japanese maccha.

Other than that, I was busy with a lot of May Contribution activities.  Since last year, I've made it a commitment to do participate in special contribution with a deeper sense of purpose and appreciation.  As a result, I've received a lot of benefits.  In fact, toward the end of the month, because I my life felt scrambled with job searching, activities, work, and other things, I had to sit myself down in front of the Gohonzon to chant about it all.  About the success of my relationships, finding a job, and finishing out my current stint with my judge in the best way possible.  Most of all, I was chanting for better financial fortune.  

I did a 久しぶりの 10-hour toso two weekends ago and I made some difficult decisions regarding my job search.  Without going too much in detail, I decided that I don't want to compromise what I wanted to do with my career.  I found myself getting so desperate to find a job that I came closer and closer to thinking that I would simply take whatever I could find.  After my daimoku, though, I made a firm decision to forego applying to a non-profit that I was confident i would get if I applied.  Ironically, a few days after I made that decision, the position was filled.  However, a few days after that, I received a [informal] offer from a place that I interviewed with 4 months ago. Out of the blue.  Now, I will be signing the papers on Tuesday, starting my new job in a month.  Daimoku!

Recently I've been learning the importance of appreciation.  Buddhism teaches reverence for the dignity of life, all life - regardless of how that life is manifested.  So, even the life of someone who is causing you problems  is deserving of this kind of respect (which, of course, doesn't mean that his/her actions are acceptable).  Buddhism also teaches that these problems in your environment that you may confront are opportunities to find/develop your own Buddha nature, the inherent condition that we all possess and which is also the reason for the respect we have for all life.  Anyway, I've realized that I wasn't appreciating this buddha nature in everybody, and instead, taking problems that I associated with them as insurmountable and as fact. When I started appreciating though, I came to realize that I was ignorant to the fact that this was an opportunity to reach down deeper in my life to bring out the best possible conditions of my life and challenge the situation.   

Anyway, in other news, I reached nana-kyuu in Karate!

unsung heroine one week too early

One week until spring officially begins, but Baltimore's already been experiencing the goodness.  It's been in the 70s the past three days, and the forecast looks good. There is simply no way to explain how refreshing the first signs of spring is. I am always reminded every year during this time that "winter always turns to spring." I, too, need to break through my karma and win at work, in the job search, and with relationships.

Hello there, spring.

Strolling back to work from lunch.

Heading toward the Harbor.

My view from my office is of City Hall, point blank. Over yonder you can see Hopkins' Medical.

I've also taken some of the guidance I received from D. Frankenfield to heart, and am pushing myself to get up at 6am to put in an hour's worth of daimoku. It really does make a huge difference. The entire day just sort of slows down. I know the challenge is to continue. At the same time, I have many things to pray for, just really boiling down to doing my own human revolution.

My all too quick breakfast. 

Nalley Fresh, in Baltimore. This is a rice bowl with salad toppings, cheddar cheese, and chicken broth.

In other news, I discovered "Unsungheroine" on youtube after looking for dubstep music to respond to Cliff's call for songs. I ran into her piano version of Skrillex's Scary Monsters. It's really amazing. You should also check out her version of Katy Perry's ET. Wow.

eric's story as of late

Aw man--- It's been a while. I have so much to say that I feel like I would do a great injustice to the stories I have to share if I try explaining them in detail. For the reason, I'll attempt to be concise.

First let memorialize what I have on my mind at the moment. I receive my results for the Maryland Bar Examination tomorrow evening, and I'm anxious in both a good and bad way. In fact, I don't really know how I feel. Obviously if it's good news I will be ecstatic; if it's bad news, I will feel like crap for a few days. Right now, I don't really know how I'm feeling. So I'm going to chant after this post is done with.

Now off to my adventures over the past few weeks. First with the randomness. I've been looking for some high quality wallpapers for my phone, and I find myself looking for landscape photos in Japan over and over. In a moment of indecisiveness, I ended going with a default abstract wallpaper by HTC. But here are some of the pictures I went through:

Most of those pictures are of Yokohama, others are from Odaiba or Okinawa. What'dya think?

A few weeks back, we had an outing for UM Law's APALSA group. The meeting was nice, but it was weird to consider myself an alumni. The more I think about it, the harder it is for me to accept the fact that I'm [supposed to be] contributing to society as an employed citizen. Still I feel that I'm in academic mode when I'm at work, and I'm still surprised to receive my check every two weeks because it seems like something I should be doing anyway. We met up at some chic place along the harbor with unlimited beer...

I forget what this was called, but it was mighty good. The avocado especially.

Also sometime in the last few weeks I had the opportunity to support Dean Carter's lecture at the D.C. Culture Center. I supported behind the scenes as Gajokai, although I was technically outside helping with parking in the crazy city that is DC. Fortunately the weather was pleasant, so I was more than happy to be assigned there. Here are some warm photos around the area I was responsible:

I don't remember when I took the following random photo, but I remember quite well the joyful experience I had of downing this Wendy's Frosty. I remember passing a Wendy's on the street, continuing to drive for a couple minutes, and consciously turning back around to satisfy my craving. I do not regret my choice, and I suppose that's why I saved this picture on my phone.

This is a caramel frosty. So much sugar...

I'm getting kind of tired of writing this post, so I'll stop here. It's amazing how tired I get. I'm thinking of enrolling in some karate classes - it's something I've enjoyed throughout my life but nothing I did consistently. Now I'm making some cash, maybe this would be a good investment, both for my health and for my enjoyment.

The last thing I"ll share is that it was Kimiko's birthday a few days ago, and we celebrated by going to Six Flags. We originally scheduled to go on Saturday, but it hailed that day and I'm sure the park wasn't even open. We ended up going the following day, and while it was enjoyable, it was damn cold. Afterwards we ate at TGIFridays, my first ever. It was good.

Jamie at all those ribs herself. The puffy jacket doesn't help her image here.

What is yukejang men

ice green tea latte

Iced Green Tea Latte. Credits: Starbucks.com

Ingredients

• 1/2 teaspoon matcha green tea powder
• 2 ounces hot water ( but not boiling)
• 3 teaspoons sugar ( or artificial sweetener)
• 4 ounces milk
• 8 ice cubes
• 1 teaspoon vanilla-flavored syrup (optional)
  

Directions

1. Mix 1/2 tsp green tea powder in 2 ounces of hot water in a bowl. Stir with a whisk until completely dissolved.
2. Stir in 3 teaspoons of sugar or sugar substitute (can adjust to taste).
3. Add in 4 ounces of milk and stir.
4. (Optional) Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla syrup, such as Torani or DaVinci brands.
5. Add ice cubes and blend in a blender until smooth.
6. Enjoy!
7. Note: You could also drink this as a Matcha Green Tea Iced Latte by just pouring the mixture over ice instead of blending.
   Credits: food.com

bar food and sohokai

That is, bar prep food. I've been kinda bad with my eating habits this summer given my schedule, but I figured that, with my sudden degrading health condition, I should probably watch what I eat. Today, during that time of the day between lunch and dinner, I ate some チャーハン, しゃけ with 生たまご. Beautiful, isn't it?

I also had that urge to drink milk since the malicious attack by MILKIS, so I decided to drink some lactose free milk with honey after a friend recommended it. It helped me to go to sleep, which was good considering I couldn't fall asleep. Now all I need is some exercise. Will try to get on that tomorrow.

Went to our SUA alumni meeting (Sohokai). Great to see eternal friends during this dreadful experience.

Alright, still catching up, but feeling a bit more confident with my studies.