It was a long day rushing for deadlines for the project, so last night I told the team, "Stop here, let's go home!" It was already 10.30pm and I know that no way we can finish checking the data last night. A question asked by colleague, "Shall we go to onsen then?"  I was like "Eh, at this hour?" I was too tired to think so I said "Yes, let's go". It has been late nights and really the hotel just for me to catch my 6 hours sleep.

We travel in his car and we passed by a sign says "今の気温 0 ℃" bbrr...no wonder we were freezing! 30 minutes later, we finally (it was really cold in his car as the heater doesn't work well) arrived at the onsen which is at the border of Tomiya town and Sendai town. The lifestyle around here (Miyagi prefecture) is probaby very different from the lifestyle in Tokyo as it is countryside area and surrounded by many mountains, which also explains the culture of taking hot spring bath.

So, stepping into outdoor bath area on 0 ℃ day is really a huge challenge for me, especially I have not been living in 4 seasons country. Let me tell you that "IT'S FREEZING COLD!" and I was quite shocked to see many smoking HOT ladies walk passed me when I was taking my bath. I mean literally "smoking hot" as there were steam coming out of their bodies after they dip in the onsen pool! haha...(sorry guys, not what you have imagined)

Yuttarien

I feel re-charged after the 30 mins of the "miracle" bath and of course starving too. We proceed to have our supper at the rest area while discussing about the small girl I notice while taking bath. She is probably at the age of 3 and she speaks quite loud for her size. I like that she is very enthusiast and talking a lot to her mother in many short sentences. I just think she's so adorable! She keeps saying "Arigatou" when the mother passed her towel, her comb, her clothes one by one. When she said "Boku wa...", the mother corrected her and say "Watashi wa..."  What I understand that only boys use the word "Boku wa..." and it's inpolite for ladies to say that word when refering to herself.

I would say it's a good way to experience countryside lifestyle of typical japanese.

...to be continued,

kualibiru

There is no explanation why somebody get addicted to Ramen.

Although it's not official, I am certain that eating Ramen has been part of japanese culture for a very long time. My japanese colleague explain to me about the common practise for business people (especially man) when it come to eating ramen. At first, they will go for dinner that basically focus on drinking more than eating. After too many drink and still hungry, they will proceed to a nearby ramen shop for a true dinner(or supper); a big bowl of oily & salty ramen.  

Recently, I also notice that Ramen now has many followers outside Japan. For example, this popular ramen chain from Hakata - Ippudo has restaurant in New York and soon Singapore.

I came across this guy's blog on his ramen journey (I am not sure if he's japanese or not), I personally think it's a great achievement and good reference for those who adore ramen madly. A friend of mine recently also share with me the new trend started by Ramen Jiro in Tokyo. All I know is that, for sure that ramen culture is here to stay.

Ramen

This week, I have 4 bowls of ramen. Is it too much? I can feel that my friend "fats" started to grow more enthusiastically than before. I better stop eating ramen for a while before my friend "fats" get too attached to me -_-"

Cheers,

kualibiru

It's 40 days to 2010! Where have all my 325 days been?
I am yet to take my mum for holiday, I am yet to spend quality time with my family and friends and I am yet to decide what I want to do in 2010 and I am going to spend next 3 weeks in cold cold place, working really hard so that I can spend Christmas with my loved ones.
I am also hoping that I can stick to my daily yoga routine and do some sightseeing over the weekend, we'll see!

Be right back!

xox,
kualbiru

Everyone has a list of food that they call as "comfort food". My definition of comfort food is when you have them no matter how rough your day have been, it's all good now.
So, here is my list:
1. Mum's cooking (all of them)
2. Crusty bread, EVOO+balsamic vinegar and a glass of red wine
3. Japanese vegetable curry with fluffy rice
4. Chicken stew that I made when I am not lazy
5. Ochatsuke - japanese version porridge
6. Ramen
7. Vegetable lasagna cook by my other half

Note: I am enjoying my comfort food #2 at the moment. It has been a day with lots of thinking & I do hope to get answer to all (at least some of) my questions soon...

Good night my friends,
kualibiru

Naruko Gorge

2 comments

Still couldn't believe what I saw today, breathtaking view...

IMG_0328

Took this when I came back to office on Saturday... beautiful, isn't it?

Took Reisan out to 福島　today & 土湯温泉 - I think he's having fun with the cool weather & nice scenery :)

Reisan_Fukushima

Reisan with autumn fruits - Plum & Persimmon :)

Reisan_AutumnFruits

I didn't know that sweat can have two different taste, do you know?

I was introduced to Japanese Hot Stone Spa by my colleague, Ganbanyoku. I fall in love with it ever since!

Ganbanyoku is a kind of spa where you lay your body on a heated stone (approx 45 degree celcius). It's similar concept with sauna where you use heat to release sweat from your body. I found Ganbonyoku is so much better as you don't feel as suffocated as you feel when you are inside a sauna room. You can also do some simple strecthing inside the ganbanyoku area which helps release any tension. It's the same kind of feeling when you do hot yoga.

It is believe that Ganbanyoku helps in detoxifying your body and also improve your blood circulation. I am not sure how true it is but I absolutely feel fantastic after the ganbanyoku spa! Anyway,so I tasted my sweat (not intentionally of course) and it's plain, different from what your sweat tasted like when you do sports.

So today, I went for hot stone spa in the noon time and went for running in the evening. Plain & Salty sweat, it is!

Cheers, kualibiru