zari foot stool

I've been looking for a foot stool for some time now.

I recently saw this Zari foot stool in a store in Tennoji and since then had been debating about whether to get it.

I looked online but didn't want to pay for the shipping, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found some at a shop in Umeda.

I had originally wanted a light blue or light green.

But I have to say that this deep purple is growing on me.

The legs are removable, so if you ever have to store it away, it is possible.

I also like that they use recycled fabrics (I think they are sari fabrics) to make the cover for the stool.

inaba red & yellow

So, there was the Inaba thai green curry...

And then I found the red and yellow ones...

Yellow is made with chicken.

To me, it had a little sweetness to it and wasn't as spicy as green.

Red was spicy, and filled again with lots of tuna.

I think these are great to have in the pantry for emergency rainy days.

caspian sea yogurt

Caspian sea yogurt, is a "gooey" thick yogurt.

Apparently the correct name for it is Matsoni and is popular in parts of Russia.

It doesn't taste any different from the plain yogurts we've tried, the texture is like I said, "gooey", which may bother some.

We like it with fruits in the morning.

I spy...

lavender buds on the lanai...

Too bad I won't be able to see them bloom, though Satoshi has "promised" me that he won't kill my plants this time...we'll see.

instant spam curry

When I saw this at the market I knew I had to try it...Instant Spam Curry.

Made by Okinawa Hormel, the curry comes with potatoes, carrots and spam.

The spiciness was medium hot, but I thought the spam was a bit spongy.

Oh well, it was worth trying.

gyosai

The other day, Satoshi and I tried Gyosai for lunch.

During lunchtime, they were offering a glass of beer for free...whoo!

Satoshi ordered their kaisen-don (assorted seafood bowl)...1000 yen.

This came with a couple of pieces of tai (snapper) and some sesame dressing. After eating your donburi, fill it up with some rice, and some fish stock, then top it with the snapper and have a chazuke (rice with tea) of sorts.

I went with their 7 pieces of sushi...1000 yen.

This actually came with 2 handrolls and some soup too.

One thing about shopping in Japan is that most places have point cards. The point card at Breeze Breeze lets you accumulate points then when you get 1000 points, you can print out a shopping coupon worth 1000 yen. The coupon can be used at any store or restaurant in the Breeze Breeze complex.

Since we had a 1000 yen coupon, we used it for our lunch. So our bill only came out to 1000 yen! (Deal!)

The food was good, so we'll be back.

Gyosai
Breeze Breeze 5F
Umeda, Japan
Phone: 06.6442.1515
Closed when Breeze Breeze is.
Hours: 11:00-15:00 (Lunch), 17:00-23:00 (Dinner)

culture shock

I am always amazed at what other "tasks" people have to do at their jobs.

Sometimes walking past car dealerships, I see the "female" workers out pulling weeds, or watering plants.

The security guard at the banks help customers use the ATMs.

And the other day I spotted this guy at the neighborhood suit store pulling weeds.

I'm thankful my job never "made" me to do these things.

p.s. I'm off to Hawaii today, I still have some Japan posts, so they'll be uploading for a couple of days. Talk to you from the other side of the world.