permanent absentee ballots

A couple of years ago, I signed up for permanent absentee ballot voting.

It was excellent because they would send the ballots to my address in Japan. The downside was that I usually had to pay postage to send them back, but at least I got to vote.

Well, apparently for this election year the state laws have changed and now all permanent absentee ballots can only be sent to the address that your voter registration indicates, not the mailing one (overseas), unless you re-register for the absentee ballot and give them your overseas address.

The letter was dated June 9, and I just got in on the 30th.

I filled out the form and sent it in on July 1st with my mailing address as our Japan address, not realizing that in August there is the primary election for Hawaii.

So...I think my primary ballots may be sent to Japan (while I am still here in Hawaii).

I called the City Clerk's Office and was instructed to send in another application (to change the primary election mailing address to my Hawaii address) OR can "walk-in" to vote absentee at City Hall starting on August 1st...I'm thinking to do the walk-in.

Dunno what will happen with my general election ballot, where it will be sent, but this whole thing on the first couple of days back here has been stressful and confusing.

I feel like I am being penalized for living overseas and wanting to exercise my right to vote.

UPDATE: I received an absentee ballot at my address in Hawaii. Satoshi also informed me that one was sent to our address in Japan....I'll be voting in Hawaii before I return to Japan.

itami-narita-honolulu

Yesterday, was a l-o-n-g day.

I travelled from Itami airport to Narita airport to Honolulu...

I'll be posting from here for awhile. The date will reflect Japan time.

It was funny, I was supposed to be in Economy Plus (wider seat or something), but they were overbooked, so they called me up to the counter at the gate and asked if I would be willing to be upgraded to business class...

Who would be krazy to turn that down?!

It was a cool experience that started off with champagne before the flight.

Dinner was by Yamada Chikara, who I am not familiar with, but is apparently rather well-known.

That filet of beef was cooked perfectly with an onion "jam" on top.

There were all sorts of delicious sides and tiny breads by Eric Kayser.

Highlight of the flight was being able to lay flat for some zzs, and to see part of the sunrise (I was on the right side of the plane, so I couldn't actually see the sun rise, just the colorful clouds).

Breakfast was a smoked salmon croissant (too bad the croissant was hard.as.rock.), the coconut mango "soup" was refreshing, as well as the salad.

Immigration has a krazy system now....although it does seem faster...

Overall, the weather is quite humid, but it is nice to be home.

cold brew

Recently, I saw this at the convenience store.

I usually don't buy coffee that comes in a can (unless I have to do some mc-gyver-ing) because I feel it has a "metal" taste to it.

Being it was a cold brew version, I wanted to try it.

It was good, smooth flavor.

I'd buy this one again.

kamizono

This past Sunday, we went to Kamizono for lunch.

Satoshi loves the food there, especially the fried shrimp.

We love that they serve all sorts of different veggie side dishes.

They gave each of us different ones so we could share.

Satoshi ordered the fried shrimp, while I ordered the gobo wrapped beef.

I was intrigued by the tomatoes, they were soaked in a pickle sauce and when I asked the wife of the owner, she mentioned that she made a dashi vinegar sauce and put the tomatoes in, it was so fruity it kind of reminded me of an umeboshi (pickled apricot)...gotta try to re-create this.

Satoshi's favorite veggie dish was a rakkyo salad, sliced rakkyo, parboiled then mixed with some mayo, salt and pepper.

It was nice to re-connect with this restaurant.

We'll be back.

katsuretsu-tei

Saturday, we reconnected with Katsuretsu-tei.

This tiny katsu (cutlet) shop was one of the first places we tried when we moved to Ishibashi in 2001 (pre-blog).

Yup, it's been THAT long since we went back...

Satoshi ordered their mix fry (an assortment of fried items...fish, shrimp & pork).

This came with a salad, miso soup and rice.

When the weather is warm, I don't really like soup, so I ordered the chicken katsu curry with cheese and a mini salad.

Man, that salad was huge! a whole cucumber and tons of cabbage.

The curry was huge too.

I don't remember the servings being that huge...I do have a feeling that it is due to the fact that we live near the Osaka University.

Most eateries like to cater to the students by giving a lot of food for a reasonable price.

While this was delicious, the katsu cooked perfectly and the cheese oozy. I realize that I enjoy a lighter batter coating.

Satoshi helped me eat most of this...we'll be back, but next time we're sharing...

Katsuretsu-tei
1-1-11 Ishibashi
Ikeda, Osaka
Phone: 072.762.5751
Closed Sundays
Hours: 11:00-22:00

summer

The weather has been depressingly grey and super humid.

Poor Kyushu, they got a month's worth of rain in a couple of hours...

We've had some rain too, at times it rains in sheets.

It makes getting to the market a challenge for me, but I still try to get out so that I can get in a little walk.

We've been enjoying peaches.

The first couple of peaches were on the firm side but this morning the peach was perfectly ripe.

They are super sweet and juicy.

Satoshi and I stand over the kitchen sink eating them in the morning before sitting down to breakfast.

Summer is here.

bocca

Whenever they have Hokkaido fairs in Osaka, I try to see if they carry Bocca's products because we love their yogurt drinks...super thick and not too sweet.

Recently though, we tried their puddings.

The white pudding comes with a caramel sauce.

Pop the balloon to release the pudding and then drizzle on the sauce.

I screamed a little when I popped the balloon.

The pudding was thick, rich and creamy.

The crème brûlée version was nice too with crushed caramel bits to sprinkle on top.

I'm glad we got to try these, if I see them in the markets, I'll be sure to get more.