mamafufu

People can get snowed in and stay home.  How about dogs?

Finally decided to make Sushi at home this afternoon.  Something I always wanted to learn and to do myself.  From time to time I wonder why Sushi is so expensive in many places and it sure “looks” easy.  It is actually not a bad experience considering it is my first time.  The taste is pretty good.  Presentation needs to be worked on.  Also a bit too big for a single bite with too much rice.  So what is needed to make good Sushi?  Here is what I learned so far:

- The rice:  absolutely important.  The type and brand of rice, how much water, the type and mix of rice vinegar for mixing,  and how long to cool off and how to prepare.
- The ingredients and tools: buy the best quality available.  Yes this could add up if you are picky about your Sushi.
- The HOWs: this is the hardest part since the real tricks of the trade won’t be available from the Internet, books or how-to videos. Experience will take time and practice.
- Presentation is as important as the taste. Sushi cannot be good unless it both looks and tastes good.

Now I understand why Sushi can be expensive in many places.

Today is the first day of 2010. Although this was one of the last photo of 2009, I do realize it is time to start a new year and a new chapter in life.

成敗得失去年事
不問輸贏看我飛

Click, click, and click click, By the doorway Mulan weaves. When all at once the shuttles cease, A sigh is heard with solemn grief.
O my daughter who is on your mind? O my daughter who is in your heart? I have no one on my mind, I have no one in my heart.
But last night I read the battle roll, A roll consisting of twelve scrolls. The Khan is drafting an army of awe, My father’s name on each beadroll. Alas Father has no grown son, Alas Mulan has no elder brother. But I will buy a saddle and a horse, And join the army in place of Father. In the East Market she buys a steed, From the West Market she buys a saddle. From the South market she buys a bridle, In the North Market she buys a long whip. At dawn she bids her family farewell, At dusk she camps by the Yellow River. She no longer hears her parents calling, Upon her pillow the waters whisper. At dawn she departs the Yellow River, At dusk she arrives at Black Mountain. She no longer hears her parents calling, But tarter horses wailing from Yen Mountain. She gallops ten thousand miles, For the war she has to honor. She crosses lofty hills, Like an eagle soaring over. From northern gusts, through biting chills, Echoes the watchman’s clapper. With wintry glow of icy hue, Light glimmers on her armor. Generals die in a hundred battles, Our warrior’s back, how ten years fly. Upon her return she is summoned To see the Emperor. In the Hall of Light, She receives the highest honor. She is awarded a promotion to top rank. The Emperor bestows hundreds of thousands in prizes. The Khan asks her what she desires. Mulan has no use for a minister’s post, Mulan has no other extravagant want. I wish to borrow a swift footed mount, To take me back to my home. When Father and Mother hear she’s coming, They watch by the gate, bracing each other. When Elder Sister hears she’s coming, She runs to her room and dabs on rouge powder. When Little Brother hears she’s coming, He whets his knife, flashing like a light, And prepares pig and sheep for dinner. Let me push open the door to East Chamber, Let me sit on my bed in West Recess. So swiftly comes off the warrior’s vesture, And silently I put on my old-time dress. Beside the window I dress up my hair, In front of a mirror, I rouge my face. And when i come out to meet my compeers, They are perplexed and amazed. ‘For twleve years, We fought as comrades in arms, The Mulan we knew was not a lady of charm.’ A male hare will kick and strike, While females stare with bleary eyes. If both are allowed to run free Who can tell whether I am a he or a she? – Translator Unknown (to me)

The Christmas Tree is finally up and it is beautiful.  Want to see how it looks like?  You will just need to come by and see it for yourself.

Wish you and your family a Safe and Happy Holidays!