nao or never

coming soon…

nao — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10:59:46 +0000

What is the reason I’ve been absent from this blog;

a. busy
b. lazy
c. queasy
d. none of the above
e. all of the above

I’m working on a new blog right now, a platform in which I can share things and places that I like. I just need to sort out few things here and there before kick-off. Stay tuned…

border

nao — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 13:29:34 +0000

Accepting new ideas and beliefs are difficult.
Stepping out of our comfort zone is scary.

That is why we make borders. We try to protect ourselves and our beliefs by building walls. Shutting people out is the best and the easiest way.

What do we gain from surrounding ourselves with walls.
Protection? Security? from what.

Ironically, the wall also limits your own actions.
You’re stuck inside restraining your own opportunities.

Daniel Ruanova is an artist in Tijuana. Whether its personal or immigration issues (especially Japan..!), I like his view on security.

finding the balance

nao — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:21:16 +0000

At the end of February, I landed in Mexico in a city called Tijuana which would become my home for the next 2 1/2 months. As a city adjacent to the busiest international border in the world, “Tijuana” has become an adjective for all things bad. Starting with cheap booze and women, human trafficking, entry point for drugs and weapons, Tijuana has revitalized its reputation for violence and murder in the past few years. According to a friend in Tijuana, everyone knows at least 1 person, either their relative or a friend, that has been involved in a violent crime. I was fortunate that didn’t apply for me. However I can not deny the presence of a tension that hangs in the streets of Tijuana, which I found somewhat close to how I felt walking in some areas of Johannesburg. I won’t deny and I strongly do believe that peace is the best for everyone, but there are something within me that longs to be part of the chaos, which is perhaps whey I fell in love with Tijuana.

There’s a certain vibe to this city where identities are lost. Many people in Tijuana cross the border everyday to work in America. Many are born in America for an American citizenship. Many cross the border to shop in Target. It’s not America, but it’s not Mexico. Tijuana is a city floating between two countries, settling in one or other depending on the direction of the wind. Hmm, another similarity between me and Tijuana?

In this peculiar city, I found peace. Whether the fact that Mexico as a country holds various spiritual traditions had to do with my emotional and physical state, I don’t know. Yes, in several occasions, strange things did happen during the 2 1/2 months. Things that I turned blind eye on in the past occurred right in front of my presence. It’s not something that I would like to openly talk about, but in being forced to understand what I experienced, as the days passed by, the weight on my shoulders started to lift off one by one. Never in my life have I felt the connections of body, mind and spirit strongly.

At the end of my stay, I felt strong. Maybe it was all that delicious tacos that I was devouring so much everyday…lol.

I so miss my favorite taco stand, El Polo…
What a random post this was, and it’s so like me that I end it with food!

bygone

nao — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:46:37 +0000

Half a year since my last post, and I’m sitting here in an overly air conditioned room with a grin chasing the memories of the past 6 months in my head.
After all these times of making false bets, predictions and anticipations (e.g. I never win the lotto, I’m always the one that goes home with a “I ♡ HAWAII” t-shirt from a xmas function, the sports team that I support loses 90% of the time, and the list goes on…), I’m finally catching a glimpse of those paranormal psychic connection with the cosmic world that everyone except for me, seems to have.

At the end of 2009, I have predicted that 2010 will be the beginning of the great years ahead. January came, and I sensed a difference already. I could feel these bubbles in my stomach each filled with joy and excitement, kicking and jumping ready to burst out. No wonder as I started off the new year with my most favorite thing, travel.

I went to Turkey for the first time in my life. This was the first Islamic country that I’ve traveled to, and I was instantly consumed by his (somehow, I felt Turkey to be very masculine!) rich history and the ravishing culture. The schedule was intense, and I wished I could have spent more time in the cities that I visited, but nothing, even the miserable weather (snow snow rain snow rain rain) couldn’t stop me from opening my eyes as wide as I can at everything I saw and experienced. I have new respect for the middle east and the Islamic culture, the art that lives with the culture is simply breathtaking and mystique. Definitely a place I must visit again.
Back in Japan, back at work. My project was nearly done, and I spent my last days in Japan glued to my computer. Yes I was leaving again, this time to Mexico…

I present you…

nao — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 12:52:04 +0000

…my grandfather!

Believe it or not, he is 85 years old and is incredibly young and fit for his age.
Few years ago, he started taking Majic lessons and performs for the local community gathering from time to time.
He is such a great role model, always willing to take on a new challenge in life.

Go grandpa!

a stroll among the fish

nao — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 12:43:34 +0000

I was very fortunate to be able to spend new years in Japan two years in a row. As much as I enjoy staying in different countries, nothing beats the food and the atmosphere of a Japanese traditional New Years.

A peek at my New Year's dinner...

Just like last year, my family and I went to Kuroshio Market (Kuroshio Ichiba) to check out the delicacies of Wakayama prefecture. Here’s what the market looks like… (Apology for the poor video, I took it with my digital camera)

Don’t be disgusted by the black goo in the video. It’s very very yummy. Looks are not everything!

merry go round

nao — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 12:21:54 +0000

Another year has passed by and I find myself sitting in the exact spot as I was last January, which makes me realize that I haven’t posted many entries on this blog last year despite my initial intention to do so. No wonder why I struggle to write in English these days!
I can not believe that 2009 is over. I still remember writing my first entry on this blog like it happened yesterday. Every year as I get older, I feel like time is getting faster. I remember when I was little, there were many moments where I wished for time to go faster. Where have those days gone, and what has happened to me. No it’s not me, it’s just like the theory of Paul Janet, that the psychological time is in inverse proportion with your age. To a 50-year-old, 1 year is 1/50 of their life, whereas for a 5-year-old, 1 year is 1/5 of their life. Hence, 10 years for a 50-year-old is the equivalent to 1 year for a 5-year-old (1 day for a 5-year-old equals 10 days for a 50-year-old). This will mean that my 1 day is approximately a month for a 1-year-old. Better use your time effective before I add anther year to my age.

Overall 2009 was a great year, but I know that 2010 will be a greater year for me. A lot of changes are on the way, and I am very anxious and excited to experience each and one of them.

The first sunset of 2010

Happy New Year everyone.
I hope 2010 brings you happiness and peace!

cruise with style

nao — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:29:37 +0000

This video is great for those that have never been to Japan, or those who have and is Japan-home-sick, or people like me who live in Japan but doesn’t have the time to travel.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy Tokyo in 10 minutes!

They have Kyoto too. Te first scene “shijo-kawaramachi”, that’s where I always meet up with my friends in Kyoto. I was even there last night

iRelish: kaiseki ryori 2

nao — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 09:46:35 +0000

…continuing from the previous post.
4. Hassun （八寸）
3 to 5 small dish placed in a “hassun” size (about 24cm) tray.

- boiled kinjiso plant
- octopus egg & kidney beans marinated in sesame sauce
- white asparagus soup
- green caviar & assorted seaweeds with ume-plum sauce
- kawakujira-obake (inner skin of whale tail)
with cucumber and vinegar miso

5. Yakimono （焼物）
Grilled dish.

grilled eggplant & duck meat with sesame sauce

6. Nimono （煮物）
Boil-cooked dish.

gourd, taro, carrot, snow pea
and shark’s fin in thick ginger sauce

7. Gohan （御飯）
8. Tomewan （止椀）
9. Kounomono （香の物）
Rice, soup and pickles.

matsutake mushroom rice
miso soup
gourd pickles

10. Dessert （デザート）
I forgot to take a picture of the dessert,
but I think we had a choice of 1 dessert out of 5.
I had the creme brulee. yum.

And that is the end of the meal.
As you can see, each portion is not big, but you do become very full at the end of the meal. This kaiseki ryori I had was about 8,000 yen, which would be more on the reasonable side for a proper kaiseki ryori. If you go to a top-notch restaurant, you can be charged somewhere between 13,000 and 50,000 (very expensive, but the ingredients are superb and definitely worth the money!).

iRelish: kaiseki ryori 1

nao — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:43:09 +0000

While waiting for your kaiseki ryori to be served, you will notice a piece of paper lying in front of you.
This is called oshinagaki and it is the detailed menu of your kaiseki ryori. It tells you what is included in each dish in the order served. Not only will reading this help you prep on what you’re about to savour in few minutes, but you can entertain yourself by attempting to read all the unique kanji written on the menu. Most things in Japan can be written in kanji, but when the kanji is too complicated, we tend to write it in hiragana or katakatana to simplify it. For example, “corn” in Japanese is tomorokoshi, and is usually written in katakana as トウモロコシ, but this can be written in kanji as 玉蜀黍. So much more complicated! So if you want to impress your mates at the table, make sure you study your kanji.

Back to the oshinagaki, basically you will look at it with every dish to say your oohs & aahs, such as “ooh, this is eggplant?.”
Trust me, it is quite fun to be acquainted with your food this way.
Ok, on with the food…

1. Sakizuke（先付）
The first dish, usually something that
can be enjoyed together with your drink (alcohol).

turban shell cooked in sake
served together with lotus root,
Japanese ginger and dried wheat gluten.

2. Suimono（吸物）
A light soup to be enjoyed with your drink
(yes, you’re still drinking..!)

earthenware pot-steamed
Matsutake mushroom
and Japanese conger

Matsutake mushroom is a popular food in Autumn. Because it’s hard to harvest, it tends to be pricey, but remains popular for its beautiful smell. The taste however is not overly special, but its aroma beats all other mushrooms and signifies the arrival of Autumn. In the above dish, Matsutake is cooked in a seasoned broth in a earthenware pot. You pour the broth in a little serving cup and squeeze a hint of sudachi (Japanese lime, another Autumn favourite) and enjoy the soup filled with Autumn flavours.

3. Tsukuri （造里）
Assorted sashimi

sea bream, horse mackerel and tuna

to be continued…