Mémorandum de Français

Today's brunch was at a popular Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown. I had a Pho Ga, chicken noodle soup with bean sprouts, mint, lime, etc. The food was better than the last time, but something was missing - it must be the spices that gives depth to the broth.
I learned about the spices when I was in Ho Chi Minh City on holiday back in 2003. I visited a friend of mine living there, Shio-san, who is now teaching French in Tokyo. Since I met her at university, it has always been inspiring and encouraging to see how she lives true to herself. I often check out her blog with her thoughts, topics on French language and culture and yummy photos. Here is the website. Enjoy!
http://shiofrancais.blogspot.com/

Costco

This is my first trip to Costco, a membership warehouse club that was founded in Kirkland, Washington. 
I hadn't heard of it until I came to America, but there are nine locations in Japan as well.
This time a friend who has a membership drove me there for the American experience.
You can find from fresh produce to home electronics in bulk for lower prices than in ordinary retail stores. I ended up with quite a heavy bag with pasta, canned tomatoes, baking soda (not for baking but for cleaning!) etc.
The interior is just a warehouse itself, but brighter than Ikea storage.

Even "Special occasion dress for kids" available for $16. It doesn't look nice though.

My purchase included a bouquet - It's time to fill the vase again.

Fremont shopping

Fremont is thought to be a hippie neighbourhood, apparently famous for its nude solstice cyclists.
When I saw some in downtown last summer, I was just taken aback and wondered if the police were going to catch them.
Anyhow, on Saturday afternoon I went to Fremont to find a gift for a girlfriend on my own since I knew shopping is better done without my husband.
Having browsed the shops I usually go to, I finally decided to get a beeswax candle in a pretty jar for her. Mission completed!


Below are the pictures of the shops I checked out.

I was happy to find some cherry blossoms. They are probably the most beloved flower in Japan for its transient beauty.

Korean Grocery

I met up with two of my Korean friends for lunch and then we headed to a Korean supermarket for groceries.
I can't agree more with what one of them said - deciding on what to cook for dinner is like homework.
This time I got a big jar of kimchi and a packet of salted seaweed along with others.

I like the seaweed which is surprisingly tender! I have the feeling that it's going to be my favourite wakame.

Art in Seattle

On the first Thursday of every month in Seattle, the admission is free for museums and many art galleries in the Pioneer Square neighborhood.
I really like the idea of promoting art so that everybody in the community can enjoy freely. 
Yesterday I went to Seattle Art Museum to see Alexander Calder's art.

It was nice to encounter his work again because I couldn't remember his name from when I first saw his mobile years ago in Guggenheim Bilbao. I like the hanging mobiles especially since they change the way they look every moment with the moves of air.
They actually seem like breathing as if they are creatures. I was also fascinated by the shadows created by the mobiles. I couldn't take pictures there but if you are interested you can see his work on the website below.


http://calder.org/work.html

Happy New Year

The new year came with fireworks in Seattle.
Since it is the biggest celebration typically spent with family in Japan, I prepared some traditional food but I could not get much spirit of the season I usually have.
Probably because I stayed up for the fire works the night before,
and I did not get the refreshing feel of the new beginning. 
I started thinking about resolution for the year ahead, and eventually ended up with a long list
full of basic things that sound too familiar. Let's see how long I can keep them...


Here are some things we enjoyed for the new year. 
The view from my apartment : I like Seattle for the beautiful mountains like this as well as the city.

The sushi that we shared with friends at our favourite restaurant "Shiro's".
(Shiro-san, the owner, has been making sushi in Seattle since 1967!)
I'm glad they liked both sushi and cooked dishes there.

The cheese cake of Jamie Oliver's recipe as always.

I have an assistant, my husband, who did most of the job.

Good pairing with the fresh black berry sauce.