adorablexplorer's posterous

So instead of writing about every day of vacation.  Here are my highlights:

1.  Hanging out with family.  

In addition to seeing the people who normally come to family gatherings, I had the chance to meet up with family members I haven't seen in a while or never met.  

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2. Eating and drinking.  So much food involved in Japan.  Highlights:

- Sushi

- Blowfish hotpot in Kobe

- Soju with charred blowfish fins

- Yakkitori- things on skewers.  Ginko berries and yams were my favorite.

- Crab hotpot at a restaurant on top of the Dentsu building in Tokyo

- Random Japanese small plates in Nakano with family friends.

- Anything fried.  Katsu, Fried chicken, lots of fried meat.

- Chinese food at Oro in Kobe- Yes, I was in China the week before but it's different than common Chinese food.  Not nearly as delicious as the Sichuan Cathy took me to, but it will have to be.  My Dad wanted to eat.

- Soju with Soba noodle water.  So much better than it sounds- gets you drunk.

- Ramen

- Cold beer.  A lot of places have signs that tell people passing by how cold their beer is -2 Celcius.  Yum.

3. People in Kobe Vs. People in Tokyo

People stand on the right side of escalators in Kobe, but in Tokyo people stand on the left side of escalators.  Weird right?  

4. Tsukiji- Fish Market

This place is totally insane.  I thought I was going to get hit by one of those lift trucks.  Should have brought some rainboots and dirty clothes to fit in since wearing a pair of Asics Onizukas,skinny jeans and a short jacket with a scarf makes you stick out a lot.  The Tuna auction my Dad took me to was pretty awesome.  I had no idea what the auctioneer was saying, but people were buying Tuna.  There were some sellers from the US selling tuna there- North Carolina, Boston and New York.  A lot from Bali, Sri Lanka, China, etc.  Tuna from the States had the tail and heads removed for cheaper shipping.  My Dad said keeping the collar bone on keeps the fish flesh protected from aging.  

5. Japanese people LOVE Christmas.

6. 26 and not married

My maternal Grandmother told me to get married soon, to an American, Frenchman, whoever because she will forgive me.  I got a little mad when I heard this.  Why does she have to forgive me?  Oh well.  

Some guy I've never met before at Tsukiji told me I could have my pick of people in the office :::glance around:::, they're mostly in their 40's and balding and some of them were sitting pretty far away from their boss's desk, so I'd imagine they weren't doing too well in their careers.  This guy mentioned to three people who joined into conversation that I was single- I wanted to slap this man.

7. I love vacation!

Clean bathrooms, bed made everyday.  I had to bleach my bathroom before I showered when I got back.  I clearly need someone to clean my room on a weekly basis for me.  Maybe someday I'll hire a cleaning person...  Doubt it.  

I'll probably add more later, but for now this is it for Japan.

My hotel is literally in front of Shanghai station. This station is HUGE. I walked around for 30 minutes then gave up and took a ¥18RMB ($2.3 USD) cab to the hotel. So embarrassing. It's raining at least... Just a note- no access to Facebook or Posterous. This posting is probably going to cost me $20.00 USD, not RMB :( no wifi either- this is the second hotel with a wired connection. I went to the one Starbucks in Shanghai without wifi. Doh!!! Hope everyone is well! This week has been an interesting week traveling by myself! Learning a lot about myself with several moments of enlightenment!

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Dora has had quite the summer.

Honestly, there is no good time for a breakup.  I think June 24th was just a good a day as any for a breakup.  It was the day gay marriage was passed in NY and also my friend Colin's birthday.  This breakup is really 'working out' for me.  It was very relieving on many levels.  Needless to say, I probably won't be friends with my ex anytime soon.  I decided my ex really doesn't like fun, and I can't say I can be friends with someone who doesn't like fun.  This summer was the best summer I've had since lifeguarding at the beach of RI in college.

Why is it that when people find out you and a long time significant other breakup, people then proceed to say 'I thought you two were going to get married!' and then proceed ask 'how long were you dating for?'  It's just digging deeper and makes for an awkward moment at lunch time or while waiting for a table at dinner...  The guy at an Indian restaurant Panna II, where I took my friends out to dinner, asked me where my male friend was.  I proceeded to tell him we broke up, and he started asking me questions like 'Whose fault was it?  Why did you breakup?' and it was weird.  That is the kind of conversation you don't start with a customer of your restaurant.  Pretty comical though.

Big highlight of the summer was my going 'clubbing' on a trip to Vegas with a few of my friends.  We drank champagne all day on the second day and went to Tao at the Venetian (where we were also conveniently staying).  I don't normally go clubbing, but this was fun and interesting.  I realized you cannot judge in a club.  It takes away from the fun of being there.  I learned you dance next to the VIP tables to get invited in for drinks, but also to drink very fast before you get kicked out for not wanting to sleep with the men who have the table for the night.  Dance with Australian litigation lawyers who compliment you on your handshake and you'll end up playing blackjack until 6:00 in the morning without having to worry about them wanting to sleep with you at the end of the night since, well, he's a typical (attractive) lawyer.

Other things I did- Fire Island for a weekend to observe some fist pumping bars, lots of bars, making friends, and so much more really.  I can't possibly put my whole summer into a few paragraphs.  Oh, I went to Chelsea Piers once to use my golf clubs.  It was exciting to finally use my clubs.  Went to two Yankees games- both times where the Yankees lost (yeah!).

Working for yourself- a pretty romantic idea- doing something you love and believe in and living off of it.  It's not easy and it's a lot of work, but it's something I wish I had the guts to do.  I like the structure of working in an office with other people and having common goals.  I met a few people who I have met that do what they like to do, mainly artists, who work when they want to and need to.  I'm jealous they can do this- I would go crazy with the lack of consistent paycheck.

I have a trip to China and Japan coming up in November.  I am excited on many levels- this is my first trip alone (the week in China I'm alone, then meeting up with family in Japan), there is so much food to eat in China before I leave, Thanksgiving dinner in Japan is going to be tastier than eating than previous years, I get to see my Grandma and hang out with my whole family (my parents and I will meet up with my brother at some point).  I feel like I've grown a lot since the last time I went to Japan- exactly two years ago this November.

Picture of my American Cocker Spaniel friend Seymour with his 'Good Girl' hoodie on.  He's amazing.  He's not much of a guy magnet though, a lot of ladies stop to pet him.  He is one of many things that make me happy and makes me smile.  Hope he makes you smile too!  One (important) thing I learned this summer is that if you're accountable for yourself- it's the best way to make sure you have a good time.  Here's to Fall!

My friend isn't 'someone', he's my 1999 Subaru Forester, Oliver.

Memories with Oliver:

1. Drives to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York (upstate and all), Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and back home safely.

2. He dealt with crazy 'ex-girlfriends' keying his body.  A clear sign I should have stopped seeing that guy- this wasn't the only reason either.

3. We talked a lot.  New relationships, break ups, comteplating jobs, talking out a lot of things.  Never judging.

4. He helped me move to NY.

5. His check engine light came on just 2 weeks before I moved to NY.  He didn't want me to leave.

6.  We loved the beach.  He was so happy I was a lifeguard the summer I got him.

7. Sleeping in the car when I got too sleepy to drive at rest stops along 95.

8. Oliver taught me to thoroughly enjoy driving a standard.  His transmission is so unforgiving compared to new standards that I don't think I could even consider driving another one- too much like an automatic.  I'm not buying a Porsche anytime soon.

9. He was the first car I had that my Dad didn't have before me.  To me and my brother, this means that it doesn't smell like dead fish.  It's kind of a big deal.  My cars smelled so bad at the end of the day at the beach from the direct heat no matter how much I cleaned the interiors.

10. I was pretty sad I couldn't drive him when I messed up my left ankle for a month.  Driving a 96 Chrysler Town & Country minivan isn't as cool as you think.

11.  He is a sanctuary.  When I drive, I play my music, say anything I want, sing (yes, I sing in the car) or I guess yell with the intentions of singing.

I'm a little sad I never had a chance to get a dog while I had Oliver, since apparently his previous owner had a Golden Retriever or two.  We would have made such a cute family- Me, Oliver and adorable puppy.

There's a lot of places I want to drive him to.  Mt. Washington could have been fun for the both of us.  

The day I saw you at the dealership, I knew we would be best friends.  I hope your future journey is a great one.  

Farewell friend.

I've been L-A-Z-Y about making lunch for work these days, so this week, I made a promise to myself I would not spend more than $5 per meal (mainly lunch and dinner since I get breakfast at work).  Getting paid once a month is still hard after 3.5 years.  Not spending a lot of $$$ on lunch, is an easy way to save.  

Just some ways of how I'm spending money this week on meals:

Monday lunch- Vietnemese Sandwich from the Saigon Bakery on Mott and Broome.  

• Very filling and $4.25 for a chicken sandwich.  You get your carbs (it's important to eat carbs, really), protein, and some vegetables- pickled carrots, cilantro and a couple cucumber sticks.  Tastes yummy.  This place has vegan versions of sandwiches like curry 'chicken' which is supposedly better than the real meat version.  Their regular chicken sandwiches are so good, I'm scared to try the vegan sandwich so I don't let myself down.  Maybe some day...

Monday dinner- Courtesy of my friends I dogsat for

• I didn't contribute to dinner, but I did buy a $19 bottle of Prosecco.  Bad Anna.  Good company!  I guess I can bring that down to about $9.50 if I only count what I consumed???  Not helping I guess.

Tuesday lunch- Falafel from Hoomoos Asli on Kenmare and Cleveland Place

• Literally, $5 falafel.  They're an actual restaurant and not a street cart and they are good and filling.
• $5 Health sandwich and $3ish hoomoos sandwich are other sandwich options.  Both very good.

Tuesday dinner- Homemade Salad.  All my fresh ingredients came to $15.41*.

• Romaine lettuce, one whole tomato, sliced onion, 1/2 avocado, several crimini mushrooms sliced by me**, 1 Persian cucumber, olive oil, red wine vinegar and a dash of soy sauce.  Simple and hits the spot.  I may think about getting a piece of chicken from one of the many offerings Soho has to offer for protein, but I'm not that worried about not eating meat/protein one day.  Maybe I'll boil up an egg. 

*Olive oil, salt, pepper vinegar and egg was not part of the $15.41 calculation since these are things that are magically in my apartment at any given time.  Sorry.

**Not sure if it's just me, but I slice and cut up my own vegetables.  There's no reason why you should pay someone to do a terrible job cutting things up on your lazy behalf!

Wednesday lunch- Homemade salad repeat.

Wednesday dinner- Probably another salad.

Thursday lunch- Xi'an's Famous foods- Baxter and Mott

• Two words.  Lamb.  Burger. For $3.25, you get a delicious cumin seasoned lamb burger.  I may bring in a side salad (which I would need to go shopping for) from home to compliment this and to ensure I don't order one of their delicious noodle dishes that would really put me over the edge.  Not sure if this will be a $5 lunch quite yet.
• There are several locations so try it out!  Anthony Bourdain ate at their Flushing Mall location on 'No Reserations' for good reason!  Their pulled noodles are awesome.  For $10, you could totally have a feast!

Thursday dinner- no idea.  I'll have to update later

Friday lunch- Mexican catered lunch for free via new Co-worker

• A Co-worker won a lunch so, we get to cash in with her. We like her!

Friday dinner- Booze.  I don't always eat dinner, but definitely drink beer for a liquid dinner.

There we go for the weekdays.  Weekend?  Not sure since it's coming up on my birthday and I'm known for celebrating about a full week to commemorate the day I was brought into this world.  I guess the money I'm saving can make up a little for the cash I'm going to spend next week!

Save money, and go have fun later.

This year, I have started having terrible reactions to bug bites- spiders and mosquitoes.

Honestly, if I put up pictures of my bites, it will be repulsive so if you're interested in seeing them, just Google it...

My dermatologist, people in my workplace and my trainer have shared some things that can help relieve the itching:

• My dermatologist prescribed a steroid cream.  It's supposed to reduce swelling which brings down the temperature of the bite, and in the long run reduce itchiness.  Can't say it's too helpful.
• Rub a banana or orange peel on my infected area.  Still need to try this- I don't have either fruit in my apartment.
• The cross technique.  Pressing your nail into each bite in the form of a cross to 'itch' it without scratching at it.  It feels good for a couple minutes and then you find yourself doing it again.
• Applying ice to the bite.  This works best for me.  However applying ice to the affected areas isn't always easy to do at work.  Before bed, I used an ice pack last night.

Preventative measures:

• Take garlic tablets.  Coworker and trainer who went to Africa with the Army told me this.  I think it takes a while for the garlic tablets to kick in, but might be worth it to try every day.  Can't hurt right?
• Mosquito net above the bed.
• Tape up all borders of windows and air conditioning units to reduce the risk of mosquitoes and other bugs getting in.
• Invest in one of those things you plug into the wall.  
• Citronella, eucalyptus/ scented things that are said to keep mosquitoes away

Sources for more extensive information:

• The Mayo Clinic
• Wikipedia
• CDC

Today, my breathing pattern has changed since I'm trying to avoid itching my bites.  I'm thinking the mental breathing exercises I have been going through today is kind of like breathing for child birth, without the excessive pain that comes a long with it.  It's very hard talking on the phone to clients when you need to take a deep breathe in to accommodate the pangs the bites on my arm are feeling.

Lets hope this mosquito net works!