christmas

We had a calm and happy Christmas! Didn't do much... just took a day and a half off, and enjoyed spending time with each other at home.

And what did we cook up for Christmas? Sukiyaki! I found a brand new cast iron sukiyaki pot (with a wood lid) for a really good price a few months ago, and was glad to finally start using it. I shall post some pictures of the pot and the dinner later.

John got me a net book. My laptop had been acting up lately, so I was quite happy about the new computer. I am, however, still trying to get used to it.

My friend Daena drew a picture of Ginger for me. It was amazing.

My parents were generous and gave me a generous gift. They are so nice to me. Did I mention they were generous?

And apparently *someone* will give me a late Christmas gift some time soon. :D

I love how people around me are happy and content this time of the year. Yay for holidays!

forage and a-gui

It was my birthday yesterday, and for that John made a reservation at Forage!


It was a wonderful dinner. I shall blog about it later on. Chef/owner Viet Pham was phenomenal!

John and I had their tasting menu. It was so good.


My wonderful friends gave me nice presents and loves! This painting of A-gui is from Daena.

It was a lovely birthday. Thanks everyone!

care package from japan

The mail lady came, handed me the little pile of mail, and said, "You've got something really nice today!"



She was right! It was a lovely package from my dear friend Chikako in Japan!



Chikako sent me a cute Melody notebook, an awesome pouch she made herself, a couple lovely hair pins (also made by herself,) a cutest cell phone charm (again, made by Chikako!) a few photographs she took, and a beautiful letter she wrote me. I not only love everything she sent, but I also love the little things and details she added to the package.

To Chikako: I've missed you, Chi. Thank you for thinking of me, and thank you for the lovely gifts. I know you've been through a lot in the past few months... but I also know good things are going to happen! You are always in my thoughts. xxoo!

shrimp sheller

My sister got me a shrimp sheller (from Sur La Table.) She said she thought of me when she saw this little tool. I wonder why.

Anyhow, I tested it out, and it worked very well!



It didn't quite work as well on shrimp for me, however, even though it was a "shrimp" sheller... I guess the shrimp I had were too small for me to fully utilize the sheller. I used it on shelling crab legs and I could very easily pick the meat up with a fork afterwards.

So I have the shrimp sheller in my bag (almost) all the time now. (!) You never know when you need to shell a shrimp or a crab leg, or any shellfish.

rabbit pocket

I've noticed that I started wanting and taking notes when I read certain books. I always jot things down on a piece of paper and lost it soon after. I therefore decided I must have a tiny little note book, or a post-it pad, and a pen near by with the book.

I have a lot of bags. Most of them are too big for just one book and its "accessories," or they are actual purses that are not suitable for books. I've been searching for the right size bag.

Then Joyce sent me a cute bag for my birthday, along with a black kitty passport cover and a cute cute cute cell phone strap.


It's a "Rabbit Pocket!"

And in the photo with the Rabbit Pocket: the cell phone strap, the passport cover, and the birthday card.

The Rabbit Pocket is just the perfect size! It's large enough so the book and friends can fit in and stay together, but small enough where you can't really stick much more in.


Rabbit Pocket with a book in it. (I pulled the book out a bit for demonstration purposes.)

And oh it's sooooo cute! Thanks Joyce!