jung

Jung is my one and only female roomie and my friend spotlight this week. We lived on 7th between 1st and A in the East Village. We also worked together at Rockstar Games. Because I have swimmer's ear, I have to wear ear plugs in the shower. One time I showered and for some reason, one of the ear plugs fell into my ear canal. I was so freaked out, I waited all night for Jung to get home to see if she could dig it out, but she didn't. We didn't have cell phones back then. I ended up poking around with tweezers and finally fished it out. I did get sick once and Jung stayed home and made me the best ginger jook I have ever eaten. Jung and I never had any furniture in the apartment, with the exception of our beds. We used to watch VH1 shows about the Red Hot Chili Peppers, wishing John Frusciante would kick his heroin habit and be cute again. We also had a backyard that we didn't utilize nearly as much as we should have. We did have random bouts of Monopoly and I did befriend a huge black squirrel I later named, Spoonie. Jung now lives in SF and works with me again. Funny how life is.

How long have you known me?
My memory is so terrible these days, since the beginning of Rockstar, what is that like 10 + years ago. Damn, that seems like yesterday.

Do you ever miss NYC?
Sometimes, but I miss NYC in a different way, not as a place, but the memories of a place and time which doesn't really exist anymore. As a place that is constantly in flux, when you move away from it, it's bound to happen. But the 70's and 80's of the boroughs of NYC will always be the most special place to me. I learned so much, so much more than any academic education can give me. I learned the dirty, nasty parts of people as well as the best. I miss NY'ers though. No sugar coatin', tell it like it is. What the F you lookin at?! Say it to my face! They will also come together in ways no other diverse place can. Love it or leave it. I love it and left it.


Name 3 places you like to eat in NYC and 3 places in SF.
Tsampa (best Tibetan food) I will lick the plate clean. It's great to walk in, and remove the NY stress away while you eat.
Kum Gan San (Korean on 33rd and In Queens) Korean BBQ at it nearly best (best is in LA Chosun Galbi)
Tie- Mamouns Falafel and Punjabi (quick Indian where most of the customers are Indian cab drivers, $2 for Channa Masala YUM)
and of course the NY slice is the best! whatever Chicago- can I have some sauce with that brick!- although in my experience its best to switch up the places- sometimes they're good, sometimes they slack!

How many games of Monopoly did you win against me?
Probably none! I think we also gave up halfway most of the time ;) You notice though, that game brings out the dirty side of some of my friends...I feign that I'm sleepy.

Wasn't Tim Gunn your teacher?
He was the Head of the Fashion Dept. Saw him lots- he is as impeccible on TV as he is in real life. You can take an ironing board to his back and its the same.

What's the best fashion advice you are going to give to your daughter Sophie?
Please, tighter don't mean better. And no dockers. She will turn against me and turn into a young republican!

Bhutan or Paris?
Both, soon! Oh I can dream....

When you went to Thailand, did you learn anything interesting?
Everything- happiness! Trecked my ass for days along the same trade route to Burma. I thought I was a trooper until I met random people along the path that were 90 years old, carrying a 50lb bag of rice on their head. My guide wore flips flops the whole time.
Kup Kun Ka! Watched a beautiful daily Buddhist procession on a mountaintop in Chaing Mai. At sundown the village does a meditative walk around the grounds. They walk with complete mindfulness, heel to toe, heel to toe, slowly, quietly and softly. At the end of the procession several monks were preparing their meal for the night. I have the panoramic photo of it. It was just breathtaking.

muir woods

Our friends, Dan and Andee are in town, this weekend. It's Andee's Birthday... HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We went to Muir Woods on Saturday and it inspired us to argue about Star Wars plot holes.






Binko made a lovely cake! Happy Birthday Heather!

radio africa back yard jam

Yuko and I had the delight to join Radio Africa Kitchen in the chef's very own back yard!


We had amazing food and met really nice people.

Unfortunately, we left right before dessert, as we were too cold! But Yuko and I got up and danced by the fire most of the time.

two lips

Our Saturday in Seattle started out strong. Karen's friend owns a French cafe, Belle Epicurean, and we had the best almond crossiants.



We needed our energy, cause next stop was the Tulip festival, an hour away.




A plucked tulip.


The mutant strain.


We stopped by a little seaside town, called LaConner for lunch.


I had an amazing Indian taco.



Back in Seattle, we waited forever to get a table at How to Cook a Wolf, which is by far the best restaurant name EVER. It was worth the wait.

back from seattle

Hi Friends! We are back from Seattle. We missed the cats, but came home to no hot water in our building. YIKES! We had a terrific time hanging out with Tom and Karen, we missed the rest of the Seattle crew. I am going to just post today about our first day and then throughout the week report about the rest of our visit to the coffee guzzlers of America.

We flew Virgin America, which is the BEST airline I have ever flown in the US! The staff and crew were helpful and friendly, the airplane interior was like going to the Standard Hotel bar, there was a touch screen tv that everyone had that you can order drinks, food, movies, make music playlists, and even chat with people on the plane! I am switching over to Virgin!


We arrived late at Karen's cute house in Queen Anne Hill and crashed. We woke up and took Karen's cutie pie, Clara, to school and got coffee with Murphy the Westie at Caffe Fiore.


We walked by Top Pot, a boutique doughnut shop.


Jersey and I went down to Pike's Market.


We got some piroshkies at Piroshky Piroshky.


Later on, Karen and I had lunch at Boom Noodle. Although the Tokyo Ramen wasn't so hot, the rice balls and Croquettes were!


Don't forget to get dessert.


We all had dinner at Kingfish Cafe. The southern food was authentic and the chef was sincere in making it so. Unfortunately, it was so dark I couldn't take a decent picture.

see you later tater

Check out my yummy lemongrass coconut cream cake, topped with mangos!



I am going to Seattle to visit Karen, Tom, Jared, Che, and Masako, see you Sunday night!

free tibet!

The one thing about today that really bothers me was watching the Chinese supporters on their respective side, sweep over the street to the side of the Tibetan protesters. They actually invaded them! How ironic. All day I saw Chinese supporters push and get in the faces of any one that was supporting Tibet. Tibetans don't want to be Chinese, they want to be Tibetans. Why is that so hard to comprehend? I hope the noise that people are making will not fall on deaf ears in China. Declare Independance! Don't let them do that to you! Free Tibet! Free Darfur!

japanese gifts

I got a sweet package in the mail from Manami! It was Sakura themed! Not only is Sakura my favorite traditional Japanese song and a beautiful blossom, it's also my favorite character to play on Street Fighter! Thank you Manami for the lovely gifts! I can't wait to try the Muji Sakura Bath salts!


I saw Yuko later on last night, we had dinner at Local. The food was decent, but the vibe of the place felt weird. Yuko also brought me back real soba cha from Japan. She said it's from the Hokkaido region. I drank it when I got home, it was so lovely. Thank you Yuko!

manami

Today's friend spotlight is our dearest Manami. Manami and I met at an Elliott show in the defunct Cocodrie. That's also where she met her future husband. We used to play in a band called AMA down at the Turk Street Studios. You wouldn't think she was a great drummer with those skinny arms, but she rocks! Manami now resides in Chiba, Japan. I miss her so!

How long have you known me?
About 9 years. since 1999.

Why did you come to America?
finding an American boy ! just kidding!!
i just wanted to live another country and see good punk bands.

How was living in America compared to Japan?
i loved living in SF. but i just missed Japan so that's why we moved. i can't compare b/c each country has good things and bad things.

What’s your favorite thing to do?
cooking,baking,hanging out with my family and taking pictures.

What do you do in Japan now?
I am an English teacher for public elementary schools.

Do you miss living in San Francisco?
Yep!! i missed going to farmer's market every saturday with you!
and girls club.... and crazy nights! oh one more thing!! i missed bacon in America so much!

Thanks Manami for sharing with us at Ocean and Peony! Manami sent me a cute picture of her and Kage (my goddog), but I couldn't download the attachment. Hey Manami, I would miss bacon too if I moved to Japan, but I miss udon from Tokyo and LaLaPort!

rockin

Wanted: Lead Singer and Bassist for Rock Band!



Saturday night at the Hemlock Tavern, my old neighborhood bar, "Captain" Jeff's band, Kowloon Walled City, played a hardcore set. It was QUALITY!



For those who like to rock and eat Simple Mac N' Cheese, here's my secret recipe:

1 cup cheddar (in the picture below, I used English Seaside)
1 cup Fontina
1/2 cup Parmesan Reggiano
1/2 cup Tome de Chalosse
1/2 cup of cream
1 cup of milk
1/2 lb of pasta cooked al dente (I put the rind of the Parmesan in with the pasta while it boiled- adds a depth of flavor)
1/2 bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbs of butter
1 tbs of flour

Put the drained pasta in a baking dish. In a pot, slowly heat to a simmering boil the cream and milk, add the cheeses, except 1/4 c of the Parmesan. It's best to cut the cheese (LOL) in small cubes or shred 'em. When the cheeses melt completely, whisk in the flour making sure to get rid of any lumps. If your cheese sauce gets too lumpy, no worries, just strain the sauce. Place sauce over the pasta and mix in well. Sprinkle bread crumbs and the rest of the Parm on the top. Dot the top with the butter. Bake in 350 degree oven for about 13 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.

dorayaki and sakura panna cotta

We had a Japanese inspired dessert class today at Binko's. First, we made panna cotta, but infused with salted sakura blossoms.




Next was the dorayaki. We made the adzuki bean paste that goes in the middle. Then, we made the pancakes.





My classmate tonight was a very nice gentleman. He is the pastry cook during the day at Silks. Check out his lunch time sweets. Thanks for being a great cooking partner!