Rosie in Japan: December 2005

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Hagi Christmas 2005

That time has rolled around again. Looks like my wish for a White Christmas will come true, it is snowing on and off all the time. As most of my friends depart for either home or Thailand, we are once again preparing to gather together the stragglers of the ken for a Christmas Extravaganza in the north!
I have just finished the last of the baking, I have tins full of home-made brandy snaps and fruit mince pies. The Christmas tree is up, the stockings are hung, the presents are wrapped, the Christmas lights are pinned around the room. I can't wait!
Last year I felt really lost and guilty not being at home, but with a bit of practice I've got better and I'm prepared this time - Mum and I will video link up on the computer so we can have our very own virtual Christmas morning together. This year I've tried to turn the lack of ingredients into a positive and learned how to make everything from scratch. My first Xmas back in NZ I am going to soooo appreciate!
To everyone on holiday, friends abroad and my precious whanau, hugs for Christmas. Stay safe :)

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Spew-Shoku

After reading a couple of posts on Big Daikon this week about the quality (or lack ) of chu-shoku (school lunch) I am compelled to write after today's experience.

I found myself staring at my tray, investigating what "Yogaruto Sarada" on the menu could possibly have meant. It was chunks of mandarin, banana and pineapple in yoghurt. "Oishi-so" I hear you exclaim. Then picture some sliced cucumber and boiled cabbage stirred through. Was it a misguided attempt at the summer classic Ambrosia Salad? One pictures the school Cook browsing through different recipes and taking a little poetic licence here and there. The result is just plain abunai (dangerous).

What was worse, I actually ate some of it.