Long morning- manhattan skyline was in a summer haze
I was up early and it felt like the beginning of a productive day. My favorite zipcar was waiting at the garage, ready to go. I drove to Queens, to Restaurant Depot, where I was of course spotted by this little man who adores me. "Hi! How are you! How's business! Things are happening?!" Every sentence he emits ends with a very cheerful exclamation point. "You're always in a hurry, huh? Don't you have a little time to talk? I have to come see you in your restaurant!" When he's following me around, my legs tend to move quicker, because you can't tame a little dog and then tell him to get lost right after. I made some courteous remarks and smiled, then hurried across the floor. I picked up a few boxes of supplies, and I was out the door. Another little guy, who I think is the other little guy's brother, greeted me on my way out, "Have a nice day!" Even with some congestion on BQE, I made it back within an hour. After a few stops around Chinatown, I took my defunct Polar running watch to Paragon. I haven't been able to use this fancy item to log my mileage in workouts. It could be problem with the little 'shoe pod,' a device you attach to your shoe to measure the distance, but it's not being recognized by the watch. Can they test it with another shoe pod? Answer was no. The sales guy said that any used Polar product cannot be returned; if I try using another shoe pod and if it doesn't work, I'll be stuck with it. That sounds like another big BS corporation for you. Then another woman walked up to the counter and she had the same heart rate monitor watch, and it's not working. The sales guy comfirmed that plenty other people have problem with it, and yes, it's 'an expensive piece of crap' like we thought it was. Only thing he could offer me was to send it back to Polar, which I did twice last year within the warranty period, and it seemed to work for a while, but it was just a junk now. I had no other choice. Let's see if they can do something with it. Not terribly busy day of business, but I sense a good week creeping up on me.
on july 29, 2008 @ 12:30 am [link]
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soy diary
It was another beautiful summer evening
It was bright and sunny when I left my apartment for a long run. But soon dark clouds moved in and on the west side I was greeted with thundershower. The statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the buildings across the Hudson on the Jersey side all became a gray silluette in the steamy rain. It cleared my path nicely, and air was cooler to the skin. Most of the runners were already gone at the finish area of NYC Half Marathon. Last year I ran the race and we were met with heavy downpour on the west side. This year I decided not to do it because we received peculiarly low energy support from the sideline and also I do not understand our team don't get free entry although our teamp is sponsored by Nike. Damn corporations! In the evening I was introduced to Elliot's new puppy Cain. I was glad to see him rebounding from his mourning. Cain will be making lots of new friends around the neighborhood. The finale of my long weekend was late night Korean BBQ with Ping, like good old days. I don't feel getting old, she said. I don't feel like a middle-aged lady. I do feel it sometimes. We are 15 years older, I said.
on july 28, 2008 @ 01:34 am [link]
It was bright and sunny when I left my apartment for a long run. But soon dark clouds moved in and on the west side I was greeted with thundershower. The statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the buildings across the Hudson on the Jersey side all became a gray silluette in the steamy rain. It cleared my path nicely, and air was cooler to the skin. Most of the runners were already gone at the finish area of NYC Half Marathon. Last year I ran the race and we were met with heavy downpour on the west side. This year I decided not to do it because we received peculiarly low energy support from the sideline and also I do not understand our team don't get free entry although our teamp is sponsored by Nike. Damn corporations! In the evening I was introduced to Elliot's new puppy Cain. I was glad to see him rebounding from his mourning. Cain will be making lots of new friends around the neighborhood. The finale of my long weekend was late night Korean BBQ with Ping, like good old days. I don't feel getting old, she said. I don't feel like a middle-aged lady. I do feel it sometimes. We are 15 years older, I said.
on july 28, 2008 @ 01:34 am [link]
It was another beautiful summer evening
It was bright and sunny when I left my apartment for a long run. But soon dark clouds moved in and on the west side I was greeted with thundershower. The statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the buildings across the Hudson on the Jersey side all became a gray silluette in the steamy rain. It cleared my path nicely, and air was cooler to the skin. Most of the runners were already gone at the finish area of NYC Half Marathon. Last year I ran the race and we were met with heavy downpour on the west side. This year I decided not to do it because we received peculiarly low energy support from the sideline and also I do not understand our team don't get free entry although our teamp is sponsored by Nike. Damn corporations! In the evening I was introduced to Elliot's new puppy Cain. I was glad to see him rebounding from his mourning. Cain will be making lots of new friends around the neighborhood. The finale of my long weekend was late night Korean BBQ with Ping, like good old days. I don't feel getting old, she said. I don't feel like a middle-aged lady. I do feel it sometimes. We are 15 years older, I said.
on july 28, 2008 @ 01:34 am [link]
It was bright and sunny when I left my apartment for a long run. But soon dark clouds moved in and on the west side I was greeted with thundershower. The statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the buildings across the Hudson on the Jersey side all became a gray silluette in the steamy rain. It cleared my path nicely, and air was cooler to the skin. Most of the runners were already gone at the finish area of NYC Half Marathon. Last year I ran the race and we were met with heavy downpour on the west side. This year I decided not to do it because we received peculiarly low energy support from the sideline and also I do not understand our team don't get free entry although our teamp is sponsored by Nike. Damn corporations! In the evening I was introduced to Elliot's new puppy Cain. I was glad to see him rebounding from his mourning. Cain will be making lots of new friends around the neighborhood. The finale of my long weekend was late night Korean BBQ with Ping, like good old days. I don't feel getting old, she said. I don't feel like a middle-aged lady. I do feel it sometimes. We are 15 years older, I said.
on july 28, 2008 @ 01:34 am [link]
It was another beautiful summer evening
It was bright and sunny when I left my apartment for a long run. But soon dark clouds moved in and on the west side I was greeted with thundershower. The statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the buildings across the Hudson on the Jersey side all became a gray silluette in the steamy rain. It cleared my path nicely, and air was cooler to the skin. Most of the runners were already gone at the finish area of NYC Half Marathon. Last year I ran the race and we were met with heavy downpour on the west side. This year I decided not to do it because we received peculiarly low energy support from the sideline and also I do not understand our team don't get free entry although our teamp is sponsored by Nike. Damn corporations! In the evening I was introduced to Elliot's new puppy Cain. I was glad to see him rebounding from his mourning. Cain will be making lots of new friends around the neighborhood. The finale of my long weekend was late night Korean BBQ with Ping, like good old days. I don't feel getting old, she said. I don't feel like a middle-aged lady. I do feel it sometimes. We are 15 years older, I said.
on july 28, 2008 @ 01:34 am [link]
It was bright and sunny when I left my apartment for a long run. But soon dark clouds moved in and on the west side I was greeted with thundershower. The statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the buildings across the Hudson on the Jersey side all became a gray silluette in the steamy rain. It cleared my path nicely, and air was cooler to the skin. Most of the runners were already gone at the finish area of NYC Half Marathon. Last year I ran the race and we were met with heavy downpour on the west side. This year I decided not to do it because we received peculiarly low energy support from the sideline and also I do not understand our team don't get free entry although our teamp is sponsored by Nike. Damn corporations! In the evening I was introduced to Elliot's new puppy Cain. I was glad to see him rebounding from his mourning. Cain will be making lots of new friends around the neighborhood. The finale of my long weekend was late night Korean BBQ with Ping, like good old days. I don't feel getting old, she said. I don't feel like a middle-aged lady. I do feel it sometimes. We are 15 years older, I said.
on july 28, 2008 @ 01:34 am [link]
sushi lesson
Damien came in early evening and told me that our little collaboration had been posted at Food Network's website. Earlier this year, he came in with a tiny video camera and said, "Can we make a movie? I'm asked to send something to Food Network. Let's film you make my favorite spicy tuna bowl!" "Cool!" So we shot this piece in less than 10 minutes, and he said he would let me know when it's posted on the web. But he never did. So I forgot about it. It was a nice surprise to see that it was out there.
Check it out here. I need to work on my camera presence. But overall I think it was pretty good considering it was totally unscripted. Background is of course Damien's great music.
on july 23, 2008 @ 12:18 am [link]
Damien came in early evening and told me that our little collaboration had been posted at Food Network's website. Earlier this year, he came in with a tiny video camera and said, "Can we make a movie? I'm asked to send something to Food Network. Let's film you make my favorite spicy tuna bowl!" "Cool!" So we shot this piece in less than 10 minutes, and he said he would let me know when it's posted on the web. But he never did. So I forgot about it. It was a nice surprise to see that it was out there.
Check it out here. I need to work on my camera presence. But overall I think it was pretty good considering it was totally unscripted. Background is of course Damien's great music.
on july 23, 2008 @ 12:18 am [link]
I'm low on cookies because it wasn't quite a baking day
Still waiting for the thunderstorm. I was still procrastinating this morning how to deal with serious staff shortage that hit me last week. The Mexican boy had been mysteriously missing. Yayoi suddenly took off, then Atsuko announced this will be her last week. Elliot has been filling in here and there. Then Saul finally came back this afternoon. He said he was sick in a hospital. Ok, so I would probably survive through the summer. Business has been a bit slow. This "staycation" thing is everywhere and I wish I came up with it earlier so I could say, "Ha! I'm doing it already since last summer!" Like when I read in the New York Times dining section that a little restaurant where a owner/chef would bring the plates to the table is a new trend; "Ha! I'm doing that for six years already. How come they didn't come talk to me?" Finally I posted the beach photos- the making of awsome frisbee photos. In case you are also staycationing, I've just scheduled a bunch of cooking classes in August. Check out.
on july 21, 2008 @ 11:46 pm [link]
Still waiting for the thunderstorm. I was still procrastinating this morning how to deal with serious staff shortage that hit me last week. The Mexican boy had been mysteriously missing. Yayoi suddenly took off, then Atsuko announced this will be her last week. Elliot has been filling in here and there. Then Saul finally came back this afternoon. He said he was sick in a hospital. Ok, so I would probably survive through the summer. Business has been a bit slow. This "staycation" thing is everywhere and I wish I came up with it earlier so I could say, "Ha! I'm doing it already since last summer!" Like when I read in the New York Times dining section that a little restaurant where a owner/chef would bring the plates to the table is a new trend; "Ha! I'm doing that for six years already. How come they didn't come talk to me?" Finally I posted the beach photos- the making of awsome frisbee photos. In case you are also staycationing, I've just scheduled a bunch of cooking classes in August. Check out.
on july 21, 2008 @ 11:46 pm [link]
It was over
So my staycation went very quickly as I expected. I made it to my favorite Rockaway beach and polished frisbee skill. Yes, that's me flying in the air. It was such a perfect day at the beach- no cloud, no humidity. The sky was turning slightly rosey by the time we left. Last week I also went to the free concert on Hudson at sunset, and danced with a bunch of lesbians to the great latin beats. I got to check out the Dali exhibit at MOMA, took a ride to PS 1 in Queens, practiced salsa turns, and never had enough time left to develop my staycation photos. I'll be posting "the making of the perfect frisbee shot" photos soon.
So another week of business began and many happy faces were waiting for me. But the saddest news came this afternoon about Elliot's dog Winston. Last night after his shift, he went up and found Winston not being able to get up behind the door. I went up to see him and poor Winston was panting on the floor. He had been fighting for his life for the past month, but vets couldn't find the cause. This afternoon when Elliot came in crying, I immediately knew that he had to let Winston go. He was such a great dog who I saw almost everyday for past ten years, and especially after I opened the restaurant he always to make sure to stop by wagging his tail in the doorway, not looking for me, but a croquette! So I cried a while in the tiny bathroom, but the customers were waiting. More spicy tuna bowls, more niku jaga, more gyoza, more lemonade, and the day went by.
on july 18, 2008 @ 12:25 am [link]
So my staycation went very quickly as I expected. I made it to my favorite Rockaway beach and polished frisbee skill. Yes, that's me flying in the air. It was such a perfect day at the beach- no cloud, no humidity. The sky was turning slightly rosey by the time we left. Last week I also went to the free concert on Hudson at sunset, and danced with a bunch of lesbians to the great latin beats. I got to check out the Dali exhibit at MOMA, took a ride to PS 1 in Queens, practiced salsa turns, and never had enough time left to develop my staycation photos. I'll be posting "the making of the perfect frisbee shot" photos soon. So another week of business began and many happy faces were waiting for me. But the saddest news came this afternoon about Elliot's dog Winston. Last night after his shift, he went up and found Winston not being able to get up behind the door. I went up to see him and poor Winston was panting on the floor. He had been fighting for his life for the past month, but vets couldn't find the cause. This afternoon when Elliot came in crying, I immediately knew that he had to let Winston go. He was such a great dog who I saw almost everyday for past ten years, and especially after I opened the restaurant he always to make sure to stop by wagging his tail in the doorway, not looking for me, but a croquette! So I cried a while in the tiny bathroom, but the customers were waiting. More spicy tuna bowls, more niku jaga, more gyoza, more lemonade, and the day went by.
on july 18, 2008 @ 12:25 am [link]
Staycation mid-report
"Staycation" seems to be an officical word and norm this summer. I heard it mentioned on the news last week. Because of the soaring gas price many people are having 'staycation,' or 'hanging in their back yard.' I felt so unoriginal. While I hang around my back yard, each day is zipping by. At least I'm getting chores done. Coco was taken to the vet, and after so much blood was taken I was told that she's doing great. I had a torturous cleaning session at a dentist. No cavity, but I was achey the rest of the day. I was successfully mistaken as a tourist having leisury lunch with a glass of wine at a restaurant. I watched Fourth of July fireworks from my rooftop. I made it to the Jersey Shore in the rain on Saturday. At one point rain came down so hard it became all foggy on Garden State Parkway. It was a surreal picture- all the cars looked like floating in a big cloud. I'm enjoying the luxury of having a long breakfast outside going through the entire newspaper. The other day I sat at the bandshell and read Little Prince while fluffy seeds from trees flew around like living organisms. This evening I went to workout with my teammates at the track in the East River Park. I've been dreaming a lot about cooking, and it's usually a nightmare. Tonight I watched "Hell's Kitchen" and thought it was just like my nightmares. Now you can imagine how ridiculous my dreams are. At least there aren't as much cursing in my dream. Five more days left!
on july 9, 2008 @ 12:46 am [link]
"Staycation" seems to be an officical word and norm this summer. I heard it mentioned on the news last week. Because of the soaring gas price many people are having 'staycation,' or 'hanging in their back yard.' I felt so unoriginal. While I hang around my back yard, each day is zipping by. At least I'm getting chores done. Coco was taken to the vet, and after so much blood was taken I was told that she's doing great. I had a torturous cleaning session at a dentist. No cavity, but I was achey the rest of the day. I was successfully mistaken as a tourist having leisury lunch with a glass of wine at a restaurant. I watched Fourth of July fireworks from my rooftop. I made it to the Jersey Shore in the rain on Saturday. At one point rain came down so hard it became all foggy on Garden State Parkway. It was a surreal picture- all the cars looked like floating in a big cloud. I'm enjoying the luxury of having a long breakfast outside going through the entire newspaper. The other day I sat at the bandshell and read Little Prince while fluffy seeds from trees flew around like living organisms. This evening I went to workout with my teammates at the track in the East River Park. I've been dreaming a lot about cooking, and it's usually a nightmare. Tonight I watched "Hell's Kitchen" and thought it was just like my nightmares. Now you can imagine how ridiculous my dreams are. At least there aren't as much cursing in my dream. Five more days left!
on july 9, 2008 @ 12:46 am [link]
staycation report #1
The third day of my staycation was the first day that I didn't have to set my alarm, although the kitty alarm by Coco has been quite ruthless. First two days I kept busy being a foodie at Fancy Food Show at Javits Center. Yesterday I tasted all kinds of food products across this enormous convention. There's so much products out there, some are puzzling like, why would I ever buy this? Like a brownie on a stick appropriately called 'Brownie Pops.' At the end of the day I really couldn't tell the difference between this cheese and that cheese or this pasta and that pasta. There seemed to be too much chocolate and cookies and chips in this world while they talk about food shortage. And I must say most of the fake soy meat were so horrible I don't understand that people expect me to serve it in my restaurant because it's named SOY. Anyway, I am truly enjoying not 'working' at least in my restaurant, although I know some people are freaked out not being able to get their fix of spicy tuna bowl, ginger lemonade, curry and croquette or niku jaga. I got my manicure and pedicure done at a salon first time ever in my life and I must say that it's hard to understand some people do this every week. But I looked so dolled up this evening with my summer dress I provided some entertainment to Kathy and Linda. Fireflies are out. I'm enjoying the prime view of waterfalls on East River on my run every morning. Not working is like everyday is Sunday. Not bad. Not bad at all.
on july 1, 2008 @ 12:30 am [link]
The third day of my staycation was the first day that I didn't have to set my alarm, although the kitty alarm by Coco has been quite ruthless. First two days I kept busy being a foodie at Fancy Food Show at Javits Center. Yesterday I tasted all kinds of food products across this enormous convention. There's so much products out there, some are puzzling like, why would I ever buy this? Like a brownie on a stick appropriately called 'Brownie Pops.' At the end of the day I really couldn't tell the difference between this cheese and that cheese or this pasta and that pasta. There seemed to be too much chocolate and cookies and chips in this world while they talk about food shortage. And I must say most of the fake soy meat were so horrible I don't understand that people expect me to serve it in my restaurant because it's named SOY. Anyway, I am truly enjoying not 'working' at least in my restaurant, although I know some people are freaked out not being able to get their fix of spicy tuna bowl, ginger lemonade, curry and croquette or niku jaga. I got my manicure and pedicure done at a salon first time ever in my life and I must say that it's hard to understand some people do this every week. But I looked so dolled up this evening with my summer dress I provided some entertainment to Kathy and Linda. Fireflies are out. I'm enjoying the prime view of waterfalls on East River on my run every morning. Not working is like everyday is Sunday. Not bad. Not bad at all.
on july 1, 2008 @ 12:30 am [link]