Warmth
Today was warm,
for the first time in a long time.
Walking outside was no longer physically painful.
I enjoyed the warm, clear weather.
Soon the cold will begin again.
for the first time in a long time.
Walking outside was no longer physically painful.
I enjoyed the warm, clear weather.
Soon the cold will begin again.
Murakami & Murakami
Lately I have been enjoying my rides on the subway,
Reading Ryu Murakami's "Coin Locker Babies" (コインロッカー・ベイビーズ) helps pass the time.
I am absolutely astonished by the quality of the writing.
I am also fond of another Murakami --- Haruki.
I read The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle (ねじまき鳥クロニクル) last spring and I loved it.
I also read Norwegian Wood (ノルウェイの森), and while it was nice, I found it less my style,
I like his other works a lot more.
Prior to reading these authors, I have been relatively unacquainted with contemporary (living) Japanese authors. I have been very impressed by these authors and their works.
I read all the time,
because when I was a young boy,
my parents converted the library of our house,
into my bedroom,
because they wanted my brother and I to have separate rooms
(perhaps we quarreled often?)
Since then, I have added many of my own books to the library.
It is a pleasant place for me, my room.
Soon, I will move away from home once again,
and leave the room behind.
I'll bring the books.
Reading Ryu Murakami's "Coin Locker Babies" (コインロッカー・ベイビーズ) helps pass the time.
I am absolutely astonished by the quality of the writing.
I am also fond of another Murakami --- Haruki.
I read The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle (ねじまき鳥クロニクル) last spring and I loved it.
I also read Norwegian Wood (ノルウェイの森), and while it was nice, I found it less my style,
I like his other works a lot more.
Prior to reading these authors, I have been relatively unacquainted with contemporary (living) Japanese authors. I have been very impressed by these authors and their works.
I read all the time,
because when I was a young boy,
my parents converted the library of our house,
into my bedroom,
because they wanted my brother and I to have separate rooms
(perhaps we quarreled often?)
Since then, I have added many of my own books to the library.
It is a pleasant place for me, my room.
Soon, I will move away from home once again,
and leave the room behind.
I'll bring the books.
Izakaya
Last night,
Dr. Bermuda took several of his students
to an izakaya.
We were very happy to receive this honor.
The food was delicious.
The sake was even better.
It was my first time at a Japanese izakaya,
so I did not know what to expect.
Our mentor educates us not only on techniques in research and medicine,
but also how to match the right type of sake with the right type of fish,
which beer is suitable for each situation,
and how to drink like a doctor, not a mere student.
I loved the izakaya so much,
I returned the next day!
I began with a course of fluke,
a type of fish I often caught on the seashore as a young boy:
I continued with a course of Tuna tartar,
a variation on the more common Beef tartar
(raw beef) served in French restaurants.
It was amazing:
Following this, a course of salmon and ikura,
(the Japanese word "ikura" comes from the
Russian word "ikra", used for the eggs of salmon:
Now, I am hungry for uni, so I indulge in soba
covered with the juices of sea urchin:
Following this, a course of beef tongue,
reminding me of the dish
my mother serves at home:
And finally, dessert,
a black sesame crème brûlée:
All of course, were properly administered with liberal doses of sake,
as according to Bermuda-sensei's instructions.
Dr. Bermuda took several of his students
to an izakaya.
We were very happy to receive this honor.
The food was delicious.
The sake was even better.
It was my first time at a Japanese izakaya,
so I did not know what to expect.
Our mentor educates us not only on techniques in research and medicine,
but also how to match the right type of sake with the right type of fish,
which beer is suitable for each situation,
and how to drink like a doctor, not a mere student.
I loved the izakaya so much,
I returned the next day!
I began with a course of fluke,
a type of fish I often caught on the seashore as a young boy:
I continued with a course of Tuna tartar,
a variation on the more common Beef tartar
(raw beef) served in French restaurants.
It was amazing:
Following this, a course of salmon and ikura,
(the Japanese word "ikura" comes from the
Russian word "ikra", used for the eggs of salmon:
Now, I am hungry for uni, so I indulge in soba
covered with the juices of sea urchin:
Following this, a course of beef tongue,
reminding me of the dish
my mother serves at home:
And finally, dessert,
a black sesame crème brûlée:
All of course, were properly administered with liberal doses of sake,
as according to Bermuda-sensei's instructions.
A birthday celebration
My brother held a huge celebration for his 30th birthday.
Many old childhood friends came,
many business partners,
many good friends and acquaintances.
I also came to celebrate.
I never drank so much in my life.
Each of my brother's friends
asked to buy me a drink,
in honor of my brother's 30th birthday.
It would be very disrespectful to deny such good will.
So I drank.
And I drank.
Many different types of liquor.
30 drinks later.
I was really sick.
I learned something very important that day.
I will not abuse alcohol.
I will never overdrink.
From now on,
29 is my limit.
Many old childhood friends came,
many business partners,
many good friends and acquaintances.
I also came to celebrate.
I never drank so much in my life.
Each of my brother's friends
asked to buy me a drink,
in honor of my brother's 30th birthday.
It would be very disrespectful to deny such good will.
So I drank.
And I drank.
Many different types of liquor.
30 drinks later.
I was really sick.
I learned something very important that day.
I will not abuse alcohol.
I will never overdrink.
From now on,
29 is my limit.
iPhone creates an outline of my day
I am finally an iPhone user!
After years of using outdated flip-style phones,
I bought an intelligent device.
The majority of U.S. medical students have "smart phones",
and the iPhone is by far the most popular.
Some medical schools require either an iPhone or iPod Touch,
for 3rd and 4th year students doing clinical rotations.
This is because of the large collection of medical applications that are iPhone-exclusive.
There is also an added benefit:
I can take pictures while walking around.
Even create an outline of my day.
-----
1.) This morning, after waking up,
I took the subway from my house to Madison avenue.
The subway in New York, unlike in Tokyo, is often very dirty:
Inside the window is a poster that says,
"Constantly improving."
. . . I sure hope so.!
Our subways are dirty and do not run on time.
Their best feature is that they run 24 hours a day.
Very useful for those late nights drinking.
2.) After taking the subway to Madison avenue,
I wait for a bus.
I often like to tilt my head up.
and admire how the morning sun falls on these buildings:
It is very cold outside when I wait for the bus in the mornings.
I see the vapor of my breath each time I exhale.
3.) Upon reaching work,
Bermuda-sensei is having an interesting conversation
with one of our fellow laboratory researchers.
Our coworker attempts to convince Bermuda sensei
that Japanese men have a bodily requirement for alcohol,
and claims that the evidence is documented in a special book,
"Japanese Physiology":
What secrets does the book hold??
4.) After a long day at work,
I walk into the bar where I commonly go,
to drink Allagash White.
I set down my coat and scarf on the bench
beside my comfortable chair.
I lay a copy of the book I'm reading
on top of my coat.
It watches over me as I get progressively drunk.
Ryu Murakami's "Coin Locker Babies":
It is a fascinating novel.
5.) I don't normally read in the bar, however.
Instead,
leaning back,
I enjoy Allagash White:
Like seeing an old friend at the end of a long hard day,
Allagash White brings on a warm feeling
as I feel the strings in my body and brain become loose.
I am relaxed.
The beer is cold and delicious.
After years of using outdated flip-style phones,
I bought an intelligent device.
The majority of U.S. medical students have "smart phones",
and the iPhone is by far the most popular.
Some medical schools require either an iPhone or iPod Touch,
for 3rd and 4th year students doing clinical rotations.
This is because of the large collection of medical applications that are iPhone-exclusive.
There is also an added benefit:
I can take pictures while walking around.
Even create an outline of my day.
-----
1.) This morning, after waking up,
I took the subway from my house to Madison avenue.
The subway in New York, unlike in Tokyo, is often very dirty:
Inside the window is a poster that says,
"Constantly improving."
. . . I sure hope so.!
Our subways are dirty and do not run on time.
Their best feature is that they run 24 hours a day.
Very useful for those late nights drinking.
2.) After taking the subway to Madison avenue,
I wait for a bus.
I often like to tilt my head up.
and admire how the morning sun falls on these buildings:
It is very cold outside when I wait for the bus in the mornings.
I see the vapor of my breath each time I exhale.
3.) Upon reaching work,
Bermuda-sensei is having an interesting conversation
with one of our fellow laboratory researchers.
Our coworker attempts to convince Bermuda sensei
that Japanese men have a bodily requirement for alcohol,
and claims that the evidence is documented in a special book,
"Japanese Physiology":
What secrets does the book hold??
4.) After a long day at work,
I walk into the bar where I commonly go,
to drink Allagash White.
I set down my coat and scarf on the bench
beside my comfortable chair.
I lay a copy of the book I'm reading
on top of my coat.
It watches over me as I get progressively drunk.
Ryu Murakami's "Coin Locker Babies":
It is a fascinating novel.
5.) I don't normally read in the bar, however.
Instead,
leaning back,
I enjoy Allagash White:
Like seeing an old friend at the end of a long hard day,
Allagash White brings on a warm feeling
as I feel the strings in my body and brain become loose.
I am relaxed.
The beer is cold and delicious.