"...Only by achieving true unagi can you be prepared for any danger that may befall you..."
Today I am in a semi-unagific state. I am hitting the job search from a different angle today.
Unagi
CBC
xx
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Monday, 1 March 2010
New month. New challenges
Hello www! As it's the first of March today it's a great day to post and reflect on the previous month and the month to come.First of all, I just wanted to tell you about the latest manifestation of my Japanese interest: Wasabi flavoured Pringles! I know this sounds crazy and slightly disgusting but if you are a fan of Japanese flavours like myself, you will find this a welcome snack.While plodding around my nearest Tesco store on my lunch break on Saturday, I stumbled wearily across a new offer on new Pringle flavours for 99p. On closer inspection, there was one labelled 'Fiery Wasabi'. Crazy CBC grabbed a tin and headed back to the bookshop. Once you've scoffed quite a few in succession and give your lips a lick, the crisps do taste remarkably like wasabi and really do pack that mad wasabi punch! My new crisp love...
As I have started on a wasabi note, I might as well talk about my dismay to waking up one morning and finding seaweed scraps strewn all over the kitchen floor. On looking into my sushi supplies, I find that three of four of my packs of 10 seaweed sheets had been ripped open and crushed. For some reason which I cannot comprehend, my 'father' has ripped open three identical packs because he was looking for something to eat. He knows that this is one of the few things that keeps me happy but he destroys them all even when he did not even know what they were in the first place. Intelligence personified!
The month of February has been a bit of a rubbish one when it comes to making progress with job applications. Everyone I have chased up has either been out to lunch, away from the office or sick. No one has bothered to get back to me. I've been so close to giving up. I feel like I'm in a vicious cycle of applications and rejections or blatant disregard for the fact that the name on the application which probably took the sender HOURS to complete is an ACTUAL person. I just can't wait to get out of this rut. I really want to do something to help people who had gone through a similar thing as myself in the future. It just makes you think that as a reasonably educated individual, if you aren't capable of getting a response to an application then would you really have wanted to work for such a company in the first place? I do however appreciate that where there are thousands of applicants for very few positions, it is sometimes difficult to respond to all of them. In this case I think firms/companies should have some form of automated 'receipt of application' process in place so that they need not waste time sending responses out but every application sent receives an automated email. That way, you don't end up with a generation of depressed, demotivated and unemployed young people who have given up on life simply because they waste their time on job applications which don't get acknowledged (that is not to say that every application should be a successful one- that'd breed complacency). Just my two (sometimes over-emotional) cents...
So onto March, there are a few positions I have applied for for which I am remaining optimistic though I am seriously considering Mc Donalds as a short term solution. In all seriousness I'm still remaining upbeat and keeping the apps going.
Off to get some dinner and rest my eyes. Last night I somehow managed to read a book in about 2 hours. Tonight may not be as productive...
CBC
xoxo
As I have started on a wasabi note, I might as well talk about my dismay to waking up one morning and finding seaweed scraps strewn all over the kitchen floor. On looking into my sushi supplies, I find that three of four of my packs of 10 seaweed sheets had been ripped open and crushed. For some reason which I cannot comprehend, my 'father' has ripped open three identical packs because he was looking for something to eat. He knows that this is one of the few things that keeps me happy but he destroys them all even when he did not even know what they were in the first place. Intelligence personified!
The month of February has been a bit of a rubbish one when it comes to making progress with job applications. Everyone I have chased up has either been out to lunch, away from the office or sick. No one has bothered to get back to me. I've been so close to giving up. I feel like I'm in a vicious cycle of applications and rejections or blatant disregard for the fact that the name on the application which probably took the sender HOURS to complete is an ACTUAL person. I just can't wait to get out of this rut. I really want to do something to help people who had gone through a similar thing as myself in the future. It just makes you think that as a reasonably educated individual, if you aren't capable of getting a response to an application then would you really have wanted to work for such a company in the first place? I do however appreciate that where there are thousands of applicants for very few positions, it is sometimes difficult to respond to all of them. In this case I think firms/companies should have some form of automated 'receipt of application' process in place so that they need not waste time sending responses out but every application sent receives an automated email. That way, you don't end up with a generation of depressed, demotivated and unemployed young people who have given up on life simply because they waste their time on job applications which don't get acknowledged (that is not to say that every application should be a successful one- that'd breed complacency). Just my two (sometimes over-emotional) cents...
So onto March, there are a few positions I have applied for for which I am remaining optimistic though I am seriously considering Mc Donalds as a short term solution. In all seriousness I'm still remaining upbeat and keeping the apps going.
Off to get some dinner and rest my eyes. Last night I somehow managed to read a book in about 2 hours. Tonight may not be as productive...
CBC
xoxo
Saturday, 30 January 2010
"It was the most mournful pee I've ever had in my life..."
I'm watching Russell Brand's Ponderland on love and this fabulous title comes from a woman describing meeting the love of her life...you couldn't make it up.
I went to the Japan Centre again last week and to my delight, there are now TWO different stores: one for food and another for literature and culture. I was low on sushi ingredients and so went to stock up on rice, seasonings, wasabi and soy sauce. However, something shiny and sharp caught my attention. A thing of beauty. A Japanese knife! Now to some that might seem a little scary. I haven't suddenly turned homicidal. It's just that after a while of roughly cut sushi, having neat edges seems like a dream!
*sigh*
Additionally, I seem to be cooking a lot more in recent weeks. Like for example, a lovely friend at work made some chocolate fudge and shared this (a whole SKIP-LOAD) with me. After SERIOUSLY gorgeing on the fudge, I nabbed the recipe and last night, attempted to make some. For a first attempt, it didn't half turn out bad www! So I spent my Friday evening making fudge. In my pyjamas...I fear I may have aged 20 years for 2010! Good grief!
I must say I am embracing the "F**k it" philosophy this year. Eff it need not mean that things which need to be taken seriously aren't. It just means that insignificant things in relation to the 'grand scheme' aren't turned into bigger things than they need to be. Also moaning about any and every thing which are not in one's control will not be happening in CBCs world this year. (I will endeavour not to www...) So saying that, I must have a problem but I just do not get the current obsession of some of my peers with the opposite sex, dating etc. Now of course a lot of this blog has been about my romantic feelings towards certain people, unrequited feelings and just men in general. I do look after the 'Popular Psychology' section in the bookshop and also read a lot of relationship books out of interest. However, I am a bit annoyed with some people who can barely walk a few feet down a street without assessing which men in the vicinity are attractive, interested in them and with whom they see potential. Forgive me for not giving a flying fuck! Sheesh...
So enough of the ranting tonight, I am off looking for jobbies and keeping optimistic despite feeling utterly shafted by the bookshop. Tut...onwards and UPwards
CBC
xx
I went to the Japan Centre again last week and to my delight, there are now TWO different stores: one for food and another for literature and culture. I was low on sushi ingredients and so went to stock up on rice, seasonings, wasabi and soy sauce. However, something shiny and sharp caught my attention. A thing of beauty. A Japanese knife! Now to some that might seem a little scary. I haven't suddenly turned homicidal. It's just that after a while of roughly cut sushi, having neat edges seems like a dream!
*sigh*
Additionally, I seem to be cooking a lot more in recent weeks. Like for example, a lovely friend at work made some chocolate fudge and shared this (a whole SKIP-LOAD) with me. After SERIOUSLY gorgeing on the fudge, I nabbed the recipe and last night, attempted to make some. For a first attempt, it didn't half turn out bad www! So I spent my Friday evening making fudge. In my pyjamas...I fear I may have aged 20 years for 2010! Good grief!
I must say I am embracing the "F**k it" philosophy this year. Eff it need not mean that things which need to be taken seriously aren't. It just means that insignificant things in relation to the 'grand scheme' aren't turned into bigger things than they need to be. Also moaning about any and every thing which are not in one's control will not be happening in CBCs world this year. (I will endeavour not to www...) So saying that, I must have a problem but I just do not get the current obsession of some of my peers with the opposite sex, dating etc. Now of course a lot of this blog has been about my romantic feelings towards certain people, unrequited feelings and just men in general. I do look after the 'Popular Psychology' section in the bookshop and also read a lot of relationship books out of interest. However, I am a bit annoyed with some people who can barely walk a few feet down a street without assessing which men in the vicinity are attractive, interested in them and with whom they see potential. Forgive me for not giving a flying fuck! Sheesh...
So enough of the ranting tonight, I am off looking for jobbies and keeping optimistic despite feeling utterly shafted by the bookshop. Tut...onwards and UPwards
CBC
xx
Saturday, 12 September 2009
A Saturday Evening 'Quickie'
So, it's late and I am absolutely shattered. What an interesting day. I have been excited for a while to learn that Levi Roots was coming to the bookshop to sign copies of his new book. He did not disappoint. I guess I was a little disappointed that his publicist seemed to de-personalise the experience by constantly being at his side. Then again, it was her job so I cannot fault her for doing it... was just glad to have been able to assist in setting up for the 'event'. And hey, at least I got my book signed (by giving it to a smiley person in the queue with my name on a post-it for her to present to Levi for him to sign)
*sigh*
Past disappointment. Am over it already. I just wanted to do a quick post on some of my adventures of the last week...as in during the week.
On Wednesday 9th Sept, I took a trip down to Piccadilly Circus and to the Japan Centre. I was extremely excited and nervous for some reason. I was afraid that I'd feel a little out of place and that everything would be in Japanese. D'oh! It was not as I expected.
I first browsed the ground floor which consisted of food and homewares. There I was able to get my sushi supplies like Seaweed Sheets, Rice, Wasabi and Rice Vinegar/ Seasoning for Sushi. I also bought some Jasmine tea bags, a bamboo mat for rolling the sushi and a tea cup. I did consider purchasing a good Japanese knife as there were really good ones there for about £6.99 but decided against it for that day and planned to buy it on another trip I would make there.
I then browsed on the basement floor which was the book section, filled with Magazines, Books and Japanese artefacts for sale. There was even a pair of 'geisha slippers' made of wood, for sale (sorry, I forgot the special name given to this type of shoe). I wanted a sushi book to give me some more ideas and inspiration for fillings, techniques and different types of sushi. (I will edit this post to include photos and links another day when I have photographed things!) I found one...I also wanted a good beginners Japanese book in addition to the one I already have and I found the staff to be very helpful and friendly and I eventually settled on a Textbook/CD combo called 'Japanese for Busy People' and is a romanised version so that the Japanese words are written phonetically to aid pronunciation. Fantastic! This will keep me occupied as I no longer have any studying to do (in the near future!)
SO I'm definately going to go back pretty soon...well when I can afford to!
I then walked from Piccadilly Circus to Leicester Square Tube Station and to a second hand bookshop on Charing Cross Road where I remembered purchasing a second hand 1800 book for Leo's birthday nearly 2 years ago.
(Such a big deal was made of this book at the time; I merely thought it was pretty and that it would be well received...which it was. It was an interesting find. However, as I hadn't really been "dating" Leo for long, this present was supposedly too thoughtful and an indication of my undying love and devotion to him forever...
*rolls eyes*
G.O.Y.** It only cost me £6! Pah!)
I love the antiquarian bookshops there and love a good bargain so ended up buying two books for £4, both of which are related to African History/ Slavery. Very interesting reading and I'll ALSO be going back there pretty soon to browse for a bit longer (by this point, the sushi rice was weighing me down a bit and it was BOILING hot on the underground)
On the walk from Piccadilly Circus to Leicester Square, I came across NUMEROUS Croatian football fans in their shirts all singing and chanting and generally looking very excited about what I now learn is the England-Croatia match which took place on that day! At the time I can remember being a little worried about the chanting and wondering what the crowds were protesting about!
All in all it was a good day and I think I will be taking a little walk and browse there after payday, which is next week!
SO that is all dear readers, I felt compelled to write this down, just in case I forgot because I really had an enjoyable day that day and made up some avocado, cucumber and red pepper sushi rolls that very evening...yumm!
Surprisingly, despite the fact that this is a long-ish post, it did not take me very long to write but I shall stop for now as I am growing increasingly weary and I have to wake up early for work in the morning...
Good Night all!
CBC
xx
** G.O.Y. = GET OVER YOURSELF!!
(It wasn't my fault that I was a good present buyer...)
*sigh*
Past disappointment. Am over it already. I just wanted to do a quick post on some of my adventures of the last week...as in during the week.
On Wednesday 9th Sept, I took a trip down to Piccadilly Circus and to the Japan Centre. I was extremely excited and nervous for some reason. I was afraid that I'd feel a little out of place and that everything would be in Japanese. D'oh! It was not as I expected.
I first browsed the ground floor which consisted of food and homewares. There I was able to get my sushi supplies like Seaweed Sheets, Rice, Wasabi and Rice Vinegar/ Seasoning for Sushi. I also bought some Jasmine tea bags, a bamboo mat for rolling the sushi and a tea cup. I did consider purchasing a good Japanese knife as there were really good ones there for about £6.99 but decided against it for that day and planned to buy it on another trip I would make there.
I then browsed on the basement floor which was the book section, filled with Magazines, Books and Japanese artefacts for sale. There was even a pair of 'geisha slippers' made of wood, for sale (sorry, I forgot the special name given to this type of shoe). I wanted a sushi book to give me some more ideas and inspiration for fillings, techniques and different types of sushi. (I will edit this post to include photos and links another day when I have photographed things!) I found one...I also wanted a good beginners Japanese book in addition to the one I already have and I found the staff to be very helpful and friendly and I eventually settled on a Textbook/CD combo called 'Japanese for Busy People' and is a romanised version so that the Japanese words are written phonetically to aid pronunciation. Fantastic! This will keep me occupied as I no longer have any studying to do (in the near future!)
SO I'm definately going to go back pretty soon...well when I can afford to!
I then walked from Piccadilly Circus to Leicester Square Tube Station and to a second hand bookshop on Charing Cross Road where I remembered purchasing a second hand 1800 book for Leo's birthday nearly 2 years ago.
(Such a big deal was made of this book at the time; I merely thought it was pretty and that it would be well received...which it was. It was an interesting find. However, as I hadn't really been "dating" Leo for long, this present was supposedly too thoughtful and an indication of my undying love and devotion to him forever...
*rolls eyes*
G.O.Y.** It only cost me £6! Pah!)
I love the antiquarian bookshops there and love a good bargain so ended up buying two books for £4, both of which are related to African History/ Slavery. Very interesting reading and I'll ALSO be going back there pretty soon to browse for a bit longer (by this point, the sushi rice was weighing me down a bit and it was BOILING hot on the underground)
On the walk from Piccadilly Circus to Leicester Square, I came across NUMEROUS Croatian football fans in their shirts all singing and chanting and generally looking very excited about what I now learn is the England-Croatia match which took place on that day! At the time I can remember being a little worried about the chanting and wondering what the crowds were protesting about!
All in all it was a good day and I think I will be taking a little walk and browse there after payday, which is next week!
SO that is all dear readers, I felt compelled to write this down, just in case I forgot because I really had an enjoyable day that day and made up some avocado, cucumber and red pepper sushi rolls that very evening...yumm!
Surprisingly, despite the fact that this is a long-ish post, it did not take me very long to write but I shall stop for now as I am growing increasingly weary and I have to wake up early for work in the morning...
Good Night all!
CBC
xx
** G.O.Y. = GET OVER YOURSELF!!
(It wasn't my fault that I was a good present buyer...)
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
I think I'm turning Japanese...
For a while now, I have had an undescribable fascination with Japan, it's culture and people. I think it's because it's so different from my own Caribbean background. I'm sure I've posted about this before, but as I'm sat listening to my Japan CD, Japanese fiction in hand and my cupboard stocked with sushi rice and sushi nori seaweed sheets, I think it's about time that I come to terms with it.
I'm not sure where this stems from to be perfectly honest. I can't remember whether this started after I first tried sushi whilst at university or when I first read/watched 'Memoirs of a Geisha' by Golden. Whereever it started, it has further deepened since I began working at the bookshop, just over a year ago. I then began to have access to Japanese fiction and crime, which quickly worked to appease my thirst for knowledge about the culture, so far away from my own.
One of my dreams, amongst many, is to visit Japan and learn about the Geisha tradition and learn more about the food too. First, I'm going to have to get to grips with the language which has taken a bit of a back seat recently...meaning I am back to square one in terms of anything I may have learnt. Still, I can count to ten!
Ichi. Ni . San. Shi. Go. Roku. Shichi. Hachi. Kyuu. Juu.
I was going to post a video of the well-known song which inspired the title of this post but on realising the hidden meaning, I think I will refrain from it...
Currently though, I am reading Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto and although it is a very short story, I haven't read enough of it to be able to comment on the book in enough detail. Needless to say, I am already enjoying it as it is the closest thing I will get to Japanese life at the moment! I should be reviewing it when I am done...which shouldn't be long now. It must be said: I love the fact that her name is Banana!
Everyone has something that they're 'into'. Find yours and get passionate about it!
CBC
x
Currently, I am listening to a song that sounds like a combination of Zouk, Soca, Pop and with Latin elements called 'Koza Renka' and is sung by Takashi Hirayasu. Love it! T'is a pity I'm not able to find an audio clip of it online.
I'm not sure where this stems from to be perfectly honest. I can't remember whether this started after I first tried sushi whilst at university or when I first read/watched 'Memoirs of a Geisha' by Golden. Whereever it started, it has further deepened since I began working at the bookshop, just over a year ago. I then began to have access to Japanese fiction and crime, which quickly worked to appease my thirst for knowledge about the culture, so far away from my own.
One of my dreams, amongst many, is to visit Japan and learn about the Geisha tradition and learn more about the food too. First, I'm going to have to get to grips with the language which has taken a bit of a back seat recently...meaning I am back to square one in terms of anything I may have learnt. Still, I can count to ten!
Ichi. Ni . San. Shi. Go. Roku. Shichi. Hachi. Kyuu. Juu.
I was going to post a video of the well-known song which inspired the title of this post but on realising the hidden meaning, I think I will refrain from it...
Currently though, I am reading Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto and although it is a very short story, I haven't read enough of it to be able to comment on the book in enough detail. Needless to say, I am already enjoying it as it is the closest thing I will get to Japanese life at the moment! I should be reviewing it when I am done...which shouldn't be long now. It must be said: I love the fact that her name is Banana!
Everyone has something that they're 'into'. Find yours and get passionate about it!
CBC
x
Currently, I am listening to a song that sounds like a combination of Zouk, Soca, Pop and with Latin elements called 'Koza Renka' and is sung by Takashi Hirayasu. Love it! T'is a pity I'm not able to find an audio clip of it online.
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