Chop Suey

Since I don't quite remember what happened during my hiatus, I have taken a Chop Suey approach - random pieces of information that are disconnected but have somehow consumed my every last bit of energy in the past few months. Let’s start with Shaun the Sheep. As Britain’s most beloved star, this adorable character made his debut in America as the perfect icon for Serta Mattress Co. I was given the opportunity to meet this fellow and his gang, and even hug them and pick their noses. Contrary to popular belief, Shaun is not soft but rather firm like a good ol’ sturdy mattress. Their white and fluffy bodies portrayed so soft and heavenly, part of animation being a beautiful and harmless lie. I can’t believe how much these guys sell for: small at $10, large at $400! As much as I love this creature, I did not buy a Serta mattress but I did enjoy napping with the mascot.

Mattress shopping is tiring - ironic but true. I am used to sleeping on one bed for at least 6 hours. Going from bed to bed, trying to differentiate the softness between them became impossible the more beds I tested. Pretty soon, my opinion of each bed was “soft, they are all very soft” until…I met THE ONE. Simmons Beautyrest Worldclass Atkins X-Firm – the ultimate perfect bed. It was all very complicated and contradicting, like falling in love – soft but firm, springy but not bouncy, flexible but holds its shape. This bed is absolutely amazing.

On a different note, Bryan and I went to the Hawaii Book and Music Festival at Honolulu Hale back in May. The highlight of this event was getting to see Jake Shimabukuro perform. He is a very talented musician and plays so passionately. I love how he turns melodies normally played with a piano or another instrument into an ukelele masterpiece.

Corned Beef Musubi Eating Contest

On a bright Saturday morning, Bryan and I had nothing to do. Actually, Bryan had to work and I had nothing to do. While I was going back and forth between the couch and the kitchen, the phone rang. I thought to myself, "Gosh, do I have to get my lazy butt off this comfortable couch, full of loving pillows and gentle softness? What could be better than what I am feeling now. Arrrgh! Fine, this better be good!" So I climbed off the couch and answered the phone. Bryan asked, "You wanna go Corned Beef Musibi Eating Contest at Walmart?" Chewing on my Granola (without oatmeal or cereal - total yummy deliciousness), I mumbled "yes" when all I could hear were "eating...Walmart."

We arrived at the contest just in time to see the actual eating without the intro and other junk. There were two females and maybe 22 guys. I was so bummed that they had a best female prize which I could've won if I had entered the contest. I can eat and I can eat fast, despite the painful after-meal heartburn. Anyway, the contest was eat 15 corned beef musubi in 5 minutes. Most contestants couldn't finish and only one person (the winner) ate 15. One of the female contestants ate 6 which was amazing considering her small size. We got to try samples after the contest and I am glad I didn't enter because the corned beef was tough! Regardless, we had a great time because we got to see our favorite Tony Solis in action. As you can see, I tried to take a photo of him but I got caught red-handed.

On a separate note, I totally love the song Summertime by New Kids on the Block. However, the music video completely ruins the love story I had in my mind when I first listened to the song. Grrr, why they gotta put dancing slutty females and pretend romance in the video for!

Yaku-doshi Celebration

This past weekend, HappyOblivion and I attended my friend's Yakudoshi party to celebrate his birthday. Bad luck years are referred to as yaku-doshi, with yaku meaning “calamity” or “calamitous” and doshi signifying “years”. These years are considered critical or dangerous because they are believed to bring bad luck or disaster. So, people throw a big party to drive away the bad luck. Of course, this is superstition in the Japanese culture.

The party rocked, literally! The birthday boy is a musician and he plays in a couple bands. One of them is named "The Desert Sea" and they played rock music at the party. My favorite used to be "Another Movie" until I heard "Moon Rise", their newest song. The lyrics are romantic and I love how the music transitions from very quiet to blasting rock! I am sure there is a music term for what I just described...   

Food food food, lots of food! Out in the yard, there was a sushi stand and a tempura table. Inside the house were homemade food - special rice that you must eat to drive away the bad luck for the birthday boy, more fish, noodles, beef, chicken, etc. I ate so much I had to sit on the couch the last hour of the party. 

Everywhere was entertainment. Outside had the band. The TV was showing movies after movies, all Pixar. Wii games in another room. Playroom upstairs where we had loads of fun playing with random toys and pigs. We toured the birthday boy's guitar room (I lost count on the number of guitars in the room). 

Well, what about the most memorable part of the party? When we sang Happy Birthday to the special boy. He wore a traditional Japanese gown, a non-traditional birthday hat, and a Hawaiian lei. So hilarious. While everyone was singing, the daughter nibbled on a corner of the cake. I caught her red-handed with the camera! Such a happy family ey?

Chemistry

If you love Jpop, I recommend Fo(U)r by Chemistry. I don't understand Japanese but out of all their CD's so far, this one is THE BEST! Makes you fall in love with music again.

One more exam to go tomorrow and I am free! My life has been crappy all week long. No Costco, Walmart, shopping, Taiko drumming, no nothing! Tomorrow, I will go crazy! First stop, mail my stupid taxes, then American Eagles, Ross, Walmart, then Golden Coin for a delicious halo halo. Can't wait to be me again.