Times Like These

Well, I think I might finally be back on track. Blog-wise, that is. So much had been happened ever since I began college that I haven't fully gotten the change to sit and focus on my thoughts rather than events. Although, there is a new event that I have to cover. But I will make sure to throw in the usual memory slot, a slew of photos, some interesting news I've stumbled upon, and some Morning Musume updates. Whew. Let's get this party started.

I'll start out with what's on my mind right now.

Taro.

I drink taro bubble tea all the time, and after making several trips to Han's, I couldn't help but notice a box of taro roots in the front with the other veggies. It made me wonder... What else can you make with taro? Is it delicious? So, that's what I'm doing. Looking up taro recipes. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

So far I've read that you CANNOT EAT A TARO ROOT RAW. It's deathinous. I mean, poisonous. So, don't do that. You should also wear gloves while working with them because the skin contains some kind of irritant. There's also two different kinds of taro. One comes from Asia and the other from India(is that right?). The difference is in shape. One is fat and round and the other is long.

It is also mentioned that you can use most potato recipes with taro. I wonder if it has the same sweetness as the tea.



Onward to the next point of business(is that even how you spell it?).

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=447527&in_page_id=1770&in_page_id=1770&expand=true

This news article is pretty interesting. This cutie face cat just mosies onto a train a couple times a week to go to a fish and chips shop. He knows the bus schedule better than me. Well, I guess it's not that hard...but this is a cat.

I wonder why he does that. Did he used to ride the train with his owner? Then, he got left behind or something? Is it just habit, or does he really go to do something? To eat? Does he go to a person's house for food or shelter? Is he homeless, or do his people just let him roam like that?

So, I just now took a break from blogging to get some food. Just as I realized I was getting hungry, I also realized that dinner had just closed, the den wasn't open, I am out of milk for cereal, and quiznos is too far of a walk because they don't deliver.

But then...there's always that Diantemente whatever place just a few minutes away. It's probably about the same distance to the cafeteria from my room. I still didn't want to make the trip, but I was hungry. So, I got my coat and put my shoes on(subconciously. I was trying not to think about what I was doing so I couldn't convince myself not to go) and I was off.

As I started down the sidewalk, I noticed a figure coming in my direction. It was a girl my size, walking briskly. It's always awkward to met someone on a sidewalk. You try not to look at each other and carefully postition yourself on the side of the cement so you won't touch each other as you pass.

Well, we did that. But then, just as we passed, she said, "Hi." So, I quickly responded, "Hello." And we continued on our seperate ways.

Did I know her?

Anyway, I finally got there and got in line for pizzzzzzaaaa...

Well, it wasn't really a line. There was one guy kind of half standing in front of the counter, so I stood a good distance behind/away from him, but sort of still in view.

Then one of the sleezier looking guys from behind the counter just pointed at me. For a long time. I wasn't really paying much attention; in fact, I was staring at the candy. He was doing that drilling pointing. Not like, "Hey, look. A girl." It was more like, "YOUUUUU COMMMMMMEE HEREEEEEE."

After I ordered the guy left to do something elsewhere and then the less sleezy guy served me. I don't think it's really the guy that's sleezy, it's just the whole place and because he works there it's like the sleeziness has leaked on him for too long.

Anyway, this guy gave me my food and was like, "Heeeeere you go. I like your jacket. Have a nice night!!!!"

.......................................

He liked my jackeeeeeeeeeeet!

It's times like these that make me really happy. I love it when people are nice to me. It makes my entire day worth surviving.

~~~~~~~

I've recently come upon some brilliant cosplay and photography. You'll have to look to see for yourself. These are the people I admire most.

http://snowpeachdrop.deviantart.com/gallery/
http://behindinfinity.deviantart.com/gallery/
http://pandarosi.deviantart.com/gallery/
http://slumberdoll.deviantart.com/gallery/

~~~~~~~

(It is now Sunday, Novemeber 11th because I'm a slacker and can't finish a post in one day.)

I just got back from Han's and Price Chopper. That is the absolute WORST hill to walk up in the world. In fact, I might just ask mom to bring a level when she comes up this weekend just so I can see how steep it really is. I'm telling you... that hill could kill someone.

I picked up some very colorful tapioca pearls from Han's so I'm trying to look up a couple things about them. I want to know what other things they are used for besides bubble tea. I might try making taro bubble tea from scratch someday when I'm ambitious. Perhaps I could grab a taro root from Han's and try to whip something up.

On the wikipedia it says, "In Southeast Asia, a common way of preparation is either to cut it in slices, wedges or strips, fried, and served as a snack, similar to potato chips, wedges and french fries."

POTATO CHIPS?! Oh my! Who would have thought?

"Tapioca sinks freighter"

What's this?

Wow. According to this webpage (http://www.snopes.com/food/prepare/tapioca.asp) there was a fire on a giant ship that was carrying tons of tapioca in its hold. They wet it down for days, but because of the heat and the water, it actually cooked all of the tapioca, resulting in a zillion tons of tapioca pudding, nearly busting the ship apart.

Now that's interesting. Haha.

Moving on...

I went with Ari to an event here called International Night. It was supposedly a mandatory event, but there wasn't anyone there taking names or anything. But it was a lot of fun, and I'm really glad we went. Originally, we weren't going to, but then Ari started bouncing around and telling me they had henna tattoos.

...................

What?

So it was settled that we had to go because I didn't know what henna tattoos were.
When we got there we were immediatly wowed. Anyway, it was the music that hit us. Drumming and dancing. It was so great.

Here's a short clip. I'd like to post the 4 minute clip, but I haven' gotten around to uploading it yet. If I get around to it I'll post it.


Online Videos by Veoh.com

The two people dancing are Francis and Kati. Francis is amazing. He's so polite and nice to everyone. He's really easy to talk to too. He's from Myanmar(Burma) and has been going to this school for two years now. He hasn't been about to contact his family or friends since the second week of school because the Myanmar government has shut down all communication with the outside world like internet and telephone service. I encourage you to check out this webpage and to search for others to learn about what has been going on there.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22515138-661,00.html

I just can't figure out why the government would do this to its own people. Eugh....
Francis actually had a petition that people were signing to send to the Burmese govenment to let them know that people in the United States know what's going on and that this isn't the secret they think it is. You see, the government reported about 100 deaths, not the thousands that really occured. The whole point of cutting them off from the rest of the world is so that other countries can't come in and stop this either. There was also a Wear Red for Burma Day here. I wan't out much that day, but I did wear a red t-shirt to supper that night, and when we saw Francis he said that a lot of people were. I was glad.

There were also some Turkish dancer there.


Online Videos by Veoh.com

Ari, Adrienne, Jimm-ah and I all got some photos taken and we concoted some pretty fun poses. They're supposedly going to be in the yearbook, but I don't see how they could put in every photo that every person took there. I wish we could have just gotten the photos there, but we'll just have to wait and see. They were realy great though.

As for the henna tattoos, this is how mine came out.



Apparently it's just a stain from some plant juice. I like it. Ari was talking about ordering some online which I think would be fun. I would want one on my wrist :]

Sorry that I have to cut this short. I know I said I would get back on track, but I'm really quite exhausted and not feeling well, so I need to lay down for a while. My computer is also having some troubles and I need to help her out a bit.

Sorry!

-Lisa