A Homeless Blog

Beer and Water Morning Glory

I'm not a beer person. If I can choose, I'd rather drink Single Malt. But I have become more acquainted to beer lately. Why? I guess it's the easiest thing for someone who live alone and doesn't drink that much, but still like to drink a little :P

(BTW, for those who knows, I found Glenmorengie 10 yrs, Ardbeg, Glenlivet 12 yrs, and some other unimportant ones)

Anyway...back to the story. I went to Jusco at Aeon (which is even further than Seiyu, my regular supermarket)...walked around and got Beard Papa's Cream Puff and a cone of Vanilla ice cream. Almost bought FF Advent Children, but broke lah :P

Then, on my way back, I stopped by Seiyu for some grocery. In the beer section, I saw something I couldn't believe. My surprise #1, a tini-tiny can of beer...almost like a shot. I couldn't help but thinking whether it'd sell because, as many people might already know, Japanese are very tolerant to beer (some said it's in their gene). They drink beer like water here. So, what a mini-me of the mini-me of Japanese beer is doing on the shelf. I eventually decided to buy many sizes of Asahi beer just because of that.


From the picture above, look at the furthest one (considering the 2nd one from the front is a regular 350-ml can). That's so tiny. Only 135ml. That's amost like a shot of Espresso. Maybe it's just for quitting drinking.

Later on, I also found an amazing surprise #2. Water Morning Glory or ผักบุ้ง. I was so happy I paid 138 Yen for it. I see boil rice. I see Water Morning Glory stir fried with oystersauce :9

At home, my surprise #3 is that my "left-over" fried rice actually taste pretty good :P

posted by Bikku @ 7:26 PM 5 comments

My Osaka Trip (Part 3: Osaka Aquarium)

Herr...eventually the last episode. I actually wanted to do this thing in one shot, but it's gonna be too damn long. Anyway, today's about the Osaka Aquarium.

After I woke up and got ready to go out from the Senrioka House, we went on motorcycles (sitting in the back, actually) going for the train station. Haven't ridden (in the back of) a motorcycle for a while...it kind reminded me of Thailand.

Well...anyway, I went separate way...away from the gang at the Shin-Osaka station...waving goodbye...and headed for the Osaka Aquarium.

I went early, about an hour early. But the line was already long, at least in my view. I stood there with all the people, mostly came with family...perhaps a couple of little cute kids. Hmm...I have always wonder why Japanese children are so cute and adorable.

I eventually got to pay a hefty 2,000 Yen and walked in the front door. People there greeted me with a friendly smile, just like elsewhere in Japan. After that, it's all like a photo shoot session. I took a photo of everything. Although the lighting was a big problem, and the creatures moved so fast, I managed to squeeze some photos to be shown here...


I spent good two hours at the aquarium and came out with satisfaction. After that, it was just a long long walk with nothing accomplished. I meant to go to Numba and to find good Okonomiyaki for lunch. But walking without an actual map turned out to be a very bad idea. I walked and walked anyway...because I still enjoyed everything around me. Only that there's no Okonomiyaki in sight anywhere. Just shopping.

I eventually settled down with a cheap beef on rice, thinking I better spend on good Okonomiyaki next time. Then, I tried to go to Tennoji Temple...which should be close to the Thai Food Fest. I thought...that's my last stop before saying goodbye. But, I walked and walked again and again for hours...couldn't find the temple!?!

I eventually (again) gave up and headed for the Thai Food Fest. Bought some Beard Papa's cream puff for the people at the festival. Said goodbye. And left for Okazaki.

Too bad it was a short trip...but I have a feeling I'll go back to Osaka again. Until then...

posted by Bikku @ 11:08 PM 2 comments

Ela E Carioca

It's been a while that I haven't put a song here. I meant to put it on for some time, but something else seems more important. So here it is... Ela E Carioca! (by Jobim & Morelenbaum, I believe)

posted by Bikku @ 1:30 AM 4 comments

My Osaka Trip (Part 2: The Osaka Castle)

Now let's continue. Actually I don't have much to say. During the Thai Food Fest, I asked a fellow Thai student where I should visit. The guy recommended "Namba" - an area of shopping (that I realized once I get there). So Numba I went. I was walking around the area for a little while...had no idea where I was. I saw many deliciously-looked restaurants, but I was too full from Thai food. So I didn't have a chance to try some Okonomiyaki or Takoyaki :(

After a little while, I decided to go to the Osaka Castle. Not knowing the way, I asked at an information counter...where I got a subway map (a lifesaver for my trip). It was quite a train ride and quite a walk to Osaka Castle. I spent about 2 hours outside and inside of the castle...took tons of pictures. Since I went alone, I don't have much story to tell except the pictures I took. Here they are...

posted by Bikku @ 8:50 PM 3 comments

There's Something About Curry

Originally I wanted to continue on the Osaka story, but something comes up. Yes...I made curry today. Since I don't want to make Tonkatsu in my little studio apartment, where I happened to sleep right next to the kitchen, I decided to make ground beef curry and throw in a boiled egg and some cabbage :9


So...I can't help but to talk about it a little, even just to show the picture. I don't know, but there's something about me and Japanese curry. I just love it!

P.S. I gotta study...so if I'm done with study not too late, I'll be back for the Osaka Sequel ;)

posted by Bikku @ 7:56 PM 4 comments

My Osaka Trip (Part 1: Thai Food Fest)

I used to say to myself that I would never do a sequel, but I guess I was wrong. As the name might give it away, there will be a sequel to this one. So many things happened in my two-day Osaka trip. I guess I'll talk about the most important thing first, the Thai Food Festival. So I caught my Shinkansen to Osaka...


Thai Food Fest was one of the reason, among many, that I went to Osaka yesterday. Of course, I want to eat some Thai food (very satisfied, indeed) and I had a chance to meet other Thai students. Plus, I could get the cellphone from Jill right away. Thanks na krab, N'Jill :)


So...I went straight from Okazaki to Nagoya to Shin-Osaka to Tennoji Station (well...that wasn't quite a straight route, is it?). Anyway, I saw so many people coming to the Thai Food Fest...and the festival was quite big. Almost 30 Thai restaurants joined. Since I only know Jill, and she had to work. So I just walked around and enjoyed the festival. Here are some of the pictures taken while I was strolling around...





While I was walking around, I met a bunch of Thai students promoting the Thai Student Association in Japan: Kansai. A very interesting website, indeed. I actually had a very long, enjoyable chat with many of the Thai (and also Japaneses who speak Thai). It always gives a good feeling to meet wonderful Thai people when you just arrived in a foreign country alone. I spent so much time talking Thai with the Thais...I almost forgot that I came here to learn Japanese :P

In the afternoon, I took off for Namba and Osaka Castle...which will be in the "Part 2" of this series. In all, I had a heck of a good time at the Thai Food Fest.


The festival ended around 8PM. Originally, I planned to try out one the capsule hotel in Osaka. But Jill's friends are kind enough to host me for the night. So...I was waiting for Jill and helped a restaurant clean up. I guess it's a Thai thing...couldn't just stand there and watch them (who already worked so hard all day) . Anyway, it was fun...reminds me a lot when I helped out at About Bangkok.

Towards the end of this one, I want to express many thanks to the Senrioka Gang: Ae, Ple, Palang, and Taweii ...(hope I'm spelling everything right). Especially, Taweii who let me sleep in his room before he knows it. Without them, I would end up in a small capsule...perhaps with a bunch of old and drunk businessmen...somewhere in downtown Osaka. I hope everybody enjoyed the Beard Papa's Creme Puff :9

posted by Bikku @ 10:21 PM 2 comments

Laundry Laundry (洗濯 - せんたく)

I really have nothing much to write...really. Maybe it is because I'm taking on Japanese. Have to study every day. But tomorrow will be a holiday...that means laundry day for me. I actually have been procrastinating my laundry for about a week now...for reasons that there's no dryer (I'll have to hand my clothes within my room) and that I still have more undies :P But that will run out sooner or later. Probably sooner, I think. So I guess I'll do laundry tomorrow.

Another reason I am afraid of laundry is that all the buttons are in Japanese. I'm just afraid that I'll push the wrong button and all my undies will become maroon. But well...I'll do it. And I'll come back to update this blog. [Saturday Night]


きょうしつから。。。　
わたしは　タイから　きました。　どうぞ　よろしく　おねがいします。



[Friday Morning] Ok...I put all the clothes in. Had no idea...so I just push several buttons. The only button I know is the "sataato" button. Here's how it looks. I've gotta figure it out some day ~~


[Friday Late Morning] ...pheeew... I finally finished hanging my clothes. The washing machine did a pretty good job in damping the clothes. It's not almost dry, but not soggy either. Better job than I expect (from a free laundry :P). One lesson I learned today though. Don't do two loads in one day...because you won't have enough place to hang it! My apartment now is officially the room of not-so-dry clothes. Can't hardly see sunlight coming in :P Hopefully they'll dry by tomorrow, in time for my Osaka trip.

In conclusion, I think laundry today was a successful mission. So I should treat myself by eating out :9

posted by Bikku @ 12:10 PM 3 comments

私は東京に行った (I went to Tokyo)

I went to Tokyo on Friday to see my cousin, who came to Japan on a business trip. We had dinner with his kind Japanese friend, who treated us with the Shabu-Shabu dinner. The dinner was quite fun with lots of suggestion for me on how to face the 'working world'. I do appreciate their valuable advice.

I stayed with my cousin on Friday night, so we had time to chat after a long time. I sent him off in the morning before I went to see my friend, Nuaa, at Shinjuku station.


Shinjuku station is a very busy station. Busy means tons and tons of people walking here and there. I was instructed to wait in front of a flower shop at the South exit. When I exit at the South exit, I immediately see the flower shop...but with a bit of (culture) shock. There were at least 20-25 people standing in front of the flower shop...looking toward the South exit. And, I was about to be one of them.


After Nuaa arrived, she brought me to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building...which let us see the view of Tokyo. It was something. Tokyo is really a mega-city. A very crowded one, indeed.

After some sightseeing and (a delicious and cheap) lunch, we went to Odaiba. There are many things at Odaiba, museums and shopping centers. But it was getting dark, and there was only one thing in our minds...a hot bath. Nuaa took me to Oedo Onsen Monogatari, an Edo-style decorations. Not only just the hot bath, but there are restaurants, foot massages, resting room, etc. We spent plenty of time there. If I have time, I'll come back and elaborate on the Onsen. Or maybe after I go back there again :P



After the Onsen, it was late...and Nuaa was kind enough to offer me a place to sleep. Well, that's because there is a guest room at the dorm (such a nice dorm!). In the morning, Nuaa was kind enough (again) to make a nice breakfast. Luckily I was quick enough to take the picture of my breakfast before gobbling in.


After the breakfast, I went on the mini tour of the International Christian University (ICU). I know this university for a long time since I worked at Thammasat, but this is my first time seeing it. Well...it's like locating in the forest. Lots of trees. A very green campus, indeed.


Before leaving, we had lunch. Ramen and Soba, to be specific. The Ramen shop was a very small one with a counter for 10-15 people to sit and eat. Behind the counter, there were 3 people cooking...quickly and smoothly. We had to be in a line and wait until some people finished their meal. Before we knew it, the line got so long. Well...the noodles were so delicious, I didn't say much through out the meal. I guess (because I didn't really see me) I had a very "satisfied" expression on my face when I walked out from that Ramen place.


But that's not all. We went for dessert. A French patisseries nearby. Oh...delicious cakes and chocolates. Rich and dense. Along with strong and beautiful coffee. It had made my day.

posted by Bikku @ 9:17 PM 6 comments