What Did I Get Myself Into?

Wow, I can't believe it's been 2 months since my last post! Since then there's actually been a lot of things going on in my life - September was tremendously busy while I tried to get back on my feet with school, starting of a new *cough* cadet *cough* year, and preparing for my interview with an English School in Japan.

Yes - I got an interview with the English school! This is all still such a fantasy to me. I finished the interview with them, and was told that I'd hear a response back within 2-3 weeks to see if I was suitable for their school and to be placed in their waitlist; Lo and behold, I got 2 job offers in 2 weeks!! Finally I've decided on going to Fukuoka next year. As of January, I'll be living in Fukuoka!!

I'd like to think that I have this all planned out. This is something I've always wanted to try, it sounds like I'm working for a great company, I love teaching, I have a place to live, I love Japanese food, fashion, plush toys... the list of pros goes on and on. I did all my research and dreamed about living there. Now that's it's becoming a reality, I can't help but question - What did I get myself into?!

The 1-year contract isn't very long... but I guess it isn't exactly a short period of time either. The more I think about it, the more I am starting to worry...! How will I actually go about my daily life in Japan? What if I miss Chinese food? What if I can't handle it over there...? The excitement quickly wore off after I've accepted the contract, and now I'm just full of anxiety as things are slowly unfolding. Now, I am just kind of mechanically going through the process now (submitting paperwork as required, booking a ticket, obtaining a visa) without much thought. I don't want to over-think it and chicken out last minute!!!!!

I guess 1 year isn't so bad... I'll have to try and see it in shorter time intervals. I mean, at the rate I am currently posting my blog, the next time I blog will be just before I leave, and then 6 blog posts later I'll be back. LOL. That.... actually sounds kind of manageable!

BFFDs

I have two BFFDs - Best Friend Forevah Dudes. I've known both of them for a very very long time. I can quite honestly say, they probably know me better than I do. You know how sometimes a girlfriend will ask her boyfriend "If I fell in the water with your mother, who would you save first?!?"? Well, I'm glad they both know how to swim, because if they both fell in the water, I wouldn't know what to do but cry. I wouldn't know how to choose.

These two ladies are so special to me. I don't think they know each other (very well) and they may not have much in common, but one thing they do have in common is their determinationand their never-ending motivation to follow their dreams. Nothing stands between them and what they believe in.

A very exciting news came from one of them today - she got shortlisted out of 2000+ applicants to go on the Travel Volunteer program from Tourism Japan. One volunteer is picked to spend 101 days in Japan, going all 47 prefectures, and blogging about his/her experience. She got shortlisted! She is off to Japan for an interview in 2 weeks...!!! And this can potentially turn into a 3-month adventure, once-in-a-lifetime experience! This is GREAT NEWS! I was so happy for her when I heard the news. I also reflected upon myself when I heard the news. What's so different between her and I? The difference is she tried. She always gives her best shot - she takes nothing lightly. Looking at her accomplishments (she has had many!) remind me that I need to always try my best and believe that I can do it. I have nothing to lose!

And the other one, well she's a fighter too! But I will leave that for a story another day...

Thanks, my bestests, for always being my inspiration. I love you!!!

Quickie Meal 2 - Zarusoba

Zarusoba is a good choice for a light, refreshing lunch on a hot summer day... and it's really easy to make!! You can also keep these simple ingredients in your office kitchen for a quick emergency meal!

Ingredients:

- Japanese-style noodle-of-choice (fresh or dried soba or udon)
- tsuyu sauce
- wakame (optional)
- ice (optional)

Here, I am using dried udon and noodle sauce from Kikkoman. Try to choose MSG-free options for the sauce.

Place dried noodles into a bowl of hot water to soften slightly. Keep pushing until all the noodles are soft enough to fit in the bowl (so you can cool all of it when you are microwaving it; you can skip this part if you use fresh noodles).

From this: to this: !

Put your noodles in the microwave for 2 mins. While your noodles are in the microwave, make your sauce according to the direction on the bottle (mine said 1 part sauce to 4 parts water for dipping sauce). USE COLD WATER! If needed, place a couple of ice cubes in the sauce to keep it cold.

When your noodles are done, stir it to keep it from sticking together, and put in for another 1-2 mins. Fresh / thinner noodles: less time. Dried / thicker noodles: more time. I put mine in for another 2 mins. While your noodles are cooking again, prepare an ice bath for your noodles!! Put your cooked noodles in your ice bath when it's done, and drain it when the noodles are icy cold.

This is a microwave steamer, but I use it to drain my noodles XD

If you like, you can add wakame into the noodle sauce. Dip noodles into sauce, and enjoy!

Itadakimasu!! (=^o^=)

P.S. - I stole the wakame from a package for miso soup. Later that afternoon I used the remainder of the wakame and made some miso soup. ^.^"

Yum!!!!

Quickie Meal

I've been meaning to try this bowl udon that's been hiding in my drawer for a couple of weeks at work... and I conveniently forgot my lunch today, so I thought I'd give it a try!

Japanese Fresh Udon

I forgot to take a picture of the packaging inside, but you will find 1x udon (fresh, not dried), 1x liquid soup base, and 1x dried toppings. So, you put everything in the bowl, add hot water, and microwave for 3 mins. Then, you get this!

Tadaaah! Soup noodles!

The udon turned out better than I thought! I think the soup base is pretty acceptable - it tastes like a dashi / soy sauce soup base, which is pretty decent. The texture of the udon was fine, slightly on the soft side, but otherwise there are no complains..!

I bought that for ~$2.50 at some Asian supermarket, and from now on this should be one of my emergency-food-of-choice at the office! I mean, it's not spectacular, but sometimes you go to Japanese restaurants and they serve you udon in some chicken soup stock and boiled frozen chop suey broccoli and bean sprout mix... and then they charge you $7.95 for it. This soup, is much better than that. And, though more expensive, it's definitely a healthier choice than instant noodles (deep fried & MSG). Plus, for $2.50, it's cheaper than any other lunch options available on campus...!!