I love FOOOD!!

Here are the photos of the grilled asparagus and mushroom with curried flavour chic-pea salad with ginger dressing, and kasha dish I made for Sunday Branch:



And I made vegetarian chicpea patties tonite:



I can not wait for my lunch tomorrow!!! Good nite *droool* :)

Danny Krivit!

So my weekend went by so quickly, but it was quite nice. On Friday nite, I was super tired so I fell into sleep, but woke up early and started cleaning my place. Then I went to a nearest organic restaurant called LIVE to have my breakie there. I had this French Onion Soup, which was very tasty. Then I went to an east asian art and clothing shop next door, where I bought a facy reddish/orange wrap around skirt for the warmer weather. It was so beautiful, and although i was wearing this hip hop/yoga stype olive color tight pants, the skirt matched well with it, so I wore it out for my shopping errands that I was planning on doing. I will take a photo of it sometime soon. LOL I then went to the organic grocery store to buy some veges, dried beans, e3live (organic liquid vitamins) and what not. Then because I had soo much grocery with me, I decided to come home for a cup of tea and a slice of cherry cheese cake for a dessert.hmmm It was tasty. Then the weather was so gorgeous and I got lots of sun light from the window of my room..so I took a photo of me chilling on my bed.. LOL



and then I took a nap, since I was still feeling abit tired (I usually sleep in on Sat morning even I may go to bed early the nite before)....got up and then went to the gym. I then came home and ate some food (mixed vege tomato stew and steamed basmati and wild rice)...and chilled a bit.

I was determined to go and check out Danny Krivit, so I went out to see the show with my friend, Hisa. It took sometime to find a good parking lot, but we found one, and on the way to the venue, we bumped into Danny Krivit, so we had to say hi. We shook hands and it was nice to see his bright down-to-earth smiles :) I was ready to rock'n roll... lol

I found a bit difficult time getting into the mix first, because the sound sort of scattered away (too high ceiling). And the speaker was sort of facing the middle, so it did not travel to the side that I was staying. But I got used to it, and sort of fell in love with the people's great vibes and lost myself dancing with them. It was super fun dancing with loads of people. :)

There was this house dancer crew that was doing their thing, and it really brought much joy in me. I love dancing so much, so it feels just so right when others do their things. :)

Here is a photo of me before heading out for the nite.


My sunday was sent somewhat chilling but busy from afternoon until nite.
But I made a pretty good brunch though. I made salad with curry flavoured chickpea, mushroom, roasted asparagus over two different kind of lettuce and avocado (with ginger dressing) and stir fly vege with red beans over steamed kasha (buck wheat). My roommate loves steamed buck wheat (apparently, it is a Russian thing), so he called his friend over so that three of us can enjoy the feast from Sunday early afternoon. Was super delicous :) I will post photos of them later tomorrow..

Then later, although I was sort of very tired from staying up, dancing up in storm for 3 hours (kind of nothing, but was tired) the nite before, I had to go to some shops for work, so I left my place for shopping. Then I worked out, went to an asian grocery store, did my laundry, cooked food (steamed basmati and wild rice, curry flavoured potatoes with tuna, vegetarian cabbage roll with chick peas, mushroom, carrot, spinach and onion, tomato soup from the broth I got from cooking the cabbage roll, avocado and green salad with ginger dressing and cut up some fruits). So overall, I think I did a lot of cooking today. But considering I will be visiting my best friend in Chicago soon, I want to make sure I know what I will be cooking while staying there, so I have been trying different styles of cooking to decide the best of best recipes that I have came up with... :)

Anyway, gotta go and sleep. Good nite :)

Day 2!! Organic Foods Taste the BEST!!

I am turning Canadian :)

^Chicken & Corn Soup-Traditional Chinese Style<--my breakfast on Sunday :)

It has been way too long since I last updated my page.
I have been super busy, but things are looking very positive and happy, so I am very glad about my mental stability and positive moods :) hehe

Well, first of all, I have attended the Canadian Citizenship Hearing/exam with the judge last Tuesday, and although he asked me approx. 30 somewhat difficult questions (a lot of political and geographical questions, which I studied hehe), I was told that he would approve my application and I could expect to receive the notice for the oath ceremony that I will need to attend. So in another word, this means I am getting my Canadian Citizenship after waiting for 1 year and 3 months since the day I submitted the application, so I am very happy about this. :)

I feel very happy and excited how this will bring my family, my own future family and myself more opportunities and freedom.

On the day of passing this exam, I had an opportunity to have lunch with a friend that inspire and is an influential person (to me). We talked both of exciting news (he recently got engaged!) and talked of our visions and what we want to achieve etc. He asked me some questions that helped me think of my personal goals realistically, and he helped me brainstorm a lot of creative ideas while sharing my dreams, so I felt very happy having had this opportunity to spend time with him. Especially after my b-day cerebration weekend, I concluded that I need to consciously spend time with those like minded individuals to keep me focus on my personal goals and myself helping and supporting them at the same time. So this meeting with him absolutely made my day :)

My lovely co-worker whom I respect and admire so much got me a t-shirt that says *Canadian, eh?* on past Friday to cerebrate it. It was so nice of her. I put it on me and it just felt *right*.

For some reasons, after passing the exam, I really do feel *welcomed* and *accepted* here.
It has given me much strength to stay the way I am, and never let something or someone stop me from what I want to pursue in my life. So this change really has brought so much of positive energy into my life, already, and I feel quite overwhelmed about this, because I did not expect this. hehe

Especially after getting my citizenship and having had this conversation during my lunch meeting with my friend talking about the idea of having my own farm to grow own fresh and organic produce for my cooking adventure, I decided that I need to start practicing what it would be like to grow my own vegetables and herbs. Plus, growing plants and vegetables would allow me to gain much knowledge on nutrients, growing process, how to protect our environment and nurture my motherhood at the same time, so I am very excited about this new hobby and interest!

So although it was more like a spur of a moment result, I went to get some organic seeds, flower pots, organic soil and a book called *you grow girl* to explore this new interest.

I always waned to grow green for my salad and for the sake of health, so the first thing that came in my mind was to grow some white radish sprouts!

So here is the day 1 photo:


I am planting sweet basil and Italian parsley (based on the last frost day and its planting and sow date that I calculated) this week. I plan on growing cherry tomatoes, baby carrots and organic lettuce too. There are more things that I want to try, but I shall be patient with me so that I will not get discouraged if things will not go smoothly..lol




But I think it will be a great first step to learning how to appreciate fresh produce that we tend to take for granted. If I could ever prepare meals using ingredients that I produced, then I think the whole process of serving the food will have much values and meanings, and I can not wait to experience the immense joy of sharing and consuming the end product..lol Plus, learning how to grow vegetables and plants will help us gain more green in our planet, so I am excited about being a positive cause on protecting the environment in this manner too..anyway, i must sound like an disorganized bragging bitch that needs to go and sleep, so I will go. But I will post some photos tomorrow or something. Thanks for reading! :)

Personal Commitment to MYSELF

Yesterday Japan time on Feb 14th was my mama's b-day.
I called her after I came home from work out and cooked nice lunch for the next day, and had a good conversation with her. I love it how she loves to talk and we have our *girl's talk* talking about how silly my dad is etc..*giggle* hehe

Well, I was very happy to know that she is in great spirits, indeed.

Speaking of b-day, Feb 10th was my younger sister, Kano's b-day. Sounds like she is going thru a bit of difficult time. She is a very talented, inspiring and motivated young girl that has a spirit of a samurai warrior. All the boys that she dated are rather chasing after her, cause she takes the lead. Yes, you go, girl. I admire you. LOL Well, back to the topic, I really hope that she will not let outside factors put her down too much, but continue seeking what she KNOWS she deserves. But I also want her to know that the experience is everything. It is an ultimate learning lesson that allows us to grow. So I hope that she will keep her positive attitude and engaging in creative activities to fulfill her passion and needs. :)

As for me, you know, I have had two weeks where I encountered some bad luck.
My dad and my roommate, and my mentor (you inspire me) have keep dropping this line to me: "keep your focus".

That's right.

I have been having such unclear focus, because I have been struggling really hard to maintain personal peace and joy within.

Since I started running (instead of using the stair masters at the gym) about hmm 2 months ago, I started remembering all sort of achievements that I gained as a runner in the past over 2 decades of my life (wow, this means I have been running over 20 years! cool).

I got my first shoe raced running shoes and running suits and all sort of things by coming to the top 3 in the fall marathon competion since I was 6.

I set the record for the junior highschool marathon competition that still stands to this date under my name.

It was running that almost let me go to this famo highschool for long distance running, because my physical education teacher saw much potential within me in running.

Even I left Japan, although I initially placed top 6 of a junior versity team in track and field at Maria Highschool in Huntington Beach, Cali, by the end of the season, I was the leading runner guranteed to be in the varsity team, setting records at some races.

It also was running that allowed me to make local English speaking friends, in spite of my shy attitude not wanting to talk for myself. LOL

Then after I moved to West Vancouver, in BC, I kept running and I was recruited by a national track coach to be in the running team that he coached, and in the last year of my highschool, I was the top 2 in BC for 3000m throughout the season, although I could not win the race due to injuries at the final.

...here and there, I always did quite well in running, because, well, I was VERY FOCUSED, and running was my everything. I knew what I wanted (run well and fast), so I monitored everything that I did in my life: diet, water intake, sleep, amount of rest, nutrients etc...

So even something bothered me in my personal life, I tried not to get it affect my running.

And I guess because of that, I was quite successful with my mission.

Now, since two Novembers ago, from an incidence that led me to gain PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), my main interest has been learning how to live again, re-gain all the strength and confidence that I had lost, and just to live life with pure joy and happiness.

Although sometime once in a while without my expectation, I get my down time that puts me in a dark tunnel, I think I have finally gained my mental strength, spiritual balance, immense joy and love for my own life and others that I care, appreciation for everything that is given to me, and be comfortable being who I am and cultivating my personal interests here and there.

But like I have noted this in my Jan 29th entry, there is a part of me deep inside that has been holding me to depart from the defensive mode to *explore the world*, because of the fear.

In the past few days, I have been thinking, how pity it is for a human being to spend so much of her time thinking and evaluating one's human progress and life as a whole, but not doing something about it.

I understand that I have my today, because of all the thinking and wondering that I have done in the past while. It indeed led me to learn more about myself for sure.

But you know, 3 days prior to my 28th b-day on Feb 17th today, I want to tell myself that it is my time to get back to the *exploring mode*, the adventurous and warrior like spirit that I once used to be.

For the upcoming year of my life, I will not let negative emotions or other people's criticism/negative energy affect me to the degree that I would get indulged in it.

I for god's sake, have no time for such a thing, cause I must keep running, before someone coming to get me.

But truthfully, it is not a battle against others.
It is a personal cerebration and respect for my own creativity, passion and love for my own life, and my way to cherish all the blessings that are given to me, because of the all the people who care and love me too.

So here we go, I am preparing to stand on the start line now.
Just like my last race I participated over 8-9 years ago, my heart is starting to beat fast, getting some butterfries in my tummy, but I will let the adolenarine take me to the potential that I have in my life, like a free bird that flies freely and high up in the sky.

:)

I am very thankful for my progress in my PTSD (feel I do not even have one anymore.. hehe) and thankful for all you people who care and support me unconditionally.

Because of I am thankful and I care, I hope I will be a great inspiration to you, this year.

Sincerely....thank you for reading my people. I love you very much. With lots of love, Kumi

Saturday nite

It was the Bump'n Hassle 10 year anniversary party this time last nite, so I wasn't missing it.
It was so packed that the manager of the venue wasn't letting anybody in. At some point, they were going to let me in, but waited until the gentlemen showed up.

Inside it was so packed that the front did not have the dance circle neither. I was a bit disappointed. Cause one of the factors that attracted me to this event was the dancers. It was too packed. Hopefully next month, the dancers will return to the front of the space for some funky dance battles ;) :)

It was still nice to see Carlos all happy and Dirty Dale and his dance a bit :)

At one point, my jacket went missing, so I was like: "why the hell am I getting all the bad luck??"

You know, my wallet went missing two thursdays ago. I got it back the next day without the cash, but I felt that the wallet got the negative energy from the person who stole it. I know it is all in my mind, and who knows, it is my bad karma, but I am quite sensitive to things that I initially perceive unwelcoming. sigh. Anyway, Dino, Jonathon and Vito were so kind that they all looked for my jacket for me, and found it. phew.

Then Dino was very kind to drop us off at the Theo Parish show.
Since it is my time to head to the gym, I will leave this short.
You know, someone like him, who plays bizzar abstract techy and detroit sounding shite make me *think*. Very inspiring for our creative minds. I was pumpered and felt challenged to do something more creative in my life. So after all this, I am a bit frustrated at myself for sleeping until 4 in the afternoon (after great parties, of course,but still), so I wanna go to the gym, and do my thing and do my thinking to see what is it that I should be doing in my life to reach to the potential that I have in my life.

So very thankful for Jason U. for the list at Theo. All these people in T-dot in the scene rock. I freaking Love IT :) and It would be so much better, if you were around, Ange. Toronto needs you :)

Back to Work!

This morning, the condition of my face was better, so I went back to work.
The cold weather out sort of cut my skin around my mouth, but I was mentally ready for it this time. At work, everyone was very supportive and caring, so it made me very comfortable to be back.

In the morning, I felt as though the burn also caused brain damage on me, cause I was making so much stupid mistakes...but in the afternoon, I catched up on things (somewhat) and was back on track thanks to everyone's support.

One of the founders of the company is the person who invented the wire coating technology/solution that is only available in the whole world told me that the combination of the glycolic acid and the ingredients of the gel do cause burn on the skin. He and his assistant showed me a very scary look when I told them what happened, as if they knew it would be an obvious nightmare to expect, only if I had known more chemistry. LOL

They were very sympathetic for me, and recommended something to try for my speedy recovery. Too bad, I forgot what exactly it was. I must get the name tomorrow.

But anyway, overall, my first day back at work was good. I am thankful for everyone's support (once again), and patience. I am truly blessed to have very understanding bosses, supportive and caring co-workers. I mean truthfully, they do have such caring characters. I was touched.

So I am thankful for surrounding myself in a good work environment.

Okay, it's time for me to go and sleep. Good nite. Oh, I really HOPE that my skin would be well enough to go and see Dino & Terry..... I hope SO!!

P.S.
Note to myself-this weekend, Garage 416 10 year Anniversary party and Theo Parish gig on Saturday..hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Time to shake my booty :) yay. I am so happy!