Home Sweet Home

Today is the anniversary of our closing date. I would have missed it if Howard didn't remind me because we didn't actually move in until the new year. We spent a good amount of timing scrubbing the place clean and slowly moving pieces of our lives in, and then carefully choosing furniture. Yet, today feels like a momentous occasion to acknowledge. We're adults! We have more responsibilities! We have lots of bills to pay!

Even with the side effects of being in debt, I have had one of the happiest years of my life so far. I still crawl into bed (which I also purchased a year ago) with a smile on my face (that makes Howard think I'm a lunatic) because I feel so lucky and blessed. I have family and friends who are healthy, generous, and supportive. I have a warm home and a great job to go to every day. The luxury of a car and savings to go on small trips. And the best partner to do all of this with! Howard is there as my gentle reminder and backup so that I can go forward without worry. I can't wait for our wedding day next year.

Domo looks happy in his new home too. He has the best view of everything that happens in our place.

I don't even mind that our kitchen is 60 square feet. I've seen those who do more in their small kitchens online and know that my aunt and uncle in New York have an even smaller kitchen space. The stove, oven, fridge, and dish washer works. There's (some) counter space, a small sink, and a set of drawers. We just have to be super selective on which counter-top appliances, dishes, pots, pans, and pantry staples we need. This sounds like a good idea for a future post. I would like to share what works for us in our small space!

Then there are my books, my pride and joy. You'll be pleased to know that I put cookbooks where a DVD player (which we don't own) would normally sit on the media unit. We have one bookshelf that reaches 8 feet high and is pretty much full. I worry that it'll topple over from the weight and break the walls, but so far it has been safe to walk by. I probably have two more bookshelves worth of books still at my parent's house waiting to be moved.

It's a week from Christmas, so I hope you're all grateful for what you have and feel blessed and happy as well. It's been a learning experience and a test of patience for us, but I feel a little wiser and closer to our parents who are experts at all things home and garden. To family!

New York City, 2011

I noticed a pattern. In the past couple of years, Howard and I would go on vacation around August or September. Then around the end of September or the beginning of October, I would fall terribly ill.

Knowing this, I attempted to start working out and being healthy. I needed to build my immune system for whatever germs October threw at me. I started jogging. I joined a gym (but have yet to go - I was hoping to this week). I went to New York City and bought athletic wear. Seriously! Work-out clothes in New York. Didn't pick up the latest fashion, but I got some pretty comfortable dry-fit outfits.

So you must know how disappointed I am now. It started yesterday, an uncomfortable feeling in my throat. Today, coughs and a runny nose. No!! How can this happen? Well, my guesses are:

1. During my commute, the bus and subway offers no fresh air.
2. Also during my commute, I am crammed with other people coughing and blowing their nose.
3. My workplace is still blasting the air conditioning.
4. Germs get stronger each year.

These are all valid points which I presented to my family when they sighed and said, "you're sick, again?" Well, let them shake their head and roll their eyes. I can only get better from this point on.

I wanted to share some of our trip photos before blogging about all the wonderful food and desserts we had. I would have done this earlier, but getting back to regular life took over, and now, as you know. I'm sick.

Domo Birthday Cupcakes

As a surprise for our Publicity Manager at work, our "Marketing Department" asked if I would make cupcakes for her birthday. As if I needed to think about the answer! So, we debated decorating cupcakes with something publicity related (ex: a phone), but I also suggested Domo-kun which I knew she loves! For those of you who are unfamiliar with Domo-kun, he is a mascot from a Japanese television station.

It was settled once I forwarded the above photo of Domo to Marketing. Even though the blue snake gave her the "heebie jeebies" (I love that word and I totally laughed out loud when she told me).

The "heebie jeebies" snake!

Domo is this cute and funny creature who was hatched from an egg on the first episode. His favorite food is Japanese-style meat and potato stew - yum! No apples though, due to his unexplained DNA. Domo communicates by producing a low-pitched noise but other characters appear to understand him. Domo loves watching television. Best of all, Domo-kun is known to pass gas when he is nervous or upset!

Domo lives in an underground cave with an old wise rabbit named Mr. Usaji. He loves to watch television and drink green tea. Not surprising, Mr. Usaji's favourite food is carrots.

Also living in the cave are two bats: a mother named Maya and her child Mario. Maya's favorite foods are seasonal while her least favorite food is alcohol. Mario's favorite food is Japanese-style tomato spaghetti, while his least favorite food is Shiitake mushrooms. Mario also loves sports. (I acknowledge that their tiny feet and antennas are missing in their fondant form.)

Tashanna is a female weasel who wants to be a fashion stylist or model in Tokyo. She always uses the latest technologies (television, cell phone, digital camera, laptop). Tashanna's favorite food is apricot and mint tarts, and her least favorite food is sea urchin. Fun fact: she once called Domo-kun a "weird-looking chocolate."

Hee (Flower One) and Haw (Flower Two) are pixie twins. To everyone else, they are regular flowers and Domo is the only one who can see them.

Domo-kun and friends laying on the grass, looking up at the sky (or my camera).

I also got the idea for the Domo-Kun cupcake faces from justJENN Recipes. The one twist I added to the appearance was making the surface of the cupcake liner a square.

Okaaay fine, point out that it is squarish. To get this lovely squarish effect, simply pinch the cup to create four corners! Love the versatility of these baking cups! Then, bake your chocolate cupcake, put on some dark brown frosting, add your fondant Domo mouth and use candy for the eyes.

Tashanna, Domo-kun, and Mr. Usaji.

References:
Domomode, Domo (NHK), and Domo Nation. You can also watch some of the Domo episodes by searching on YouTube.