Take me to the Mothership

In 2 short days I will be well on my way to the much anticipated trip to the homeland. I find it hilarious to call it 'the homeland' based on the fact that I've spent my entire life in NY. I do enjoy when strangers tend to ask "where are you from" putting emphasis on the "from" as to get me to reveal that I've just come over from China in some type of rickity boat about 2 weeks ago. (side note: Once in Boston a guy came up to me and asked if I was on vacation from Japan - to which I flashed him the peace sign, giggled and walked away.)

So - as I dread this 15.5 hour plane ride, I think how this trip will give me something actually interesting to blog about. My blog has had some virtual tumbleweeds rolling across it recently but I haven't forgotten about it. The voices persist, I just haven't had time to put them down.

I've gotten several warnings about China. People make it sound like a 3rd world country that one must prepare for as if one is going to war. Number 1 - Bathrooms. China is infamous for their toilets, or lack there of. So clearly, from all the reviews I've heard about the said topic - below is what I've come to imagine:

I kept the picture small as I didn't want my readers to vomit on thier keyboards. I however do not believe that we are going to any areas where there are such "facilities". We're going to major cities that are probably a lot more modern than we are. Random side thought, as I was searching for toilets in China:

Pretty cool. I would call it a Very public toilet. Anyway, from all the warnings surrounding the restrooms we have armed ourselves with plenty toilet paper rolls, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes.

Second Warning: the plane ride. 15.5 hours on a plane does NOT sound like an ideal person with a mild to severe case of ADD depending on the day. I have done all I can to prepare for such an event. I am armed with cards, books, music, mandarin lessons, sleeping pills, sodoku and research, not to mention the onboard movies and games. I even purchased a new ipod nano with a longer battery life as to not have to live a minute without soundage. None of this can guarantee I will be able to sit in my seat for so long.

Movin on - Number 3 Food/Stomach Issues. To my surprise, we are not able to drink their water. Apparently it's way too polluted to drink tap water. So what does one do with the tap water? shower in it? then I'll have a layer of pollution ON me. So being that things are washed, cooked, made with this water, how long do you suppose it will take before I get me a case of the stomach rumbles!? which brings me back to the above topic. It's scary as one of the things on the 'things to bring' list that was supplied to us from the tour company was: Imodium. Uh oh!

Then there's the food. I am really excited. The good, the bad, the ugly. I hope we get to try it all! Oh man, that woman's face is hilarious!

Number 4 - my family. 8 family members, 17 days in arms reach of my family at all times. No escape! Don't get me wrong, I love them all tons but this is way too close for comfort. There is not too much more I can say about that - because I'm sure that everyone could relate. For this I am armed once again with my iPod as to drown out their insanity.

Number 5 - Smog. This is the least of my worries, which worries me, because I am not armed with anything. I think we might get to wear SARS-like facemasks! That'll be fun times!

I will try to blog and post pictures. Be ready.

Desserts

It's 1:21am. Can't Sleep - emo bear is keeping me up.

...

...

.swipes bangs away from face.

Train of Thought: Sequence of Events

Event 1: Man places starbucks grande coffee on the floor
Event 2: Man takes out bagel
Event 3: He butters the bagel
Event 4: Takes a bit of the bagel
Event 5: Pick up coffee and rests it on top of his bagel

gross! might as well place the bagel on the floor then eat it!

It's Funny because it's True

Seriously - 2 is being generous. Hope I entertained you for a second!

Viva la Vida

Nothing gets my attention faster than a song with musical instruments (pianos, violins, full on orchestras). Our radio's spew synthasized garbled sounds accompanied with lyrics like "just like a tattoo, I'll always have you". Don't get me wrong, I don't believe I would be considered a music snob, as my taste in music probably would offend the "Oh, I liked that group before they were on z100" kind. So, my sister sends me an email with a song attached: Viva la Vida by Coldplay. I was intrigued - these email attachments are rare. I download...98...99% Complete! itunes opened and play. BAM - Violins! They were entrancing for quite some time. I really liked the dramatic epicness of the song. Then I decided to listen to the lyrics - which usually makes or breaks the song for me. Please listen:

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemies eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt, and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you know there was never, never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in.
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People could not believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries Wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can not explain
I know Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world

It annoys me that Coldplay hasn't given any explination of the lyrics. There of course have been threads posted all over the internet by Coldplay, Religious, enthusiasts as well as the confused. I fall under the confused category. What it comes down to is the roman empire, Jesus Christ and the Crusades. To me, the song is about good intentions fed with too much power which led to corruption.

In short, I like the violins.

Lists: Noises that Drive me Absolutely Crazy

1. Low power beep (Motorola phones)
2. IM default sounds for recieving and sending messages (list prompted by woman in the office near me making this awful sound over and over)
3. Missed call beep (Motorola phones)
4. The sound of fans

...to be continued

please feel free to send me suggestions.

Melp

Nobu vs Buddakan

Is it right to compare these two? Not being a food connoisseur I would guess they're on the same level. Japanese fusion bougie style. Nobu's atmosphere is quite simplistic with artlike tree's. It's very modern but smaller than I would have imagined. Shockingly, Nobu had disposible chopsticks that you break apart - this seemed very much out of place. Maybe the supplies manager screwed up. Buddakan was sort of Victorian, sort of baroque-ish. The main dining room had high ceilings, one long table in the middle and large chandeliers. I felt like I should have worn my ball gown to greet the queen and king at either ends of the table. Then we got led to the side dining room where it was very dark. The walls were lined with shelves with offensive plastic gold books. Simplicity would have really rectified this issue of tackiness. Simply, i think the restaurant was a bit overdone and bordering on gaudy.

The food was good at both restaurants but Nobu exhibits thier dinner where as Buddakan feeds you. They both consisted of small tapa-esk dishes to share. Nobu took our 5 dishes and seemingly arranged them in a deliberate sequence - one dish at a time. One taste at a time. One focus at a time. Service was impeccable, as soon as one dish was done, the next would be passing through the kitchen doors. At Buddakan, the server mentioned that the dishes would come out as they were ready. We got our 3 appetizers basically at once, so we jumped from one plate to another. All tastes blending with each other. Note: Edamame dumplings are an explosion of mush in your mouth. The consistency was surprisingly unpleasant.

Overall, I would reccomend Nobu over Buddakan. but just because I'm spoiled, dont let it stop you from going to Buddahkan - their food was pretty amazing.