Brussels sprouts have always been the poster child of nasty vegetables. We were at Whole Foods today and they were selling a stalk of brussels sprouts for $4.99

And a closeup:

It was quick work for Ying to take off the sprouts.  Later on in the evening, I noticed the bare stalk sitting on the counter.

I actually don't have anything personal against brussels sprouts myself. But man, the stalk of a brussels sprout is pretty massive. You could use it as a bat and threaten people with it!  Consider yourself warned!

This is a message to all you men out there.  Dishes, pots and pans are difficult to wash. Not only that, scrubbing the pots and using that abrasive dish soap gets your hands rough and dry.  So why make your woman do the dishes?  Do you want a woman with rough, manly hands? I don't.

Also, pots are heavy. We have cast iron Le Creuset pots.  It takes muscles to wash these things (and do a good job).  Cowboy up and do some scrubbing!  In our home; she cooks. Because I can't.  I can make (in no particular order) grits and ramen and cook eggs, but that only gets a man so far. It's only fair that I clean up after her.  Oh, and vacuuming and scrubbing toilets and taking out the trash is also a man's job.  That's dirty work; and if you're a real man, you won't let your woman do those things. Let her focus on the creative stuff like cooking and buying you clothes (because I have no fashion sense).  Hmm, maybe I'm a true male chauvinist, since I've disqualified Ying from doing The Man's Work.  Although in this case, I don't think she minds :)

Even though we were far away from the Santiago Canyon fires, the smoke and ash covered our patio. Here I am, getting ready to use our vacuum on our patio furniture. Hook 'em! Ying turned that handkerchief into a face mask for me so I dont get choke on ash or get sars while I'm out cleaning.

 

 

So what was YING doing while I was cleaning? Playing Wii of course!!! :)

MySims is a game on the Wii.  It's like The Sims, except all you do in MySims is build houses and furnish them for the townpeople.  You don't have to worry about feeding your Sims or taking them to the bathroom like the original game. MySims is really cute. Definitely a girl's game.  It's funny, they even have goth chick/boy characters in the game! You have to build those Sims a goth house or they won't be happy.

Ying actually went online and PRINTED OUT A WALKTHROUGH FOR THE GAME! Uhhh... Since when would she even KNOW what a walkthrough is??!?!?!!  She must be a real woman ^_^

Here's a pic of the walkthrough in its natural habitat. Notice the highlighter and red pen:

GOSH. She's a SERIOUS gamer. The walkthrough is 31 pages.  If I didn't say so, you would have thought that was MY walkthrough and MY gaming setup.  Nintendo's really got it figured out.

Don't believe me? Check out the TIME Played.  YES, that's 56 Hours on one slot. YES, that's 37 Hours on the 2nd slot.


There's a sad story about the town of Dinding.... There's a bug in the game. :(  If you invite a character to live in your town, you have to build them a house SOON.  If they leave the town hotel, you won't be able to move them in, and you won't be able to move anyone else in. Basically, Ying's Dinding town is stuck on 4 Stars because she can't advance anymore.

Oh. Ying would like everyone to know that her town of XiaoBai is now 5 stars and that she's working on getting the uber characters to move in next.  Don't worry if you don't know what that means; I had to read the walkthrough to know what that means too!

Here she is playing. She's got that addicted-to-a-video-game-posture thing going on:

She didn't want me to post this pic, but since she's busy playing right now, she can't stop me!

 

老爺與我昨晚早早就上床睡覺.

多早?  八點不到吧!

咦?還在時差嗎?  嗯..........已經回來七天了,時差個啥意思啊?!

*******************************************

睡到不知何時,我跟老爺睡意漸淺,開始翻來覆去不得眠,終於再也睡不下去,睜開眼問老爺,現在到底是幾點了,怎麼已經睡不著了.老爺語氣清楚的回答(很明顯就是他也睡不著):差不多快半夜12點.

吓!!!才12點就睡不著了???怎辦怎辦啊!!!!

老爺說:把眼睛閉起來,不要起來,要不然一整夜都會睡不著了.

Yes, Sir!!!!

在假裝閉眼不到五分鐘..............突然聽到樓上鄰居大叫,接著伴隨著碰碰碰的腳步聲.

怎麼個叫法呢?  很大聲很大聲的大叫與尖叫.女的叫聲為主,男的也有叫幾聲.歷時約5到10秒

叫床嗎?絕對不是. 吵架追打嗎?也不像. 開心大叫嗎?更不是.

感覺上像是........睡夢中突然被什麼東西嚇到的那種驚恐叫聲.

我們兩個假睡的人整個過程想當然爾是聽的非常清楚.很明顯的,大叫前他們已經在床上睡著了,因為連聊天講話開電視的聲音都沒有(是的,美國的木造公寓很容易就可以知道鄰居的舉動,而且樓上鄰居有個很怪的習慣,只要他們醒著,家裡一定要有聲音,不是電視就是電子音樂轟轟叫).

老爺說,他們可能睡一半發現有什麼蟲飛進來床上之類的,被嚇到了.

這我不認同,這裡我只見過蒼蠅飛進來家裡,哪裡來的蟲?蟑螂嗎?也應該不會,因為我老是聽到樓上開吸塵器的聲音,還跟老爺說他們真是愛乾淨的人啊!

可是這麼準,半夜十二點.大叫.

老爺悶悶涼涼地說........那要不就是看到.................鬼喔.......

老實說,哪種驚慌的叫聲與腳步聲還真的跟被鬼嚇到沒什麼兩樣哩.啊....老爺別講了啦!外面一片寂靜,我整個背脊一片涼啊.

樓上很明顯的已經起床,而且腳步聲慢慢從廚房與客廳移回房間.

老爺豎起耳朵仔細聆聽,邊聽還邊說,喔!很難懂咧.他們講一半英文一半中東話(不知道是阿拉伯語還是波斯語,還是某某不知名的語言).聊天的聲音不算大聲,可以感覺那個女生一直叨叨絮絮的說一些話.

老爺又nosey了.老娘呢?也被那一陣莫名其妙的叫聲嚇得有點屁股尿流的感覺.

"老爺,我想尿尿咧..."

"去啊!幹麻跟我講."

"可是我想你陪我去."

"幹麻?!你怕鬼從樓上飛下來看你尿尿喔?!"

"不要再講了啦!走啦!我快尿褲子了"

"嘿嘿....我學過,這個叫做惡人無膽."

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尿回來後,我試著不再回想剛剛那驚恐至極的叫聲.緊抱著身邊的肉丸子,強迫自己想著京都的美食快快入眠...

一早起來,老爺神秘兮兮的說,你知道嗎?昨天大概一點半的時候,他們兩個就出門了耶....

我說老爺呀!你還真的一路給他聽到一點半喔,怎麼這麼多事啊?!

那我說樓上的鄰居啊!你們到底是被什麼嚇到了,還搞到凌晨一點半奪門而出?

真是個令人發毛的懸案.

 

最近電腦怪怪,老爺警告不可一次上傳太多照片,免得網頁吃太撐落賽當機.那就分兩次.

這裡再繼續....吃!

*************************************************

早上10:30.都路里抹茶冰.讚讚讚讚讚!沒有人不回味這款挫冰,難怪門前的隊伍老是落落長.

在日本什麼好吃的都得排隊.Jimmy大師的名言:正餐的時間吃點心,點心時間吃正餐.就不用跟人家擠.

果然受用無窮.....此行除了上廁所上飛機得排隊外,其他什麼隊都沒有排到.

 

連抹茶的冰塊都是用綠茶冰磚.怎一爽字了得!!

 

 

路邊的販賣機也不可錯過.(年OS:姐...我也好想分一口........)

 

女生敗藥妝店.我家老爺敗........路邊販賣機....orz啊!

 

這麼好喝,我也來一瓶.

 

 

最後一晚,迴轉壽司.八個人,大戰七十回合之後,我與老爺所屬的長青組落敗給照片中的黃金單身組.

黃金單身組:快快快下手,這個看起來很讚!

長青組邊拿邊唸:....真的要吃這個嗎?膽固醇好像有點高喔.....

 

日本行的"吃"旅其實不算度假的結束....因為接下來台灣不用錢的吃更多!!!!

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老爺首嚐台灣美而美早餐漢堡.老爺說漢堡好好吃,可是隔壁傳來的臭豆腐味讓他怕怕.

 

 

連百貨公司樓下這種A錢的餐點,老爺都覺得新奇有趣.嘿嘿.....你也太土了吧!

 

狐群狗黨請的大餐.價格不了,可是真好吃啊!瞧老爺笑的花枝亂顫樣.....

 

回台必光顧老四川麻辣火鍋.這餐是香香姨賞的.

 

 

朱家大本營.阿忠海產店.老爺第一次看到手上的"好貝脆"(台語),一定要照相留念.(吃到這一天,老爺肚子已經有三個月的樣子了)

 

 

再戰下午茶.老丈人的賞賜,不得不吃.....嘿嘿.

美食配美景. (年OS:美食張張都有我,爽!)

 

wii大戰一回合後,繼續回來吃.

其實還有猴媽的千層蛋糕,可惜太好吃一下子就被分光了,根本來不及照相.千層蛋糕綿密的口感,不過甜膩又有彈性.難怪是蛋糕界的LV.(因為聽說價錢也是很LV的.呵呵呵)

總之,度假就是從吃開始,以吃結束的好命日子.感恩啊!

真能吃代表在此下台一鞠躬.

度假在做啥???  吃!!!!

吃吃吃吃吃吃吃吃吃吃吃吃吃吃吃吃吃吃............不停的吃!

*********************************************

看到飛機就表示...........要開始吃啦!

 

 

東京候機到大阪,先來個我最喜歡的販賣機冰淇淋.綠茶口味,讚!

 

 

一早探望神戶親戚前.京都車站地下樓.日式義大利麵+咖啡+蘋果派.四顆星.回味無窮.

 

 

中午,老爺在神戶的表姊請客迴轉壽司.表姊拿出他可以看電視的手機,老爺邊吃邊流口水說他也要一支.

(p.s比我小的表姊未婚,單身中,本人比照片美麗,日文是母語,英文與台語皆可簡單溝通.意者請留言)

 

 

吃飽,還是去逛吃的.神戶中國城.老爺在這裡買了一個很好吃的泡芙.

 

 

等著與其他愛吃鬼在飯店會合的空擋,喝杯冰沙吧!四条河原町.覆盆子優格冰沙.加了發酵優格的味道,不太好喝.可是椅子很好坐,冷氣也夠強.兩顆星.

 

 

京都車站拉麵小路.餓了什麼都好吃.桌上免費續杯的麥茶去油解膩.將將好!

 

 

來到溫泉旅館沒有吃,等同於沒有泡溫泉一樣的遺憾.大原溫泉民宿.看起來不怎麼樣的味增鍋,吃起來驚為天人.五顆星也不夠給啦!

與愛吃團會合後,大家都拿出渾身解數來吃.吃什麼,怎麼吃,各懷絕技.連照相都會自我定格的做出東西好好吃的表情.

 

初秋+溫泉+冰啤酒=呼乾啦!

 

 

隔天的早餐 (有泡溫泉有差,果然是消水腫.....嘿嘿)

 

 

換完裝,馬上再戰鍵善良房.冰涼又Q.超貴超好吃.

 

 

下雨前的悶熱天氣,和服三美已經快中暑了.來個霜淇淋吧!

 

被熱昏又被唸昏的朱小妹終於展出笑顏.吃的力量啊!!!!!

 

 

一群人買啥?京都漬菜.吃的啦!

 

 

你們買吧!反正我看不懂,繼續來享用我的霜淇淋.啊!有狗仔隊偷拍?!

 

再買啥?七味粉.還是吃的.........

 

 

下午三點半才吃的親子凍(抱歉,找不出那個正確的字),不用排隊,馬上吃到.

 

再來個近照.香軟的雞肉,滑嫩的雞蛋,爽口的青蔥,再加上特有的山椒粉.讚讚讚讚讚!!!

每日一問:親子凍為什麼叫做"親子"凍?

我一直以為因為這個餐點很適合媽媽帶小孩一起分吃一碗.所以取名"親子".此話一出,馬上被中文盲的老爺連聲唾棄,驚聲連連我竟然想出這種白痴答案.他老大爺說取名親子的原因就是飯裡面有雞也有雞蛋,也就是說媽媽跟小孩一起被煮來吃了啦!..................

真的是這樣嗎?存疑中......請知道典故的人不吝指教.

 

 

利用百貨公司地下樓超市最後30分鐘的半價促銷.買一堆美食回飯店.繼續吃....

 

 

 

 

 

(還沒吃完哦!請待續.....)

既然大家的遊記都是以日期為主,那我就來個以事件為主的看圖說故事

話說大夥兒白天一個勁兒的看.逛.買.吃.晚上回到飯店還是要續攤.洗完澡後先是喝個小酒,再來個"好貨大家報"(把一天的戰利品那出來分享並鼓吹其他人購買),最後一晚更不得了.酒喝完,分享完戰利品後,竟然開始表演起看家本領.

首先,由最搞笑的老爺先歪嘴歪牙的示範那個聲名遠播的黑人嘴 (請各位看倌別誤會,絕對沒有蔑視其他種族的意思.這是老爺從小跟黑人朋友長大的小把戲,還是他幼稚園最好的黑人麻吉教的咧) 啊!可惜我手腳不夠快,沒有照到真正的表情,就附上一張他騙妹妹用的"舌頭360度翻轉"聊表敬意.

 

 

接下來,由專業物理治療大師解說某個治療動作,並且強調這個動作大拇指太彎的治療師可是沒有辦法做到的咧!一聽完,大家紛紛拿出自己的大拇指看看有沒有當治療師的潛能.(請看旁邊那位也是治療師的太太一臉無奈的表情).爾後,這位大師還分享了他見過最詭異的病患,基於醫學道德,不方便透露詳細內容.但下次可請大師模仿病人進行治療中被附身的語調(woops.....還是很不小心的講出來一點點),那個搞笑的模樣可考慮與我家老爺共組"王哥柳哥姐夫雙人組".

 

 

再來,是青春無敵朱小妹展現軟骨功.詳細的發功過程我也不講了,免得看倌們紛紛在電腦前面模仿起來,不小心扭到還要來告我.當晚大家可是精氣神十足的跟著朱小妹練功,練到大師說可不可以快改別的項目,免得回國後得去他們醫院報到作復健.

 

 

朱小妹不死心,再獻一招如何下腰的功夫.游泳圈最大的老爺更是興致勃勃的學了起來.朱大師說,能下腰不稀奇,稀奇的是不能下腰的硬骨頭,只要起來轉轉下顎,調整一下,腰馬上就能給它下去.請看下面教學示範....(天啊!現在高中生都玩這種鐵人賽嗎?)

老爺說:我下...........我一定要下去.............

朱小妹:姐夫,別勉強啊!要不然傷到腰,姐姐的幸福不保啊!快起來,我來給你的下顎推拿幾下...

 

對.就是這樣.多捏幾下.等下保證不管是下腰還是後空翻十圈都不是問題!

 

小羊兒在一旁看的很認真.我也要,我也要學起來以後可以出去騙妹妹.

後記:大家有沒有發現,這幾張照片都模模糊糊,不甚清楚.廢話!!!大家都在發功,整個房間的磁場簡直強到不行.怎麼照都有超強氣場的圍繞,這樣當然是照不清楚啦?!

怎樣,我們這一大家子人的樂趣很特別吧............................

 

以下是剛剛我與台灣友人A的MSN對話.

A:天啊!你們那裡現在不是半夜,你半夜不睡覺在幹嘛?

我:唉!時差啦!每天半夜三點就起床了.好慘

A:那你先生呢?

我:他正在睡覺.

A:你唉什麼唉......太好命了啦!你家老爺回來馬上上工,時差當然調的快.你就是什麼事都不用幹,才會亂睡調不回來.

我:.......................無語啊......

我:可是,我也不是啥事都沒有做啊......(臉紅的表情)

A:那你現在在幹嘛? (嘿嘿..就等著她問這一句)

我:我剛剛做好老爺的愛妻便當........(很得意的笑臉表情)

A:嚇咪??????我有沒有聽錯?朱XX會因為時差睡不著起床給先生做便當........是中邪了嗎?

我:ㄟ.我也有不為人知的一面好咩?!我家老爺可是歡喜的很咧

A:最好真的是這樣啦!有鬼,一定有鬼.那你說你昨天幾點睡的,怎麼會三點就爬起來.

我:我我我我.........下午四點睡的.

A:然後一路睡到半夜三點?

我:嗯.

A:中間都沒有醒?

我:嗯......有醒一點,老爺下班回家的時候有醒一點,然後就從沙發直接殺去床上睡了.

A:那你老爺的晚餐?

我:不知道.好像隱隱約約有聽他說他吃了一碗牛奶加榖片.

A:哈哈哈.(搬出一付已經笑倒的表情).我就知道我就知道啦!本來還以為你家劉爺要出運了,原來你們家三餐也跟著你大小姐在時差.

我:呵呵呵......(尷尬的傻笑三聲)

A:別在那裡呵呵呵了.快去炒你的菜吧.

(好吧!我就認了.這個A真是認識我了解我到骨子裡去了)

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(發功大喊)----時差的惡魔,快點遠離我吧!!!!!!

Finally cleaned, sorted and uploaded pictures from all 3 of our cameras! Will post videos and pics taken in Taiwan tomorrow. Enjoy!

2007-09-21 Kyoto, Japan	We flew from LAX to Japan while the others flew from Taiwan to Japan. We met up with them later on that night. Pictures are combined from cameras and give an interesting perspective on what both groups were doing in relative time to each other.
2007-09-22 Kyoto, Japan	On this day, Dean and Ying went to visit 4th Great Aunt in Kobe while the others spent the day in Kyoto visiting places like the Ginkakuji golden temple. Pictures are combined in chronological order.
2007-09-23 Kyoto, Japan	We visited the Fushimi-inari Taisha Shrine and then stayed the night at the Oohara-No-Sato Hot Springs bed and breakfast.
2007-09-24 Kyoto, Japan	The morning after the Hot Springs, we went back into town and 曉瑩, 小妏 and 容 got dressed in kimonos for a stroll around the town.
2007-09-25 Kyoto, Japan	Today was the guys' turn to get some "idol" pictures taken... It was also a day of SUPER GOOD food - Green tea shaved ice and also great Sushi at a great price.
2007-09-26 Kyoto, Japan	Travelling back to Taiwan