April 01, 2024

2024 February List | 二月清單

April 01, 2024/ Brandy C.

什麼！我竟然拖這麼久才分享二月清單（拍謝拍謝）！那我就不廢話，快點進入正題！

What?! I can’t believe it took me so long to post my February list (apologies!) Without further ado, let’s get into it!

strong’s Brock Oven Pizzeria

http://strongsbrickovenpizza.com/

我們一家人超愛吃比薩，尤其是GH愛到一人至少能吃一大片！這家是辛辛那提比薩連鎖店裡我們的最愛之一，餅皮吃久了很香。前菜記得點artichoke dip。烤比薩的爐子是從歐洲特別運來的！

We love pizzas as a family, especially GH can each eat a big slice! This is one of the chain pizzerias in Cincinnati that we love. With their oven imported from Europe, the crust has just the right amount of crisp. Don’t miss out on their artichoke dip appetizer!

Sebastian Bakehouse

sebastianbakehouse.com
6846 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45227

週末限定！讀了網站介紹，老闆從西岸來，讓我想到在聖地牙哥吃到最好吃的可頌，也讓我有很高的期望。尤其是剛到時，濕冷天還是有好多人排隊。原本已經放棄離開，但做完事後決定開回來看一下。太好了，人潮已退去。買了三種可頌：原味、起司牛肉、松露起司蛋糕。外殼酥脆，但裡面沒有奶油香也比較偏乾，沒有我心中可頌那油油卻輕盈的口感。

Weekend only! According to their website, the owner hails from the West Coast, which reminds me of a very delicious croissant place in San Diego. Had very high expectations for this place. There was a long line even in the chilly rainy weather. I gave up and left when I saw the line, but decided to come back after I was done running errands. To my surprise, the line died down. I bought three different kinds of croissants: original, pastrami and cheese, and truffle cheesecake. Crispy and flaky on the outside, but lacks the buttery scent when you tear it in half, and the inside is kinda dry, I was a little disappointed, tbh.

Penguin Walk at Cincinnati Zoo

https://cincinnatizoo.org/events/penguin-days

企鵝們準備退休了，這是最後一年辛城動物園企鵝遊行。超多人都來看企鵝，好險現在夠冷，不然天氣高於50度企鵝就在家休息。我和UN為了找位置，把我媽帶丟了。結果我媽竟然被工作人員帶到一個超級清楚的地方看企鵝，和我媽相遇時，我媽一直說企鵝太可愛了，還說GH很像小企鵝！我和UN沒看到啊！！！

Penguins are retiring! This would be the last time Cincinnati Zoo hosts the penguin walk, so the walkway was jam-packed with enthusiastic onlookers, all hoping for a glimpse of the cuteness of these tuxedoed birds waddling. The walk would be canceled if the temperature rises above 50 degrees. UN and I were too busy finding a good spot that we lost my mom. My mom was then escorted by a zookeeper to a prime spot for watching the penguin walk. After meeting up with my mom, she wouldn’t stop telling us how cute the penguins were, and even said they walk like how GH walk! But UN and I didn’t get to see anything!!

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

https://www.cincinnatisymphony.org

終於能和UN一起來聽辛城交響樂！只能說辛城樣樣強，交響樂當然也不遑多讓，太開心能和UN一起在星期六晚上一起享受這麼棒的音樂。

Finally able to come to a Symphony Orchestra performance with UN! Cincinnati has many strengths, and its Symphony Orchestra is definitely one of them! So happy that UN and I get to enjoy this beautiful performance on a Saturday night.

Rooted

http://rootedjuicery.com/
3010 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45209

帶著濃濃加州感，主打有機和clean diet！除了果汁和三明治，他們的甜甜圈意外的好吃，而且吃完不會有罪惡感！！

With its California roots, this place headlines organic and clean diet. Aside from their fresh juices and sandwiches, their donuts are surprisingly delicious also! All the taste, without any guilt!

artichoke dip from Strong’s Brock Oven Pizzeria

April 04, 2023

2023 February List | 二月清單

April 04, 2023/ Brandy C.

February was a lively month! We were visited by many friends from Taiwan and different parts of the United States. So happy to hang out and catch up with friends that we haven’t seen in a long time. Hopefully our friends will still visit us when we move to Ohio!

二月好熱鬧！有朋友從台灣和美國各地來找我們，真開心能見到這麼多許久未見的朋友們。希望大家之後也能到Ohio找我們玩！

Extraordinary Dessert

1430 Union St, San Diego, CA 92101

We did a staycation in San Diego. UN and I revisited my college favorite dessert place, and it happens to be a tourist favorite spot! All of their cakes are beautifully designed and decorated using real floral petals. Irresistible to someone with a sweet tooth as myself.

這次下來聖地牙哥Staycation，我們來回味大學時代好愛的甜點店，也是在遊客來玩必吃清單裡！超美蛋糕和經典食用花瓣，味道總能滿足無甜食不歡的我，還能拍好多照片。

Little Italy Farmer’s Market

600 W Date St, San Diego, CA 92101

I love farmer’s markets, especially for the fresh blueberries and raw oysters! Crowded as ever before. You will find all kinds of fresh produce and delicious delicacies, guaranteed you won’t go home empty-handed or hungry. There used to be free parking, but with inflation, it is now $15 an hour!

我好愛的農夫市場，每次來必買超甜藍莓和吃生蠔！人潮一樣多，超美超新鮮蔬果，每次絕對滿載而歸。以前的免費停車場，如今也抵不過通貨膨脹，一小時竟然15塊美金！

April 25, 2022

2022 January-March List

April 25, 2022/ Brandy C.

2022 January

Happy New Year! The first half of January was filled with celebrations and get-togethers, we were off to a great start! Until the pandemic took another turn and we got hit with restrictions and state of emergency. But as of the writing of this post, the restrictions have been lifted, and we are able to enjoy a little bit of freedom again.

Cooking Class with Chef Tony

https://www.facebook.com/MoguCooking

So glad to be able to take Chef Tony’s cooking class with UN, despite the fact that I dragged him with me on his day off and he was the only guy in the class. Chef Tony is a local celebrity chef. He is knowledgeable in cooking and in his class, We learned how to make French omelet, poached egg, and hollandaise sauce.

OIWC Welcome Tea

https://www.facebook.com/OkinawaInternationalWomensClub

It was a big hit! I got a little stage fright when I got up to speak, but was really happy that Okinawa International Women’s Club (OIWC) can start again. OIWC is one of my favorite groups in Okinawa, where I got to meet with local Japanese and had many cultural exchange.

Granny Bingo

My very first time hosting/playing real bingo. I googled online and found out that there is more than one way to play bingo! Thank God for my helpful friends to help make this event a success!

Areko

https://www.instagram.com/areko.ippee/

I made this reservation for the day before a lockdown happened again. This place is reservation only, and you can contact the owner via Instagram. Owner/chef prepared the meal for us with such focus, UN said that he looked like a Taiwanese celebrity! All dishes were curated by the owner himself, using fresh local ingredients. Loved every bite!

新年快樂！2022年一月前半段過著夜夜笙歌，絕對讓2022有個非常美好的開頭。但疫情總愛突然插手，一月後半段以防疫狀態過完的。即使如此，現在寫這文章時已經防疫解除，大家能自由遊玩！

Chef Tony的煮飯課

https://www.facebook.com/MoguCooking

太開心能和UN一起上到Chef Tony的廚藝課！課裡我們學到如何煮出法式蛋餅和辨別蛋的好壞，也學到了日本奶油、歐洲奶油、和美國奶油的不同。當然，UN回家後就非常認真練習！

沖繩國際婦女協會 (OIWC)

https://www.facebook.com/OkinawaInternationalWomensClub

太成功了！雖然臨時上台講話緊張到我頭腦空白，但真的很開心OIWC能正式恢復運行。OIWC (Okinawa International Women’s Club)是我在沖繩最愛的團體之一，能和在地沖繩人一起做文化交流。

扮裝賓果

第一次辦這連我都不知道怎麼玩（正統）賓果，上網一查才知道賓果有超多玩法。從基本的五個號碼連一條線到正方形格子外圍連線。好險有神隊友幫忙，才把這活動辦得有聲有色。

Areko

https://www.instagram.com/areko.ippee/

防疫計劃實施前一天享受一下能在外面用餐的好日子（哈哈）！僅限預約制，可以在Instagram上聯繫。廚師兼老闆認真下廚，UN說他長得像金城武，請大家自行評估！菜色全是老闆設計，大多使用沖繩當地材料，每一口都是享受。

2022 February

Many of our plans for February got canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. But because of this, UN and I got to explore more of Okinawa.

Mikan Picking

https://goo.gl/maps/vvdTKrixSUjhGuzX8

UN was skeptical that we would be able to pick Mikan, since according to both the internet and a restaurant owner, the Mikan picking season ended a week ago. Despite all of that, I insisted on visiting a Mikan orchard. When we arrived, we were dealt with the expected cold hard truth that there’s no more Mikans to pick. Still, I asked the orchard farmer if we could just take a stroll inside. There were still some Mikans left on the trees, but the farmer said those weren't good for picking. I’m thankful that the farmer still let us go in and even gave us some (not pretty, but sweet) Mikans to eat!

Nago Castle Park

https://goo.gl/maps/BJ9tYZ83p2Vika1E6

we’ve visited Nago Castle Park a few times before, but never this thoroughly! Okinawa begins to turn into Spring starting in February, the weather is just perfect for taking a stroll through the park. We saw many couples there, enjoying their alone time. Me and UN on the other hand, were having a jolly time at the playground. We probably weren’t too welcomed by the park goers.

The British Wine and Tea Shop

http://british.ti-da.net/

Known for their freshly baked scones and homemade jam, the portion will leave you very satisfied. The owner Maki San lived in London for 10 years, and worked at a 5-star hotel, as a pastry chef. Her story behind opening this restaurant was very touching, you should ask her yourself when you get the chance!

Yamacha Cafe

https://goo.gl/maps/BkcVKmagAU6BNnxp8

Japanese pizza is umami, especially with their signature spicy sauce, just perfect! The restaurant owner is an expert in all things fermented. Her ume is a must-try. Also, she skin is glowing!

雖然原本計畫好的旅行因一些變化而取消，但也因此我和UN能在沖繩名護玩。

採柑橘

https://goo.gl/maps/vvdTKrixSUjhGuzX8

雖然採柑橘的季節已經快結束了，即使餐廳老闆和網上都說採柑橘的季節已在上禮拜結束，連UN都覺得我們是不是要改行程，但我堅持要到柑橘園一趟。到了柑橘園時，老闆說柑橘季節已結束，但我還是不死心的問老闆可不可以進去參觀。進柑橘園後才發現其實還是有很多柑橘啊！老闆解釋這些柑橘已經不漂亮了，不方便讓客人採。最後感謝老闆給我們吃（不太漂亮但卻很甜的）柑橘！

名護城公園

https://goo.gl/maps/BJ9tYZ83p2Vika1E6

來過幾次名護城公園，但絕對沒有這次逛得這麼仔細！二月的沖繩已逐漸進入春天，天氣非常舒服，很適合來這裡散步。很多情侶都來這裡休息，但我和UN卻玩公園設施一直大笑，非常對不起這些浪漫的情侶們。

The British Wine and Tea Shop

http://british.ti-da.net/

老闆Maki San做的司康配上手工果醬，大份又好吃。老闆曾在英國住了10年，在倫敦五星級飯店當糕點師傅。開這家店的故事非常溫馨可愛，有機會可以問老闆喔！

Yamacha Cafe

https://goo.gl/maps/BkcVKmagAU6BNnxp8

日式比薩非常香！配上老闆自製辣醬，完美！老闆娘是位專研醃製發酵的廚師，老闆娘的梅子非常好吃。還有，老闆娘皮膚非常好！

2022 March

Spring time in Okinawa is quite charming, a delight before the humidity that summer will bring.

Kimono Dressing

Our time living in Japan is coming to an end, I’m glad to be able to dress in kimono and enjoy bento boxes with my friends.

Strawberry Picking

(previous post)

Strawberries are one of my favorite fruits. But after 40 minutes of eating strawberries, I think I’ve had enough! Now I’m craving for something savory, and maybe a hot soup.