January 31, 2024

2024 January List | 一月清單

January 31, 2024/ Brandy C.

Happy New Year! January 2024 has been so busy, UN has been on call almost every single weekend. I’ve also arranged a few play dates for GH. What a fulfilling and satisfying start for the new year. Wishing everyone a 2024 where your dreams come true!

新年快樂！2024一月忙到不行，UN幾乎每週末值班，我也幫GH安排一堆play date，充實又滿足的新年開頭。希望大家2024年能心想事成！

Carl’s Deli

2836 Observatory Ave # A, Cincinnati, OH 45208
https://www.carlsdeli.com/

Even on a rainy day, there’s still a long line. Takeout only, and the wait can be long according to online reviews. But I only waited for five minutes before I got my order. The worker recommended numbers 18, 21, and 23. We ordered Gorlami, Roast Beef and Havarti on Croissant, and Crab and Artichoke Salad. The sandwich sauces were nicely done, but I think the sandwiches would taste better if they are toasted.

即使大雨天，店裡還是有好幾組人排隊。只限外帶，網上評價說速度非常慢，但我沒有等太久，大概不到五分鐘就拿到我們的食物。店員推薦18、21、23號。我們點了The Gorlami、一號Roast Beef and Harvarti on croissant和crab and artichoke salad（完全沒聽店員話）。三明治的醬配的很好，但如果麵包能烤過，三明治一定會更好吃。

The Baker’s Table

1004 Monmouth St, Newport, KY 41071
https://bakerstablenewport.com/

Their sourdough is to die for! The perfect moisture and softness of the bread, just the first bite made me fall in love with this restaurant. Ending with the olive oil cake could not have been a more ideal way to conclude the night! The Baker’s Table closed down their pizza shop at the end of last year, but turned it into a kitchen workshop, where you can learn how to make sourdough, pizza, and pasta. Every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday they also sell fresh sourdough there, but you must order online.

這酸麵包驚為天人的好吃啊！完美發酵讓酸麵包口感帶有濕度的蓬鬆感，咀嚼完不會太酸。開始用餐第一口就讓我愛上這餐廳，最後的甜點Olive Oil Cake劃下完美句點。The Baker’s Table去年底剛關掉對面的pizza店，現在改為煮飯課，有教酸麵包作法、pizza、和pasta，但幾乎是一票難求。每週三、五、六能買到酸麵包（需網路預訂），讓上不到課的我也能在家享受被我稱讚到不行的酸麵包。

Sugar ‘n Spice

1203 Sycamore St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
https://www.eatsugarnspice.com/menu-OTR/

A nostalgic and very charming American diner with a colorful interior. After the meal, the waiter brought over a plateful of rubber duckies for the guests to pick one and take home.

美式diner風格設計，裝潢顏色好繽紛，非常有特色。餐後，店員拿了一盤店裡招牌小鴨給客人挑。

Jungle Jim’s

4450 Eastgate S Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45245
http://www.junglejims.com/

What kind of store exactly is this!? You can find everything you can think of. Sorted by countries, you can find all kinds of delicacies here. They also have a huge selection of cheeses and wines. We were here for almost 3 hours and didn’t even get through half of the store. The store is full of surprises, no wonder it’s a tourist spot in Cincinnati. The only downside is that you are guaranteed to walk away with things that were not on your grocery list.

這到底是什麼店！你想的到的食物，這裡絕對有賣！各國特色食物、名產，一定能在這裡找到。除此之外，起司和酒的種類多到我們逛了三小時，還沒逛完整間店。到處都有驚喜，難怪這裡是辛城觀光景點之一。唯一缺點，你會在這買一堆沒在購物清單上的食物（印度豆豆零食和新加坡鹹蛋黃魚皮⋯）！

February 26, 2023

2023 January List | 一月清單

February 26, 2023/ Brandy C.

Happy New Year everyone! Beginning of the year was packed with so many things, definitely started out with a bang! We were able to celebrate the Lunar New Year with our family. Wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous 2023! My hope for this new year is that I will efficiently utilize every minute of my life. Even if it starts with a 5 minute workout during the day. What about you guys? What do you wish to accomplish this year?

各位，新年快樂！2023一開始，行程滿滿，開啟美好的一年。我們也和家人一起過農曆新年，祝大家萬事如意身體健康！今年希望我能善用每一分鐘，即使是五分鐘的簡短運動都算是完成件好事！你們呢？

Restaurants

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse

2150 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
http://www.tomhamslighthouse.com

The scenery is unparalleled here. Vast ocean dotted with sailboats. The food selection is on-par with buffet restaurants of equal value, including fresh oysters, clams, and crab legs. My favorite was spaghetti, where you get to pick your own ingredients, and the cook will cook your spaghetti in front of you. Buffet is only available on Sunday.

超美風景，海上滿滿的帆船，絕對是這裡的一大賣點。食物種類大致上和許多這價位雷同的餐廳一樣，有生蠔、扇貝、螃蟹腳，熟食區絕對有小孩最愛的mac n cheese。我最愛的是義大利麵吧，自己挑自己想要的料，廚師現煮出來加上白醬或綠醬，應該是這餐廳我最愛的食物了。自助餐只在星期日提供。

The Plot

1733 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054, United States
http://www.theplotrestaurant.com/

One of my favorite plant-based restaurant! It markets itself as a zero-waste business, and doesn’t even have a trash can. However, I don’t get why plant-based restaurants always name their dishes with meat. For example, I ordered the Hot Chicken Sando, but there isn’t any chicken in it! The meat is created with tofu, I like the texture, and when paired with the house special sauce, it tastes really good. They have their own “ketchup”, the consistency of which is more like jam, worth the try!

我很愛的全植物性餐廳！全植物性餐廳，標榜不產垃圾，餐廳沒有垃圾桶。但我總是無法理解這類餐廳特別愛用動物肉類命名每道菜，像是我點的Hot Chicken Sando，明明沒有雞肉呀！肉質部分用豆腐製作而成，我很喜歡有點嚼勁的豆腐口感，配上店裡的特製醬料，特別有味道。店裡的自製蕃茄醬質地很像果醬，值得嘗試！

Gonzo!

300 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008, United States
https://www.gonzo-japan.com

This place makes us miss Japan so much! They sell authentic ramen and Okinawa Orion beer here! I want to go back to Japan now! The owner Mika-san is from Niigata, and we chatted her up about our Niigata trip. If you are a ramen head, you must come here. This is the most authentic ramen place in Northern San Diego. Fun fact from owner Jamie, there’s another Gonzo ramen, located coincidentally in Niigata, but completely unrelated to the one in Carlsbad.

讓我們太想念日本了啦！店裡賣著道地拉麵和沖繩Orion啤酒，真的好希望能回日本！老闆娘Mika San從新瀉來，我們大聊去新瀉玩的趣事。喜歡日本拉麵的人，一定要來這裡吃，絕對是我們回來後在北聖地牙哥這帶吃過最道地的拉麵。對了，老闆Jamie說新瀉也有一家Gonzo Ramen喔！（但沒有關係啦！）

Hai Di Lao (San Diego)

4545 La Jolla Village Dr F9, San Diego, CA 92122, United States
(Located in UTC)

We ordered tomato soup base and spicy soup base. Still very delicious but missing the noodle pulling performance, so didn’t really feel like the typical Hai Di Lao experience.

我們點了番茄湯底和麻辣湯底，還是一樣好吃！但少了變臉和拉麵表演，氣氛不太像印象中的海底撈。

Activities

Annie’s Canyon Trail

498-450 Solana Hills Dr, Solana Beach, CA 92075, United States
Hiking Level: Easy

Had planned to hike this trail last month, but changed our plan last minute to go eat dim sum in Irvine instead. We drive by this trail every week, on the side of the I-5 freeway. Google maps leads you straight to the parking lot of the trailhead. The trail starts off with a slight uphill, but overall is not too difficult, even my mom could keep a pretty good pace. You will get a great view of the I-5 freeway as well as the Pacific Ocean.

愛吃個性還是不變，上個月原本要來這裡健行，但臨時改成去吃港式飲茶。新年不頹廢，我們週末來這裡爬山。這裡就是在五號公路往南開的路上會看到的步道，照著Google Maps就能找到路邊停車和路口。一開始以上坡來嚇大家，但整體偏簡單的步道，連我媽都能飛速走完。沿路上的風景最吸引我的就是俯望五號公路和遠方的海景。

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.