(Scroll down for English translation.)

從我媽去年9月來之後，UN就時不時問我媽要不要住美國，但我媽沒被洗腦成功，也沒被可愛孫女動心，台灣生活多采多姿不想過美國生活（苦笑中！）三月我們全家人去華府，UN去開會，我們去玩。博物館多到逛不完，餐廳多到吃不完。老實說，還真想念城市生活，一直有新地方能去。

去華府無數次，我們像是導遊，不免俗當然要看一下白宮和不同的博物館。除此之外，我們還和朋友們見面，太想念我的朋友們了！真希望能待久一點，可以聊久一點。

Washington DC

Lapis

1847 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009
http://www.lapisdc.com/

阿嬤和GH第一次吃阿富汗食物非常成功，連店員和旁邊的客人都說GH吃的津津有味！點了店員推薦我們的餐點，唯獨雞肉偏乾，其他都是一口接一口。

A&J

1319-C, Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852
http://www.aandjrestaurant.com/

我們好愛的台灣餐廳，牛肉麵和牛肉捲餅是我們每次必點。可能是一陣子沒吃到臺菜了，我們點了一堆食物！來了馬里蘭，讓我好想搬來東岸啊！

Dolcezza

904 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
http://dolcezzagelato.com/

飯後朋友帶我們來這裡吃冰，一看到招牌我就馬上認出來！這是我在Whole Foods買了好多次的義式冰淇淋，終於第一次來店裡吃到了！很香很濃，我很UN好愛。寶寶們，不好意思你還要等一下才能吃！

Pisco y Nazca

1823 L St NW, Washington, DC 20036
https://piscoynazca.com/washington-dc

有秘魯血統的朋友J帶我們來吃這家秘魯菜，應該是我目前吃過最好吃的秘魯餐廳！光看人潮就知道這家非常受歡迎，朋友J也幫我們點了讓我至今還很懷念的秘魯料理。下次來DC，絕對會再來！

China Chilcano

480 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
http://www.jaleo.com/dc

絕對不是第一次在不藍地清單介紹這家餐廳了，每次來DC必吃這家的午餐！Lunch Special很划算，推薦給大家。

Since my mom came to stay with us last September, UN would occasionally ask my mom if she wanted to move to the US. She was not brainwashed so easily, couldn’t even be convinced by her cute granddaughters. Life in America for her pales in comparison to her glamorous life back in Taiwan. In March, we traveled to Washington DC as a family. UN went there for a business trip, and we went to tour the city. There are countless museums to see and restaurants galore in DC. Makes me miss living in the city.

We’ve been to DC many times now, I feel like I can be a tour guide. Must visit is the White House and check out new museums. We even got to meet up with our dear friends! I wish we could’ve stayed longer and caught up some more.

Washington DC

Lapis

1847 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009
http://www.lapisdc.com/

Grandma and GH’s first time trying Afghan food was a success! GH’s appetite impressed the waitress as well as other customers! We ordered their popular dishes, all were hits, only the chicken was a bit dry.

A&J

1319-C, Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852
http://www.aandjrestaurant.com/

Our favorite Taiwanese restaurant! We always order their beef noodle soup and Peking beef wrap. Maybe because we haven’t had Taiwanese food for a while, so we over ordered again! Visiting Maryland makes me want to move back to the East Coast!

Dolcezza

904 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
http://dolcezzagelato.com/

After dinner our friend took us here. I recognized this place from the sign! I buy their ice cream from Whole Foods all the time. Finally I came to their store to try freshly made ice cream. UN and I love the fragrance and the richness of their ice cream. Sorry babies, we will let you guys try this next time!

Pisco y Nazca

1823 L St NW, Washington, DC 20036
https://piscoynazca.com/washington-dc

Our Peruvian friend took us to this place, and it quickly became my favorite Peruvian restaurant! You can tell by the crowd how popular this restaurant is. Our friend J ordered her favorite dishes for us. I can still taste the umami just thinking about it. Will definitely dine here again next time we are back in DC!

China Chilcano

480 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
http://www.jaleo.com/dc

Not the first time this restaurant is featured on Brandy’s List. A must eat lunch place when in DC! Their lunch special is worth every penny, highly recommend!

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.