Chobimay.com

I don’t think I’ve ever had Gumbo before, although I’ve had and liked Jambalaya.
So when the opportunity arose to watch and help make gumbo, I said why the hell not?

The ingredients that were sort of followed…

By the time I arrived, the whole chicken (since it’s harder to get turkey here) was cooked already… (and later chopped up)

and here is the chicken stock.

I was given the task of chopping up onions..

and omg…. sooooo much garlic… I don’t even know how long it took me to peel all these…

and mince too…

was pretty exhausted after it all…haha

took a break….
Chef B made me an AMAZING sandwich.

with homemade pancetta and all… *drools*
ah…. how i crave thee again… lol
what an awesome reward for hard labor. haha

Next he started making the roux with olive oil and flour.

while I cut up the sausage

and I think the celery and bell peppers were cut up around this time as well…

In went the onions

and the celery and pepper

added a bit more oil

and into the pot it went…

next we browned the sausage

and into the pot it went…

then he added the bay leaves and I think the pepper? (sorry…I kinda missed the seasoning part. lol)
you’re supposed to bring to a boil and then immediately reduce to a simmer for about 30 minutes. (now i’m just reading the recipe. haha)

peeled and de-veined the shrimp while it simmered

added the okra and you’re supposed to cook for another 30 minutes or so, until the stringy-ness of the okra is gone…

threw in the chicken and shrimp
adjusted seasonings…
added hot sauce to one pot (since we made 2)

serve over rice in a bowl
and wa-lah!

was sooooo goooooood

I was actually pretty full from the smell already so I couldn’t even finish my bowl… lol
tends to happen when you’re the one cooking.

Was a fun experience!!
Will I make it again?
I’m not sure…. maybe not by myself. haha
But I’m always down to help

Going to support my friends that are singing in a Haiti Benefit Concert.
If you don’t have any plans this Friday, come chill!!

When: Friday February 5th from 8:00pm
Where: Ben’s Cafe (Takadanobaba) www.benscafe.com
No Cover Charge: 2000~ yen requested donation

You’re invited to a musical event on February 5 to benefit the Haiti earthquake victims. Come and hear some great local performers (JAB, Rin, Helen Morrisson, etc) in a chill space and contribute to the relief effort. Proceeds go to the Japanese Red Cross.

Rin

http://www.myspace.com/1004628215

JAB

http://www.myspace.com/jabsongs

Just came back from an AWESOME concert at the Prince Theater in Shinagawa!!

What a night. I’m so so glad I had the chance to go.
The concert is until this Sunday, so if you’re free PLEASE PLEASE go check it out!
More details here:
http://blues-soul.laff.jp/

The lineup:

Kohshi Kishita
http://www.kishitakohshi.com/

THE JOHNNY RAWLS SOUL BLUES REVUE featuring CARL GREEN on sax
http://www.johnnyrawlsblues.com

BYTHER SMITH (Chicago blues guitar man)
http://www.bythersmithweb.com/

MITTY COLLIER (former Chicago soul singer now a gospel singer and pastor)
http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Mitty%20Collier.html

The FLAMINGOS (featuring original vocalist Terry Johnson)
http://www.terryjohnsonsflamingos.com/

I can’t remember the last time I felt SO GOOD and HAPPY walking home from a day out.

GOOD MUSIC=GOOD ENERGY

All the artists are so amazing that I can’t even explain with words… but I have to say my favorites were definitely Johnny Rawls and The Flamingos.

PHENOMENAL.

with The Flamingos

You can listen to The Flamingos here:
http://www.terryjohnsonsflamingos.com/Recordings.htm VERY SWEET. Very innocent. and simply amazing.

with Johnny Rawls

Please check out http://www.johnnyrawlsblues.com/Listen_to_Music.html to listen to his music! A lot of his songs are VERY catchy and just makes you want to dance in your room all carefree and fun.

It definitely takes you back to the roots of GOOD music.
Before everything was all about sex drugs and money.
Nostalgic
Relaxing
and makes you feel good and happy inside

Once again,
the concert is until THIS SUNDAY, January 24, 2010.
If you’re in Tokyo
PLEASE PLEASE go check it out!
There may not be another chance to see all these great artists in ONE SITTING.

More details here:
http://blues-soul.laff.jp/

I’ve decided to give tumblr a try.
I use it to post random stuff up, so it’s basically like a vision board-esque look-inside-my-mind type thingy I now own.

http://chobimay.tumblr.com/

also on twitter.

http://twitter.com/chobimay

I have so much to write about I really don’t know where to start…

I’m just recently familiarizing myself with how to upload to blogger with my iphone.
Thus, my Japanese blog is ahead in blogging by a couple of entries.

So this will just be a copy paste entry. haha

My cat Toby

now tell me,
how is that NOT adorable?

WOW… I can’t believe it’s the new year already!
I’ve been spending it with family, chilling at home and doing the usual end-of-the-year/new year stuff.
Life is good

Looking back on 2009, I’m pretty relieved that it’s over and gone.
Bye-Bye.

It’s been one of the most stressful and frustrating years of my life due to personal things I’ve had to go through. Some things so ridiculous I never imagined I would have to go through at this age…

They say patience is a virtue, but I’ve learned it doesn’t apply to just everything and every situation.
You really have to choose who and what is actually WORTH your patience.

To balance out my cons though, I’ve had MANY AWESOME moments with FANTASTIC people and I appreciate every single one of my WONDERFUL friends <3

I'm also VERY blessed to have met such COOL new friends last year and we're definitely in for some more fun this year

I made a collage to summarize the memorable moments of my 2009.
There are still so many more pictures I'd like to add on, but I had to cut down... haha
It still came out to 4 collages though.
Enjoy

Let 2010 be filled with many more opportunities, new and old friends, much travel, and hopefully, a guy that understands me and brings out the best in me (and one each for all my single hot girlfriends. haha)

SABOTAGE SINGLE out on iTunes USA today!!! (Dec. 15)
http://itunes.apple.com/artist/id324035712

SABOTAGE

Directed by Renaud Cambuzat, with animation sequences and editing by Benjamin Putoud. this video was shot during a series of unauthorized flash mobs throughout Paris, with the unwilling help of the local police force. Renaud’s goal was to keep the over the top and chaotic feel of the original and import it in a glamorized version of Paris, capturing the pEneLOpe[s] exuberance and energy in the process.

You should also check out their website
http://www.thepenelopes.com/
and play the game. haha
it’s cute, and you can win ringtones and mp3s

Don’t forget to follow them on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/thepenelopes

Can’t wait for them to come back to Tokyo!!

These pictures have been lying on my desktop for awhile now
and I still can’t get over how much I like them.

I wonder what it is about early winter…
that seems to bring me down every year.

Maybe it’s because the year is nearing another end..
and I come to realize that there is still so so so much more I wanted to do…
yet another year has gone by without having done…

Maybe it’s because I haven’t seen and felt the warmth of that one special person in a long long time…
that one person that can make time stop and melt my worries away…
please come…

Maybe it’s because I can feel the clock ticking…
tick-tock
tick-tock
time’s slipping through my fingers
what are you going to do with your life?
what is your purpose?
what is your passion?

Maybe it’s because… with the final month just around the corner,
all the stress and bullshit I’ve had to deal with throughout the year
has finally taken its toll
and I find myself too weak and tired to push my worn-out body forward…

and believe me when I say…
I’ve dealt with enough bullshit and unbelievable people this past year….

I’m just a little tired.
From all the mess of 2009.
especially with parts continuing from 2008…
no one to blame but myself.
but I’ve learned my lesson.
Not saying they’re the main reason I’m feeling so low.
But it does contribute to how energy draining it was throughout this year…

A jumble of things… happening recently
all very emotional…
some good
some bad
some hurt
some warm
some fun
some sad

I think I just need a break…
to refresh
to rest
to relax

a change of scenery…
a little getaway..

overwhelmed and overload

I need to find some peace.