Chopsticks
California roll (front) |
Chicken Teriyaki |
I am very picky about how fish tastes. If it is what I consider fishy I won't eat it. There was one restaurant in the town I lived in Malaysia that had really fresh fish and it was great. Other restaurants I tried in Malaysia still had that fishy flavor. Anyway back to Sushi Hana.
pan fried dumplings |
We went there and I got the California roll, Chicken Teriyaki roll and also pan fried dumplings. I also tried one of my friend's smoked salmon rolls and pickled ginger. I liked everything that I tried. My friend also showed me how to use chopsticks. I have tried using chopsticks many times before but never got it. Well, I don't know if how she does it is slightly different or not, but I was finally able to use chopsticks. I know it is a little thing but I was really happy that I finally was able to use chopsticks. I need to buy some and continue to use them when I eat at home so that I don't lose the ability to use them.
My Favorite Part of the Day in Indonesia
My favorite part of the day in Indonesia is in the morning
on the way to work. Where I live in Indonesia there are security guards at the entrance of every neighborhood. They are also at the entrance of many
businesses. I have to go through three sets of security guards stations on the
way to work. The first is as I am exiting my neighborhood. The second is
actually a road block that they make most people go around. Since the sign is
in Indonesian I don’t know why the road is blocked. It is blocked from 10p.m.
to 8a.m. The last is the entrance to work. The reason I love this part of my
day is because it starts the day off with a smile. Whenever I see the guards I always smile
really big and wave enthusiastically. They all respond in kind. Sometimes when
they see my vehicle they will all gather and then I will have around 10
Indonesian men smiling and waving enthusiastically to me. I always roll down my
window and call out “Selamat Pagi” . Another thing I like is that they are not
reserved in telling me I am beautiful. I
don’t hear it all the time but I do hear it at least once a week. Not that I
never heard in back in the US but I hear it way more here. It is also nice
because I consider Asian people very beautiful and it is nice to hear that to
some of them I am also beautiful in my own way.
I think it also makes me feel good because when I lived in Malaysia I was not able to exercise as I didn't have access to a gym and it was super hot and humid outside. Plus, I didn't really like the people that followed me in their vehicles when I was walking around the neighborhood.
So, I didn't have much to do and put on weight. Since I have lived in Indonesia I have access to a club with a gym that is super close to my house. The club also has a pool and I love, love to swim. I have been swimming almost every day. That is my favorite thing about Indonesia is that I can swim outside 365 days a year if I want to do that. So, I have lost lots of weight and am in better shape than I was in Malaysia. In the US even though for the last several years news, media, people have been talking about that we need to not all be skinny people and that different sizes are beautiful, etc. there is still lots pressure to be skinny and look a certain way. There maybe that pressure in other countries, but as an outsider I don't feel that pressure. Sure, it is hard for me to find clothes that fit or are long enough, but it doesn't bother me like it did when I first moved overseas. I have also gotten more use to people staring at me when I am out and about. I hate being the center of attention and like to blend in the background, but I realize I stick out and it is part of living in Asia. I think I am more comfortable since people have told me that I am beautiful that they are not staring at me because I am ugly, but they think I am beautiful in my own way.
I think it also makes me feel good because when I lived in Malaysia I was not able to exercise as I didn't have access to a gym and it was super hot and humid outside. Plus, I didn't really like the people that followed me in their vehicles when I was walking around the neighborhood.
So, I didn't have much to do and put on weight. Since I have lived in Indonesia I have access to a club with a gym that is super close to my house. The club also has a pool and I love, love to swim. I have been swimming almost every day. That is my favorite thing about Indonesia is that I can swim outside 365 days a year if I want to do that. So, I have lost lots of weight and am in better shape than I was in Malaysia. In the US even though for the last several years news, media, people have been talking about that we need to not all be skinny people and that different sizes are beautiful, etc. there is still lots pressure to be skinny and look a certain way. There maybe that pressure in other countries, but as an outsider I don't feel that pressure. Sure, it is hard for me to find clothes that fit or are long enough, but it doesn't bother me like it did when I first moved overseas. I have also gotten more use to people staring at me when I am out and about. I hate being the center of attention and like to blend in the background, but I realize I stick out and it is part of living in Asia. I think I am more comfortable since people have told me that I am beautiful that they are not staring at me because I am ugly, but they think I am beautiful in my own way.