Saving log - $3 tip box
Spending log - $1.19 coffee + $8 lunch
I ate a little bento box lunch at the food court of Uwajimaya. I sat down, as I picked at my food with my chopsticks the middle aged woman next to me promptly said, "What is that? You handle chopsticks like a Korean!" (She was Korean.)
Her daughter, sitting across from me smiled and said, "don't mind her, she's always amazed when she sees a Westerner handle chopsticks well."
I laughed. "I first learned to use chopsticks to keep me from eating so fast. It didn't work, I just learned how to eat fast with chopsticks." Then I told them how I impressed my french MIL in Paris by deboning a fish using chopsticks.
We talked a bit more. Mother lives in Tacoma, daughter lives in Lynnwood, so Uwajimaya in south downtown Seattle is midway. There's a Korean spa just south of the Alderwood Mall that will let you in for free on your birthday. (gotta file that one away - its my birthday in two weeks.). And I told them about the kimchi bar on 155th and Aurora - cabbage, radish, squid, anchovy, dandelion green, etc, all arranged in a bulk food/salad bar setting complete with sneeze guard.
Hit the Safeway this evening. Last night I saw a very good price for tomato sauce - 10 for $6. Can of chopped tomato were at an okay (for these days) price - 10 for $10. Bags of pasta again 10 for $10. Odwalla bars for 10 for $10.
The strategy here was that I had a 10$ off coupon for $50 or more purchase. Tough to try to keep at $50 (which would make it a 20% off coupon). We ended at $55. Next time we set the Odwalla bars for last. When it gets to $50, no more.
chopstick compliment
April 12th, 2008 at 04:41 am
April 12th, 2008 at 05:37 am 1207975071
I wish we had Uwajima-ya type of store here. I love bento-box lunches. That's one thing I really miss about Japan. There are so many variety of bento-box everywhere!
April 12th, 2008 at 06:26 am 1207977981
What is REAL fun is my dh's aunt speaks Cantonese. (She lived in Hong Kong for man years). Anyway, yeah, it is so fun to take her out to chinese restaurants, that is for sure. A white person speaking chinese! She loves the chance to practice the language, and then of course she becomes the side show. Your story just reminded me of that. I can only imagine what she hears when no one thinks she can understand what they are saying.
April 12th, 2008 at 02:42 pm 1208007721
April 12th, 2008 at 02:48 pm 1208008109
April 12th, 2008 at 04:41 pm 1208014874
April 12th, 2008 at 05:22 pm 1208017335
April 12th, 2008 at 06:14 pm 1208020465
April 13th, 2008 at 03:03 am 1208052204
I also love how its considered polite to bring the bowl up to your mouth to get the last crumbs with your chopsticks. Means cleaner neckties!
scfr - I miss decent TexMex and Latin American food - Guatamalan, Mexico City Mexican (heavy on the french influence), Sonorian. Only the basics in Seattle. So no matter where you are, you're missing something.