lingqi's Journal: Janurary 29th, 2004

Janurary 29th, 2004 (5:25pm)

I was at the supermarket yesterday, buying stuff that I should not have been buying (raw consumable salmon at 11pm), simply because they were incredibly cheap. Upon entering the store, I was immediately greeted on the left by an entire section dedicated to valentine's day. Boxes up on boxes were lined up, all nicely wrapped in glittery ribbons.

My immediate thought was: "ahh, many girls will be receiving these in two weeks." I am sure anyone with a girlfriend would similarly at an instance begin the purchase process, to avoid forgetting later on.

It took me almost a minute to realize that only girls buy these things, being "giri choco" - given (by girl) to people you have no feelings for, like boss or coworkers. Despite having known this fact for a long time, the moment of that realization was still like enlightment; it suddenly occured to me how different a culture gap really can be.

It's not about not knowing these cultural differences, but rather that having been brought up thinking in one way, the natural response of the nexus of neurons are predetermined to react incongruently with the surroundings. Heck, I *still* look left first when I cross streets.

I also tried (the fourth time since my stay in japan) to grill some fish - this time hirame, possibly karei because i don't know which one is which (they are both flatfish but the eyes are on different sides) - and for the fourth time I have failed. Even on the lowest setting, and waiting a very very long time, the fish still turned out burnt on the outside yet raw within. I herehence conclude that the forsaken grill is not meant to cook food - but instead cause people grief while costing a LOT of gas...

Cooking fish

[Pirogoeth]

My philosophy for cooking fish is that if you don't mind it raw, then cook it like this...

Lightly grease your pan with canola oil, then crank up the heat. Cook the fish on one side for about 20-30 seconds, long enough for it to sear, then flip. Repeat on the other side. It ends up done nicely on the outside, warm, but still pink (or whatever color) on the inside.

Your milage may vary...

Re:Cooking fish

[Quass]

Do exactly that... and then stick it in the oven at about 400 degrees for another 5 minutes or so, and it will be seared on the outside, and fully cooked in the middle.. mmmmm

giri choco

[blastedtokyo]

giri is not girl in katakana so much as it is "obligatory" or relating to the social code.

But the world is a changin. In my japanese-acting american tech firm, almost all the women are gone for more modern places where they don't need to give giri choco...or at least places with more available/desireable men to give the chocolate to.