Kotog

I'm done with finals and have some free time, so I'm dusting off the blogs a bit.  Xposted updates here and on livejournal, but upped the privacy since they involve work.  Log in to read, or make an account and contact me.

Happy Birthday Mozart!

Show us your dream winter escape.

I've debated getting the shirt, but this is way awesomer.

Show us a musical instrument.

A friend moving to Portland soon asked me to write up a list of restaurants I recommend there.  I tried to provide links to menus etc whenever available, and I made a nice map of everything at google maps.  My information is a bit dated, but here's what I remember:

Saburo's - Best sushi in Portland.  They have huuge portions, so order accordingly.  The storefront used to be unlabeled, but I checked the fancy new google streetview maps, and they now have a little name written on the overhang.  They also have good basic Japanese food if you're not in the mood for sushi, I liked the Soba.  They're super popular and don't take reservations, so come early and bring a book for while you wait.

Japanese place on Division - A friend showed me this place during my last visit to Portland.  It's located a few blocks west of 33rd and Division, with the storefront facing East --not facing the street... I cannot remember the name or exact location, sorry.  Mostly notable for the incredibly dirt cheap meals, full meal for less than $5, but still tasty.

Yoko's -  Fun, tiny, neighborhood Japanese restaurant.  Good food, decent prices, mainly good for a change of pace.

Lemongrass - Spiciest Thai food I've seen served in an American restaurant.  They scale the spiciness on a scale of 1-20.  If you like spicy food and it's your first visit, get a one.  I'm not kidding.  My friend got an 8 (looves spicy food, raised on it) and he could barely eat his food, and got horribly sick afterwards.  My Indian boyfriend got a 7 and thought it was too much (also got sick).  I knew people who got zeros and it was too much for them.  I got a one, and it was pushing my spiciness tolerance out of the comfort zone.  Basically don't go here if you don't like spicy food :P  Also, the place is located in an old house, so very tiny seating area, and they're cooking for you in the kitchen, like home.

Thai Thai - Solid Thai food for when the mood strikes.  On Hawthorne, so nice and convenient, I recommend the pad thai.

Pho Van - Tasty Vietnamese food, slightly pricier, I went here a few times, good pho.  Nice clean decor.

Swagat - Our old regular place for Indian food; we almost always went on Sundays for the lunch buffet, which I believe they also have on weekdays.

Bombay Cricket Club - The fancy place for Indian food.  This place was much pricier (with the clientele and decor to match) but whenever we felt like splurging we would come here and enjoy the food.

Al Amir - My favorite restaurant in Portland.  Pricey Lebanese food, but worth it.  On my first visit there was saffron in the rice and the lamb was so tender it slipped off the bones.  On the weekends they have belly dancing performances.

Nicholas - Excellent Lebanese food, in a cheaper venue.  The quality is not as good as Al Amir, but much more affordable for regular visits.  They get packed quickly though, so be ready to wait, sometimes outside.  They set up heaters outside in the winter, but when it was open we would often check out the military surplus store next door.

Bubble Bubble - Favorite bubble tea in Portland, though it's convenient location down the street from Reed may have influenced my opinion...They have a huge variety of bubble tea to choose from, and a lot of Taiwanese snacks/small meals.  Good place to get a cheap lunch.

Royal Family Ginseng - I'm not totally sure if this is the actual restaurant's name, but if you go upstairs from the big cafe/store of this name, there is a buffet.  I didn't have any Chinese food that I liked all that much in Portland, but this was the best I thought.

Taquiera Uruapan - I didn't like this place much; they specialize in cheap, greasy, gigantic burritos.  It's basically a "hole in the wall" place, so very cheap, kinda dirty, and usually easier if you order in Spanish.  I know people who swear by it though, so here it is.

Today is Blog Action Day!  Take action by posting about the environment in your own way.

Been thinking about this stuff more than usual recently, probably because of all the media.  It seems kinda silly, but sitting down and thinking about it, everything plastic you chuck is going to be around for ages and ages...the least we can do is recycle and cut back. 

Most recently, this has involved me trying to figure out how I can recycle whatever I can, and getting very angry at Pittsburgh recycling trucks ignoring my house for weeks at a time for no good reason.

I use tons of plastic grocery bags for picking up after the dog, but we actually get more plastic bags than Jingjing can work through.  Thus, I bought myself some nice Trader Joe's bags to carry groceries.

The bonus is that whenever we shop at TJ, we also get a shot at a bag full of food.