Strawberry pancakes

Strawberries are in season now. They are delicious on their own. But this time, I placed them on pancakes to take an instagrammable photo. And it turned out springlike one anyway but I should have sprinkled the whipped cream with chopped pistachio.

　　　　　　　　Macadamia nut sauce pancakes that I made long ago

When I went to Hawaii before, a friend who lived in Hawaii took me to Boots & Kimo’s , and their macadamia nut sauce pancakes were very delicious. So I looked for recipes that copied the sauce and made it. Although the taste was similar to it, the original sauce was more fluffy. (H.S)

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Cherry blossoms after a warm winter

Unfortunately, it is raining, but along the street called Sakura-dori (cherry blossom street)  in front of our office in the center of Fukui City, cherry blossom trees are nearly in full bloom already. So they will be in full bloom as early as the beginning of next week.

It will be already April next week, so it's not surprising. This year, it was a record warm winter and we had almost no snow in Fukui, a heavy snowfall area. So I didn't feel like winter, but nevertheless, the cherry blossom trees did not bloom much earlier, one month or so than usual, and did only a few days earlier.

There may be a mechanism that even if the temperature rises, they wouldn't bloom simply. It's interesting.
T.S

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Helpful TV program and website about coronavirus

The new coronavirus suddenly appeared in this world and has plunged the world  into chaos in just a few months. Meanwhile, I was able to get two very useful information sources in recent days.

The first was NHK Special “The fight against pandemic: Can we contain the outbreak? “, which was broadcasted on March 22nd. Watching the program, I understood current Japan’s situation and a sense of crisis that experts had very well. That is, we don’t have to be scared needlessly but unless we take measures properly according to the type of virus, we expect to overshoot at any time now.

The second was:

“Information about new coronavirus by Shinya Yamanaka” (available only in Japanese) , which was created personally by a Nobel Prize-winning Professor Yamanaka, who works on iPS cells.

He shows clearly “What is known and what is unknown” on the website. I was impressed that the facts like data and his opinions based on the data were provided separately.

Through such information by scientists, I think that perspectives faced the unknown, not existing knowledge systems, that is science. Now, there is a tendency to spur speculations without evidence, wild rumors, and fringe science. But at least, I try to have perspectives like scientists.
T.S

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What I bought at KALDI, which opened its first shop in Fukui Prefecture

KALDI, which is popular for coffee and imported foods, finally opened its first shop in Fukui. So I stopped at it when I went shopping the other day.

I wanted to buy Syrok, which is a Russian chilled dessert that became a popular topic on Twitter recently. It seems to be a chocolate-coated cottage cheese bar. Those who bought one at KALDI said very good. I heard that it is not available in some shops, and unfortunately, the Fukui shop was one of those. That said, Syrok is popular now, so I am looking forward to getting it at the Fukui shop sometime.

Syrok: Russian Premium Cheese coated with dark chocolate 50 gram 321 yen 

Milk chocolate coated and white chocolate coated are also available.

(From KALDI online store) 

These are what I bought at KALDI.

Dried fruits, red curry, brie cheese, truffle cheese dip, shortbread, and Shanghai fried noodles.

Be that as it may, shopping at KALDI is a lot of fun and uplifting. That day, the shop limited the number of shoppers, and I could browse there thoroughly. I think that many people stay home now, but it is a blessed relief that people could go shopping freely this way. Other shoppers also looked happy and gave space to ones picking up items kindly, which created a warm atmosphere. (H.S)

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Documentary film “Becoming Who I Was”

I would like to introduce a documentary film that made a strong impression on me. The film “Becoming Who I Was”(2017), created by a Korean production, depicts a boy in northern India, Ladakh region, who is discovered to be the reincarnation of an esteemed, high-ranking Tibetan monk, and his aging godfather takes him on a journey to Tibet with beautiful images. The film won many film awards including Banff Mountain Film Festival 2017.

The boy, Padma Angdu, 9, who is believed that he is a Rinpoche (reincarnated centuries-old monk). But he cannot contact the monastery in Tibet that he used to live in his previous life due to Chinese policies. And yet, Urgain planned to take him to Tibet. Then, the two set off on a long and grueling journey for more than two months.

The boy can draw the monastery in Tibet in detail. I have heard about some children who remembered their previous lives around the world. But it seems the memories begin to fade as they grow up. 

In HIS HOLINESS THE 14TH DALAI LAMA OF TIBET, it is written about reincarnation as follows.

***

Generally, Buddhists believe that there is no beginning to birth and that once we achieve liberation from the cycle of existence by overcoming our karma and destructive emotions, we will not be reborn under the sway of these conditions. Therefore, Buddhists believe that there is an end to being reborn as a result of karma and destructive emotions, but most Buddhist philosophical schools do not accept that the mind-stream comes to an end. To reject past and future rebirth would contradict the Buddhist concept of the ground, path and result, which must be explained on the basis of the disciplined or undisciplined mind. If we accept this argument, logically, we would also have to accept that the world and its inhabitants come about without causes and conditions. Therefore, as long as you are a Buddhist, it is necessary to accept past and future rebirth.

***

I was moved by the boy’s pure, innocent, and steady behavior. Also, I felt the preciousness beyond words in Urgain’s unconditional love for Padma Angdu. The scene where Urgain leaves Padma, it is difficult to watch without tears. I really wish they would meet each other again. (H.S) 

                                                  Padma Angdu

                                            (Photo from NHK online)

  [Trailer]

     

       

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Collaborative exhibition of lacquerware and photographs "Jet-black color and starry sky"

The exhibition of  lacquerware and photographs "Jet-black color and starry sky" is being held from March 6th to 22nd at the gallery Fukui Kougeisha in the center of Fukui City. This is a collaborative exhibition of Echizen lacquerware company TRAD, which has an exhibition here at this time every year, and Hideyuki Kato, an astronomical expert and curator of Fukui City Museum of Natural History. First of all, when I saw the photographs taken by Mr. Kato on the wall, I was amazed at how many stars can be seen in Fukui.

Even in the gallery where exhibitions by craft artists of various genres are held, such a collaboration of craft and photograph is a unique attempt. Actually, according to Mr. Minowa of TRAD, he was confused by the offer at first. That said, when I saw the exhibition, the photographs of the starry sky and the jet-black lacquerware were in harmony with each other very naturally, and I wondered why it has never held this kind of exhibition before.

While I was in the gallery, I saw visitors who came to see the photographs buying lacquerware. It seems to be a good opportunity for different type of customers to encounter lacquerware other than already existing craft fans, and lacquerware seems to have been created a wonderful synergistic effect of further enhancing its appeal with the theme of starry sky. I discovered something new in this exhibition.
T.S

Photographs of starry sky and lacquerware with a motif of constellation

Jet black and vermilion lacquerware are lined up below the starry sky photographs taken in Fukui City, Ono City and other places in Fukui Prefecture.

Constellation soup bowl

Lacquerware with lacquer work of constellation. There are soup bowls and cups. Constellations of birth month are also available. It is a wonder that there was no design like this before.

The Milky Way viewed from Lake Manahime

Photograph of starry sky taken at Lake Manahime in Ono City. I was overwhelmed by the number of stars as if  I saw on high mountains. A printed photo in a wide format is underlaid lacquerware in the center of the gallery.

Lacquerware reflecting stars

The stars reflected on the surface of plain orthodox lacquerware look fantastic.

Night sky in Starland Sakadani

There was a photograph taken in the Starland Sakadani in Ono City, where I always practice drone.　

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Recommendation of cafe and meal in Fukui City “Kisaki CAFE CENTRALPARK”

・Get our newsletterI went to “Kisaki CAFE CENTRAL PARK” and had chicken curry for lunch. The cafe is located along Phoenix Street in Fukui City and nearby Fukui Court. I was happy that it was healthy and I could eat plenty of vegetables.

Inside the cafe, it has a relaxed and quiet atmosphere with a nice interior. There is a counter for one-person as well. You can drink flavored detox water for free. That day, they served strawberry one, and cucumber with lemon one. It is a really good service. The staff is very friendly, and I would like to go back again. (H.S)

                              The cafe is located on the second floor.

                                                   Inside of the cafe

                                               Flavored detox water

         Other than the curry, there are a lot of set menus centered chicken dishes.

                                The first floor is a chicken ramen shop.

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I made AiRScouter, a secret weapon to fly drones safely, available to my Mavic.

Using AiRScouter WD-300A

When taking aerial shots or movies with a drone, I sometimes lose track of it while looking at a monitor. I usually fly it by myself and decided to use a head-mounted display for one eye named AiRScouter to solve such an anxiety. By using this, I can check images on the monitor without taking my eyes off of the drone, so the operational safety is greatly improved. Although the display is very small, I can watch not only images but also a telemetry information such as its battery level, distance, and altitude.

But there was a problem. The AiRScouter connects to a transmitter or a monitor connected to the transmitter using an HDMI cable and mirrors the image of the monitor onto the display near my eyes. It can be used with Phantom4 Pro+ because its transmitter has an HDMI port. But it cannot be used with Mavic series. It was a big problem for me, so I tried EZCast 2.4G HDMI dongle receiver that was sold for 2,699 yen on Amazon, and I was able to use it without any problems. An iPad or an iPhone connected to the transmitter and this dongle are connected via Wi-Fi, so around the transmitter became tidy.
T.S

Inserting the EZCast directly into the control box of the AiRScouter interferes with the power USB port next to the HDMI port, so I use a 10-centimeter HDMI extension cable (DOSAN brand) . That's a little bulky, but it can't be helped.

The power cable terminals of the AiRScouter and EZCast are both USB Type-A, so I use a mobile battery (MOXNICE brand) that has two Type-A USB ports.

I got a hard case for the Air Scouter and some small items related to it. I also put an adapter for attaching an iPad to the Mavic's transmitter and an HDMI cable for wired use in the case.
TRUSCO Protector Tool Case Olive M TAK13OD-M

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Immune system: Best weapon to protect us

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading in the world. First, it is important to wash your hands to prevent an infection. In addition, there is something we can do by ourselves, which is enhancing an immune system that is called the best weapon to protect us.

I quoted the following information from Erica Angyal Facebook page ＠ericaangyal. *Erica Angyal is a nutrition consultant from Australia, who served as an official nutrition consultant for Miss Universe Japan.)

⒈ Eat unprocessed natural foods To enhance an immune system, good nutrition is necessary. Let’s eat a carrot, broccoli, blueberry, kiwi, cabbage, spinach, and tomato proactively. These are rich in vitamin C or beta-carotene that enhances an immune system. Other than these, seaweed, mushroom, onion, garlic, ginger, yogurt, manuka honey, miso, and natto have an immunity-enhancing effect. Also, a freshly poured cup of green tea has a remarkable effect on improving immunity. On the other hand, sugar, margarine, ham, bacon, sausage, cake, cookie, donut, soft drink reduces the activity of the immune system.

2. Get enough sleep According to one study, those who sleep for less than seven hours are three times more likely to catch a cold than those who sleep for about eight hours. And, if you have a lack of sleep even only a night, natural killer cells decrease by 28 percent. During the initial stage of sleep, different kinds of immune cells’ concentration reach their peak and stress hormone decreases. It shows how important sleep is.

3. Manage stress If you become overtired or come under stress, the immune system is affected and becomes weak. When you feel stress, the activity of the immune system grows by stress management as you like such as breathing deeply, stretching, doing yoga, reading books or magazines, watching funny movies or TV shows and taking a nice long bath.

Also, aromatherapy is effective. Why don’t you add a drop of essential oil inside your mask? Not only boosting immunity but also fragrant, so it can be uplifting. Especially, bergamot seems to be most effective, but eucalyptus, tea tree, oregano, thyme, lemon, and lavender are also good. Taking a supplement of vitamin C in high doses or mineral zinc is effective as well.

Please prevent infection by cold, flu and COVID-19 by putting the above into daily life. (H.S）

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