Finally uploaded some pictures from my trip earlier this year.
This is my Ohana.
Happy Friday!
Showing posts with label pictures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pictures. Show all posts
7.20.2012
4.18.2012
Chocolates in Asia I wish were sold in the States
This week's photo challenge: Chocolate reminded me of something I've been wanting to say for some time.
Why are these things not available in the States?
-----------------------------
AMICELLI by Dove
Every time I visit Taiwan I try to find some Amicelli.
Amicelli are small individually wrapped wafer rolls filled with hazelnut chocolate, also known as bits of heaven wrapped in a wafer roll (in my world). A bit on the pricier end but I REALLY LIKE HAZELNUT CHOCOLATE so it's a real treat. They are made by Dove but I have not seen them in the U.S.
But Dove chocolate is headquartered in New Jersey!
Yes, why would Dove deny Americans of this delicious treat? Why doesn't CocaCola sell Qoo here? Why can't 7-11 be the hub for all bill-paying activity? Why can't my potato chips taste like a hamburger with ketchup or a steak covered in black pepper sauce with a side of mashed potatoes? Why can't I have a local bookstore that is 7 floors tall? Why can't all receipts also double up as lottery tickets? Sometimes you have to travel the world to realize the US isn't the only place with great ideas and even though we are in the land of plenty we still don't have it all.
At least the Bay Area is finally getting a Uniqlo. My brother introduced me to this brand when we were in Japan. I remember stopping by the store in NYC a few years back and wishing I had one in my backyard. Uniqlo is like the Gap of Japan, lots of pretty basics, cute print t-shirts, and fun collaborations with designers like Jill Sanders, Vena Cava, Orla Kiely. Yippee!
-----------------------------
Rich Matcha Chocolate by Meiji
My housemate went to Japan earlier this year and brought back Meiji rich matcha chocolate bars. Similar in appearance to a Hershey's chocolate bar, except think of a white chocolate bar flavored with matcha and only 10% of white chocolate's typical sweetness. Not super sophisticated or beautifully packaged but all I can say is YUM! Such a huge fan of matcha green tea and it's smoky, dry flavor.
She said she could only find them in the 7-11 stores around Japan.
I had high hopes of returning from Taiwan with a years worth of this stuff. When I was in Taiwan, every time I passed by a 7-11 (which appear about every other block in the bigger cities) I peeked inside hoping to spot some in the candy aisle. There were quite a few Meiji products, but only milk chocolate and dark chocolate bars. No matcha green tea bars! I scoured Taipei. Grocery stores, 7-11's, family marts (another common convenience store), department stores... NADA!
Sigh.
I shouldn't have gobbled up the one from Japan so quickly.
I was hoping to bring some back from Taiwan as souvenirs for others because they are delicious, cheap (the airport ate half my spending money before I could cross customs), easy to carry, I haven't seen them in America and who DOESN'T like them? Sigh. Pineapple cakes, mochi, taro cakes, black charcoal face wash, cheap tights and funny hello kitty glasses were the only plunder I brought back from my trip. I hate giving people things they could easily find in their local Asian supermarket. (Bulky boxes also end up being smashed in my luggage and do not very pretty gifts.)
My brother returned from Taiwan a week after me and look what he brought back for me!
He said he found it in a grocery store.
I shall ration it for a year... or week. Whatever comes first.
-----------------------------
Any candies you wish were available in the US?
FYI - No one is allowed to say Smarties (I'm looking at you Canadians) because M&M's are clearly superior. Clearly.
Don't get me started on ice cream flavors.
Why are these things not available in the States?
-----------------------------
AMICELLI by Dove
Every time I visit Taiwan I try to find some Amicelli.
But Dove chocolate is headquartered in New Jersey!
Yes, why would Dove deny Americans of this delicious treat? Why doesn't CocaCola sell Qoo here? Why can't 7-11 be the hub for all bill-paying activity? Why can't my potato chips taste like a hamburger with ketchup or a steak covered in black pepper sauce with a side of mashed potatoes? Why can't I have a local bookstore that is 7 floors tall? Why can't all receipts also double up as lottery tickets? Sometimes you have to travel the world to realize the US isn't the only place with great ideas and even though we are in the land of plenty we still don't have it all.
At least the Bay Area is finally getting a Uniqlo. My brother introduced me to this brand when we were in Japan. I remember stopping by the store in NYC a few years back and wishing I had one in my backyard. Uniqlo is like the Gap of Japan, lots of pretty basics, cute print t-shirts, and fun collaborations with designers like Jill Sanders, Vena Cava, Orla Kiely. Yippee!
-----------------------------
Rich Matcha Chocolate by Meiji
My housemate went to Japan earlier this year and brought back Meiji rich matcha chocolate bars. Similar in appearance to a Hershey's chocolate bar, except think of a white chocolate bar flavored with matcha and only 10% of white chocolate's typical sweetness. Not super sophisticated or beautifully packaged but all I can say is YUM! Such a huge fan of matcha green tea and it's smoky, dry flavor.
She said she could only find them in the 7-11 stores around Japan.
I had high hopes of returning from Taiwan with a years worth of this stuff. When I was in Taiwan, every time I passed by a 7-11 (which appear about every other block in the bigger cities) I peeked inside hoping to spot some in the candy aisle. There were quite a few Meiji products, but only milk chocolate and dark chocolate bars. No matcha green tea bars! I scoured Taipei. Grocery stores, 7-11's, family marts (another common convenience store), department stores... NADA!
Sigh.
I shouldn't have gobbled up the one from Japan so quickly.
I was hoping to bring some back from Taiwan as souvenirs for others because they are delicious, cheap (the airport ate half my spending money before I could cross customs), easy to carry, I haven't seen them in America and who DOESN'T like them? Sigh. Pineapple cakes, mochi, taro cakes, black charcoal face wash, cheap tights and funny hello kitty glasses were the only plunder I brought back from my trip. I hate giving people things they could easily find in their local Asian supermarket. (Bulky boxes also end up being smashed in my luggage and do not very pretty gifts.)
My brother returned from Taiwan a week after me and look what he brought back for me!
He said he found it in a grocery store.
I shall ration it for a year... or week. Whatever comes first.
-----------------------------
Any candies you wish were available in the US?
FYI - No one is allowed to say Smarties (I'm looking at you Canadians) because M&M's are clearly superior. Clearly.
Don't get me started on ice cream flavors.
challenge: chocolate
8.23.2011
11.01.2010
Orange Orange Everywhere!
[My posts keep getting later and later...]
I was so excited about last week's theme because currently, orange and black in the bay area don't mean Halloween, it is ALL about the SF Giants.
When the SF Giants were playing the Phillies, who were apparently the top-ranked team.
That Thursday WOULD have been epic if the Giants won because it would have meant they were going to the world series. We trekked up to the city to watch the game and be present for festivities JUST IN CASE they DID win. But they did not. Good thing I took pictures before the game. Because after the game, the sky was drizzling and the city's mood was somber.
It's amazing how a team of few people can unite such a variety of fans.
People can overlook differences and unite for ONE cause.
I love the spirit.
The good news is they DID win the game on Saturday.
2010 World Series was SF Giants vs. Texas Rangers.
A battle of the underdogs. I love it.
Tonight the SF Giants won that too.
There is a parade tomorrow but I am still recovering.
I was so excited about last week's theme because currently, orange and black in the bay area don't mean Halloween, it is ALL about the SF Giants.
When the SF Giants were playing the Phillies, who were apparently the top-ranked team.
That Thursday WOULD have been epic if the Giants won because it would have meant they were going to the world series. We trekked up to the city to watch the game and be present for festivities JUST IN CASE they DID win. But they did not. Good thing I took pictures before the game. Because after the game, the sky was drizzling and the city's mood was somber.
People can overlook differences and unite for ONE cause.
The good news is they DID win the game on Saturday.
2010 World Series was SF Giants vs. Texas Rangers.
A battle of the underdogs. I love it.
Tonight the SF Giants won that too.
There is a parade tomorrow but I am still recovering.
10.21.2010
No Pictures.
I seemed to have misplaced my camera cord during all the moving.
It isn't that I would mindlessly toss something so important aside,
I strategically placed it in the front pocket of my black backpack.
You see, I know exactly where the cord is. The problem is the backpack.
My weekend did NOT go as planned. It was even BETTER than expected.
But I do not have the pictures to show you.
So I will tell you.
Friday was supposed to be a chill movie night --> and turned into a surprise birthday people for two of the nicest people I know.
That's something I love about living in a house with a little extra space. You can fit guests in that little extra space.
Saturday was supposed to be game night with the new church --> and turned into a double date-like night with the pastor and his wife.
I imagined board games and cocoa. We had wine, Mexican cocoa (it comes in a bar), and a whole lot of Xbox action.
Sunday was supposed to be a daylong birthday celebration with ONE of my favoritest people --> and well.. you can read about it in an earlier post. I thought I would get to recycle the birthday balloons and hat from Friday but they are still eagerly waiting in my trunk for the next birthday boy/girl. I got to see TWO people I rarely get to see! Except this week I get to see this rare person THREE times!
Tonight may be epic. Let me emphasize. E-P-I-C.
If you are from the Bay Area you might be there too.
If tonight goes well, I hope I find my camera cord soon so I can share it with you.
[Note: President Obama is in the area today too. Avoid 101 at all costs.]
It isn't that I would mindlessly toss something so important aside,
I strategically placed it in the front pocket of my black backpack.
You see, I know exactly where the cord is. The problem is the backpack.
My weekend did NOT go as planned. It was even BETTER than expected.
But I do not have the pictures to show you.
So I will tell you.
Friday was supposed to be a chill movie night --> and turned into a surprise birthday people for two of the nicest people I know.
That's something I love about living in a house with a little extra space. You can fit guests in that little extra space.
Saturday was supposed to be game night with the new church --> and turned into a double date-like night with the pastor and his wife.
I imagined board games and cocoa. We had wine, Mexican cocoa (it comes in a bar), and a whole lot of Xbox action.
Sunday was supposed to be a daylong birthday celebration with ONE of my favoritest people --> and well.. you can read about it in an earlier post. I thought I would get to recycle the birthday balloons and hat from Friday but they are still eagerly waiting in my trunk for the next birthday boy/girl. I got to see TWO people I rarely get to see! Except this week I get to see this rare person THREE times!
Tonight may be epic. Let me emphasize. E-P-I-C.
If you are from the Bay Area you might be there too.
If tonight goes well, I hope I find my camera cord soon so I can share it with you.
[Note: President Obama is in the area today too. Avoid 101 at all costs.]
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