Cooking For the Fam

Yes. I cooked spaghetti. And it was possibly the most interesting spaghetti I've ever had. Okay, it wasn't that crazy. But it was different. At least Okaasan and I had fun making it.

Let's begin with the shopping. I must say I was a little frantic because, one, it's late and I know okaasan is waiting for me but what can I do-I've got class!, secondly, everything in the store is of course, in japanese. I had managed to translate most items on my list already so I was seemingly well prepared. Onions are no problem and noodles turn out to be fairly easy as well. But it's the tomatoes that are tricky. I wasnt sure if I was getting the right type and I completely forgot to get tomato paste...I don't even know if it exsits in most stores because Okaasan didn't knw what I was talking about. And the meat. Well...it seems easy...deceptively so! What I got was ground pork, not beef. They look the same though only hamburger, as I have now learned, is usually darker in color in its raw form(and now that I think about it its cooked form as well). Spices are difficult too because its hard to find the right ones. And I accidently bought two parsleys and no basil. Garlic was nice and easy. Just so every one knows the Japanese word for Garlic is "Niniku."

Yeah. SO I get home, realize what I have and have not gotten and decide to just go ahead and cook it anyway. It's all going pretty well too. Only the sauce is very watery so I just let it cook for quite sometime...just to let it "firm" or get less watery. It did...a little. Okaasan is the one who noticed I got pork instead of beef. It was pretty funny too. Oh, she was taking pictures the whole time. In any case...I managed to get it cooked and even added sugar which I think probably saved it. I think okaasan thought it was a little too sweet but she didn't say so. She said it was interesting and good though she thought it might be better with beef. And I'm okay with that. Naoto seemed to like it too. Manami and Otoosan have yet to try it...hopefully they like it too. Anyway....I'm pretty sad I did so horribly but at least its edible.

hah hah. This is so funny to me. I didn't inherit either of my parents cooking skills...I am honestly a terrible cook!
(except breakfast...I can kick anyone's butt at breakfast!)

In other minor notes:
Mom, apparenttly okaasan LOVES quesadillas so I'd say that gift Idea is a good bet.
Rae, Sara, Alice, Caitlin-I'm going through withdrawal. TALK to me!
Dad...I love your notes. They always make me laugh. Andrew was thiking the same thing about him maybe being creepy(liking me)...but I talked to him and he said there wasnt a problem anymore. stupid teacher.
I think that's everything...oh, ERIN...you email me first!^.^

MUCH love to all....and delicous food.