Friday, October 7, 2011

Tamales

So the big thing I'm working on right now is the Mexican Booth at our school's annual food fair. All proceeds go to the school. Last year the money went to put fancy projectors/screens in the classrooms.

The Mexican Booth has not been done before. We are selling chicken tamales, margaritas, and chips and salsa. We've been working our tails off. Four of us are heading up the booth. Each lady has brought some strength into the group--leadership, organization, energy, and my recipe.

Things are running smoothly. And it's been so fun.

Tomorrow is our final day of prep. We will be making an additional 200 tamales on top of the 500 we've already made. I'll also be making cilantro dressing, we'll be putting chips and salsa together, and making final preparations.


On Sunday, we will be steaming and selling away.

I was just on campus this evening. It is busy with equipment people. Booths are being set up. It's going to be crowded, noisy, hectic, and fun.

I've been busy with that and packing the car with camping stuff today. Chris and the boys headed out towards Mt. Fuji to go camping with friends. I'm so bummed out it was the same weekend of the food fair but at the same time it's nice to be able to focus on the food fair without having to worry about them here.

I've been driving around here and there but usually close by. Today I ventured out a little further, mostly out of desperation, which has been the only reason for me driving here in Tokyo. I ventured out to a store called Aeon to pick up some camping stuff--stove, lantern, charcoal, etc. I had my new iphone and pulled up google maps to get me there and back.

I love, love, love my Iphone, my tamales, my new friends, our home, and our new life here. It's been tough, challenging, and busy and for some reason fun, exciting, progressive, and in the end rewarding.

ps.   I found this awesome tamale place in Mexico while I was looking for pictures of tamales.  Looks like they have an awesome product.  If I ever get a chance to go to Mexico again, I'm heading to this place for some unique tamales.

Since we're talking about food, here are some pictures I've taken of some yummy stuff we've had.

 Everyday, I have to make obentos for the boy's school lunch.  Up until recently school lunch wasn't offered.  Now they have a Monday/Friday option but it cost 600 yen per kid.  I opted out of that, but sometimes I kick myself for not signing up as you can imagine what my mornings are like.  An interesting side note...the boy's school does not have a cafeteria; they eat it their classrooms.
 I bought this donut hoping it was filled with yummy whipped cream;  However, it was filled with sweet beans instead. 
 Japan has mastered crepes.  It is dotted with  crepe stands.  My favorite so far....a crepe filled with a piece of chocolate cake, bananas, strawberries, and of course whipped cream.  Delish!!
 Some pastries.
 Udon with tempura.  Oh so good!
 Curry Rice

Have a Wonderful Weekend and Have something Crazy to eat!