"Mayonnaise,Spam, Rice and Shoyu‏..." James "Kimo" Rosen

Cooking and exchanging recipe's is a way of life in Hawai'i.
Mayonnaise, Spam, Rice and Shoyu sauce are the four
most common ingredients... what can you create
with these ingredients?Aloha, 
Check out my opinion article in the 04-02-13 edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island news, " True Kama'aina."
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-tuesday-april/article_526d1986-9b58-11e2-9121-0019bb2963f4.html

You are not a true Kamaaina (Hawai'i resident) until you master the craft of using all of the  the following ingredients, Mayonnaise, Spam, Rice and Shoyu (soy sauce) in  most of your recipes.
Many times while talking story with friends we often exchange recipes. I noticed that most recipes consist of Mayonnaise, Spam, Rice  and Shoyu.

Spam Musubi is a popular sushi roll made with you guessed it ,all four of  the ingredients.  Spam Musubi is easy, take a sheet of nori(seaweed) fold some rice into it, combined with mayonnaise and shoyu and  a cut piece of spam sitting on top. This is a major comfort food enjoyed  by all, even vegetarians  and those on kosher diets are known to sneak spam musubi when their friends aren't looking.    (below link, photos of Spam Musubi)
https://www.google.com/search?q=musubi&hl=en&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4ADRA_enUS481US482&prmd=imvnse&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=iRyDUIuyD83MigKrmYD4Dw&sqi=2&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1016&bih=498
Next time you order a burger make sure and order it with lots of  extra mayo,  next time you need salt reach for shoyu instead, forget potatoes and yams, rice will work for everything. When your craving a steak go for that can of Spam. After mastering these skills you will be a true Kamaaina with a local palate that shouts Aloha!
Hana Hou, (Encore)  Shared from Facebook...


Aloha, Check out my opinion article in the 04-02-13 edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island news, " True Kama'aina."
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-tuesday-april/article_526d1986-9b58-11e2-9121-0019bb2963f4.html

"The Cookie and the Stick..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

 

Bettejo Dux meets Obama Da Dog with friends and
her kids in above photo. Bettejo has lived on the cosmic
Island of Kaua'i for over 40 years. Bettejo blogs about
her kids. Bettejo also has her own website;
http://www.bettejodux.com

The Cookie and the Stick

I was informed by a friend that, “…anyone who can train a goat can make a million dollars.”. A million bucks in the bank, or under the bed, would be nice so I set out to do it.

Remember the kids? I brought them home in May last year and they grew up to be goats. House goats. Billy and Kim, named after two of my children. That was the start. Now all I had to do was train them and be able to pass this valuable skill on to others who might want to train a pair of house goats.

First of all, they were-and are-darling. A little big bigger. A whole lot bigger-as a matter of fact-and a whole lot smarter. Trust me on this one, goats are very bright and put two of them together and the mind of a human being is taxed to out wit them.

They have a keen curiosity. Interested in everything. Anything new is to be explored, tasted, and touched. They sniff and nibble. They love things that clatter. They can open doors and unsnap snap hooks and do other wondrous feats for a creature that has no hands.  They love to carry thing in their mouths and delight in the chase to get them back. They climb trees.

They love and are attracted to red, bright colors, and shiny things.
They love to jump and run and buck and leap like fairy tale horses. And, like horses, they can’t be potty trained.

They have distinct personalities. Kim, the little white nanny, is much smarter than Billy. She’s the alpha goat. She has a powerful sense of justice. When I finally had to restrain one she was the first. One was to stay put  in clean, comfortable,  and expansive quarters while the other ran free and I switched them around-so far so good- but when I unchained her that first day she  put on a wild west show to end all wild west shows. She tried to butt. She came at me on her hind legs striking. A blow with one of those cloven hooves can be quite painful. She spoke to me with her  blue eyes sparking fire, her voice crackling with goat annoyance.
They do have a vocabulary. They speak and communicate with each other. On that  day  her usual pleasant little goat bleats were snorty, quick, and grumpy. She voiced, quite plainly, what she thought of the new deal.

I think animals must think we’re very dumb. They understand everything we say-ignore it usually- but we can’t learn their lingo. I’m not fluent in goat but I’m learning. I taught them ‘eeep’ means  get back in your pen and breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be soived in da main dining paddock.
They love cookies.  i usually carry a pocketful to hand feed them when we meet in pleasurable circumstance.

I also carry a stick to whap them with when they get sassy. They don’t like that stick and when I lift it and say ‘no’ they pay attention.
They love to play chase with Bootsy, my dog. And move furniture. They are at their absolute darlingest when they lie by my chair  chewing their cud. My life and my house have completely changed since they moved in.

The opening sentence in my million dollar tome on training goats? “You don’t train goats. They train you.”

Hana Hou, (Encore)  Shared from Facebook...

http://www.bettejodux.com

"President Obama's sister..." (Obama's Dad) 'James "Kimo" Rosen



Obama Da Dog, Obama's Dad and President
Obama's sister. My eyes are closed because I feel I am dreaming!
Notice the Obama head-band and T-shirt! ;D)

This  blog also appeared as an opinion article in the October 24, 2012 edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island News; "President Obama's sister."
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-wednesday-oct/article_5fdbd13c-1db0-11e2-800a-001a4bcf887a.html

President Obama's sister 

There was a Democratic rally on Kaua'i at Chiefess middle school in Puhi on 10-20-12. President Obama's sister was the keynote speaker, other prominent Democrats  present were  the legendary senior U.S. Senator Dan Inouye,  U.S. Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, Hawai'i Governor Neil Abercrombie and a host of local and state politicians.

I met president Obama's sister (Maya Soetoro Ng) she graciously talked story and posed for photos with my dog named Obama and myself.   She thought it was cute I named my dog Obama. Maya has high energy and is  a great ambassador not only for her brother but for the entire Democratic party. I felt like I was in the company of a rock star, her charisma and energy was the high point of the rally.

I started thinking, Maya is introduced as President Obama's sister, the local paper headlines President Obama's sister, the emails and social media inviting people to this event all called Maya, President Obama's sister. Speaking with attendees at the rally everyone called Maya, President Obama's sister. Why is it Maya is  always President Obama's sister? Is it her name is to hard to pronounce and remember (Maya Soetoro Ng)? After-all  most westerners don't know how to pronounce NG, I don't. Or is it we are so star struck with name recognition?

I have a sister, how would she like it if every time she want somewhere she was introduced as my sister, or how about if every-time I want somewhere I was addressed as my sister's brother?  How would  any of you like it?

I thought hard about this and when Maya left the auditorium where she spoke I said," great meeting you Maya,"  and she said  looking away from me and eyes clued on my dog, "nice meeting you Obama," and told me I am a great dad to my dog.

I guess there's nothing wrong with being known as Obama's dad, I now understand the concept of  being President Obama's sister, not that there's anything wrong with it.

Signed; (Obama's Dad) James "Kimo" Rosen

Hana Hou, (Encore)  Shared from my Facebook photo album...

Hawai'i U.S. Senior Legendary Senator Dan Inouye, Obama Da Dog,
Hawai'i U.S. Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, James "Kimo" Rosen
and a Secret Service Dude....

Hawai'i Governor Neil Abercrombie consults with Obama!
For friends on Facebook check my photo album on this
historic event of all these dignitaries getting to meet my dog! :D)

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4913829767841.192826.1361088023&type=1&l=d839558288

This blog also appeared as an opinion article in the October 24, 2012 edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island News; "President Obama's sister."
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-wednesday-oct/article_5fdbd13c-1db0-11e2-800a-001a4bcf887a.html

"HOW ONE MINUTE CAN CHANGE LIFE..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Monday)

Judith Whitehead guest-blogs about the sanctity and  preciousness
of life. Judy lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in the medical profession
for over 30 years.  Remember that everyday is Thanksgiving!

HOW ONE MINUTE CAN CHANGE LIFE

Last weekend we were driving down a busy street near our home to stop at a restaurant/food stand for a quick sandwich. As we approached the restaurant we saw cars begin to slow down. A huge accident had just occurred minutes before we drove down that very lane of traffic. A tractor trailer had drifted into the oncoming lane that we were in and hit a van with two people in it head on. The van had tried to swerve out of the way but it was no match for the tractor and both ended up in the front of a house that had been converted to an animal clinic. The two people in the van were killed instantly and the truckers lived. Ambulances and police came on the site within minutes after we had passed the area.

 Was it just fate that we drove slower that day; was it their untimely coincidence that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time? Is there a greater plan out in the universe when people are taken from us so quickly without any warning? We never know when our time is up. We don’t have to be sick, elderly or ailing to be called to a greater place.

Just another reminder to make the most of life on this earth and to enjoy and live well each day.

Hana Hou, (Encore)  Shared from Facebook...

"DRINK, STEAL,SWEAR AND LIE..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Chester"Unc" Lau, Dakinetalk's favorite
Uncle is back blogging more words
of wisdom.

DRINK, STEAL, SWEAR & LIE -
Sounds Like Congress?

I met this guy while I was in Albuquerque and he has
a motto he lives by everyday. He said listen carefully and
live by these 4 rules : Drink, Steal, Swear, & Lie.
 I was shaking my head 'no', but he then told me to listen
while he explained his four rules. So here they are :

1.. "Drink" from the Kosher  wine  bar every day.

2.... "Steal" a moment to help someone that is in worse shape
 than you are.

3.. "Swear" that you will be a better person today than
 yesterday.

4.. And last, but not least, when you "lie" down at night
 thank Washington & Jefferson that you live in America and have freedom.
 
I am not as good as I should be,  I am not as good
as I could be .   but THANK GOODNESS
 I am better than I used to be !

Hana Hou, (Encore)  Shared from Facebook...

"Why Buy Bottled Water..?" 'James "Kimo" Rosen

Tap water may actually be healthier than bottled water
sitting in plastic bottles.

Why do people continue to buy  water in plastic bottles?  Most restaurants have filtering systems on their tap water these days and  many times the filtered water for free is many times healthier than the water that sits in the plastic bottles for sometimes months before it is consumed.
The plastic ignites toxins into bottled water, so all the purity means nothing once it's aged in plastic.

Brita sells filtration systems  that you just clip onto your kitchen faucet and every-time you want the filtered water just click a button.

Bottled water is a scam, the bottles are a major source of pollution and major component of most landfills. The water itself  initially may be clean, pure and filtered however after stagnating in plastic it becomes non pure, and ironically probably less healthy than tap water.

 Some say filtered water may actually be bad since your system builds no immunities from filtered waters. Bottled water is a waste of money, buy a filtration system and save thousands or just brave it and drink straight from the tap. The savings  alone  will alleviate stress, less stress more healthy!
 Remember don't order the bottled water in restaurants, just ask for a class of ice water, don't be scammed.

For everyone who likes Kaua'i check out this  episode of Southpark, a parody on Kauai, Coco Palms, cruise ships, super-ferry etc. Thought you might like it. I haven't seen the whole thing but the bits and pieces I have seen are pretty good!

http://www.southparkstudios.com/news/zpin1c/see-episode-1611-going-native-uncensored

Check out the Al Smith Dinner of 10-18-12, where the presidential candidates make fun of themselves and each other; whoever loses has a career in stand-up for sure!

Obama- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6g2YkTAYQ4

Romney- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIHbe-aO6oI

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...

"Happy Election day, or should I say erection..?" James "Kimo" Rosen

Election day in Japan was always an excuse  to go out
and eat at  your favorite restaurant.

Election day was my favorite subject  to talk about during my time teaching English as a second language in Japan.
For some reason the students were very interested in American politics. They knew of George Bush, Bill Clinton and many other American politcal personalities.

On the other hand, how many Americans know anything about Japanese politicians?

The thing I enjoyed most was the way my students pronounced Election day, since most Japanese  with their accents make the 'L'  sound like an "R'

Election day in Japan became Erection day,  how appropriate  a day reserved for a bunch of big  erections or as I call them politicians.

Happy election day, or should i say erection day!  ;D)

Check out Jimmy Kimmel's report on the first lady debate with Ann Romney  and Michelle Obama!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EohGmG-QUhA


Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...