Tag: kids

Salmon Pasta and Life Updates

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 19mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO250
 “Salmon Pasta’ Cedar Park, 2020

Once again, Koa wanted to cook dinner for us, and the suggestion was to dig into our large supply of frozen salmon. So, a creamy pasta with salmon and asparagus was made by Koa and Mariko. It’s a dish that we’ve had several times and always enjoy. We also had yummy homemade bread and white wine (adults only!) while breathing in the fresh air out in the backyard. Not a bad way to spend another stay-at-home evening. 😀

In other news, Bay has finished up his first year of architecture school and can now relax a bit until classes start up again in August. The plan at the moment is for the university to re-open with restrictions on class gatherings… we’ll see how it all pans out, but regardless, Bay will be moving back down to Houston to room with three other architecture students in a couple of months. I hope the environment is safer by then…

Koa is almost done with his sophomore year, with just one more test to take. Of course, band is a still a big part of his life and the band program is continuing on as best as possible with remote activities. In addition, he’s a part of Inception Orchestra, where he is learning about music composition and getting mentored by musicians who work in the movie and television scoring industry. It’s pretty cool! He’s all set up with Bay’s old electric piano (to use as a midi-controller), and music composition software. Staying busy!

Kids Cooking – Almost-Famous Chicken Sandwiches

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.2, 1/80 sec, ISO3200
 “Breading” Cedar Park, 2020

Koa offered to make some chicken sandwiches for the family for dinner, which was a nice surprise, and we gladly helped out. He and I measured out the spices, made the wet and dry ingredients for the batter, while Mariko cut and prepped the chicken breasts. She also made some delicious poppy-seed buns, cole slaw, and a side of rosemary potatoes. Koa battered the chicken and put them in the deep fryer, and of course was the taster.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.6, 1/60 sec, ISO3200
 “Chicken Sandwich” Cedar Park, 2020

The sandwiches turned out great, but Koa said the taste was a little lacking. I told him that it’s a good start, and he can tweak the spices to his liking or try another recipe for next time. All-in-all, it was an excellent meal.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.2, 1/100 sec, ISO1250
 “Buns” Cedar Park, 2020
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.2, 1/100 sec, ISO1250
 “Chicken Sandwich” Cedar Park, 2020

Here’s the recipe for the “Almost-Famous Chicken Sandwiches” in case you’d like to give it a try!

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/almost-famous-chicken-sandwiches-recipe-2104931

Moving Back Home

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 19mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec, ISO200
 “Moving Out” Houston, 2020

Today I drove down to Houston to pick up my son from college. As with most schools, Rice is closing the dormitories and is moving all of its classes to an online format. We are fortunate that Bay’s school is close enough to reach by car (3 hours) so we could move all his things back home. For the students who need to fly home, it’s very complicated. Many had already flown home for Spring Break, and will now have to fly back to move out. In order to make it easier, the university has PODS set up by the dorms for the students to store the thing they will not take back home.

Bay’s stuff fit into the back of my car (with no room to spare!) and the trip was uneventful. But being on-campus was an eerie experience. There were only a couple of other people moving out at the same time, and they were somber and quiet. Of course we have to practice social distancing as well, so it’s a forced, awkward situation all around. Still, a college campus should be full of life and excitement, but instead was kind of a ghost town.😞

Here are a couple of more photos from the drive. Today was kind of like entering into a new kind of reality, which I suppose is the way it truly is. Take care, everyone!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 19mm, f/5.6, 1/900 sec, ISO200
 “Approaching the City” Houston, 2020
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 19mm, f/2, 1/32000 sec, ISO200
 “Light Beams” HWY 290, 2020
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 19mm, f/2, 1/18000 sec, ISO200
 “Storm Clouds” HWY 290, 2020

Movie Nite

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.2, 1/40 sec, ISO6400
 “Movie Nite” Cedar Park, 2020

こんばんは。

Koa and the other members of his high school’s percussion ensemble competed today, and they celebrated afterwards with a little movie party at our house. I didn’t know how many kids would be over, but it turned out to be a total of 10. I’m still marveling at how they all could gather around the TV, seemingly comfortably. Oh to be young again!

I hope you had a great day!

またね～

Percussion Ensemble Concert

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.2, 1/50 sec, ISO200
 “Percussionists” Cedar Park, 2020

I’m always amazed at people who can perform in front of an audience, and these kids can really bring the house down! It’s always a wonderful show, but also bittersweet because the seniors will be moving on soon. Many of the students, including Koa, have had the same percussion instructor since the 6th grade, so it’s always an emotional final percussion concert for them, and many tears are shed. 😭