I HAVE FINISHED!

I have finally uploaded all of my CDs into iTunes! I have condensed over 400 CDs into 2905 songs, 8.6 days of music, and 11.24 GB. Any of you with an external hard-drive or iPod, come on over. I have all kinds of stuff!

Later,
Shawn

Star Wars III

May the Force be with you! This movie is good! I thought it really wrapped things up nicely. A few scenes were a little contrived, but this is no Phantom Menace.

Go see it!

A survey for evryone

Everybody,

Since social observations seem to be my hobby, I have a question for everyone:

What type of car(s) do you have, and what reason(s) did you select that model or brand? Safety? Price? Quality? Prestige? Past history?

I am really curious since I work in the auto industry. BTW, if you don't want everyone else to see your response, email me (shawng43@yahoo.com).

Thanks,
Shawn

My "magnet" & Super H Mart....

Nobuko thinks I have some kind of special power or something, which she calls my "magnet". It just seems that no matter where I go (grocery store, post office, Lowes, etc), I always seem to end up with an Asian woman around me. I think it has more to do with population statistics, but I'm happy to go along with the delusion that I have some kind of "Asian Magnet".

The consequences of this are not always positive. I'm so conditioned now to smile whenever the "magnet" situation arises, because I know Nobuko is going to look at me and say "See! Look at your face! Smiling at the Asian ladies!".

Which brings us to the Super H Mart....For the non-Atlanta folks, it's like an Asian Publix. I hate to go to Publix and do grocery shopping, because the store near us is very small and crowded because it's inside the city. So on occasion I like to go to one of the Asian grocery stores, even though it takes about 20-30 minutes to drive to their locations. I find them very interesting...it's like going to Seoul, Tokyo, Manila, & Ho Chi Minh City all at the same time. Nobuko thinks I don't object to going to these locations just so I can use my "magnet powers". Although I do enjoy the eye candy, I really do like the stores!

Oh well...Maybe I really am some kind of superhero.....

: )

2005 Atlanta Jazz Festival

The Atlanta Jazz Festival will be held this month on Memorial Day weekend. As they have done in the past, the City government helds the concerts at multiple locations. Oh yeah, it's free! More information can be found at:

www.atlantafestivals.com

Later,
Shawn

Our Favorite (1): Soba Makura (buckwheat pillow)

DSC00446
Originally uploaded by momohall.

Soba is not just for noodles: Soba Makura is the traditional Japanese pillow, and for those who are not familiar with buckwheat, imagine a pillow stuffed with "black beans", but soba grain is much smaller.

You can find bean (probably made with plastic pellets) pillows here at department stores, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc., but to me Soba Makura is nothing
like other pillows. It is 100% natural, and the firmness and flexibility are just about right to give us a sound sleep.

Our pillows, which Shawn had since his single days, have got flattened and are not comfortable any more. He gets pain in the neck, and for me they are too soft, too. Meanwhile, he loves his little Soba Makura, which was my mom's gift from Japan a little while ago. However, it is "Japanese size" and too small for his big neck.

Lately Shawn did some internet search and finally found a Japanese vendor in Texas that sells Soba Pillows in American sizes.

We made an order online & we finally got our Soba Makuras. Since then they are so comfortable that we sleep so good! If any of you are interested,
please visit here

http://www.beans72.com

and you can order online (e.g., King Size $49.99/ea, Queen $39.99, etc. + shipping - It was worth an
investment for us). It is not a well designed website, and please be patient if it takes forever to open it up.

Well, that's all for now.

Oyasumi....(good night)