Howel's moving castle - random comment

First time I watched Howl's moving castle, it is in Japanese original voice with Chinese subtitle.   This time, with my daughter, we switch to English dub.  I generally dislike voice dub for Japanese Animes.  Japanese, as the language, sounds very cute, which match the big eye, perfect doll like characters very well.  The sound are often short and bursty and very "Kawaii".  However, this time, I am falling in love with the voice dubbing of Howl.  His voice is low and slightly coarse.  To be honest, Miyazaki version of Howl is a bit too soft wimpy and feminine to be liked. The English dub give Howl a more mature charm and transform the character completely. He suddenly became so much more attractive that had inspire my desire to learn more details about the character from the book.

However the book and the movie are very different.  Although much of the setting and plot and characters remained the same, because the way character are portraited, the characters in the book are much more complex and all around therefore more real life like.   In the movie, Sophie, the heroine,  are stamped with Miyazaki's signature.  In all Miyazaki's work, the heroines are more or less the same: strong minded and determined with a somewhat fragile and delicate look and love for the nature.  They all show great courage under the special circumstance and are all very noble, almost too noble and kind for my liking.  The book version of Sophie is more normal, in such way that she react to the scarecrow the same way a normal girl would. Who wouldn't creep out from a one foot scarecrow stalking you?  She also shows more jealousy and can get mean from time to time.  Where in the movie, Sophie is more accepting and kind and despite of all the wrong that has been done to her, remain gentle and kind.

In the movie, Howl's love for Sophie is also more obvious and Sophie's admiration is written on her face from scene one.  With the book, because of the point of view is limited from Sophie's angle, the chemistry between the two are much more subtle.  You literally have to read between the lines to feel the attraction between the two who fights on daily basis.  Both characters are flawed but somehow they complemented each other in a strange way and was always there when needed help most.

And most importantly, the movie has a great deal of anti-war theme,  and that just parted the movie and book their separate ways.

Naturally I was a bit unsatisfied after reading the book, as my original purpose of reading the book, was to search more details about the character Howl.  But because the book and movie are so different, that goal is not accomplished. I honestly cannot say I like one or another better just because they seem to be complete different story to me, much like two historic novel base on the same historical figures if you know what i mean.

I went further search for the voice actor for the dub, and find out it is actually by a profession actor, unlike some of the cheaper production of dubbing.  It is Christian Bale.   All of the sudden, I love batman that much more and hope he come out with more movie soon.

If I can have only one.... Fall lust list

Well, there are so many goodies came out for fall from Anthropologie.  Granted many of those wish bubbles would burst after trying it on as they often do, here is the If I can have only 1 list --

If I can have only 1 vest from Anthro for the fall,

Falling in Love vest

If I can only 1 dress for the fall, it would be

Learning Curve Dress.

If I can buy only 1 jacket  for the fall, it would be

cream confection jacket

If I can buy only 1 sweater it would be

Best of the bunch Cardigan

If I can buy only 1 pair of shoes/boots, it would be

What is your fall lust list?

Stay cool

So temperature should come down a little bit today and tomorrow should go down to the comfortable high 70's.

I forgot to close the patio door in the morning yesterday, so by the time I got home, it was pretty hot.  Usually we take the kids to the pool in hot days like this, but during lunch, I over heard the girl next table mentioning yesterday was the "festival of the ghost" as the "kind of the death" give a break to all his servants who normally guarding the dead spirit.  Basically there will be a lot of dead spirit turn loose on the street during this time of the year, so it is better to stay home.  Well, while it is totally a Chinese superstition and I honestly can't say I believe that, but the conversation creeps me out.  Even I know it is totally ridiculous to feel this way, I cannot feel easy taking the kids to YMCA last night.  So we end up staying home and turn on the water hopscotch toy that we rarely use.   At first the kids are pretty cautious as the water is very cold.  But after a while, they got used to it and had quite some fun.

Here is the outfit for hot weather.  Somehow an extra hot day like this always make me want to wear bright color.  But that was a bit too bright for the gloomy boring work environment so I end up toning it down with a navy sweater.  After all, inside is AC and bringing another layer for someone who is always cold cannot be bad.

Top: Anthro (2008) Bottom: Anthro It Is Your Move skirt Cardi: Anthro blooming Lattice cardigan

Hot Hot Hot

I thought I had escaped the heat from Seattle, and now we are getting to the 90s. I know, it is very wimpy. But I am so spoiled by the cool weather in the bay area.  We don't have AC at home.  We had just returned the portable AC to Costco because we hadn't open it once this year since we bought it. The timing of return couldn't be more awful.  We should have checked the weather forecast before we did that.

Here is the OOTD.  This is one of those days that I am actually glad I am at work.

Top: Anthro Buds and Branch tank Bottom: Chalk and Charcoal skirt Cardi: JCREW ruffle cardigan 

Review: Frill Force Jacket

After missing out on the Klinton Trench, I thought Frill Force Jacket is my second chance when it show up on the website.  I got the chance to try it out at the Seattle downtown store.

First of all, the color of this jacket is a bit drab.  It doesn't agree with my asian skin tone too well. The color on my screen was a bit more brown, which is more to my liking.

Then comes the issue of fitting.  I tried size 4, considering I might want to give some layer underneath in the winter.  It is unstructured, nor does it flare out much, which is what I needed for my straight figure.  The length is hitting at a odd spot for me too.  I'd like it to be slightly shorter, so I think the petite version might help a bit in this case.  I also felt like there should be another roll of buttons somehow, but it could be just the angle my daughter took the shot from. The sleeves are a bit long for me and might get fix by going with a petite size.

I do like the hood, which can be useful with the rain we have in the winter.  It might be better if the hood is removable however.  I also like the material, it is not as stiff and slippery like the Klinton Trench.  It is pretty heavy weight for a jacket but lighter than a coat.  It is the right warmth level for what I wanted.  I am not too sure about the ruffles as I am a bit ruffle-out these days. This jacket in general feels more casual than the Klinton Trench.

Frill Force Jacket has some good potentials, but it is a pass for me.  I might consider trying out the petite if it ever goes on sale.

OOTD

This is more like outfit of the day before yesterday :-) I was going to send to Cat for her weekly wear anthro to work feature,  but I was too tired on Thursday night and fall asleep when my little girl ask me to stay with her for a couple of minutes during bed time.

I realize it takes real discipline to stick with blogging, so I really admire people who have something new everyday.

Stores are full of fall goodies now and I imagine they have to get rid of the summer stuff pretty soon.  I am patiently waiting for Anthro's grand island dress to go on sale.  Most of the day this week felt pretty fall to me already, especial after the shock of the 90 degrees in Seattle.  My co-worker poke fun of me the other day because I was wearing the sweater.  She is pregnant so naturally she felt hot all the time. I pick up the dress at Seattle, for $30!  Our local store rarely rarely have any 2nd cut item unless they are really awful looking.  Even the first cut item sold out too quickly.

Dress: Anthro rope-in Dress
Sweater Antro Outdoor Cafe Cardigan
Belt: JCREW

Why I don't do fitting room reviews -- Kirklees Seater coat

Saw cat's review on kirklees sweater coat at anthrodottir today.  Here is the version I tried on and I can see why I don't do reviews.  When some piece doesn't work for her, she still looks good.  When some piece doesn't work for me?  I look pregnant.... The store does not have a extra small so I tried a small. I should size down.  The color somehow has a old dirty muddy feeling to it.  I really love the peter pan collar. But it kind of blends in with the print.

Worth mentioning is that the picture is taken by my daughter.  That explains the head cut off, right?  I said to her "make sure you had the entire sweater in the picture" and she follow the instruction perfectly.

We had a pretty good time shopping Anthropologie together at Downtown Seattle.  The only problem is Anthropologie opens till only 8:00pm, even on weekdays.  So everyday after dinner when we casually browse through stores, they are Closed by the time we get there!  Somehow my daughter really likes this double outdoor chair on the second floor. This is her and her gap stuff bunny, which got lost at the seattle airport.  She was very sad and cried on the airplane.

Personally I think she is a much better model than I am. Picture below is when we were at the gap trying out stuff for her.  Love the hat on her and thought I would buy it on line when I get back so I can use a coupon code for the full price item.  It turns out online doesn't have it.

Seattle - restaurant review

Before I went, I got a big list from Cindi on the restaurant recommendations.  However I am bounded by the amount of walking kids can do and the location.  So here are the restaurant I tried in downtown Seattle area:

Long Provincial Vietnamese Restaurant:
The decoration of the restarant is pretty hip.  The grill squid,  the beef short rib and the grill shrimp rice plate are all far too sweet.    We want to get a soup that are mainly broth because that is what my son likes.  We end up getting rice noodle soup and it was not very flavorful.  It has soy sauce in it which is a bit strange.  Worth mentioning is that the plain white rice in this restaurant is superb. The last dish came up was the pink snapper and it was perfect. While I didn't like the rest of the dish, this one wins my heart.  The meat is tender and the spicy is just right!


Red Fin Sushi:
Love the Chief Sashimi.  Fish is fresh and sweet, varieties are good,  and the price is fair. So I went back twice for it.  The white fishs are very buttery.

My son had the Steak and the marinate is not very thorough.  Second time he had the pork yakitori and the pork is much more tender and he liked the bacon part of the bacon wrapped tomato so I end up having the grill tomato. >_<

Hubby had the pad thai first time I felt it was too sweet. (by now you can probably tell, I don't like my dish too sweet) but he felt it is all right.  Second time he had the seafood undo and it was great.  Noodle is very Q and the snow crab is very sweet and fresh.  My daughter had the california row and she like it.

Steel Head Diner
Took a long time (> 45 min) before the food came and the kids are falling asleep >_<  Didn't get to order dessert because I was afraid it might take another 45 minutes. Hubby had the Halibut and I had the COD,  I personally like the COD better because it is so fatty and melts in your mouth, but both fishes are grill to perfection.  Portion is not particularly large for the price.  I had trouble with the sides under my fish.  They are way too salty.  They could do better.

Cafe Yarmarka
Russian eatery in the post Alley.  Had lunch there.  The cabbage roll didn't look appealing so I had the dumpling.  The beef and pork one taste really like a Chinese dumpling :-) while the vegetarian one has potato and cheese filling.  Cheap and quick and the waitress is very pretty and nice.  No AC in the area so I was a bit overwhelmed by the 90 degrees heat and after lunch I felt a bit fainted. I imagine the no AC part will not be a problem for most of the time in Seattle.

Umi Sake house
Got there at the happy hour.  Price is good during happy hour.  Love the Pear Sake but food again is on the sweeter side.  Grill Squid is a bit burned and I had better.  Mirugai sashimi is fresh, but  expensive and not many pieces so I felt a bit ripped off there.

Le Pichet
We were going to walk to the Umi Sake house but the kids were too tired and we stop by here.  We are ready to have dinner but they are still in happy hour. Didn't know any better so we ordered the cheese platter and the cure meat platter and both are good.  The cheese platter are exceptional.  Price is very reasonable too.  The place is very small and no AC.

LoLa
Went there for breakfast since Cindi said I should at least try one Tom Dougalas restaurant as he is a city icon.  Donut is very very good!  I had the Tom's breakfast, it is weird with the octopus in it but it is very good.  Hubby had the Lola's breakfast and I like the potato in that one.

Uli's famous sausage

tried 4 different kind of sausage including a German Sausage, a Italian Sausage, a French Sausage and a lamb sausage and the best is the French Sausage. Very flavorful. I think if the owner is real german, he might not like to have customer to think French Sausage is superior :-) The worst is the lamb one, very dry and salty.

Wish I had tried:
Pike Place Chowder – I just want to grab a quick bowl but the line is long.  My autistic son was overwhelmed by the heat and the walk so I couldn't really wait.  He also couldn't eat here because of food allergies...oh, well

Le Panier – This is supposed to be at the Pike Place market, but how come I couldn't find it?

Crab pot -- Sounded really cool to throw a bucket of seafood on the table, but with two kids who doesn't know how to handle seafood, it might be too much work. The wait according to the review is long too so we skipped.

Killing me softly with....... the dry cleaning bill

I cannot believe my last dry cleaning bill adds up to $30+.  Our company has a dry cleaning vendor where we can drop off the dry cleaning item at the break room and they will pick it up and drop it off.  After the items are missing from the drop off rack 1 week from their due back day, I called them up and was told they couldn't recognized my last name and so my items are in the pile of unknowns.  Couldn't they at least call and ask? After all, the phone number is on the form too.  Then the shirts are finally back, averaging $10/tank.  So what adds up to the bill?  The embellishments.  According to the dry cleaner, even though my items are marked as heavily soil, stain all over and stain not removed, they are not the reason for price mark up. So my original attempt to dispute for the price failed. I was going to tell them "soil and stain all over" are not an accurate description for something i wore only twice in an air conditioned work place.  So what I love the most in the cloth is what is killing me now.  While I am still a big sucker for embellishments, I will think more than twice if a item is dry cleaning only and have embellishment next time.  Now the question I will ask, what do I do with those existing ones needed dry clean.  I'm very tempted at this point just to hand wash them.

Here is another OOTD,  same cardi.  I think I am ready to do another round of the 21 for 21.  But on the second thought, maybe I'll wait till I get back from Seattle.  Probably would need some layering piece as I am not sure how the weather is there comparing to bay area, especially if we were to go to Mt Rainier.

Tank: Anthropologie, but don't know the name
Skirt: JCREW Nicki skirt.
Cardigan: Anthro Obscured Oleander Cardigan
Shoes: John and David wooden platform sandal from 12 years ago.  Men, these shoes are noisy! The bottoms are a complete piece of wood and it makes this "Clunk Clunk" noise on hard floor.  And it grins a little bit that I have to put bandade on it (yes, on the inside of the shoes... :-) )

Tagged

Cindi from Simply Cindi  just tagged me with these question, oh, men, those questions are hard.  

1. Who would you say is your hero?

This is a hard question because I never really view anyone as a hero.  If I really have to choose, my husband.  Smart and funny and good at everything he put his mind into, but most importantly, optimistic.  Trust me, optimism is a hard virtue to come by with an autistic boy, whom you try everything that might help and fails to improve.  My husband has been so patient with my son and more importantly,  with me, with all my frustrations and depression over the years.  Yet, he maintains his sense of humor. He truly enjoys the kids and spending time with his family no matter how imperfect we are. 

2. If you were a topping on a pizza, what would you be?

Cheese.  Common and boring yet tasty and cannot do without :-P

3. Which Sex and the City girl do you identify with most and why?

Hmmmm... didn't watch enough to say.  If I have to pick, it is probably that lawyer girl.  

4. What is your fondest memory of your parents growing up?

It was my 6th birthday? It was the last day we are staying with my Dad at Shanghai and we will have to catch a train to go back to Shenyang that night.  They took me to a park that day and then bought me a bunch of cream buns and duck butt.  It cost quite a lot at the time as people don't usually eat out.  I was unappreciative because after all it is duck BUTT,  yuck!  But they  encourage me to try it and it was so tasty... I guess the time I spend with both of my parents are so limited I really don't have much memory of it at all and this is the only thing I can remember when they are both present.

5. What part of your body would you say is your best feature?
ehhhhh, nose, I guess.  Use to be my eye brow until one time I go to China to take a glamour shot.  Then without asking me, the make-up lady shave half it claiming it is too thick.

6. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be?
San Francisco bay area.  

7. What's the best movie you've seen in the last year?
Avatar - 3D effect is amazing.


8. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? 
A doctor, a medical doctor that can cure any strange problem.


 Last I leave you with OOTD. I have been wearing jeans and big sweater the last couple of days as the lab environment is so hostile.  It is cold and noisy and no food or drink is allowed inside the lab.  The chair is uncomfortable and the work bench is cramped with all the wires and equipments.  Now we are at a stable point that we don't need to power cycle every 5 mintues so we can remote login to it instead of physically sitting there.  So I can stretch and sip tea waiting for the tests to complete.  Much better.   That itself is worth the celebration!

Top: Anthro Courtship blooms Tank
Skirt: Gap 2003?
Cardi: Anthro Obscured Oleander Cardigan
Necklace: LOFT (my daughter said, this necklace looks like that necklace from the princess dress up game on iphone... Hubby: Oh, yeah, it does. She always remembers those non-important details.)