Photographer Nana Trongratanawong shot an amazing video of the Jellyfish Lake in Palau.
Swimming in this lake was definitely the most memorable experience I had during my diving trip in Palau back in 2003. The jellies were firmer than what I expected: plumper than a jello shot, but not as firm as a rubber ball. The feeling of them bouncing off my body underwater registered a new somatosensory sensation in the parietal lobe of my brain. So strange yet addictive.
One warning about visiting the Jellyfish lake: wash off the sunscreen in the ocean before hiking up to the lake. The lake is completely isolated, and the jellies and other organisms in the lake are sensitive to sunscreens and other chemicals. The amount of chemicals off one person may not be much, but it can accumulate as hundreds of people visit the lake each year. This is one of the most unique places on the planet, and we need to be responsible tourists in order to enjoy these wonderful places for decades and centuries.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Made in the USA: Fiesta
When a server brought the lettuce wrap to our table at a Thai restaurant in Phoenix area, I noticed a familiar bowl containing the minced chicken mixture: a little green Fiesta bowl. These bowls are in my kitchen all the time. The bowls, officially called Fruit Bowls, are perfect size for feeding dry cat food for individual cats. The depth of the bowl is just right for them. My cats did not like any ordinary cat bowls from pet shops as cat bowls tend to be steep and deep. Going back to the restaurant episode, it felt a little odd eating out of what my brain recognizes as a cat bowl.
Since the introduction in 1930s by The Homer Laughlin China Company, Fiesta dinnerware has been loved by generations of Americans. The company continues to manufacture durable but appealing dinnerware in the Ohio Valley.
My kitchen cabinets can use some colors. It is probably time to get some colorful Fiesta plates for the humans as well.
Since the introduction in 1930s by The Homer Laughlin China Company, Fiesta dinnerware has been loved by generations of Americans. The company continues to manufacture durable but appealing dinnerware in the Ohio Valley.
My kitchen cabinets can use some colors. It is probably time to get some colorful Fiesta plates for the humans as well.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Platypus Videos
English is my second language, and I am still learning something new about the language everyday. One of the significant differences between Japanese and English is that Japanese does not have plural form of words; Japanese speakers use exact numbers of objects or use adjectives (such as words for several, many, a few, and some) to express the approximate quantity. Basically, in Japanese, people mention 'how many' only when it matters. English has a lot more rules for plural nouns. It would have been quite simple if all we had to was to affix 's' or 'es' to the end of the word. Some words do not have distinction between singular and plural while other words have odd plural forms.
Some, but not all, words with 'us' on the end gets 'i' for plural. Plural for platypus was amongst such strange and confusing plural forms. Is it platypuses or platypi? Dictionary.com shows both of them as plural for platypus but lists 'platypuses' first. Same for octopus. A version with 'i' is more widely accepted for cactus, fungus, and radius. Plural for goose is geese, but plural for mongoose is mongooses. This is nerve-racking.
For platypuses, or platypi (by the way, spell check on blogger does not like platypi), this odd rule suite well to the strange creatures. They are egg-laying mammals with venom. They are like the biggest rule breakers in animal kingdom. The rebels.
The word platypus comes from Greek word meaning "flat-footed." This is actually the most puzzling part; out of all the strange features this mammal has, why did anyone focus on their feet? How about their duck bills? The scientific name Ornithorhynchus anatinus comes from "bird-spout" and "duck-like."
Act Wild for Platypus
Platypus Parts
Some, but not all, words with 'us' on the end gets 'i' for plural. Plural for platypus was amongst such strange and confusing plural forms. Is it platypuses or platypi? Dictionary.com shows both of them as plural for platypus but lists 'platypuses' first. Same for octopus. A version with 'i' is more widely accepted for cactus, fungus, and radius. Plural for goose is geese, but plural for mongoose is mongooses. This is nerve-racking.
For platypuses, or platypi (by the way, spell check on blogger does not like platypi), this odd rule suite well to the strange creatures. They are egg-laying mammals with venom. They are like the biggest rule breakers in animal kingdom. The rebels.
The word platypus comes from Greek word meaning "flat-footed." This is actually the most puzzling part; out of all the strange features this mammal has, why did anyone focus on their feet? How about their duck bills? The scientific name Ornithorhynchus anatinus comes from "bird-spout" and "duck-like."
Act Wild for Platypus
Platypus Parts
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Kangaroo Video: How to Catch a Baby Kangaroo
The first time I saw the following video, I laughed harder than I should have. I wonder if this technique would work on other marsupials.
How to catch a kangaroo
I will be carrying a pillow case when I travel across Australia. Just in case.
How to catch a kangaroo
I will be carrying a pillow case when I travel across Australia. Just in case.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Made in the USA: The Frye Company
It is hard to determine exactly how long, but I have had a pretty strong obsession on boots for a long time. I love boots of all types: varying heights, with heels, without heels, combat boots, western style, or whatever, as long as the boots are tastefully designed.
The first time I saw a pair of Frye boots in a department store, I knew I had to own them. I waited for the end of the season sale in case my favorite pair is on sale. It never happened. Turned out that it is one of the most popular styles which has a small chance of discontinuation as long as the brand thrives. It will never be on sale. Darn.
The following winter, I purchased a pair of Frye Harness 12R boots in brown.
The boots are made of thick leather and are very heavy; these are not recommended for people who love lightweight boots. These boots complement many different types of outfits for years to come. I would consider getting another pair in black.
The brand is now owned by a company based in Hong Kong, and some boots and accessories are made outside the US. Harness 12R is still made in the USA. I hope it stays that way.
The first time I saw a pair of Frye boots in a department store, I knew I had to own them. I waited for the end of the season sale in case my favorite pair is on sale. It never happened. Turned out that it is one of the most popular styles which has a small chance of discontinuation as long as the brand thrives. It will never be on sale. Darn.
The following winter, I purchased a pair of Frye Harness 12R boots in brown.
The boots are made of thick leather and are very heavy; these are not recommended for people who love lightweight boots. These boots complement many different types of outfits for years to come. I would consider getting another pair in black.
The brand is now owned by a company based in Hong Kong, and some boots and accessories are made outside the US. Harness 12R is still made in the USA. I hope it stays that way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)