All posts by Rina Hirate

Restaurant Review: BURGERFI

April 18, 2015April 2015Restaurant ReviewsRina Hirate

Do you want to eat a delicious burgers near CELOP? The CELOP Sun members recommend BURGERFI! This restaurant is on Commonwealth Ave, just a few minutes walk from CELOP.

This burger shop has enough seats to sit down, so you may visit there with a big group and I liked the restaurant’s design. It felt fancier than Uburger or Tasty burger. We ordered BURGERFI, Onion rings, and Hand-cut fries.

BURGERFI – my first impression of this burger was that it’s small… I thought it was not enough for me because I usually eat a lot . However, look at this Burger, it’s double beef! This burger was really meaty. The beef was tender and the vegetables were fresh. I want to eat this again.

Onion rings – have you ever tried such big Onion rings? They are really big and delicious. Additionally, the fries are also very tasty. Not too oily or salty!

Overall, I would like to visit BURGERFI again, and try other burgers. Let’s eat tomorrow’s lunch at this burger shop!

BURGERFI:

961 Commonwealth Avenue

Boston, MA 02215

Photo credits: Felix Poon

International Fair

April 18, 2015April 2015American Culture, CELOP activitiesRina Hirate

On April 16th, many CELOP students "traveled" to China, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Kuwait, Italy and Pakistan in the CELOP lobby, a total of 6 countries! Everyone had their own Passport and traveled to each country. It was a great opportunity to know several cultures at the same time.

Which country do you want to visit next?

Team China

Team Saudi Arabia

Visiting Thailand!

Pakistan's table

Team Kuwait

We love Italy!

Traveling many countries

Boston Breaks Snow Record 2014-15

March 25, 2015March 2015Blizzard, WinterRina Hirate

We made it! The 2014-15 season was the snowiest season ever in Boston!
Surprisingly, we have received 110.3 inches of snow this year. The previous historical record was in 1995-96, 107.6 inches.

Boston snow — The National Weather Service posted this on their Twitter account when the record was broken on March 15th, 2015 (twitter.com/NWSBoston/status/577246272630980608/photo/1)

We missed a total of 5 school days; it was indeed too much snow.

Do you remember? The MBTA stopped for a week and we suffered trying to go to school...
I seldom do exercise, so it was good exercise walking everyday.

Snowing!

Wow!

Where is the rail!?

I found a car in a snow bank...

Photo credits:Rina Hirate

CELOP Cooking Class: New England Clam Chowder and Chocolate Chip Cookies

March 25, 2015March 2015CELOP activities, RecipesRina Hirate

On February 27th, I attended the CELOP Cooking Class! We made New England Clam Chowder and Chocolate Chip Cookies. I had such a fun time. In addition, we learned several essential cooking terms! Soup and cookies are the best all over the world. I even made the cookies again the following weekend.

They won't take long to make, so you can also make this delicious clam chowder and chocolate chip cookies at home!

How to make Clam Chowder!?
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
1 medium onion, finely diced
2 celery stalks (reserve tender leaves) trimmed, quartered lengthwise, then sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2(10-ounce) cans chopped clams in juice
1 cup heavy cream
2 bay leaves
1 pound Idaho potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

① Heat the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat.

② Add the onion and celery and saute until softened, mixing often.

③ Stir in the flour to distribute evenly.

④ Add the stock, juice from 2 cans of chopped clams (reserve clams), cream, bay leaves, and potatoes and stir to combine.

⑤ Bring to a simmer, stirring consistently (the mixture will thicken), then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook 20 minutes, stirring often. until the potatoes are nice and tender. Then add clams and season to taste with salt and pepper, cook until clams are just firm, another 2 minutes.

⑥ Lets eat!

How to make chocolate chip cookies?
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup(2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 sup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) chocolate chips

① Preheat oven to 375℉.

② Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy.

③ Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

④ Gradually beat in flour mixture and add chocolate chips.

⑤ Place rounded tablespoons of the mixture onto ungreased baking sheets.

⑥ Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until golden brown!

Resource: www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/18476/original-nestle-toll-house-chocolate-chip-cookies/

Rina the Student Advisor: Paying Tips

March 25, 2015March 2015American CultureRina Hirate

Dear Rina: In my country it is not common to pay a tip at restaurants or in general. However, I have been told that it is not culturally acceptable and even sometimes considered rude to not pay a tip. How do I know whom to tip in the U.S. and how much to pay?

Indeed, paying a tip at restaurants is confusing. In my country, Japan, paying a tip is not common either. Thus, when I first visited the U.S, I remember that it was really difficult to judge how much of a tip I should pay... I gradually got used to this custom though, so when I visit a restaurant with my friends, I know what to do!

Before I show you the "U.S Tipping Guidelines" chart below, I would like to tell you why tipping is important. Tipping is important because employees receive a low basic wage. Their wage depends on our tip. Thus, if you don't pay a tip, employees think that we are rude.

Here is useful advice about tipping!
Look at these wonderful "U.S Tipping Guidelines" below.

fodors.com/ee/images/article/US-tipping-chart.jpg

This is only the basic idea. Of course, you can change the rate depending on your satisfaction!

Additionally, there are several apps for tip calculation! These are very useful. You should consider installing one on your phone or tablet.

If you want to know more about tipping, read this article on Fodors.com. You can learn more about U.S tipping guidelines, and about other countries' tipping customs too!

Congratulations Patriots!!

February 20, 2015February 2015American Culture, SportsRina Hirate

28-24, Patriots win the NFL Super Bowl!

www.reviewjournal.com/columns-blogs/matt-youmans/patriots-win-definition-pick-em-game

How many people watched the XLIX NFL championship!? I did!!
It was my first experience to watch the Super Bowl. I was surprised, because many people were watching the game on TV or visiting sports bar to see the big game.

Photo credit: Sihun Kim

Each year, the Super Bowl is the most-watched broadcast in U.S. television. The day of the game is not an official holiday, though many people stay at home and watch the game. Many people watch the game at home because it is quite difficult to get game tickets! Thus, on the day of the game, people go to the supermarket and liquor shop to prepare for the BIG game.

BU held a Super Bowl event for students, so I joined that event with my friends. There was a big screen and chicken wings! Chicken wings is one of the popular foods for watching the Super Bowl. Many CELOP students were also enjoying this event. Did you know that the Super Bowl day is the second largest day for U.S. food consumption after Thanksgiving day?

Next year's Super Bowl is scheduled to be played on February 7th, 2016, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California!!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Photo credit: Sihun Kim

Valentines Day in Japan

February 20, 2015February 2015Holidays, Japan, Valentine's DayRina Hirate

In America, men give flowers or a present to women on Valentines Day. In Japan, women give chocolate or a present to men, family, or friends. Then on March 14th, men give a present as a return gift to women: we call this White day! This is quite an interesting cultural difference, right?

http://efk.blog113.fc2.com

I would like to introduce you to Japanese Valentines day.
As you know, February 14th is Valentines Day. In Japan, February is the most important month for snack companies, especially in the chocolate section. They sell one third of their chocolate during the Valentines Day season!

http://navistation01.com/4207.html

Why does everyone give chocolate on Valentines Day?
There are several theories on why you give chocolate on Valentines Day. Most people think that it was because many companies started advertising women giving chocolates to men for Valentines Day. According to the website ..., this happened in 1975, and the practice of women giving chocolate to men was established.

February is an important month for girls to brag about their cooking skills. When I was in high school, I received more than 100 Tomo-choco (see below) in three years from my friends. They all are really skillful in cooking. Every year, I learned recipes from my mother and made them until midnight. They were unforgettable memories for me!

Glossary for Valentines Day

Honmei-choco
本命チョコ

Girls give this Honmei-choco to their boyfriend, or to a boy they want to tell that she likes him.

Giri-choco
義理チョコ

Girls give a Giri-choco to a boy they are friends with.

Tomo-choco
友チョコ

Girls give chocolates or cookies to friends.
It does not matter if the friend is a boy or a girl. You can give this to whomever you want.

"Choco" Photos from the following sites, in order of appearance

plaza.rakuten.co.jp/annnemarie/diary/201302140000/
whitedayokaeshi.web.fc2.com/
matome.naver.jp/odai/2142277600187319901/2142283316043839903

New Year’s Traditional Food in Japan

January 30, 2015January 2015Holidays, Japan, New YearsRina Hirate

I went back to Japan this winter vacation to eat osechi! How many people tried osechi (=お節) before? In Japan, we eat osechi as a New Year's day special meal. A few decades ago, usually each family made this by themselves. It took about three days to make it all; however, in recent years we just buy an osechi pack from a famous hotel or restaurant. (Example picture is below)

blog.new-agriculture.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/umeamazon

Most osechi include fish cake, egg roll, sweet chestnut, herring roe...etc.. Each dish has a particular meaning. For example:

Fish cake, kamaboko (=かまぼこ), this dish symbolizes the sun rise.

www.kibun.co.jp/knowledge/shogatsu/osechi/iware.html

Sweet chestnut symbolizes praise and treasure, to hope for a rich year.

www.kibun.co.jp/knowledge/shogatsu/osechi/iware.html

Herring roe symbolizes prosperity of descendants.

www.kibun.co.jp/knowledge/shogatsu/osechi/iware.html

What kind of traditional food do you eat in your home country?

Coming of Age Ceremony in Japan

January 30, 2015January 2015JapanRina Hirate

The second Monday of January is a holiday in Japan. We call it seijin-no-hi (成人の日).
We celebrate seijin-shiki (成人式) for people who become 20 years old. In Japan, when we become 20 years old, we are considered to be an adult. We get the right to vote, and legally drink. It is the important period for all of them.
www.hodaka-kenich.com/Journalist/2012/01/09164045.php

前撮り２ — This is me! I wore this furisode at the coming of age ceremony.
I really loved the color and design of this furisode because it is very classical.

At the ceremony, most women wear traditional cloth, furisode (振り袖) at this ceremony. I attended my coming of age ceremony last year. I have never worn Japanese traditional cloth, so it was a great opportunity. Many people, even passengers on the train, told me that I was beautiful. I felt that I became a model.

www.ondine.jp/collection/item/oe-1130.htm

Unique Culture: Christmas in Japan

December 11, 2014December 2014Christmas, Holidays, JapanRina Hirate

Japanese Merry Christmas By Rina Hirate

Xmas Lights — http://cisco.flop.jp/bunkyouku_.html

In Japan, Christmas is not as important of a holiday because we have few Christians. Therefore, Christmas day is not a holiday in Japan. Students have to go to school; other people also have to go to work. However, we do have Christmas customs such as sending cards or receiving gifts from Santa!

After Halloween, suddenly the decorations change to Christmas ones, and also many stores start Christmas sales. These sales continue until Christmas day, but they are not as big as Black Friday in the U.S. In Japan, we usually celebrate Christmas with our significant others, and celebrate New Years day with family at home. Thus, Christmas is considered a romantic day. Many couples visit romantic places decorated by Christmas lights.

There is also a very unique Christmas custom in Japan. We eat KFC on Christmas day! During December 21^st to 25^th, KFC Japan sells over 6.6 billion yen. KFC Japan makes most of the profits during Christmas season. I know many people ask “WHY KFC?” In Japan, we don’t have the custom of eating Turkey, so in the past KFC Japan started to advertise Christmas Chicken! This advertising success continues and many people buy KFC Chicken on Christmas day. When you visit Japan, Christmas season, you can see long lines in front of KFC.

KFC Christmas KFC Christmas line

http://www.kfc.co.jp/campaign/xmas2014/

http://blog.livedoor.jp/zzcj/archives/51844501.html