Sunday, August 16, 2009
For those of you who are wondering, the Temple was absolutely beautiful. Also overwhelming, but I hear that's "normal."
Anyway, my Branch President and his wife came up from California and were there, too. After the session, my parents took us (BP, Sister BP, and Rochelle, because she's an extension of my family and was there, too) to lunch at Panda Garden. BP ordered some Japanese Teriyaki Beef dish that also came with a small salad and some California Sushi rolls. On the plate was a big green glob of something, as well as some ginger.
There is no way I can possibly tell this story and do it justice. You kind of had to be there to get the full effect. I really wish we'd gotten a picture of his face! BP picked up the green glob with his fork, kind of stared at it for a minute, said something along the lines of "I wonder what this is?" and proceeded to put it in his mouth. Those of you familiar with Japanese cuisine probably can appreciate this even better than I can, and you probably could have warned him that taking a whole mouthful was a Bad Idea. BP's eyes went HUGE and he sort of gagged. For a moment, it looked like he was going to vomit, or pass out, or both. My family (and Rochelle) all started laughing because his facial expression was so positively amazing. I mean, he looked like he was going to explode! Sister BP kept asking him if he was OK. Finally he swallowed and commented that we could probably see steam coming from his eyes, and was that hot!
When the waitress came by, we asked her what the now completely devoured green substance was. "It's like hot mustard," she said. "Only in Japanese we call it Wasabi. You ate the whole thing at once?! Most people eat it with their sushi..."
BP, Sister BP, thank you for coming to support me. And for coming to lunch and entertaining us. Also, now I know what wasabi looks like, so now I know what it is I want to avoid.
