Cheff Jeff at WASSABI Portland

YO YO YO!!! What it do my Oklahomies,Nompton brotatoes, and all you visitors to our blog?! Well, here's an update of my life. Two days before I return home from South Africa I get a phone call from a strange number with the area code 503 (Portland). It turns out to be my aunt and she has never called me before. I call her back and she asks me to fly out to Portland, Oregon to help her out at her new restaurant, which just opened up in April.. It's called Wassabi (www.wassabipdx.com). I was hesitant at first and told her I'd have to sleep on it and call her back when I got into the states. I woke up the next day and decided that this was a chance to get out of Oklahoma for awhile. Five days after coming home from South Africa, I am back on a plane to Portland. Trust me... I'm and sick and tired of flying now. What a drag...

I get into Portland and settle into my apartment, which is extremely bare and lonely. All I had was a bed and a night stand and a worthless, crap lamp that probably wouldn't even illuminate a 2x2 feet coat closet. I was without cable and internet there for over a week. I went from my BMW to a 10-speed bicycle. What did I get myself into?? BUT.... I do move into my aunt's place today to house and dog sit while she is gone on vacation for two months. I'll have two yorkies as my friends, Smokie and Bandit, and yes they fit their names very well... Bandit is a mischievous dog... I'll finally have cable, internet, a car, some FOOD, and... a HOT TUB!!

Not only have I been deprived of the necessities in life that make a human happy... I've been at work at the restaurant for the past nine days working from 10:30-10:30. When am I going to get a day off? Who knows.. I'm the only chef and my uncle is still on his drive back from Oklahoma. Restaurant is pretty cool and modern. We have 13 total flat screens and a projector. One of which is for the employees in the kitchen.. They are very spoiled. We show a movie every Wednesday and have popcorn. We have 14 awesome beers on tap too. Anyway, I do have to say that I work with a great staff- Brandon, Ian, Sam, Lace, Bri, Natalie, Sherry, James and the family. It's so laid back and easy. I'm on my computer 24/7, reading, flirting, watching Entourage or whatever is on tv. I went to a Blues festival in downtown with a girl from work last week. The blues dancing was a bit more difficult than I thought and probably not something I could see myself doing on a regular basis but I would definitely give it another try.

Fourth of July... I actually had to work but we closed super early because it was so dead. Closed up shop at 6 and pigged out on the patio during the employee potluck and had all you can drink draft beers. Any 14 that you wanted to try. After that, my aunt and uncle decide to make a last minute, spontaneous drive to the beach house, which is only an hour and a half away, to surprise the rest of the family that is out there. The place is beautiful!!! I'll snap shots of the place the next time I head there. As we are almost pulling in, one of my uncles text me and says "Happy 4th of July! Too bad you're working at Wassabi." Perfect timing right? He was damn surprised when I got there. It was great to see his face. Had some beers and food with the family then we headed to the casino where I lost $40 of my aunts money on the penny slots... Don't ask me how. the next morning we wake at 8 and head back to work.. That's the end of that. Boredom resumes..

Next weekend, i head to Portland's International beer festival for free beer, thanks to my uncle.. The weekend after that I'll head to the 23rd Annual Oregon Beer Festival of all the microbreweries.. I'll be sure to update photos from there.. My youngest sister flies in on the 20th and the older one flies in on the 25th.. Will be great to see them.. All of the grandchildren from all of my grandparent's 11 kids will be here.. I think there are 16 or 17 of us. HUGE FAMILY! Brotato John Bobz is planning on coming up in a couple of weeks.. I hope he does.. I miss that ninjer. B-Ren is also making a road trip up here in August.. Will be nice to see him as well. Well, that's all I have at the moment.. Here are photos of the restaurant!!! Oh, the PRINCE and MANHATTAN rolls have made their debut and they are a hit!! I don't know when I'll be back in Nompton.. Probably the first week of September.. I miss you all. I'm so home sick.. Bye.









We have a tv in the kitchen so that the chefs and servers can watch basketball and soccer.


My mom and sisters sent me this photo on the 4th of July.. How sweet! :)


14 beers on tap and I think 4 of them are Oregon microbreweries.


Before this was labeled, two of my uncles thought this pitcher was Vietnamese coffee. They poured themselves a cup and added cream.. Turns out it was soy sauce and they didn't realize it until they took huge gulps on their drive home. hahahaha



PRINCE and MANHATTAN make the debut!







We have an employee computer for Facebook or whatever in the employee break room. Spoiled much?






SPAMMED!!