It starts with a circle....

  Simply put, I love Japan.  I don't know if it started with a trip to Epcot or hearing stories of my Grandpa in Japan during the war, but the mere mention of something Japanese and my ears perk up. The more I learn about the country the more my affection grows.  It's people, landscapes, and culture
  "So why not just move there?"  Yes I've heard this sentiment before and, trust me, I've considered it. In fact I'd love to and I've tried figuring out many ways to make a move to Japan work for myself and my family. There are several factors that prevent me from doing this that I may delve into sometime, so for now it's a goal that's too far out of my grasp.  I promise this decision isn't spawned from laziness, just an unchangeable personal situation.  So a trip would be fine, but not a permanent living situation.
  So what's a girl to do?  Well, since I can't go to Japan, why not make where I live seem as much like a typical Japanese living situation as I can?  I think subconciously I've been trying to for years now anyways.  I've been learning to speak Japanese, I cook Japanese food, I shop at the local Japanese markets, and I could continue on and on.  I really think making my home as "Japanese" as I can might make me eel as if I'm missing out a little bit less on the experience of living in Japan.  So, that's my goal, and I hope to share it with as many people as I can.