Ka’Olu,
Los Osos, CA

I’m a “third culture kid” raised in Southern California by expat Japanese parents. We were repatriated when I was a teenager, then I moved back to California in my late 40’s. In Japan, I felt I was not really Japanese, but in the US, I don’t really feel American. Because I don’t have an Asian accent, people (like my Anglo-American husband’s family) seem to think I am just like them. I’m not. My food preferences are definitely Japanese! This recent photo makes me laugh. Camping is such an American pastime, but here I am with my chopsticks! I always travel with them, along with bags of rice and little packets of soy sauce.

Ka’Olu,
Los Osos, CA

I’m a “third culture kid” raised in Southern California by expat Japanese parents. We were repatriated when I was a teenager, then I moved back to California in my late 40’s. In Japan, I felt I was not really Japanese, but in the US, I don’t really feel American. Because I don’t have an Asian accent, people (like my Anglo-American husband’s family) seem to think I am just like them. I’m not. My food preferences are definitely Japanese! This recent photo makes me laugh. Camping is such an American pastime, but here I am with my chopsticks! I always travel with them, along with bags of rice and little packets of soy sauce.