Kawaii Stamps

Hi all! It's the fourth of July!

Happy Birthday to America! I moved to this country
in 2003. I never planned to stay here this long, but
the more I spent time here, the more I've become accustomed to
cultures, customs, and lifestyles in the US and gained comfort
living here. I went through a bunch of culture shocks and often
thought about moving back to Japan and living with the cultures and
language that I grew up with while being near my family and friends.
But oh my goodness. Time flew. Now I've spent over 20% of my
life in the US. I have to admit that my life would have been
totally different - absolutely boring - if I didn't move here 6 years ago.

Living here has taught me that it is ok to be who I am,
it is ok to express in the way I want, it is ok to
pursue my goals without worrying about things
I shouldn't worry about.

Well, I am definitely not trying to say these are the
things you can't achieve if you are in Japan (Japan is super
cool in a lot of ways), but living in a different country
has given me opportunities to meet awesome people, to look at
things from different perspectives, and to appreciate all
the things that are new and different.
I thank America and wish it Happy Birthday ;)



By the way, aren't these stamps cute?!
They are designed by ako of BeachField who is
super talented at making hand-curved stamps.
If you like looking at handmade stamps, you'd probably
find yourself subscribing to her blog almost immediately
after you hop over there.
Every time I look at her stamps, I wish I were good at
drawing and curving stamps. I am terrible at those.
I was so happy that I finally got her stamps in hand!
I can't to wait to get a book that she's been working on now.





Do you remember my Sun Golden Cherry Tomato plant?
I took this picture a month ago. ONLY a month ago.
Take a look at how it's doing............




Oh my goodness!!!!!!!
How fast-growing is that?!?!
Now there are many flowers on it and
some baby tomatoes too.



As you guys suggested, I've been giving lots of
water and fertilizer, and Joe found a few wooden sticks
on the street to prop up the tomato plant. The guy who
I bought it from said I can cut the plant if it gets too
big so that it would stay short but I am too graceful for
its growth and hardly ever think about harming it.
Who knows what's gonna happen once all the
cherry tomatoes start growing on it.

Thanks for coming and reading ;)

Happy Fourth of July!