Last week UK Jack (Japanese newspaper circulating in London) featured Broadway market. Among the shops & stalls that they mentioned, they’ve also mentioned me! Thank you UK Jack! It’s amazing y’know, the power of media… - there were definately a much larger chunk of Japanese visitors last Saturday! I had many Japanese customers approaching my stall, telling me that they came because they saw the article!

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This week I decided to take time off the market. The weather forecast was rain, & I had no pre-orders. I felt I could do with putting my feet up & actually fully spend my Friday & Saturday with my son. It also meant my parents can have a time off from looking after him on the Friday too, which they so totally deserve…
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So how did I spend my time off? Well, er, nothing special really. Went swimming, & also to a shopping mall, & hang around the toy stores. I did a not-so-little (!) retail therapy for myself while he was happily asleep in the pram. Bought mainly clothes… Coz y’know what? I flippin’ deserve it - the last time I bought any garment for myself was around Xmas time!
Jeez, I tell ya, my old-self from the singleton dayz would be screaming like Munch in disbelief of how I’ve changed! I used to go clothes shopping ‘Atleast’ every month, & come home with bags n’ bags of beautiful stuff…

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On Wednesday last week, a Japanese Newspaper called UK JACK (a weekly publication circulating mainly in London) had published a small article about me! Click this link to see the jpeg in full size.
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Many thanks to Naoko-san, Kunichika-san, & Chie-san for making this happen.

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So for this week’s blog entry, I’ve translated the article in to English:

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THIS WEEK’S PERSONALITY

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What prompted you to come to the UK?

I came to this country when I was 6 due to my father’s work. At first it was only meant to be for 3 years. But have now approached the 25th year!

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What is your activity here?

After graduating with a Graphic Design degree from St. Martins, I worked as a Designer for 6 years. Upon becoming pregnant, I had a lot of time to spend at home, which was when I realized my passion for making desserts. This passion saw me through a hobby to now regularly selling them!

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What is your motto?

“To live each & everyday to the full”. Even when I’m feeling tired, or feeling down, I try to turn thoughts in to action.
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What do you love & hate about yourself?

I like the part of me which obsessingly pursues what ever it is I’m ‘in’ to. But hate the part of me that is easily flustered & is stubborn/ obstinate.

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What do you love & hate about the UK?

It’s very easy going here. I like that. But I dislike that there is a big gap when it comes to the quality of state schools available, & well-to-do families with more money to spend (ie: to afford to live in a good school catchment area) get better education for their children.
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What surprised you in UK?

Rice pudding.

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What three words describe London?

Relaxed, bad-transport & dirty…
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Which tourist destination did you like?

A small town called Padstow in Cornwall, & it’s surrounding areas. It’s quiet & peacefully still as if time had stopped.

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When you want something delicious in UK…

I buy fresh & yummy ingredients at Broadway Market & cook at home!

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What did you think was ‘good/ inspirational’ recently?

Louis Hamilton of F1. His eyes remind me that of my son’s. I wish for my son to be able to have a big dream, have the strength to pursue it & ‘get it’, just like Hamilton did.

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Anything made you angry recently?

I don’t get angry much.
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Who do you respect?

The Head Pastry Chef at the Waldorf. He gave me the astonishing opportunity to work in a five-star hotel kitchen - despite the fact I had no professional patiserrie experience what-so-ever! People like him who give chances to others selflessly is inspiring.

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What do you treasure?

A little embarassing to say, but it’s the love of my family…!

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What do you miss from Japan?

Every Japanese people I know says MOS BURGER is really good, so I’d LOVE to eat it one day!!

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What would you like to take back to Japan?

I’d like to introduce my friends in Japan to Porridge. It’s delicious with honey…

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What would you like to do next?

I’d love to turn my recipes & stories I write in my blog in to a book. I might even want to write a fictional novel… And when I have more time, develop the Coco&Me brand!

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