Shizuko’s parents dreamed of living abroad, outside of Japan. Her father pursued a career with a Japanese trading company expanding worldwide, while her mother studied English literature in college. While living abroad, their family kept the tradition of eating at home, with freshly cooked rice always at the center of daily life. Adapting to new languages, cultures, and environments was not always easy, yet her parents created a warm, nurturing home that gave Shizuko and her sister experiences few people have—and for that, Shizuko is deeply grateful.