I am currently living in rural Japan. I spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to make western meals with eastern ingredients. I've had to get very creative and it's surprised me to learn just how much I love cooking. I'll try to cook just about anything. We love spicy foods so I'm always trying new Indian and Mexican recipes. I also have a weakness for sweets so I keep an eye out for new and interesting dessert recipes, particularly cheesecakes. I always look forward to visits at my mom's...we make big traditional southern dinners together and I learn something new every time. When ever I make something my husband thought he would hate, but ends up loving, is a triumph. My first attempt at making a tiramisu at the age of 15 went horribly awry. I accidently used goat cheese in place of the mascarpone...it wasn't pleasant.