Happy Valentine's Day!

(Just so you all know, the 'heart' is a special Japanese sweet from the Fukuoka area known as Hiyoko. It is filled with a sweet bean paste and is scrumptious!)

Happy Valentine's Day! For those unaware in Japan it is commonplace for the women to give men presents on this day (it is usually in the form of chocolate or 'choko' or 'chokoreto'). From what I have read and been told, it was thought that, in general, Japanese women are too shy to truly express their feelings towards their 'special someone' therefore this Western holiday was adopted as an answer to all the shyness problems! WOW! In my opinion it was just smart chocolate companies trying to boost their sales, but whatever.

But, as it is so common for women to give 'choko' out on this day specific names have been created to label the level of expression assigned to each chocolate gift. So all you men don't get too excited because you could just be receving 'giri-choko- or obligation cholocate. muahahahahahaha. This is given to all those boys that the girls pity because they are all alone on this holiday, and they just don't want anyone's feelings to get hurt...JUST KIDDING! Well, actually that may be true for some, but generally 'giri-choko' is reserved for co-workers, bosses, or friends. Similar to what we do, only it goes BOTH ways, you feel me ladies?! (As I am such a great Japanese girl I gave pictures of chocolate to all my friends through my cell phone! How great am I? I made some last year, but I just ran out of time this year. OK, truthfully, I just really didn't care to. There is not space in my kitchen to work my chocolate making magic!)

The special chocolate or 'honmei-choko' is given to their loved ones. I have not personally seen a gift of 'giri-choko' and 'honmei-choko' set next to one another to compare if the 'honmei-choko' is better looking or better tasting but, I am sure with all the time and love that the girls put into each piece of home-made goodness the men can really taste it and appreciate it (PSSH!).

That was just a bit of Japanese Valentine Day info for those of you who were interested. Now, allow me to tell you about MY day! YEA!

Well, first I received a wonderful surprise in the mail from my Anty Pam and Uncle David! Thank you so much! It truly made my day! You guys are so thoughtful!
(LOVE YOU!)

After work I went over to my friend, Nina's place in Kameoka (a town just right outside Kyoto City) for a delicious home-made pasta dinner! She also made us dark chocolate covered strawberries and home-made chocolate treats! It was a great dinner and we had so much fun just catching up with one another. Thanks for a great meal Nina Bina!

(My sweet Valentine's basket with chocolates made by Nina.)

( I swear this little Indian girl is more Japanese than me!)

And lastly, to all my American loves, I hope you have a great day! Here is some chocolate I would like you all to imagine I made by hand! (It's delicious by the way!) Enjoy! hehe Much love!