Japanese birthday

Youngest had his birthday, amidst all the ado last week.
We had presents and cake and candles (including one of those re-lighting ones that I added unknowingly).



He asked for and we dined upon K's Country Ribs with homemade macaroni and cheese and had a nice day.
But, one of the best things about Youngest's birthday each year is receiving the birthday parcel from his friend A, in Japan.
His friend A lived here when they were little - they were in kindergarten together - and she moved back to Tokyo in fourth grade. She made a visit for fifth grade graduation and stayed with us for a while with her mom, C.
Each year they exchange gifts for their birthdays and Christmas and C and I send each other little treats. C likes to receive anything I can send that is typical Tuvaluan. I like to receive my most favorite magazine: Kun:el.
I would add, parenthetically, that the gifts from Japan are always small exquisite items, breathtakingly wrapped and beautifully chosen. The packages are as light as a feather and a delight to behold from the outer wrappings to the origami cards. Our gifts to them? Well, let's just say that there have been years wherein I feel as though we are shipping ANVILS. Anvils wrapped in gold bars.

Youngest's package arrived the other day. A sent him a gorgeous tee shirt and one of those wee tiny chains that get clipped to a cell phone. C sent me my favorite magazine.



Do I have any idea what the articles are about?
No.
Do I care?
Not in the slightest.



There are always food pages, printed on a different paper. I have no hope of deciphering what the food is. But I don't mind.



There are, usually, some paper-craft pages. Somehow, I don't think I could wrap a wine bottle in paper as nicely as this.



Even Japanese tee shirts have a different aesthetic.



Text? Indecipherable. Pretty, though.



Beauty features? Indecipherable and pretty.



I'm always fascinated by the home stories.



I have a passion for kitchen sinks. True!

Of course, my favorite pages are the fashion pages. I spend a lot of time staring at them and then trying to duplicate outfits.



I like the striped tunic best.



This page has me coveting that green jacket. I could use an all-weather jacket like that even though I never like hoods.

I think the fashion story in this issue was what to pack for a particular trip...



See? You could pack your Pocky and your vaseline...



or, in this bag, you could bring your doughnuts and tinned ham. Or not.
Wait.

If you need me I'll be staring at the pictures and trying to figure out what's going on.