On my way home this evening, a cool rain was falling. It was one of those wonderful rains that acts like an air conditioner for the outdoors. This rain was especially welcome since I haven’t even been able to buy ice the past few weeks because it would melt by the time I got home (yeah, we don’t have an ice-maker). Breaths of fresh air, both literally and figuratively, are a wonderful part of life. They allow us to take in a time, a place, and our feelings in a way that we forget to do on a daily basis. As I listened to the rain hit random leaves in the trees towering above my head, I began to think about how Tokyo Terrace is a lot like a breath of fresh air for me. Every time I start writing a new post, I feel like I am suddenly able to reflect on the day, the meals, the people, and of course the place: Tokyo. This is such a blessing in a country that is often difficult for this Midwestern girl to comprehend.
I’ve been thinking a lot about food blogging lately (why is it so important? why do I do it?). This train of thought has been sparked by Foodbuzz, who has endeavored to name the “Next Food Blog Star” in Project Food Blog. The idea is that approximately 2,000 food bloggers will enter the contest and only one will win. As a contestant, the first challenge is to explain what defines me as a food blogger and why I deserve to win Project Food Blog.
So what exactly sets me apart from other blogs? And why do I deserve to have these qualities recognized?
My blog was started with the intent of sharing my experiences living and eating in Tokyo with others. Like most food bloggers, I did not start my site to become any kind of “star blogger.” Instead, I wanted to chronicle my new life in Japan while exploring an intense love for food and cooking. Fortunately, I live in a place with an incredible food culture that fosters creativity.
While some successful food bloggers are professionally trained in the culinary field and own fancy equipment for cooking, I began my blog without so much as an oven. (Apparently those are not a necessity in Japan. Let’s just say Thanksgiving turkeys have come about in some interesting ways.) My mother-in-law, who felt my ovenless pain all the way across the Pacific, bought a little Black & Decker counter top oven for me. No, it isn’t the same as having a full-fledged oven, but I love having it. If you look at the picture to the left, my little oven is actually on top of my refrigerator. We call that combination of appliances “R2D2.” Also, I am not a trained chef. I’m just a girl who loves food, loves creating, loves people, and has a camera.
When I first began, things looked a little rough. Literally.
Fortunately, things got better. I learned more about photography by looking at photographs in magazines and in other blogs. I then began to create photographs that showed dishes from my perspective. One of my favorite sayings is, “You eat with your eyes first.” Through naturally-lit photos, I try to show what I find breathtakingly beautiful about food to those who stumble upon Tokyo Terrace.
Blogging has done a lot to turn the food world upside down. Adversely, it has turned my crazy-mixed-up-Tokyo-life right-side up. Being able to make sense of my surroundings the past two years through blogging has made me realize that: 1) I adore blogging and 2) blogging is not a competition as much as it is a community. That said, no matter what the outcome of Project Food Blog, I am honored to be a part of this community of people who love food as much as I do. We are a different breed, there is no question about that! But together, we are changing ideas about food all around the world. That’s something to be proud of.
I am happy to have found a ‘breath of fresh air’ in blogging. I hope you also have something that gives you as much release, time for reflection, and joy as Tokyo Terrace has given to me.
If anyone out there feels that I should be the Next Food Blog Star, you can vote for me starting September 20th. More details to come and hopefully more challenge posts as well!
-Rachael
