LILI FLORIDA

• Arborist/Landscaper OR Solider (when I was a high school student)

I love nature and visiting beautiful gardens. Over 20 years ago, I wanted to be an arborist/landscaper or solider. My grandpa was a fighter pilot (he later became a fire chief). When I was a kid, he often told me about his experience as a pilot. But both jobs have been dominated by men in Japan (even today).

• Chef (when I was 5 or 6 years old)

My dad was a sushi chef. He started training at 15 (he didn’t go to high school). The sushi industry has also been traditionally dominated by men in Japan. I asked him why.

He said that the main reason is a competitive industry, and sushi chefs wake up very early and prepare rice and fish. The other reasons are that women have monthly periods and higher body temperatures than men. So, sometimes the sushi taste may change.

Really? I didn’t agree with him. But I understood what he wanted to tell me. The interesting fact is that pastry chefs have been dominated by women in Japan and America.

I am the first grandchild and only woman among cousins. Also, all of my neighborhood friends were boys, and I attended a former boys’ high school (I was one of the few female students at school). I know I am not feminine enough. Haha😅

My grandpa was a traditional man. He wanted a grandson instead of a granddaughter, but he was kind to me. Whenever my mom and I argued, he always took my side. Like I wrote before, the relationship with my mom was getting worse. I just wanted to live a simple and peaceful life (just around that time, I found my life partner), and I left Japan. I have never regretted my decision.

I like my current job. I enjoy trimming tree branches and being a sushi lover. Sometimes I go to military museums.

If I don’t need to think about money, I will immediately retire and start an organic veggie and fruit garden. 🥒🍅🍆🍓🍈🍋

Photo by Pixabay