Let Me Introduce Myself:
Hi, my name is Yuka Kawata! I am 24 years old, Japanese-American, and grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. I did my undergraduate studies in Microbiology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and am currently a graduate student at the University of Maine studying wild blueberries. I am passionate about the outdoors and spend any moment I can outside hiking with me and my pup, Daisy. In this past year before moving to Maine, I was able to visit all 57 state parks in Tennessee and became even more infatuated with hiking. I am currently working on becoming more confident solo camping out of my car in hopes to travel across the US to visit several National Parks!
If I’m not outside you can mostly likely find me in the kitchen, on the couch with yarn and a hook, or a puzzle. My parents were very blessed in their cooking skill, so I grew up eating some of the most delicious Japanese food. My comfort meal will always be freshly steamed hot white rice with a generous pour of thick Japanese curry sauce filled with potatoes, carrots and beef on top. In my near future, I hope to go visit Japan with my dad and fill my body to the brim with sushi.
My Top Three
The Mountains
If one day no one is able to reach me or ever sees me again, I have mostly likely retreated to the mountains and will never come back. I adore the mountains will my whole heart. It’s the one place on the planet I feel at peace and it is my dream to live on top of one. So please don’t ever come looking for me.
The Daisy Mae
My first child with four legs and two very floppy ears. I never knew how much I could love something until she walked into my life. She’s been my life since I was 19, and she will be by my side till the day we die. She’s been by my side for every mountain top and for the late night snacks we get out of the refrigerator.
The Crochet Addict
I learned how to crochet as a child, thinking it would never come to any use in my life. I was happily mistaken and not my home is covered in some of the most adorable homemade plushies you could imagine. Plus, I love that I’ve been able to customize so many gifts for my dear friends.
