It will forever feel strange (for me) to call them dumplings. Since learning how to do house chores (at the age of 3), my mother would also involve me and my brother when she cooked dinner. My favorite was when we made gyoza (Japanese style) together. My mom would mix all the ingredients in a large bowl - minced cabbage, crushed garlic, ground pork, nira (similar to negi/green onion) - and the three of us would wrap them in the gyoza wrap(kawa).
This photo is of my 11/7/06 lunch my mom packed for me. On this day, I am 23 years old and three months shy of turning 24. Since moving back home and living with my mother for the last four months, I debate with myself whether I really have one foot out the door in being a "grown-up", and the fluidity of the term and what is considered "normal." In other words, should I be paying ridiculous rent without a penny to save or should I appreciate the incredible opportunity I have to live with my mother and save nearly half my salary for my future?