Eve Makiko Laabs, Japanese translator and narrator

Q: Describe your profession currently, or most recently. 

A. Buyer at Daikin Applied, freelance interpretation and translation

Q: Name the region and the city/town from which you come from in your native country.

A. Toyko, Japan

Q: What led to your move to the U.S. and how long have you been here?

A. Growing up, I attended international schools in Tokyo, so attending college overseas was the natural progression after graduation. The college I was accepted into (Macalester) happened to be in St. Paul, MN. I did not know ANYTHING about Minnesota when I arrived in 1999, but I am still here after 24 years.

Cultural foods

Q: Name a popular dish from your native region and share a short description of what makes it delicious.

A. Tonkatsu (deep fried pork cutlet) is one of my favorites. When you go to a tonkatsu restaurant, you can choose between a lean or fatty cut of pork. The pork is crusted with breadcrumbs and fried to perfection. It is usually served on a bed of julienne cabbage with a complex sweet and savory "tonkatsu sauce." Combine it with a bowl of miso soup and rice and you have the perfect meal.

Cathedral of Saint Paul and Totai-ji

Q: What aspect of the Cathedral delighted you most or surprised you?

A: I loved learning how the Shrine of Nations was a tribute to the laborers of many backgrounds who came together to build the Cathedral, and how each featured an actual piece of marble from their native land.

Q: Name a Cathedral or landmark church that would be similar in your native country.

A: Todai-ji, in the ancient capital city of Nara, was built in the 8th century and houses the world's largest bronze statue of the Great Buddha. The temple is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Thank you, Eve!