pottery barn, hah! i went into metro and immediately found faux suede zabuton covers, 26x26 inches, for $18 sing less 20%, also smaller cushions with pretty embroidery. i've seen similar ones on pottery barn and crate and barrel websites for 30 american dollars each and that's just the cover. hah. if it weren't for limited suitcase space and possibility of breakage i would get everything from home, especially diningware and tea sets.

still, i'm going back with cushions and zabuton covers and chopsticks and dish towels and batik silk and girly gifts for the other first years and lanterns and pantyhose (i learnt this from chan heng chee, who said in an interview that the first thing female singapore diplomats learn when they go to the us is to bring a year's supply of hose from home. i understood why as soon as i looked in a cvs.) and toiletries and laundry detergent and rice cooker and stationery and a nonya kebaya. i only wish i were staying longer and there was more suitcase room.