I guess I haven’t really written too much about my boo. I actually dont like to. It makes it seem like I get to keep him all to myself. Muahahah! But I thought I would write about a little incident that happened on a lovely Wednesday.

It will almost be a year since we have been dating. Wednesday is usually his off day and we decided to go out on what turned into a lovely date. He really wanted to see the new Dragon BallZ movie but I wasn’t really about the idea because I never followed the series and of course it was all in Japanese. (I understood like 15% of it)  At least it was ladies day so I only payed 1,000yen but still… meh..

Afterwards we went to the arcade and I actually won (after about 15+ games) an Umberon doll! They have an Eevee special going on right now and yes a grown ass women like me still and will forever play POKEMON. BF failed at winning One Piece figures though. Oh well. 

But the real BWAM! in your face moment came after when we went to eat at the family restaurant Saizeriya. After we placed our order I continued expressing my enjoyment of winning Umbreon. Just then the older couple next to us says something. The lady pulls out her phone and shows it to my BF 

“This is my daughter” she said.

My brain had a million things to say in that moment “Seriously Japan?! you have some really crazy/weird/wtf moments but this?! Is she trying to set up my BF with her full Japanese daughter!? Ive heard stories that some Japanese people dont like Black people but REALLY?? we are eating! Is this really the day racism gets pushed directly in my face!? ect.”

Then she showed me the picture. It was her 100% Japanese daughter in traditional clothing but she was standing next to a Black man. Nigerian American to be exact. The lady looked at me and smiled. Her husband then explained that their daughter had just married this man and that they were super excited to see the my BF and I all “love, love” 

Well that was cute. And I felt stupid for thinking all of those things in that moments before. In fact this couple was the exact opposite. They were giving us their blessings and wished us luck. You know, cause its not everyday that you see a Japanese guy and a Black girl walk down the streets of Shibuya holding hands. 

I couldnt actually write yesterday because I was so drugged up and tired. But I’ll try to summarized it.

I wasn’t allowed to eat or drink anything basically all day. The surgery started around 10:40 in the morning and lasted i guess 1hr. They tried to explain things but of course Japanese medical terms have gone out the window. They stuck an IV in me which I assume has some really powerful sleeping drugs because it hurt like crazy as the juices went up my left arm for 5secs and the I was out.

When I came to, they told me the surgery was over. I felt super hot, couldn’t speak and almost vomited up blood with in 30 secs. They showed me my tonsils which were flipping huge! My BF was there to support (thank goodness). They brought me back to my room and he stayed for a while but honestly I was in and out of it all day and I knew it was his last day off so we agreed that he should leave.

Not drinking was so hard. I was so thirsty. And this room has such horrible air. The little humidifier I have can barely keep up. But without it I think my condition would be worse. The nurses kept coming in and taking my blood pressure and temperature. Kinda annoying lol. But they are doing their job and trying hard to English.

Yup. So I’m sitting here in a hospital in Tokyo, bored out of my mind. It’s been one heck of an adventure and I’m reaching the climax.

Anyone who has been following my twitter the past year might remember that my tonsils got swollen 3 times. The previous year it was twice. I’ve pretty much had it with these things and finally decided to get them taken out.

A lot of factors held me back though at first; when, money, and most importantly, where. I’ve never been the biggest fan of Japanese medicine (I think it’s too weak for my big American body and they give way too many different things when it can all be solved with 1 pill) but I do enjoy the national health insurance here. It’s easier for me to stay here than do it than spend a grand on a plane home just to sit in pain (and pay more for the surgery afterwards)

It also took some time to find a doctor willing to do it. All 5-6 times they have gotten infected in Japan I’ve gone to about 4 different doctors and asked them if its possible to take them out. All of them were every hesitant saying that no one ever does that any more and that they don’t recommend it. But there are only so many antibiotics that’s one can take before they stop working.

As a singer this is dangerous. Out of the 3 times they got infected last year 2 were right before shows. Lucky they were smaller events and I was able to cancel but still canceling on the same friend sucks. I want to get these things removed before it happens at something big.

So finally a friend from work said she wanted to get her tonsils taken out too. She recommended me to an ENT who has a son that specializes in the surgery. Finally a doctor who didn’t hesitate and said OK to the idea. I met with him and he speaks (enough) English so I feel a little better about the whole thing.

But still coming to the hospital on my own for blood work and all that jazz was not easy. My Japanese is very poor and you can imagine me trying to get any of this medical mumbo jumbo. It’s basically me going on trust and trying to tell them the only thing I really have is a tiny heart murmur which shouldn’t be such a big deal.

I have to stay in the hospital for at least a week until the doctor says its ok for me to go home. At first I thought this was strange. I’ve been reading up on the surgery and recovery and it seems like everyone in the US gets sent home right after to fend for themselves. I also screamed thinking “Ahhhh! How much is it gonna cost to stay in the hospital!?!” But good old national health care (America should really hop on that) and I can pay in installments.

Today my BF came with me. Glad he was here for the start. But sitting here in this room (with 3 other people) can be kinda boring and its his day off so I told him to go and do things. He’s gonna come early tomorrow to be with me before and after the actual surgery.

This hospital is super dry. I mean my lips chap every 5mins and I’m ashy as hell. I’m so glad invested in a tiny humidifier and remembered to bring it with me. I think because of the dry air recovering might be very painful. But the again I’m in a hospital so I should have all the drugs ever at my disposal… All the Japanese drugs ….

Anyway the nurses are trying really hard at English. One doctor can’t speak but he pretty much wrote everything down on a mini white board that I brought with me as well for when I can’t talk.

The one thing that really throws me off about this place is that they don’t give you anything to drink. Not ever WATER! Like Dude! It’s flipping water. The easiest thing in the world. You give me meals but you can’t give me water? So I had go to the convenience store to get some.

Anyway the nurse made me take some sleeping pills and surprisingly then are taking effect as we speak. I’ll update again after the surgery ~

Yup, its almost that time. I would be lying if I said I wasnt kind of nervous about this. A part of it is the language barrier. I dont want to seem rude, especially since I havent used - ます form/ polite speaking since my TUJ days. I have about 2 days to brush up on it… ugh maybe I should have thought of doing that earlier. 

I met his sister and 3 year old nephew back in the summer. That was pretty awkward. Considering that I dont do well with kids AND I could hardly speak at the time (still cant with my grammar all over the place) I had no idea what to talk with her about. A lot of it was just awkward silence. He says that she likes me though. Thats pretty hard to believe. Or maybe Im just over thinking it. 

It was my idea to meet his parents. He met my Mom and Joe over the winter holiday and well, we have been dating for 7 months now. I asked him if his parents knew about me. For some reason I only think he told his dad. His dad is a big Yazawa Ekichi fan so he showed him the music video Im in with him. From what I can tell his Dad is excited to meet me. I dont think his Mom knows. Or at least she might not have known until a few weeks ago. It was hard getting the reason out from him. I couldn’t really understand when he told me. And thats because my Japanese is poor. 

I should have thought to bring them something from America and I dont think I will have time to get something today or tomorrow. Im so horrible at gift giving and I know its a custom in Japan to do that sort of thing. Even if its just small cakes or something. Oh boyyyyyyy. 

Meeting a boy friend’s parents in High School and then meeting them in your older life is such a different feeling. I have never done this before. I want to make a good impression because we all know what Japanese people think of Black women…. actually. They might not have so many ideas so thats why I want to make a good impression. Other than booty shaking and singing (which a lot of people get from the media) Im not sure what they will think.

Maybe I should have waited to suggest meeting them… 

The day is drawing near. It didn’t hit me until I saw a lot of my friends posting messages saying they were at the airport or just got home.

I haven’t been back to NY since the earthquake and for those who have read my tumblr around that time know how stressful that was for me. It wasn’t necessarily a visit but everything was so uncertain at that point so it was hard to actually enjoy myself. I’m really excited because now it will really be like a 3 week vacation (that I so desperately need)

I haven’t been back to America for Christmas since 2009. 2009, 2008 Christmas wasn’t that awesome because one year I was super sick and the other my moms husband was in the hospital. 2010 I spent it in Tokyo, boyfriend-less which is a big deal here since the holiday is more like a 2nd valentines day. I think I went to church with a friend which wasn’t so bad. Last year I went to spend the holiday with one of my best friends who lives in Seoul. That was pretty fun, we saw 2AM in concert.

The boyfriend will join me on the 28th. At one point I felt a little bad just because I wasn’t going to be with him on Christmas but at the same time … Nah! It’s family time bro! We can spend other holidays together lol. He’s going snowboarding with a friend I think.

But him being all Japanese and salaryman means the gets no vacation time. So the 4 days he’s staying in NY will be packed with absolutely no sleeping as we hop to the city and go to all the shows he wants to see. He really wants to go clubbing but I’m so trying to avoid it lol. I’ve never been clubbing I NYC. I don’t enjoy it so much in Japan so I can’t even think about what it would be like in America.

He will also be meeting my mom and maybe my brothers. I did a fantastic job at not teaching him English. We have both gotten too comfortable with my broken ass Japanese that it just slips our minds that I should at least be trying to speaking to him slowly and simplified. Oh well, no time left.

Writing this post on my way to a gig. My last day in Tokyo is crazy as I have this gig in Gunnma and then another one in Ebisu tonight. I have to fit in running to the bank and last min shopping / packing before 8:30pm. Right after the gig my favorite DJ Shimoyama will drive me to the airport. Lucky me lol.

The past few weeks have been super stressful for me. Only a few people know the whole story. Most it comes from moving and money issues. Also there was an event that didn’t go as planned and some drama too. But now that its all over I’m looking forward to a simple October.

Today we went to FujiQ. My friends daughter is in Japan and she’s the same age as me. We thought hanging around the amusement park would be fun. I brought a few of my friends along.

I must say Fuji q was a bit of a disappointment. The park closes at 5pm and all the lines took more than 1hr. There wernt any games to play where you could win prizes like at Play Land or Six Flags. No bumper cars either. It was fun being with everyone but most if our time was spent waiting in lines. But anyone can tell you that for some reason, Japanese people love lines.

We are on the way to the new Sanno for a proper welcome party. There we can have lots if American things!!! Ahh speaking off which, I might be heading back to NY for Christmas. Hopefully the ticket is purchased smoothly.

A few weeks ago I trolled everyone on Facebook by changing my statues. What started out as a joke has changed in a strange way.

The back story is kind of complicated, but I only participated in it, it was not my idea. I pretended to date someone and everyone was surprised because I had not had a boyfriend in over 3 years, he is Japanese, and this guy no one knew about. It went on for a week with very vague statues updates and pictures of us together. But in the end I told everyone the truth about us not really dating.

My really close friends were very sketchy about the whole thing so they were surprised at first but didn’t believe me 100% As time went on though I started seeing my “fake boyfriend” more and more. He would come over to the house and just chill with us. It was nice. He can’t speak English and it forces me to use Japanese all the time when I’m with him. But when he does try to speak its adorable.

However, something strange started happen. Instead of sleeping out in the living room where there is plenty of space and an air mattress, he would sleep next to me. He never tried anything. Didn’t touch me, cuddle, or spoon. Just next to me and for some reason I didn’t mind that at all.

One day before I had to go to work we went out on what I guess would be considered a date. We went to the arcade and after we had a late lunch. I tried to tell him that at the last house party I felt a little left out because everyone spoke only Japanese and mine is very limited. I can’t participate in conversation and my roommate isn’t always going to be there to translate for me so most of the time I’m completely lost. Especially when it’s about a heavy topic. I went on to tell him how my Japanese just isn’t enough and that the people who came to TUJ at the same time I did in Fall 09, are practically fluent now. I then said, ”Well I guess it’s because they all had Japanese girl friends”

He then said, “well that ok. You have me/I’m your boyfriend now”

I was like “what??…. Wait what? Do… You like me?”

He just kind of nodded and smiled. I asked again in disbelief and he still just nodded and smile. I must admit, if I had the ability to blush, it would have been all over my face. But I wasn’t believing this 100%. I was sure something was lost in translation. I ended up telling some friends and my roommate. He called me 2 days later and asked to come over when my roommate grabs the phone and interrogates him. “Do you like her!?! Say it! Say it!!”

When he finally came in she sat us both down and pried it out of both of us out in the open. It was a little embarrassing how the whole thing went down. I could tell he was a bit uncomfortable about it too but I guess that’s in the past now. So hmmmm what can I say? After all this time, I finally have a boyfriend. Yup that just happened. I’ll admit I’m still not over the whole “wow… Someone actually… Likes.. Me?” phase. And I’m learning to like him back. We are taking things slowly.

It is a bit hard though. There’s just so much I wish I could talk about but I can’t find the words. Literally, I don’t know enough Japanese to communicate all that I want to say. I haven’t been in a lot of relationships. It’s also been a while since my last one and this is the first time I’m in an intercultural one. The fact that we can’t really talk to each other is kind of scary but I’m willing to see where this could go. Let’s give it a try! 

Today I went to immigration, one of the most depressing places ever. Every foreigner dreads going there as everyone feels uneasy. Waiting feels like forever and its never complete without babies crying the whole time.

I was lucky to run into a friend who graduated the same time I did. It was nice to catch up and get some dirt on those J-pop stars we all love so much lol. Another friend also came soon after so waiting in immigration wasn’t so lonely.

When I applied for thus visa I thought they would give me one year but to my surprise it says 3 years!! I can’t believe how lucky I was. A visa is usually one of the biggest issues that a foreigner has to deal with when it comes to living in Japan.

Will I actually stay the full 3 years? Maybe, Maybe not. I’m still not sure what’s going to happen in the future. If the agency picks up, if the band gets popular, if my Japanese improves, money money money etc. A lot has to be factored in and taken into consideration. But I’m glad that I can at least legally stay in the country.

I guess my post is a little late, but I don’t care! I don’t go clubbing very often and this weekend was one of the best times I had ever had. It didn’t involve a massive amount of alcohol either. For those who know me, I’m a weakling. I dont drink very often and I don’t like staying up late. However, I wanted last Saturday to be the exception.

For months now I had been trying to see the group SPYAIR live and every time I try, some bullshit comes up. Either I don’t have money, I’m not in Tokyo at the time, or the friend I invite stands me up. I honestly think the universe doesn’t want me to see this band perform lol.

Well, I found out that the DJ was going to be a special guest at a club in Shibuya. Twas my chance to finally catch a glimpse of the guy and I had always been curious about the DJ. I never knew how he fit in with a rock band… Haha w/e.

I invited some girls from school to come party with me and we went right for the dance floor. The music was pretty good. Danceable and well Japanese people are weird when it comes to clubbing. Most people just kind of bob their heads and “attempt” a two-step that’s off beat. It’s hard to explain what they do in clubs here, but for the most part it’s almost like what they do in concerts.

Anyway we saw DJ TAKE! He’s a guitarist the group FLOW. He remembered me from Kazoku fes. Well it’s hard to forget me, I’m sure he doesn’t run into Black girls everyday. He’s so funny though I love this guy. His set was pretty poppin as well.

I was so excited when DJ ENZEL form SPYAIR came out! OMG!! I’m in love~ his set was sooooo good! And I’m not even into DJ-ing like that. We danced to just about every song and we even got free T-shirts from the MC guy. It was so much fun!

TAKE introduced me to ENZEL. We didn’t get to speak much in the loud club, but he complimented my Japanese (lord I’m not sure why though). However, it was bad timing because they gave him another shot and I think that was it for him. Poor ENZEL… Let’s just say I didn’t see him the rest of the night till right before we left. Anyway it was totally worth it. The girls had fun. I finally got to see 1/5th of SPYAIR even though it wasn’t their music being played. I even made some new friends! None of us got wasted and we danced all night long. Good stuff!