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. 

Yes today would make it 2 months since I had my surgery. I look back on that and I would never want to wish such pain on anyone.

But 2 months later I am fully back to singing. There was a lot that my tonsils were blocking. People say my voice is clearer. One little weird thing though is that I can’t trill anymore. I guess I’ll have to re-learn. Im also a bit pitchy and my vibrato is still very weak but Im working on it. 

I’ve been going back to my part time job and doing recordings as well as shows. I missed singing so much. Even if its just to disney songs in my room, singing is a big part of my life and its lead me to meet a lot of wonderful people.

I’ve actually been really busy and lazy. I like to reblog on my phone but I dont like to write long post like this on my phone. But I have been having computer trouble so thats why I havent been writing. Only today with a typhoon going on was I able to sit down and be patient with my slow ass computer.

Anyway maybe I’ll do a video update once my curlformers come out

This weekend was crazy. Saturday I put together the closet that was finally ordered (cause the new place doesn’t have one) and then after I met with friends to go see INORAN of Luna Sea.

Concert was great as always. His guitarist is sick! Like amazing!! Ryo the drummer is always awkward at the meeting afterwards but tried to crack a few jokes, some directed towards poor me but I got back at him.

INORAN remembered me. It was my 3rd time meeting him. I’m sure he doesn’t come across Black girls with natural hair in Japan that often (none of them do that’s why they remember me lol) And we finally all took a picture.

Sunday was a big private Coca Cola party at the American Club. It was my first time there and when we saw who was performing we almost had a panic attack lol. I could tell my friend was nervous. But we were the only Foreigners and we were Black girls doing rock. The guest loved it.

There were so many super important presidents and producers there it was such an experience meeting them all. I really hope something cool can happen with them. I even met other back up singers who are currently touring with Koda Kumi. They really enjoyed my back up last night.

And I met Miho Fukuhara again. I only met her once before after her show with a friend but we didn’t get to speak but this time we did more talking. She’s really cool and I love her live so much. Defiantly must see her again

And yes my voice is doing much better. I’m still a little tight in the back and my vibrato is messed up and I’m more pitchy than before but I’m pretty much healed. Now it’s on my to eat right, exercise and train my voice.

I did some recordings last week and a few days ago I got offered to do a gig this week. Busy busy!!

But I’m really going to be busy because….. My Mommy is coming to Tokyo!!! Yup. Finally mommy and her husband Joe are coming to visit. I haven’t had much time to plan out what they wanted to do and the Sakura peek is upon us so hopefully there will still be more in a few days.

I’m gonna have to take them around most places but my Japanese isn’t all that great to be guiding people. Oh well. We will see what happens!

It has been a rough recovery process. I was planning on uploading pictures and updating everyday but in the hospital I wasn’t doing much of anything. So most of it would have been me complaining about my pain and updating about what Pokemon gym badge I got cause thats all I really did there.  

The day I left the hospital I felt tired. Its probably because I wasn’t moving around much for 7 days and going up and down stairs carrying stuff took a lot out of me. The real pain came that day when the scabs were at their hardest and chewing brought on crazy ear pain. I couldn’t speak much still but I was just so happy to be at home resting with more things to do.

Still sleep with my mini humidifier which has been my saving grace for this whole thing. The hospital’s air quality was so bad and get this… they never once gave me water… they fed me all this food but everyday I had to go to the convenience store in the hospital and buy my own water…. THAT was the most ridiculous thing IMO. 3-4 times a day they would give me pills and powered (yes they still give powdered forms of drugs) medicine. If I didnt buy my own water how the hell was I supposed to take it!??! ugh w/e Im out of there. 

Day 8 and 9 were pretty much the same thing. I should also mention that this whole time I have been eating regular foods. The hospital would give me regular meals such as fish, soup, chicken and bread. I stayed away from anything that felt too uncomfortable. I also avoided dairy, spicy, citric and super salty stuff. I usually have a popsicle or sherbet after a meal to cool down my throat. 

Today I think was much better. I didnt have that much pain eating. Its still hard to swallow and maneuver my tongue but at least its not like a chore to eat any more. I also ran some errands. Lucky for me everything is right here. I went to the bank then grocery shopping to which I gave in and bought a bento. I havent had rice in over a week but I was really lazy and didnt feel like cooking. Surprisingly I finished the whole thing without pain. 

I also stopped by a friend’s guitar shop. Since I haven’t and wont be singing for at least another 10 days (which I miss SOOOOO MUCH) I started playing guitar again and I asked him to change the strings which he did for free! so nice! I only know a few chords and forgot most of them since I last played. It wasnt until yesterday that I realized we have all the equipment here for a full jam session. 2 guitars, bass, keyboard, and electric drum set. I picked up the bass for the first time and I must say I like it much better than guitar. 

Also when I went to see my friend I spoke a little. It was pretty much the first time in a while I got to use my voice which is still very weak. But I think it might be time to start talking again and working those muscles because as I kept going the easier it became. 

This weekend I think I will be cooped up in here. But I’ll become a Pokemon master and learn how to play guitar and bass in that time. Hopefully I can be social next week and my voice is stronger. I actually miss interacting with people. Today was really refreshing even though I couldn’t speak much 

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.