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! 

I know I’m supposed to be on a social networking hiatus for a while but I couldn’t resist leaving one final post about what’s been going on….

Or at least a slightly interesting story that will make you chuckle and or face palm.

So…my current summer hair style is sort of a large flat twist-out. Not exactly full on Afro but we can see it being an easy possibility. I’ve been sporting it for a few weeks now. And everyone loves to come and touch. YAY no surprise but I should really start charging… cell phone bills need to be paid.

Anyway, yesterday was my friend’s birthday dinner, drinking party thing (w/e it is Japanese people wanna call it) but our stay was cut short. We got a call from another friend saying that she was FINALLY moving the rest of her stuff out of the apartment and 2:00am just happened to be the only chance to do it…

Jeff was really nice to bring his car all the way down to help our French friend move her stuff and Jeff brought is puppy Nana!!! ok so shes not a puppy shes like 11 going on 12 but still! PUPPY!! Nana is a gray standard poodle. Yes standard as in she can’t be carried in your purse like most Japanese toy poodles are in Tokyo. 

I got to wait outside with Nana while everyone else went upstairs for the first batch of stuff. As we were waiting one lady came to enter the building. Of course she was amused at such a big dog (i swear nana was like 40-50lbs) and she was drawn to come pet it. She asked her name and I said “Nana-chan” As she continued to pet Nana she looks at me.. or more MY HAIR and said in Japanese “so what kind of dog is this?.. uhhh an Afro hound?” 

… Yes ladies and gentlemen “AFURO-HOUNDO” That really came out of her mouth. How does one respond to this? Fellow Naturals have any answers? Please take into consideration that:

1) Japanese people don’t come across Black females in Tokyo with Nappy hair often, if ever

2) EVERY dog in the city of Tokyo is either a toy poddle, chihuahua, or mini dachshund. (ok lol not every dog but toy dogs are the most frequent and popular.) 

3) Shes just doesn’t know anything about dog breeds and shes only familiar with what’s being pushed around in the puppy baby carts 

4) She is just uneducated when it comes to Westerners…. especially black people. (And I’m not saying it to be mean.. its just true. She prob hasn’t dealt with us before so she doesn’t know) 

And my response:  ”..uh… *uneasy chuckle* .. umm no…. its a Standard Poodle …haha”

Japanese lady: “oooo really? Standard? but how?”

Me: “Yeah ummm they are normally this size… breed to hunt ducks…”

Japanese lady: ” OH WOW!! thats Amazing!! so this is the real size? So big! Right Nana-Chan?”

-_-;   *sigh*  

Send out the Afro Hounds! 

My first time celebrating in Japan. I turned 23 on the 11th. Can’t say I feel any different other than this one thought that crossed my mind: What did I accomplish while I was 22?

Hmmm I can’t say much actually. I was still trying to find myself. Last year around this time I was super depresses about leaving Japan after the earthquake. I think my birthday fell on some random weekday and being this time of year everyone was just finishing finals or preparing to leave dorms thus, the few friends I do still have left near NY couldn’t come and hang.

It’s usually like that. All through elementary school to high school my birthday is around the start of finals, or the school recital. Or the best one.. Lands on Mothers day. You can imagine how many people can actually come and celebrate when it’s that day lol.

Other than one or 2 party’s at the Discovery Zone (the BEST FUCKING PLACE EVER!!!!) I don’t really remember doing much for my birthday ever because of the factors listed above.

This year I wanted it to be different. I wanted to actually celebrate with people I was cool with and not complete random strangers. I appreciate a friends effort last year but when he brought all these random girls it wasn’t really about my birthday and what I wanted to do. Awkward lol.

The night before my birthday I went out to eat with friends and we counted down to midnight. It was nice when the staff of the restaurant sang happy birthday for me. Especially the cute waiter… He can serve me any day (^_−)−☆

My birthday I had work at the new job really late but I was able to meet my friends during a list minute practice for the show on Sunday. I knew it was all about partying at the show so it was ok.

Saturday was really just last min preparations for the show. I had a lot of technical difficulties so I couldn’t really help with special effects and animation like I wanted to. ( really need to get a new Mac) you can imagine that my other band mates and I hardly slept that night.

Sunday was the big show. It was SOOOO much fun! My Afro mad its famous appearance and gezz its gotten so big!! We actually had a lot of technical difficulties but in the end it’s all about the stage presence and music which was great. You could tell the audience was really enjoying themselves.

Afterwards I did get a little tipsy but hey.. I deserved it! We then met up with some more friends who came to the show for some ShabuShabu! I haven’t had that in almost a year. It was so much fun! A lot of my new Japanese friends couldnt keep their hands off my Afro lol. To actually be with people I knew and was chill with. We all had a great time.

I’m pretty satisfied with this celebration. Maybe next year it will be even bigger. My birthday is gonna be on a Saturday. Uh oh lol

Finally glad things are picking up. When I didn’t have anything to do or people to see for long periods of time it would be so depressing. Mom always said that an idle mind is the Devil’s playground. Nah, I don’t think I would ever be THAT bored to do drugs or stupid stuff, but still its better to be busy than to have absolutely nothing to do.

I’ll be starting that Telephone English job tomorrow night. Finally a stable job where I know I’ll get hrs and a set income to look forward to. It’s not regular English teaching. I’ll be singing the school’s original nursery rhymes to children on the phone. Most of my friends know I don’t really do kids under 6, but this will just be on the phone so I won’t have to deal with them in person which is usually what I fail at haha. 

I guess this will be my chance to have a small fangirl moment. Last week I got to see a Japanese singer called Hi-D perform. I don’t know what it is but I really have a thing for this guy’s voice. I can’t explain it. It’s not the normal… I dunno Japanese male singing voice which makes it kinda cool. My friend and I went to go see CIMBA’s show and Hi-D was a special guest. Even though he only sang 2 songs, it was still great to FINALLY see him live!

(This is MY JAM!) 

I dunno what it is but the universe was telling me that I wasn’t allowed to see certain people live. Hi-D being one of them (and SPYAIR and UVERworld being the others) by having the timing of shows or being broke not working in my favor. But hey, maybe this is my lucky year because I did finally get to see him. Who knows who else I might get to see. 

The past few weeks I have been dealing with some issues and negative people (both Japanese and foreign) and I needed to remove myself from them. I think the last batch of them is being filtered out. I’ve also been meeting a lot of new people recently who seem cool. Hopefully I’ll get to work with them in the future. 

Ahhh just wanted to get this post up. I should be animating some small segments for our next show!! It’s going to be crazy!!! back to work!

Today I went to a Music Video shoot. I can’t say who’s but It was pretty interesting. I got a few close ups TeeHee. The set involved foreigners and a few Japanese people mixed in the crowd, one of them I found quite attractive. I tried speaking to him a little but My Japanese blows so what ever haha.

The business here is small so its no wonder that I ran into my friend from TUJ. We had a few communications classes together (good times…) He is also in the whole Acting/Modeling thing. He is a very charismatic White guys so I thought I would as him for some tips lol. While the crew was switching sets I asked my friend how to “ぎゃくなんぱ” which is when a girl approaches a guy and makes the first few moves. 

He was sitting with another White guy, who we will call Jim, because I never really did catch his name.  When I asked he looked really confused. “What? is there someone HERE? you like?” My friend then responded ” Yeah she’s into Japanese guys.” Jim then said “Ohh.. uh ok?” and then he laughed. 

Then I said “What? so its ok for foreign guys to be with Japanese girls, but its a bad thing for foreign girls to be with Japanese guys?” Then Jim said ” Well *chuckle* yeah, I mean there are loads of cute Japanese girls. Most Japanese girls are cute ya know? but the guys here …mehh I don’t think so. It’s kind of weird.” I then responded ” Seriously you think that? Well, It’s not like I’m into the Johnny’s style or anything. I like my men sort of normal” My friend then said “Well those pop up every blue moon.” Jim agreed with “Yeah I maybe see those kind of guys maybe twice a month. Its very rare. Japanese guys just don’t really have that IT factor.” 

I was pretty dumbfounded and was called to my position so I couldn’t keep going with that conversation. But what can I say? They both had blonde hair and blue eyes, Japanese girls throw themselves at them (this is NOT an understatement I KID YOU NOT.) And they are both straight so why would they look twice at a Japanese guy and notice how NOT Johnny-fied/gyaru-o they are? 

But what really got me the most was that in a nutshell: NO its NOT OK for Japanese men to date foreign women. That is what I was basically told by this guy. And as a Black woman it MUST be unheard of! That was the vibe I got from Jim. Its the vibe I get from a lot of foreign guys when I tell them I like Japanese men… *sigh* 

I honestly can’t see myself having one. Today one of my friends brought it up during a SKYPE chat. Something along the lines of “it’s time to get one” but really? I just can’t really picture it.

I’ve been single for about 3 years now. So with that you can guess that I haven’t had a relationship in Japan nor with an Aisan guy. And starting with high school I’ve only had 3 relationships, none lasting over a year.

I’m not the aggressive type so it’s really hard for me to approach people randomly, especially when I’m not confident in the language. I’ve had small crushes here and there (some I regret more than others) but nothing I ever really acted because.. Well I’m me. I don’t like pushing something that’s most likely not going to happen. I know I wouldn’t want someone to do that to me.

I’m just so used to being me, by myself without really caring. I’m not sure what I would do if a potential guy came into the picture. Some people say I’m too picky but… If I wasn’t then I’m sure I would have had my heart broken a few times by now.

Not to sound cocky but I’m special. Why should I settle for less? I don’t want to try and change someone to suit my needs like some girls like doing. Im not gonna pursues hardcore either. If its a relationship then we should be able to meet half way.

Mehhh this is me rambling but I dont think anything is happening soon and I’m in no rush at all. I’ve been single for 3 years. Another few months won’t kill me.

I have had my hair natural for about 3 years now and this is only my 2nd year in Japan. Most my friend here have known me with a curly fro or twist and only a hand full have ever seen my hair straight. 

I wasn’t much of a product junkie back in America and by the time I came to Japan I had already figured out a nice routine and found my essential products. I stick with herbal essence totally twisted and good old Shea butter mixed with some of Africa’s Best herbal oil. 

Being natural in a country where everyone’s hair is straight is quite the challenge. I already stand out enough as it is with my dark skin but people really get a kick at how my hair curls. I get comments and questions about it all the time. 

However, I’m coming across a problem/issue. Those who know me know that I don’t know the first thing about make up. I hardly ever use it and it wasn’t till about last year that I started using eye liner every now and then. I just hate the feeling of anything other than lotion on my face. But recently I have been put under a little pressure to start using it.

While I do get compliments from people about my texture I do get some weird comments as well. I went to an interview for what I thought was a girls bar and the lady said “well, although your hair style is cute, its a little weird for Japanese people. Please wear a wig”

I was at a loss for words honestly. I had heard about this stuff happening but never had I thought someone would actually say it to me. I was upset and mad at the same time and I just responded “Well… I don’t have the money for a wig right now.” I’ll have to tell you the rest of that story later but you can bet that I’m not working there now. 

There are girls here who put on layers of make up. I’m not lying. SERIOUSLY! about 5 layers, complete with hair extensions, circle lenses, double eyelid glue, fake lashes, fake nails, the works. But for some reason its normal. I’m not sure if men even find that attractive because when you take her home and she showers its going to be a completely different girl when she comes out…

I’m just this kind of person. I don’t like adding to myself. I want to be as real as possible and I like simplicity. But in Japan people judge you based off of looks. Don’t believe me? look at who’s at the top of the Oricon charts and tell me if they actually have singing talent. 

However, some of my friends (who are in the business) say that I do have to learn how to “enhance” my features if I want to start getting more work here. They say its just for show and this is what the Japanese people want and that I don’t have to do it all the time but.. ugh. I’m just really uncomfortable with it all.  I guess eventually I have to suck it up and I know I’ll give in to the foundation and blush. I’m a little iffy about the eyelashes because I had them on once for halloween and they were so uncomfortable but seriously, a wig? that is straight up insulting!

I understand make up is to enhance features and maybe hide some imperfections every now and then but to say flat out that something that naturally grows on my head is “A little weird” aka NOT NORMAL aka Not accepted is a flat out diss. 

I dunno this is a slight rant post with a bit of frustration wrapped in. Sometimes I wish the NAACP existed here. Then I could have someone to complain to….  

Today I have another interview for an English teaching job. Yeah, I have caved in but this job is a little different from the rest. My friend told me that all you have to do is sing nursery rhymes in English to kinds via telephone. Most people know that I don`t really like dealing with kids but with the salary and the phone part I don`t think I would mind this job so much. 

I think the process might take some time though. Apparently when I get the job I have to learn 81 songs with in a month. I want to start working right away and from what I understand they are all simple songs like the ABC`s or twinkle twinkle little star. Considering my situation, I think I can learn all of the songs I don`t know in a week.

Last week I had an interview for another teaching job. A lot more traditional but mostly for people wanting to learn business English and I`ll have to teach by the book. I got lucky because a few days later the guy told me that a teacher at the Yokohama school would be leaving at the end of this month which means an opening for me and its close to home. Also they don`t have so many female teachers which means more of the female students might request me to feel more comfortable. 

I didn`t cave in so much though. These two jobs are part time and I don`t have to sign any contracts. But as a decent person I would of course give them 2 weeks notice if I were to up and leave. I think I`ll be staying with them for a while if things work out though. 

I did get lucky last week though. I have my 3rd wedding gig on Saturday and this time its a duet. I haven`t met the guy yet but he seems really nice and my friend has met him before. We are singing 4 songs and 2 of them Disney! Hell yeah! If all goes well and I impress the agent, they might book me for more jobs. And trust me… if I could sing at a wedding twice a month it would make a huge difference. 

Crossing my fingers, praying to God and hoping everything falls into place. Its been pretty rough the past few months but I really hope things start looking up soon.