Sista In Tokyo

On My Mind These Days

G and I just returned from a wonderful honeymoon in Bali.  It was beautiful and intoxicating- I didn't want to return to Tokyo (and I am a huge Tokyo fan!).  I enjoyed the smell of Bali, the colorful flowers with thick petals falling from the trees, the sounds, the food (mostly the lobster) and the smiles.  Bali was beautiful.   

We passed the days resting on in our villa, I eating snake-skin fruit and pears, reading, taking constant dips in the pool, and eating wonderful food.  During the morning,  Gerald surfed and I explored the area and enjoyed the sand in between my toes. We loved the being in our own little private world.  I was reminded of God so much during our time away.

We had friends getting married in Singapore, so we spent the last leg of our honeymoon in Singapore.  I truly enjoyed spending every minute with my sweet husband.  Singapore was nice too, but there is simply no comparison to Bali.

I am Looking Forward to Being a Mother... That's Right, I Said It.

 

(No, I'm not expecting) My how the time is zooming by so fast!  It's as if I just arrived to Japan and was trying to decide which law schools I'd apply to.  Boy, did God have a different plan for me! (though I was hoping there was a different LSAT score in that plan, but whatever.)

Call it baby fever or whatever the catchphrase is these days... but ummmmm, G and I have been making plans for a little one.  Oh Sheesh!  [Squeals of delight!!]

Sista in Tokyo Wedding Photos!!!

CNN's Black in America 2... What Did You Think About 1?

Remember when I blogged

about speaking with CNN regarding their Black in America series?  At one point they were considering including a piece on African-Americans living outside of the US.  That didn't happen, but it was nice speaking with them about it and knowing they were considering doing something about the black expat population.  Anyway, I took time to watch the entire series, but didn't feel moved to blog about it until now, as I just learned that CNN has produced Black in America 2.  But, I'm curious to know what you thought about the first one.  Here's what I thought...

Don't Delete Your Blog, You'll Surely Regret it....

I used to author the blog,

Financial Confessions of a College Graduate. 

It was a great blog and was growing rapidly with increasing daily traffic.  I wrote daily and pretty much blogged all about my money (the lack of!) as a recent college graduate on a researcher's salary living in Japan.  I loved being a personal finance blogger because I was determined to pay off my student loans and abandon life as a broke college student.  However, it was created on the grounds of anonymity and my living in Tokyo and blogging about my personal finance business was a little to much for my comfort level.  Especially since a few readers on SiT are also avid personal finance readers, I figured it was only a matter of time until people would begin to connect the dots.  So, I shut it down. 

That was a bad decision- one that I have regretted ever since reading the typepad disclaimer "once this blog is deleted, it cannot be undone" or something like that.  But I clicked delete anyway (without saving the text) and here I am, blogging about how I wish I would never had made that decision two years later....

I have considered shutting down Sista in Tokyo too many times to even count, but I just can't bring myself to do it.  It's like my blog has become a part of me, it's like a child looking up at me with big huge eyes with a little tear watering up on the edges and with arms wide open wanting me to pick them up, I just can't walk away from that! 

Whether it's sitting dormant for months on end or it's humming with comments and traffic, Sista in Tokyo is my cute little puppy with big eyes begging for attention and quality time.

I (heart) my blog. I can't delete it!  I wouldn't be able to take the regret of two dead blogs!

SiT.

Black Professionals in Tokyo Meet-Up Tonight, Friday 7.3.09

This evening I'm headed to the Black Professionals in Tokyo Meet-Up at 57. 

Tonight will be the first meeting in which a presenter will be featured to discuss starting your own business here in Japan.  Among the normal mix-mingle and cocktails, it promises to be a great night full of good people and helpful information for both veterans and newcomers!  Hope to see you there!! 

Imitation of Life, Conundrum, Popcorn and babies.

Yesterday I rented Imitation of Life,

a classic movie starring Lana Turner, Sandra Dee and some other back in the day actors I'm not too familiar with. Until recently, I haven't been a big fan of classic films.  I find the style of acting to be too... much.  In a way, it reminds me of how Japanese actors and actresses just try to overdo it, huge turn off.  But I digress... 

For those of you not familiar with storyline, it's about a "A struggling young actress with a six-year-old daughter sets up housekeeping with a homeless black widow and her light-skinned eight-year-old daughter who rejects her mother by trying to pass for white." (Taken from Here)  Imitation of Life also includes a great cameo of Mahalia Jackson.

I came across the movie while browsing iTunes Sunday night, the title seemed familiar.  So, yesterday after returning home from work (around 8PM, go me!!) I popped some popcorn, poured a little wine (I'm loving the Conundrum these days!) and pressed play.

Update & New Look for SiT

I decided it was time to give SiT a much-needed makeover :), gotta keep it fresh (look and content-wise.)  I'm trying my best to keep it fresh on the content-side of things, but that's pretty much always been my challenge with SiT. 

So much to share regarding my absence since January!  Where do I even begin?

1.  G & I had our wedding on May 1, 2009 in Hawaii. It was a beautiful ceremony and we had family and friends come from all over to share in the occasion!  It was a perfect day and a perfect week to connect with friends and family.

2.  I'm coming up on three years at my company!  That's unbelievable as well!  Seems like I just joined the company a year ago.  Fortunately, our company has not suffered like other recruiting companies here in Tokyo.  We've lost several competitors!  I'm even more excited about recruiting as a result of the competition dropping out.  Good times are on the horizon!

Still Alive-- Just working hard and planning a wedding....

The SiT Word of the year is DISCIPLINE!

I hope this post find you all in good health, happy, and motivated to have a great 2009.

First order of business-- God is really working in my life and I must say, if you don't believe, try him.  Take a moment to really try to connect with God and believe- if only for a day.  The past few months have been filled with busy schedules, low motivation, traveling home to Alabama for Thanksgiving, snowboarding, and of course working.  (Business is still good in Executive Search here in Tokyo, especially in the online media, web services, and e-commerce areas.)

This past weekend I took some time to reflect on 2008 and there were some things I was disappointed with that I must fix ASAP- for 2009.  Mainly, my lack of consistency with this blog, my addiction to iTunes TV Shows and downloads, and my poor relationship maintenance with friends and family back home.  I used to love sending e-mails to people-- now it is something that I absolutely dread.  (I think it's because I receive so many e-mail at work or my schedule doesn't have room for it)  Whatever the reason, I am working on fixing these as we speak.  The word of the year for SiT in 2009?  DISCIPLINE!

Second Order of business-- Guest Writers and Submissions!  Wowsers!!  (A new word that I have adopted and loving to say, so corny I know).  What a great and somewhat overwhelming response to the call for writers.  I am in the process of reviewing all sites and potential writers this month.  In February I will contact each of the guest writers and you will begin to see new faces and perspectives on SiT, in addition to my own.  More details forthcoming.

Also, thanks Mr. Dixon for the simple message sent from your iPhone titled, "Where is my SIT?" I appreciate that.  You guys, I appreciate all message sent to me- you just don't know how wonderful reading mail from SiT readers is-- especially when my motivation is lacking.

Finally- thanks to all of you for checking out the Black Professionals in Tokyo Network.  We are planning great prfessional events this year in 2009, I encourage you to come out and continue to check it out online.  Please see the badge (rectangular box) on the right column for details.

-SiT