Sista In Tokyo

There's a Praise on the Inside

I am very happy these days.  There's a song I have been listening to these days and the lyrics are a perfect expression of what I am feeling right now.  I am happy.  But not excited happy.  I am comfortable, peaceful, and thankful happy and full of praise.

My small group from church has been doing a study of the Book of Daniel and it's been a great chapter for giving me perspective.  About two months ago, I read Humility, the Forgotten Virtue.  Strength for Life and found it to be an amazing study into the terrible world of pride.  It was a great study for me and I identified several areas in my life that I needed to focus on eliminating a prideful spirit.  To say that it was a tough study, would be an understatement.

Anyway, this week I was reminded of the destructive role that pride plays in our lives- after reading the first four chapters of Daniel. (Which I must say is an excellent book of the bible to read! I don't think I have ever read it before).

So where am I going with this?  Well, one of the biggest challenges of residing in Tokyo is the absence of an awareness, acknowledgment, or even praise of God.  To say that you are Christian is often met with skepticism, disdain, and sometimes even contempt.  People just don't want to hear anything about God and laugh at the thought of Jesus Christ existing.  This is an amazing place to grow in your walk-- or even begin a walk with God.  There is a sadness here though.  I notice it when I am happy and people think I'm strange.

 

The Neighborhood Garbage Monitor

This morning, it was my turn among the roommates to take out the burnable trash (ie. paper, not plastic).  I live in a nice little area, in a nice little house, with nice little roommates.  Also, the company that I rent from, is also pretty nice (not Sakura House) and they are very attentive.  Overall, I have been pretty happy with the exceptional service they have provided. 

Anyway, about two months ago the rental office posted a garbage memo in our house that states "Please note the proper drop-off location for this house is down the street, not in front of the building."  The memo also included a nice little map with the proper drop-off location highlighted and with arrows surrounding it, to clear up any confusion.  So I made a mental not and went on my way....

This morning.  I leave the house, trash bag in tow and walk down the hill towards the proper drop-off spot.  (sigh) I remember thinking to myself, "yep, that's what I like about Japan.  Recycling is mandatory and people are so serious about the trash."  Serious indeed.... 

About 10 steps away from the neatly piled white trashbags with a green net over it, I notice an older gentleman (70s/80s) in pajamas, blue rubber house shoes, and a brown house-coat (the kind that Ced the Entertainer references in one of his comedy routines...) slowly making his way to the trash dump-spot as well.  I arrive to the spot first and I neatly place my trash on the pile and politely hold the green netting for my elderly neighbor to place is trash bag there as well....   Then things make a turn for the worse....  Well, not the worse-worse.  More like the annoying and irritating-I-know-you-are-NOT-serious-worse.

Coin-Operated Aerobics

Today's a holiday and I have been nice and cozy all weekend (away from the rain).  You guys read or hear about the big earthquake in Niigata today?  I actually felt it here in Tokyo.  (It wasn't a rumble though, more like a silent rocking back and forth).

Anyway, while browsing the daily news I came across a pretty interesting article that prompted me to blog about Japanese women and physical fitness. 

One mis-perception I may have had before living in Japan is the active and athletic lifestyle of Japanese women.  I thought that most of them were so slim because of their diet and activity level involving exercise and whatnot.  But, that's not the case at all.

Like it's Golden, Not Brand New-- That Good *ish

Do you ever reflect back on a time when you were really really ultra super happy? I'm talking you remember the temperature, the place, the people, the smell, what you were wearing (including the shoes), you know-- all of the little spices that make up special moments?  I ask because I just came across Jill Scott's "Golden" and it touched a one of those spicy moments for me.

Jill Scott - Golden

[via FoxyTunes / Jill Scott]

"Built Like a Black Girl"-- Reactions

Interesting feedback from SiT readers in regards to the "Cultural Factors, Black Women and Working Out" post from last week.  (Thanks for all of your feedback-- Soton, Ghoul, Birdee, nini, qwert, and anonymous)

Something interesting I noticed among the comments, is that they touched on reasons why they felt black women were larger than other women.  Some suggested the price of food, some suggested that black women are "built" different, and others suggested that maybe it was a bit of rebellion against mainstream societal standards.

I find these all to be really intriguing, partly because a few I haven't considered, but also because of my  reaction to these when I first read them.

At times- Invisible in Japan

Sometimes being in Japan is like being invisible--without the physical invisibility aspect of it.  You ride your bicycle, you visit popular tourist attractions, attend school, ride the train, purchase groceries, all the while interacting with people, but you are still seemingly invisible.  Maybe it's the fact that I can be invisible at times that really appeals to me...

I came across a video titled "Alone in Japan" that helps to visually articulate how I sometimes feel living here.  This video was created Chris Buza, a gentleman who traveled to Japan during May of 2005 and taped video footage.  I decided to share this video with you because I think it provides a real-time window into a country where I often feel invisible yet, I continue to develop an affinity for.