Sista in Tokyo

My 4 Thoughts on the Dark Girl Preview

If you haven't already viewed the Dark Girl Preview, stop reading this and watch the short preview below now.

 

Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.

I just watched this preview with my six month old daughter, who would definitely be classified as a 'light skinned girl'. 

Here are four thoughts on this:

1.  It makes me sad, as I can certainly relate to some of the women to some degree. I've heard the, "You're pretty cute.... for a dark girl" several times. Ha!  This line embarrasses me for the person who says it.  It's a backhand compliment from someone who doesn't know any better.  I just forgive them and keep it moving.

2.  It makes me motivated. Motivated to protect my daugter from this nonsense as much as I possibly can. Though, I'm not naive enough to know that I can protect her from everything stupid people say. 

Recent example, "Is she your baby? Why is she a different color from you? You're dark." I was recently asked that question by yet another person who doesn't know any better. 

3.  It makes wonder and question why, why does this still matter?  I've heard a lot of racist stuff my thirty years of life.  Some towards me, some not.  I've learned how to pick my battles and keep it moving.

4.  Finally, this video makes me so very thankful that I come from a family of beautiful and confident women.  My mother taught me the importance of having high self-esteem that comes from within, not the type that needs validation from others. 

This is a true blessing; one I intend to pass on to my beautiful daughter.

(Thank you mommy, I love you.)

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the video.

Toodles!

 

 

This Video is Makes Me Say, kawaiiiiii!

Lately, everyone has been asking us when we're leaving Japan for good.  The plan still hasn't changed :), we're leaving before Baby K is school-aged... probably. Next stop, Hawaii or wherever the Lord leads us.

I realized I rarely share with you the things I love about Japan anymore.  Living here has become so regular and normal that I hardly ever feel motivated to share stuff with my folks back home anymore.  I'm going to change that by regularly sharing things with you that I like or find interesting here. 

On the flip side, when I am back in the US, I am more likely to snap a photo of something of something to share with others when I return to Japan.  Funny.

Anyway, I stumbled across a video that just tickles me for a few reasons. 

1.  It's so cute.  It's just makes me say 'kawaiiiii' in my most authentic high-pitched Japanese voice!

2.  It's so weird.  But, weird things kind of make sense here in a weird sorta way.

3.  It's so Japan.  I say that because it's one of those songs that you'll hear in a convenience store, on a shopping trip, or if you're lucky, at karaoke with friends.

4.  I want an ichigo (strawberry) hat for Baby K, she would look so cute in that!

Now that I've hyped it up, have a looksy :).

 

Mommy Daughter Portrait

We are fine.  I am writing this brief post from my in-law's home in Oregon with my lovely little Baby K sound asleep at my side.  G is still in Tokyo, missing us :) and we are truly missing him.  It's been a long and intense past few weeks, but things are beginning to get back to normal and we hope to return to Tokyo at the end of this month.

I truly appreciate everyone's sweet messages and prayers.  With the excepton of a minor inconvenience it caused our family, we are fine.  However, the Tohoku region is not fine and my guess is that it will not be for some time.  The Tohoku region holds a very special place in my heart, as I considered Sendai my "Japan Hometown" since I attended Tohoku University.  I am still in disbelief over what has happened there.  Please, keep the region and victims in your prayers as they begin to get their heads around it all and attempt to rebuild.

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.