Our New Car, Being Stopped by Japanese Police and Casting Your Cares

Guess who now has a car... Praise the Lord great things He has done. A car to take us around, giving us so much more independence and comfort... :) :)


So, on our very first 'trip' in our car (hubby came to pick me up from work), we were subjected to questioning from the police. According to them, they were curious... the license plate is from another city. (We just purchased the vehicle; the paperwork to change license etc. have not been dealt with yet). But I say, their so-called reason is rubbish.

Had it not been two (black) foreigners in the car, they wouldn't have bothered us. We could have been tourists. I thought to myself that what if we had driven to some other place in Japan for a visit? Am I then supposed to be nervous about being stopped because our license plate is different? Can you see how it doesn't make any sense?! And hubby said that they did it quite often, stop the black man riding his bicycle.

May this anger not stay with me. Lord, please help me not to remain upset. When I'm driving in the vehicle that You have blessed me with, I shouldn't have to feel nervous and uncomfortable. It's not fair and it's not right.... It makes me think about the persons in a certain country, a name I will not call, who have to face this sort of thing and worse because of the color of their skin. People should not have to live in that state of fear!

In all fairness, this sort of thing happens in Jamaica all the time. People are stopped by the police for insane reasons and made to even pay tickets which are quite questionable...

In other 'news', I'm sort of in one of those seasons where the expenses are more than what is available to take care of them. Ever been in one of those? I have been feeling overwhelmed as a result. But I have been remembering a preacher (Joyce Meyers is her name) who spoke about the rough years in her life - years when she had to depend on God to meet their monthly needs. She spoke about how she would sit and worry about their bills; while her husband would simply 'cast his cares'. I thought to myself, how I could develop that 'cast your cares attitude'. I decided to say a prayer:

Dear Lord. I am really overwhelmed by the expenses ahead. I feel angry too. I have faithfully saved. And even as I note that, I am reminded that I have faithfully tithed too. And according to your word, I am to receive an outpouring of blessings that I will not have room to contain. Lord let this anxiety, worry and fear not stay with me. I am imagining looking back at this time and saying to myself, see how I was worrying for nothing. Thank you for your provision, mercy, favor and grace. This I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Well, I prayed that prayer in simple, child-like faith. Perhaps you need to say a prayer of your own for whatever thing you may be facing in your life right now. Prayer is the easiest thing to do, but sometimes we don't really do it. I guess it seems too simple for the 'big' problem we seem to be facing. But it is the best thing we can do, and really should be our first line of action.

Thanks as always for reading. See you next time.

Meet SimmyBoom: A Jamaican Dancer in Japan

I have been away for so long. Just one of those things, you know. You get busy or otherwise distracted and you don't quite get to working on those things that you'd like to. Anyway, I'm back with another awesome story from a Jamaican who is making her mark here in Japan. Ladies and gentlemen, say hi to SimmyBoom.

Hi, Simmy! Please tell us about yourself and what brought you to Japan.

My name is Simone Symister-Salmon and I'm from Kingston, Jamaica. I'm happily married to a Jamaican and we have been living in Japan for over 4 years. My hobbies include dancing, socializing and traveling.

I came to Japan because I wanted to experience a culture different from mine; so when I was offered the opportunity to live and work here as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT), I gladly accepted it and I'm tremendously happy that I did.

How long have you been dancing?

Well I have been dancing since I was 10 years old in High School; so, 18 years. But professionally, approximately 4 years.

You have been having dance workshops here in Japan. I'd love to know about them; like how you got started.

Fortunately I was asked to conduct a dance workshop for a Jamaican dancer who came to Japan. Although I was a dance teacher, I knew nothing about dance workshops. However, after doing some research, I was able to pull it off. After that, many other requests came for me to do workshops for international dancers but because of my busy work schedule I had to decline most of those requests.

A lot of friends encouraged me to open my own dance school, but I was hesitant due to the fact that my Japanese level is very basic; and as well as the fact that I think I still have a lot to learn as a dance teacher.

However, because I'm truly passionate about dance, I took my friends' advice as well as followed my heart and started my own dance workshops and collaborated with other dancers/dance teachers. Based on the turn out of those workshops and constant requests to continue organizing workshops, I would say the workshops were a success and I'm truly happy that persons benefited from them.

Simmy with her dance partner and a student getting down.

Simmy (in the yellow T-shirt) with her dance partner and some of her students.

I'm on a maternity leave from dancing now but will surely continue right after, by God's will.

Oh! Congratulations on your pregnancy! Any advice for someone who has a talent that they can share and capitalize on?

Thank you. The most important thing is to never give up on your dreams. Try your best to achieve your goals. One way this this can be done is by networking. You'll be surprised at how helpful some persons who you meet can be and the impact they can have on your career/talent. Associate yourself with professionals in the field you are trying to master and learn from them. You are never too talented or educated to learn.

Last but not least, be humble yet confident! If you're shy try to work on that because shyness/ nervousness can be a roadblock to your opportunity to shine!!

I can definitely relate to the shyness/nervousness part! It really is something I have to try to overcome. Any other thing you'd like to add, Simmy?

Don't be afraid to make mistakes because that's the only way you'll learn. There are many of you with potential so don't hesitate to maximize your potential by taking any opportunity you get to do so.

Love God and he will lead you in the right direction.

Big smiles from Simmy (in orange) with her students. Two of her co-teachers are also in the group.

Thanks, girl! And all the very best to you and your hubby as you bring new life into the world.

There you have it, guys! These stories are really inspiring to me; I hope they are inspiring you, too. Hope you can take something from what our Jamaican dancer has said, act on it, and realize your dream.

Be blessed :)