This is it!
This is the story about me getting into Japan to reunite with my fiance!
(Which I never actually told.)
Parts of it involve me taking some pretty big risks so it’s been a little bit secret…
Recap: I taught abroad in Japan 2019-2020.
That’s when I started dating Andrew.
When I was due to leave Japan March 2020, everything was shutting down in the USA and abroad.
I chose to stay with Andrew versus go home, but my visa ran out in July, so I felt I had to go.
Then after being back in the states for only six months, I ended up feeling called to go back to Japan.
Now I’ve been listening to my intuition and following it for a long time, even it leads me to do something nuts.
But this was a new level of wild.
- I had my walls painted.
- I didn’t have a visa.
- I liked my roomies.
- it was a pandemic.
- I had furniture.
- I was comfy.
But life had other plans.
I hadn’t seen my fiance in six months–we got engaged over zoom–and it was killing me.
It was a 13-14 hour time difference…
Yeah, it really sucked but Japan’s borders were 100% closed. Neither of us could travel to the other.
Anyway, in November some of Japan’s policies changed.
It looked like an opportunity opened up to end the long distance.
I didn’t have a visa, but if I did 2 weeks of quarantine in Korea and then went to Japan, it appeared to be a loophole.
There was no knowing when we’d see each other if I didn’t go ASAP before travel rules shifted–as they keep doing with COVID.
It was a huge risk, because what if they didn’t let me in the country?
My intuition felt like life burning in my belly.
I had to try but it wasn’t easy.
The first step was putting in my notice on my apartment.
That caused some drama because my roommates hadn’t understood me saying that I’d be moving out.
Whoops, had to clean that up.
Then I was told I would still have to pay 3-6 months of rent if they didn’t find a replacement renter for the empty apartment.
Weeks went by. They didn’t find one.
Still, I felt I must go on. If the worst happened, we’d figure it out.
I boxed everything up or gave it away (again).
Prepped my car for sale.
Said my goodbyes.
On the eve of leaving, my fiance called me panicked.
He’d called around to some immigration officials in Japan and they were negative about my chances of entry.
“No exceptions,” they said, although we’d had multiple officials tell me the opposite.
“So what do you want to do?” my fiance asked me.
He was stressed.
The week before this, I’d made a podcast on the topic of Travel Magic.
It was a story from when I was 22 and had the urge to jump on a plane after officials told me not to.
(Spoiler: that time it worked out for me.)
The fact that I had felt called to record that story felt like a sign to take a leap.
Also, I’d already moved almost everything and found a potential renter, even though it wasn’t 100% solid yet.
So I was like–“I’m done here. I’m going.”
It was my shot and I was taking it.
Two weeks later, I finished my quarantine in Korea.
I showed up at the airport ready to go to Japan and they almost didn’t let me on the plane since I had no visa.
But then they got word they could let me on anyway–and they’d decide my fate in Japan.
When I arrived in Japan, I was nervous but my intuition whispered that it would all be okay.
I began to wait in the airport for what would be 5 hours.
After some conversations with people who were totally confused by my presence, I just sat there, with it all out of my control.
My fiance sat waiting in one part of the airport, I sat in another.
They interviewed him in Japanese to see if I should be allowed to stay.
At times, I was anxious.
No one wants to be wrong–if I didn’t get into the country I’d look pretty stupid.
But mostly I just wanted to see my fiance again.
It was comforting we could text and call each other as we waited–as much as I could while trying to conserve my phone battery.
At least we were in the same timezone. I felt close to him that way.
He didn’t tell me how negative his interviewer seemed to be about my prospects.
But I knew what the stakes were.
Still, something shifted inside of me as the authorities decided what to do with me.
I was thirsty, and had a lot on the line–but even then, I got into a deeply grateful and loving space.
I felt so grateful to be in Japan at all.
I felt so happy to be close to my fiance.
I felt moved to be on the land of Japan at all–what a blessing.
And I felt like there was spiritual energy that wanted me to be here, even if it ended up being for just a short time.
Something was alchemizing: me, Japan, love… the feeling was extraordinary.
About half an hour went by while I was blissed out and peaceful.
Then they called me up and handed me my passport back–with a 3 month visa stuck inside.
They ended up letting me in.
Wahoo!!!!
We reunited on the other side of the immigration gate and he said, “This feels unreal.”
And we got to hug finally!
Yay!! It all turned out okay!
Thank you, Japan for letting me stay!
(Even though I am very bad and came with no visa!)
I’m so happy to be able to spend this time in Japan even if I can’t travel a whole lot.
There is a deep peace I feel when I connect to the land here, even just being in my little town.
In my life in this country the past few years, I’ve struggled a lot but the lessons I’ve learned have been worth it.
The most profound moments have come from connecting to the land of Japan, itself.
It has helped me to come into a deeper alignment with my true self, and know what is really important.
Since then, I have made big dreams happen:
- Publishing my book Freedom Year,
- Falling in love with someone who fits me,
- Professionally recording my original song “New Dawn”
Through this whole experience, I have let my intuition guide me.
It led me back to my power, back to myself, back to my writing and creativity.
And now I want to help you!
- Embrace your power with the free sample of my book Freedom Year on the adventures that brought me on this path, and taught me the true meaning of power, creativity, and freedom.
- Sign up for the QuickGuide to Becoming a Creative Powerhouse to get free tools on tapping into your power to create awe-inspiring writing and creativity.
- Or Contact me to get 1-1 attention to grow into the masterpiece that you are! I am here to support you pouring your most awe-striking work into the world.
