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Life Without A Prescription - 処方箋無しの人生

Going to America



I can almost smell the airplane,
that stale dry air.
But also, I can almost smell America,
that overly sweet sugary scent.
Yet I can still smell fear...
that fear I have about entering the country.




I was only 13? when I first travelled to the U.S..
I made a deal with my father; if I passed the pre-2 level
English exam (Eiken), then he had to take me to Disney World.
I passed, and he honored our pact.

What I remember the most from my first day ever in the U.S.
is the sweet scent from the Body Shop store that permeated
San Francisco Airport.

Back then, life was peaceful.
Well, maybe just my life. My life back then certainly seemed
like everything was peachy as in Disney World.

Fascinated by the U.S. and to pursue my dream, a few years later,
I signed up for a study abroad program and spent a year in the U.S..

Back in Japan, back to my normal Japanese life.
Then something changed our lives for ever.

9/11.

If you're going to America or living there, things aren't the same.
The Patriot Act is in place, and the airport security has been fortified.

I am a law-abiding citizen. I have never done anything criminal.
(Maybe except for being criminally lovable?)
But every single time I enter the country, I am extremely nervous.
In fact, even days before the arrival, I'm anxious.

Those immigration officers treat you like you're a terrorist.
It's a total nightmare.
You wait forever in line, if you have a connecting flight,
you just hope desperately for the line to go quicker,
and at the same time, you're fearful of the questions and
the possibility of being pulled into the secondary inspection room.

It's not just me who dreads entering the country.
Some of my friends and alike share a similar sentiment.

Even my parents were taken to the interrogation room.
What horror.

Although I am extremely ecstatic about the trip,
as the day approaches, my hands get sweatier and sweatier.

I wonder if things would be easier if I was married to Steven
and had the green card. Are those officers nicer to Americans
and their beloved significant others?

I know it's their job to protect the country,
but can they be any more unpleasant?
Just judge me inside, but have a smile on your face!!
Please.

There's no way for me to find it out anyway.
Too bad same-sex marriage is still not ratified.
Again, I wonder when gays and lesbians can marry in the land of the free

I can't help but miss the olden days when my life was rosy and disney.
I just wishfully hope that peace is not just some kind of mirage,
but it is actually attainable.

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by yas-unprescribed | 2010-04-01 10:53 | English

気まま我儘に生きるYasの人生を、正直率直に、そして飾らなく語るブログです。 This is a blog where Yas talks about his life in a foreign land seen through his bizarre and frivolous, yet sincere eyes
by Yas-Unprescribed

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