Time Dwindling Update

I've completed several things on my list since last week. Here is the updated version:

-Earn more money
--------I only have one more day of spending time with my Grandfather.
--------Still painting. Going to spend at least 3 hours tomorrow, but my goal is 6.

 - Start packing

- My Yakkan Shoumei has been processed and is being sent to me. I should have it next week.

- Receive my ISIC card, which my boyfriend turned in at my study abroad office today (he works on campus)

- Test my ATM card


 I also wanted to take some requests for videos. I've never really done anything like this, but I want to make interesting videos about the differences between life in the States and life in Japan. I've had a lot of conflicting information, so I want to help those who have no idea what they're going into. Here are a couple of my ideas:

- Japanese Vending Machines
- Bathrooms
- Restaurant experiences
--------I also want to do a "places I recommend" section.
- Using a credit card in Japan
- Wi-Fi
- Tokyo Trains
--------I might have to break this one between two videos, because there are 121 train lines in Tokyo alone.
- Comparing convenience stores (7-11s)

Time Dwindling

As my time in the States dwindles, I find myself making a quick list of things I need to do. The first 4 I plan on getting out of the way tomorrow.

- Earn more money
--------I'm currently watching my grandfather, who suffers from Alzheimer's, because one of his usual caretakers took a week of vacation. Some people think it's an awesome job, but it's really depressing to spend 6 hours with your grandfather who can not remember your name or that you just had the same conversation 5 minutes ago.
--------I also started a painting project, which I reeeeally need to pick up the pace on. I'm probably 1/6 the way done with less than three weeks to go. Dad also offered me some other jobs, but I don't think they'll get done.

- Deposit over a year's worth of change into my bank account (my time as a waitress really helped). I hope it's a reasonable sum.

- Go shopping for leggings and other essentials, without blowing my budget

- Start packing

- Obtain my entire prescription from CVS

- Receive my Yakkan Shoumei, which I just put in the mail

- Receive my ISIC card, which my boyfriend turned in at my study abroad office today (he works on campus)

- Test my ATM card

Interesting Article

So I came across this article on CNN today:

http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2012/08/tech/gaming.series/korea.html?hpt=hp_c1

The article follows a couple of the top South Korean StarCraft players and mentioned that they might have an "addiction" to online gaming. It explains some of their life stories and how it tore their families apart.

I would like to say that there are people in this world that have issues dealing with the real world. Some people grow out of it, but some don't. I grew out of it, but I don't think my younger brother did. It's just easier to play a game obsessively than it is to actually function in the world today. There are so many niches, so much going on.

When I was in middle school, I kicked myself out of my circle of friends over a stupid dispute. And then all I did was read. I read more than half of the fiction books in our school library. I would, quite literally, read novels in all of my classes. The only time I stopped was when I was called out directly, and even then, I would go back to reading once the teacher's attention had shifted. I would read until I fell asleep, which was often past midnight.

It slowed drastically once I made a few new friends. I'm still friends with them 8 years later.

I think, in all honesty, that everyone goes through some period of their life where they need...something. For some people, it might be games. For others, it might be books. Illegal substances, alcohol, religion, exercise...Almost everyone has something they use to escape reality. Some people can get past their addiction, some people can use their drug to achieve a higher goal, and others just feed it until they can't function anymore.

I think that's the difference between what is normal and what isn't. It doesn't matter HOW you escape, because everyone needs something. It's only when it takes over your life, nullifies your motivation, and prevents you from functioning that it becomes negative.

It takes Two

My boyfriend and I have been together for 5 years. The first 3 took place in high school and the past 2 years in college. With the sudden abundance of weddings (I have 3 cousins and a family friend getting married within a year), marriage has been so frequently mentioned that it's impossible to avoid. After all, my boyfriend and I have been together for quite some time. However, he never seems interested in talking about it, so I refrain from bringing it up.

I've never been able to actually sit down and plan my never-to-be-mentioned wedding. I believe that planning a wedding should be done together, with the preferences of both the bride and the groom taken into consideration. But for some reason, at least half of the upcoming weddings are pretty much just the bride's idea of what it should be. A good portion of the planning is almost based on the bride's whims. For instance, my cousin's fiancee picked the date based off of the ring it had when she said it aloud. I dunno - it just bugs me. I guess it sort of reminds of that show Bridezillas.

I don't actually want to get married - at least not before I graduate from college.

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Edit
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Rather than make another post, I decided just to say it here:

As of late, I've been feeling more and more like the world is avoiding me. I dunno why, but no one really responds to my message anymore... :(

Angsty Post

I hate that feeling when you get really excited or angry or annoyed - enough so, that you rant about it. A really long, tiresome rant. And then you realize no one actually cares.

I dunno, maybe I should get better interests. Maybe I should realize that I'm not funny or interesting. Maybe I should just open my eyes and realize that no one gives a shit about what I think. Maybe I should realize that I'm no leader and I'm a poor follower.

I don't actually like attention all that much. College worsened my stage fright for whatever reason. I'm awkward around people I'm not close to. Heck, I'm even awkward with family I'm not close to. I'm that shy person that talks about nothing just to feel less awkward.

I just...I want to help people. I enjoy teaching people or sharing my experiences in order to help them out. I tell people I know what I want to do, even though I have no idea whatsoever. State Department seemed like an awesome option, but the UN seems even more so. I have don't have the skills for either career. I've thought about setting up my own business, but I'm not creative or innovative enough to come up with something on my own. My only true talent is spouting back what was spit at me and remembering details. That alone eliminates most high-paying jobs and leaves me with secretary work.

Maybe majoring in Japanese wasn't a good idea - I knew it wouldn't be, deep down. In terms of employment, people who knew Japanese and had some other degree would be so much more appealing. I think I would like geography or some other social science, but I don't have the time or money to change my major.

I turned 20 yesterday. And all I could think about was how much of a waste my life has been. What have I accomplished? Absolutely nothing. No one cares about how good you did in high school. Businesses only care about your college performance and mine hasn't been anything spectacular. I have a 3.2 GPA, but that's hardly something to be excited over. I have no genuine skills - I can't sew well, I'm a terrible cook, I only have basic skills with computers.

I wanted more from life. When I looked at myself years ago, I aspired to be a scientist or an engineer. I went to college and realized neither was possible.

Maybe...maybe I just want to be remembered.

Obtaining a Student VISA for entry into Japan

Today, I traveled to the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC in order to submit the application for my student VISA. As it turns out, I did not have all the adequate information in order to complete my form and had to return home without much accomplished. However, I have decided to detail the form in order to help prevent future exchange students from repeating my problem.

First - the Certificate of Eligibility. Before evening applying for a VISA, one must first apply for their COE. This is sent by Waseda University at the beginning of July. I received mine last Friday. The first thing you should do is store all of the other information in the packet in a safe place - some of it is needed after your arrival in Japan. The second thing you should do is create a printed photocopy of your COE. Both are needed before your VISA application will be accepted and they do not have a photocopier available for public use at the Embassy.

Second - your passport. If you do NOT have a passport, you should stop right now and apply for one. I have kindly provided the link to obtaining your passport below. I recommend expediting it, because it's summertime and you don't want it to take 4-5 weeks for your passport. If you do not hold a US passport, but you reside in the US, then this tutorial is not for you. Please note that it must be VALID for the duration of your stay!! I thought it was common knowledge, but I just finished responding to an idiot who let his passport expire while he's in Japan.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Third - the application. You are able to print it out at the Embassy of Japan's website. I have posted the link to it below. After printing it out, fill it out. When you reach the question "ID No. issued to you by your government," make sure you put you SSN down. If you do not have an SSN, then you're probably not a US citizen and this tutorial is not for you. When you reach the prompt, "Names and addresses of hotels or persons with whom applicant intends to stay," please put down your apartment address/dormitory address/guest house address. If you do not know yet, you cannot apply for your VISA and I recommend contacting your university in Japan. You must fill out the dates/duration of a previous trip to Japan. If you do not remember and you have the passport you traveled to Japan with, it will be on one of the pages. Your entry date will be a sticker with your landing date and the day your tourist VISA expired. Next to it should be a stamp that has the day you departed. They need to know so that they can know if you're already in their fingerprinting database and such. As this is a student VISA application tutorial, put your "current profession or occupation and position" as a student. The name and address of your employer will be your school/university.


http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/travel_and_visa/travel_and_visa_index.htm
On the next page will be some funky terms. Your "guarantor or reference in Japan" is going to be the university or school you are applying to. I put "Waseda University's Center for International Education" down for mine. I then put the address and such, which can also be found in the link below. Put the "Inviter in Japan" as "same as above". Answer the questions regarding crime truthfully, as I am very sure that they run a background check on applicants.

http://www.cie-waseda.jp/en/about/office/


This concludes the tutorial. Please leave a comment if you have any questions.

PS - if that bird does not stop attacking my windows, I fear for my sanity.

COE

Yesterday, my university's study abroad office received my Certificate of Admission and my Certificate of Eligibility from Waseda University. I have to pick those up and take them in person to the nearest Japanese Embassy. I should have that done by Tuesday - then I have to pick it up when they tell me it has been reviewed and accepted.