Skkyyyyy rockets ignite!

Just wanted to wish everyone else safe journeys over here : ) Good luck, and let us know when you're around!

Teresa's Keitai

Kk guys, check your UVA e-mail addresses, I've sent my number out and my e-mail address. E-mail me whenever, it's free for a month or so.

^__________^

YAY!

How did you guys fare?

Uhh... guys?

Okay, Teresa needs help and she's somewhat stuck on her own. I went to the Nerima Ward office this morning already and applied for my Gaikokujin Card. They told me to come back April 6th to pick up the card, and I manage to score a photocopy of my application. Does anybody know if the photocopy is the temporary card or should I go back and try to ask for one? He didn't charge me 300 yen, so I don't know if my form works or not.

Also, I think I need help opening up a bank account and finding a prepaid cell phone. I know the Ninja-3 are out shopping for bedding today, but if you somehow get in contact with me I would love you FOREVER. Try leaving a message at my hostel or something if you can. I honestly don't know how to get in contact with you unless you guys have phones in your room and are able to receive calls from them.

Gah. I've been living on onigiri for my last couple meals. A GREAT START IN JAPAN!

- T

Brrrr!!

This one goes out to Jen and Greg more specifically, if you have visited the blog tonight in cold desperation:
I don't know about you guys, but I didn't know... our air conditioners are heaters too, hooray! So stop using one of your room's curtains as a blanket and turn the heat on! =D I found this handy explanation of some of the keys on the remote...

自動： (jidou -you see this a lot in japan, like on auto-flush urinals)Automatic mode. I think this either heats or cools depending on your tempaerature setting, but I never use it.

ドライ：　(dry) A cool breeze

冷房： (reibou)Airconditioner in the traditional sense. Cold air comes out.

暖房： (danbou) Heats the room

送風： (soufuu) Just the fan

For the fan settings:

強：　Strong

弱：　Weak

微： Light breeze

You gotta press the top button til it gets to danbou (it shows up on the right), and press the arrows til they get to a higher temp, then pick your speed setting, and then you have to set the timer on for like a minute from now, and then press the button written in green! I have gone from too cold to sleep, to warm and happyyyy! I think there's an auto setting but I'm just going to turn it down when it gets too hot.. I'm afraid to mess with it now that I finally have it giving heat..

Happy sleeping sannin!

I'm HERE! I'm SAFE!

Hey all,

Teresa has made it to Ace Inn Shinjuku. Safely. In one piece. With all her carry-ons. Her luggage will be sent tomorrow and she will be here to receive it.

I need to shower. ASAP.

pc
-T

Happy Easter!

ハリストス復活！ Христос Воскресе! Christus resurrexit!

You Caught Visa!

VISA GET

Ok gang. I got my visa. Today. This morning. In the mail.

On the previous episode of Natalie Still Doesn't Have Her Visa: What the Heck, her COE had been issued in Japan and was on its way to America. Upon it's arrival last Friday, she and her mother scrambled to get it mailed up to the Chicago Consulate of Japan, Express next-day mail.

The consulate was closed on Saturday, but Monday was full of potential. Fate, however, was against the postal system that day, and for reasons unknown the application was not delivered on Monday. A notice was supposedly left, but as Tuesday dawned, a phonecall to the kind Mr. Kusumoto-san who had no knowledge of any notices or attempted deliveries proved that something must be awry. Full of distress, Natalie called every number she could think of and finally found herself in contact with the Dearborn Post Office in Chicago. They informed her that her express mail was out on the street and should be delivered (despite the tracking information's claim that after two attempted and failed deliveries, the parcel would be held at the post office). She was never to learn the reason for the failed deliveries and missing notices, but the documents were indeed delivered on that day.

The next day, Kusumoto-san assured Natalie that her completed visa had been shipped out on Wednesday in her pre-paid Express mail envelope, and expected it might arrive on Thursday. Natalie knew better, having lived in Southern Illinois long enough to understand the delicate complexity of backwater postal systems, and decided to hope for Friday instead. Friday passed, however, with neither sight nor sound of the anticipated envelope.

*Cut to Saturday morning, a groggy Natalie sits on her couch, weary from a night of funny YouTube videos and laughter with her best friend*

Natalie: Where the heck is my visa? The post office closes at 11.. I will call them and make sure it's on it's way.

Post office man: I have no idea, it's not here, maybe it's being delivered, I don't really know.

Natalie: ... I'll call Carbondale (the central mail distribution center of her area, about an hour away, where tracking said the envelope had arrived and departed at 1:46 am).

Nice post office lady: We haven't got it.. it left here this morning, so it should be in Harrisburg. By the way, did you know it says it's supposed to be delivered on Monday, and explicitly says not to be delivered on the weekend?

Natalie: .... oh my gosh... T___T I will call the local post office again...

Different post office lady: Let me check.. I think your mailman has it right now, he's probably going to deliver it soon.


In a bout of confusion, Natalie's father proceeded to futilely visit the post office to try and obtain the visa, but then successfully hailed the visa-bearing mailman and retrieved that precious book upon which the hopes and dreams of so many rested. After an ill-received farce of having lost the visa in transit was enacted, the visa and inside its surrounding passport was returned to its rightful owner.

And so the story went, that for every delay and problem that could have come along in the young girl's attempts to study in this foreign land, a problem came along, and for every last minute for a situation to be pushed until, the situation at hand was pushed. But lo, dear readers, what turmoils and foul-ups could await her in this new and mysterious land? Let us all wait with bated breath as she continues her quest to exercise every law of Murphy, to find the exception to every rule, and to slip through any and every crack that comes her way! Stay tuned!

Ah! Packing!

So I've been packing and it's all adding up quicker than I thought... :/
I made a packing list and everything but deciding what clothes to bring is the hardest I think. I'm trying to cover different occasions and weather and whatnot. How many days/weeks' worth of clothing is everyone bringing? And has anyone thought of anything crucial that may otherwise be overlooked?

Also, I know we talked about it earlier briefly, but luggage...how much? I think I'll be bringing a large rolly suitcase plus a small one to check in, and I'll be carrying on a backpack and just keeping my laptop inside my backpack instead of a whole other carrying case. I'm worried I'm being excessive though.
And how much of stuff are you all planning to bring vs. buying there? Stuff like toiletries and things...I keep wavering on what to do.
Oh, I'm so indecisive.
Lastly, I just wanted to remind you all to not pack any wrapped gifts in your carryon. And be mindful of the liquid carrying guidelines and all that.

Oh, to the other 2 ninjas...I added a comment to the last post but I guess I'll just throw it in here too. When should I be expecting you on Monday? I just want to make sure I'll be all packed by then and to set up the basement for fun times and to plan out meals and when I need to go to the airport/be home. So just let me know! Thanks!

ah! quick...!

Hey, I need to know how much money everyone is planning on bringing initially in terms of both traveler's cheques (I like that way better) and in terms of yen. Quick!


... thanks!

blog project update

Hey ya....

Just a quick post before I have to go to a work meeting at 9 a.m. on a Sunday. Boo.

Here's a little update on the blog project. If you've listed a link to your blog I've added it to the main page. If you've listed a link and it's not there, please resend it to me and I'll add it. I'm going to e-mail the East Asian Studies department with the link to the blog project tomorrow so they can give it to their students. SO, it would be great if I could have everyone's link before then. I'm seeing some really good posts too, so keep up the good work everyone! Also, would anyone be willing to a) direct me to a great free image/illustrator program for macs or b) make a really cool banner for the destination: Asia home page?

It's a little more than two weeks everyone and I can't wait to be privy to all of your expert bedding shopping skills natalie/greg/jen. Now that all three of you and Teresa are on a flight together I kind of wish I wasn't traveling by my lonesome...

As for studying, way to rub it in Greg. Way to rub it in.

But I too have been studying and that JapaneseiPod101.com thing is pretty good. So thanks for suggesting it Natalie!

Spitzer Schpitzer

So.

The wonderful Dr House emailed back and said bedding cancel equals OK! Except he was all, but is it okay that you'll sleep without bedding on a wooden-made bed? Aw he seems so concerned! And I'm good for moving in the 26th. Oh remind me guys, on top of buying bedding, I need to buy a laundry bag. I feel it will be useful for doing laundry and I don't have one already. Maybe we'll find a green tea colored one. Perfect!

Anyone been studying? Anyone? ...........

Oh! Pack bathing suits! Maybe we can go to a beach sometime...or something...I don't know what they do there. A pool? A water park? I got one for $10 today. Hahaha oh I love Target.

March 18th = Tornado Preparedness Day. Egad, we're gonna miss UVA's drill and not learn how to be prepared for a tornado.

So HOO'S EXCITED?!

Oh, I would like to take suggestions for a blog name! I seem to be behind in starting a blog...but really it's because I want to do something clever for the title and can't think of anything. But with a name like 'Doo' how hard could it be?!

And Dan is down for greeting us at the airport on the 26th! (Addressed to Greg and Natalie...) And I can't wait for our sleepover! Except I'll probably be just starting to pack the 24th...

This is a funny blog to check out: TokyoMango

ブブ ブ―――――

こんちわ～
はい、はい、私　BKA　レイはまたようていを変えた。

haha. kk back to English.

i'll now be staying at the Ace Inn hostel in Shinjuku. i kind of know how to get there, but i just want it out there in case anyone wants to stalk me. ^^

ooooookai, here we go!

1: from Narita, take the JR Narita Express to Shinjuku, 3,110 yen
- using the Suica&N'Ex card, it'd be 1,500 yen for the trip from Narita to Shinjuku, not including the price of the card, but the card can be reused like infinitely and all i have to do is drop money on it

2: from Shinjuku, take the Toei Shinjuku Line to Akebonobashi, 170 yen

hmmm... found a bunch of interesting websites that helped me figure all that out, especially this one: http://www.tokyo-subway.net/english/index.html

it'll tell you what transfers you need to make to get from point a to point b separated by price, time, and transfers *wink* NJOY~

that first journey listed is the most expensive but it also involves the least amount of transfers. what do you think? rather than pay someone to roll my suitcase over to the hostel, i'll just do it myself and save myself 2,000 yen. that way, i can travel with less hassles.

also, because we DON'T qualify for the JR rail pass, seriously consider getting the suica pass. it looks like a good deal. i'll report more later after i look up all the nitty gritty, yeah?

*waiting for my cable guy*

- T

Good Morning COE!

COE GET!!!!!!

Expected arrival in 3~4 days. Disregard my last post!! XD

Still Singin the Direct Enrollment Blues...

Hey gang. Today I'd like to talk about an issue that nearly everyone will be affected by at some point in their lives. It's an illness called Natalie still doesn't have her COE.


So here's the story:

*December~January*
Sophia: Apply for your COE!

Me: Ok, here you go!

*February*
Sophia: Hey thanks! You'll receive it by the end of the month, at the latest!

Me: Hey that's great! That will give me plenty of time to get my visa.

*March 4th*
Me: Hey.. where's my COE?

Sophia: Yeeaahh we don't have it yet.. But we're expecting it any time now, just you wait! School starts in April so it's pretty busy around here you know. Actually, you might have to end up entering on a temporary visa and changing your status to college student once you get here..

Me: Wait, what? Hmmm.. *checks Consulate website* But this says I need a COE for a temporary visa too! Let me give these fine folks a call. *calls Chicago Consulate*

Nice Consulate Guy: Yep, you're right, you can't get that visa without a COE. I've maybe heard of people going over under the visa exemption as tourists and then getting a visa later, but you'd generally need to leave the country to get it. But in my experience, Japan pretty much runs visa stuff to the very last minute, so just be a little more patient.

Me: *Thinks for a while...*

*Yesterday*
Me: It's only like two weeks til we're leaving.. I'm getting a little nervous about all this.. Hey Sophia, I can't get that temp visa, what should I do if the COE doesn't get here?

Sophia: Just tell Narita you're sightseeing, and then go to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau!

Me: That seems like a bad idea.. I'm pretty sure that nice consulate guy said it was pretty hard to do/unlikely to happen.

Nice Consulate Guy: That's right. The law technically says you can't really do that unless you're in unavoidable crazy circumstances. Otherwise you'd have to leave the country to get a visa. Oh, and btw, *long list of reasons why it's a horrible idea to try and pass yourself off as a tourist when you're actually a college student, including the possibility of not being able to board the plane or being denied entry to Japan to begin with* (BTW, didn't you just call here like last week?)

Me: Oh jeeze T_T

Chris Payne: And plus they could just look at your plane ticket and see you're staying way more than 90 days. This is bad news yo.

Me: Sophiaaa, what makes you think it's gonna be so easy to get into Japan with no visa and get DK to let me stay with no visa, and get the Tokyo Immigration Bureau to give me a visa? Send me my COE as soon as you get it!! And if you don't get it by next week, well... I think I'd rather postpone my flight than try and go with no visa.. T__T Two weeks is a long time right? It'll get here deshou? Hrmmm....

*TO BE CONTINUED*

ようていが変えた！

Ah, the best laid plans of mice and men~

It turns out that I won't be in Japan for an extra 2 weeks. My cousins will be flying in soon after I get settled and will be spending a week in Tokyo. From April 18th to the 26th, I will be running a tour of Tokyo. ^^
This will all happen between classes and family responsibilities. YAY! I just hope I don't fail them and they leave Japan thinking, "My goodness, that was the worst vacation ever!"

I will be picking up my visa tomorrow from the Embassy. Pick-ups are scheduled from 1:30 to 6:30 pm. Weird. It's quite a walk from the Dupont Circle Metro to the Embassy, but I just tack it under the umbrella of "Teresa really needs to work it out."

Hmm... I've got my tickets, my visa, my luggage, and clothes. Now that we are extremely close to take-off, what is everybody going to pack?

I don't know whether I want to take 2 large suitcases or 1 large suitcase + 1 large duffel bag. Which option do you think is better?

Also, my temp list of things to bring:
Clothes, textbooks, dictionaries, laptop compie, pictures of family, camera + charger, phone + charger, shoes (don't know how many pairs to pack yet), limited toiletries (i'm going to buy most of my soap and crap when i'm there to save myself some heft), 1 or 2 plushies to keep me company, mini pillow that i needs, and loooooooooove~

What else is there to bring?

Oh yes! Don't forget to get money via traveler's cheques! Keep it safe. Uhmm... the school recommends a grand for the first month you're there prior to getting all your bank stuff set up. I'm going to get a grand and a half for some safety padding.

GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH~

I nervous. *trembles*

- T



------ UPDATE 3.11.08 ----------



I didn't want to push off Natalie's posts, so here I am, adding a lil more to this last post of mine. Remember my earlier post about presents? Well, I've bought some but I don't know if it's enough. Drop me a line and tell me opinions!!!

Obviously, the left pile is for padre, middle = madre, and right = daughter. I'm most worried about the daughter. Is it okay?

Something evil has yielded unfriendly negligence....

     AHHHHHHHH I may not get any money back from my taaaaxxxxessss!!!!!! (there goes my spending money in Japan!)


     So part of me is really disappointed that we're leaving when we're leaving. So many good things are coming up... Indiana Jones IV... the Marvel Comics Secret Invasion (soooo awesooommme)... the extra guitar for Rock Band... something else coming up that's most definitely a movie that I can't think of...


     Speaking of Rock Band, I'm going to come back to FOUR MONTHS worth of DLC (downloadable content) to buy, and you're runnin' buck wild if you think that I won't be getting a heap of it RIGHT when I get home. Unless, of course, I'm truly bankrupt, which would really suck and is quite possible.


     I subbed for a Japanese teacher today and will again tomorrow! It's really funny because I freaked out the classes by introducing myself in Japanese... one even applauded me =) But that doesn't mean my Japanese was good! I mean, it was OKAY, but lord I need to keep studying. I've been looking at embarrassingly old kanji recently... Anyway, I think I really helped the kids out (for the first time in my whole subbing career, even!) because the first class (sannensei) told me that my explanation of -ru and -u verbs (though definitely lacking compared to our professors') was a lot better than whatever their teacher was telling them (they pretty much didn't have any clue that such a difference existed... they kind of just learn the vocab). Yay! And then I taught two classes of ninensei about -tai form. It was fun, and actually the only real rewarding experience that I've gotten from this job besides all of the literature that I finished... and of course all of that wani wani shiteiru... (haaaaaaaaaa, jjjjkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk)


     On a side note, I played with Free Bridge Quintet drummer Robert Jospe at a local elementary school for some K-2nd graders yesterday! It was really cute working with the kids... Jospe basically taught them about some different grooves and I played some songs that fit in with those grooves. At one point we did one where Jospe made the kids do a call and response saying, "IIIII want caaaandy!" Haha, it was awesome... Some of the songs that I played were actually legit (like "Caravan" and "St. Thomas"), but I had to improvise some melodies over a couple of grooves because nothing that fit right in that I knew well came instantly to mind... At one point I started to inadvertently play the A section of Diana Ross's "My Guy", through which, though I probably was the only one out of the four adults in the room to know what I was doing, I was laughing to myself... I mean... out of all the songs... haha. Oh well.


Ooo! American Idol is on! Byyyyyyyyyye!

P.S.: Go to www.campusgirlsusa.com and give A+s to my friend!!! Click "Click to Begin", go to "ACC" and vote for Danna (she's near the bottom). You may recognize her from the jazz ensemble concerts/marching band for all you enthusiasts (Natalie).


ALSO, (Natalie), you're going to hunt for bedding when you get there, right?

DILEMMA!!!

Okay people, it's PICKLE time!!!

The Ninja-3 are all at DK House, so them flying in early to Japan to acclimate their bodies and get a jump on life there is no problem. However, for the homestayers like me, Mia, and Sehyun, what do you think the problems could be?

I remember that Jeanette mentioned she'd be flying in at the appointed date of April 1st and thus has no pickles. Mia and Sehyun are flying in from Korea, which could or could not be pickly. I, however, am crashing at a hostel for a week and then have to somehow finagle my way to my homestay home.

What to do?

BTW, jet lag? SUCKS THE BIG TURKEY!!! I had no problems when flying over to China and Japan, but fly me back and BAM I am a turtle. I've been waking and sleeping erratically since I've been back so please expect little of what comes from me to make complete sense. *bows*

Oh yes! About gifts for your homestay family! IF you don't know yet, know this: BRING THEM PRESENTS!!!

It's not a like total expectation that you'll be getting them something, but it is a Japanese tradition of sorts. Remember all those phrases Marshall-sensei taught us and then Kawai-sensei refreshed?

Kore wa tsumaranai mono desu ga, douzo goenryo naku...

Use it!

If you need ideas for presents or plain ole forget until the last minute, airports have tons of random gifties that clear security like *SNAP*. Also, for all you DC people out there, D.C. itself is a fountain of cheap American paraphernalia. A couple of t-shirts, pretty pretty plates, or other random goodies will be nice. Be creative and don't forget!

I am actually just sitting here waiting for the post office to open so I can run down there and drop off a few bits of mail. Sad, but true. It's like 47F outside and I'm considering doing it in sandals because socks are just at the bottom of my "does Teresa care?" list.

Now!!! FUN FUN FUN NOTES!!!

To make my post just that schwidge longer and to have people truly enjoy reading it... *DRUM ROLL*.... *AIR GUITAR RIFF*... *ORCHESTRA STARTS TUNING UP*...

Personalized Replies to Random People:

JEN
Muchos gracias for replying to each individual note from EVERYBODY! I love reading your comments and they always make me smile.

NATALIE
Your knack for creativity never fails to astound me and I am always impressed by your delicate combination of both information and fun that is compounded into not only each post but also each comment.

GREG
Energy super ball to the MAX! I tend to anticipate your posts and comments because they are continously amusing and insightful. If everybody shoots from the left, then you toss it from the right. Oodles of good times allllllll around!

JEANETTE
I have no clue, but for some reason or another, I probably spell your name wrong on a very consistent basis. *bows* Gomen! You have probably the most mature posts of us all and when in need to cut away fluff, I turn to you. You seem very on top of life and the ball and the circus tent and all that cotton candy good stuff. Props.

MIA
Honey, you realllllllllly don't post or comment enough for me to say anything. I do miss your pretty face though. And your pretty smile. *grins* Post more! Pronto! This is a meirei from above! Chop chop!

SEHYUN
Dude, you're like, not even registered here. But, no worries, we all in the same boat and I hope that you're doing okay. If you have problems at all while in Japan or even here, feel free to drop a line here. I feel like we are a pretty coofy spoofy group of people who are very dependable. *nod nod*

OOOOOOOOOOKAI~

I need to start hanging up my clothes from my trip to China. *shudders* 40 minutes until the post office opens! Yay!

*duck dances away*

T