Author Archives: Jess Damerst

Preparation

Your Placement is…. Pending!

Queen's Square and the Cosmo Clock 21 in Yokohama as seen from Google Maps

My company told me not to panic if I didn’t hear about placement until February 14th. Well, it’s now February 16th and still no word. I’m trying not to freak out but it is very, very hard. Everyday, I see people posting on the Facebook group for my company about where they got placed. Of course, most of them are getting placed where I want to be, in Kanagawa-ku. That’s making everything better. I already called to see what was happening, but of course, the answer was “they are behind.” Yes, but I am dying over here.

Continue reading →

Standard
Preparation

German Beers, Vlogs and Nothing but Time

The King's Feast

I’m going to tell you honestly- I was putting off this post because I don’t have a whole lot to say. My life these days has been nothing shy of uneventful. That said, this weekend (aside from going to work) was pretty fun. My dad just finished another trip around the sun, and we decided to celebrate his birthday by going to the Willow Tree Cafe in Sanford. Translation: we went to a noisy, entertaining German beer garden where we ate lots of carbs and drank lots of them too. Continue reading →

Standard
Preparation

The Waiting Game

Strawberries at the Winter Park Farmer's Market last Saturday

I put my two-weeks in at my part-time just a few days ago. Now it’s getting serious! People keep asking what day I am leaving and usually their reaction is “Isn’t that in, like, two weeks?!” Yes. Your math is sound. How did this sneak up on anyone? I’m dying over here! It feels like time has stopped.

To pass the time, I’ve been doing a few things. First, as I mentioned before, I’ve been working through Python tutorials. Second, I’ve been working through Mass Effect 2. Third, I’ve been watching the Facebook news feed like they might take it down any day now. I feel uncomfortably close to people I barely know, now. The video-game playing should probably be my priority. Oh, I might want to try drawing one of these days, too. Continue reading →

Standard
Travel

It Has Been Done

Just two days ago, I booked my one-way ticket to Japan.

It was terrifying! But also really enlightening. Not to mention I am glad to have that out of the way. I still haven’t heard where I will be living, but at least I know I am going. When I consider possible outcomes (late placement, no placement), I at least know that a family friend in Yokohama, has offered me an indefinite place to say. Worst case scenario? I stay for three weeks, and buy another one-way ticket back. Of course, I hope it doesn’t come to that. In celebration, I am currently watching Lost in Translation and just finished reading a “Sailor Moon” manga (which makes me feel 10 again, but who cares). “Lip my stocking, Mr. Harris.”

Image

Continue reading →

Standard
Travel

Putting on Some Programming Shoes

In my excessive boredom, I’ve decided it’s time for a hobby. After a bit of brainstorming and sampling different kinds (piano, shopping, movie watching, eating) I’ve landed on programming! Well, it actually started as hacking (different from cracking, mind you). I’m a very logical person who likes to tackle problems, particularly with computers. Not to mention, I can think of a million and one programs I wish existed. So, hey, I’ll just build them! I’m not aiming to be a master or work in the field, this will just be a few side projects. Something to do when bored.  Continue reading →

Standard
Travel

Videos

Recently I have been working on a few videos:

This is a video from Spiel in Essen, Germany 2011 and BoardGameGeek Con in Dallas, Texas 2011. Hosted by yours truly! All other credit goes to (mostly) a certain Lincoln Damerst (my cousin)! Special thanks to Aldie of BoardGameGeek fame, big boss producer!

All Things Geek episode 2

Next is my very own Vlog! January edition. I ramble about video games, comics, movies and so on.

January VideoGameGeek Vlog

Other than the above exciting videos, it’s been a lot of sitting on the computer and shopping for clothes to wear in my new job. Continue reading →

Standard
Travel

Doctor Doctor

In preparing leave, a lot is happening. Most importantly, I have been going to see every doctor under the sun to make sure I am in good health. During the month of January, I saw five doctors! I’m not really a big fan of going to physicals, but I know they are necessary. Although I had so many appointments, I ended up buying an agenda book just to track them all. So, 1 flu shot, 1 pair of glasses and 2 cavity fillings later, I feel much older than my age and it looks like I am all set to go.

Going to see the eye doctor, Dr. Ross of Winter Park, was pretty humorous. Continue reading →

Standard
Travel

It’s Time to Begin, With One Foot in Front of the Other

Often when I explain that, come March, I will be leaving the nest and flying to live thousands of miles away in a country I have only had the pleasure to visit once, many are often awed and even inspired. I find this surprising, for many reasons. I believe (wholeheartedly) in deciding what you want to do with your life, and doing it. Simple. You can have anything you want, so long as you work hard enough for it. It has been a dream of mine for years and years to live in Japan. I worked hard to make that dream a reality and I am about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. It occurred to me that someone might actually be interested in reading this tale. So, here it is, the story of that journey.

Continue reading →

Standard