Tag Archives: Japan

Preparation

Things I am Going to Miss

The pin is Sakai-machi, Ibaraki. The city in the south is Tokyo!

This one has been stewing for a while. It’s a list of everything I am going to miss, and then another of things I am looking forward to. But before I get started, I have a bit of news!

For anyone who follows my twitter, Facebook, or has talked to me recently, you will know that I finally got placement! The phone call had to come on a Thursday night when I was just about to go downtown for one last girls night. We were already enjoy hard cider, but luckily, I had barely drank any of mine when a phone call from Japan came through to my cell. I guess I made a face and said a vulgar word before running off with my ringing phone. Later the girls told me that it was either something bad, or I got my placement phone call. Well, the latter was true! I’ll be living in Sakai-machi, Ibaraki. It’s a small town north of Tokyo, and it’s rural enough for me to need a car. That said, it’s exceptionally close to the big city and it’s not rural by American standards, it’s just sparsely populated for Japan. I was secretly hoping for a car, and I wanted to be close to Tokyo. Both of my wishes came true! I can’t wait! Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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