Japanese Embassy

This isn't my picture, I'm too lazy to go find my cord right now, but the picture I took of the Japanese embassy looks like this:
As much as I like Japan and their gorgeous architecture.. the only pretty part of the Japanese Embassy in Washington D.C. is the living quarters off to the left of the main building. Unfortunately, the other building is hid behind a high fence and for me at least wasn't in my sight at all. The part of the building where I got my visa was this part above. My first though = it looks like a prison....>_>; again I love Japanese architecture but they or whoever made this has no taste.

Speaking Partner

I got my application for the speaking partners program. The program brings together us international students with a Japanese student in order to acclimate to life in Japan easier. We get chances to go hand out in the city and speak Japanese with them. Here is what Kansai describes a speaking partner as: "There are three functions of this program; local students 1) assist you to settle in Japanese life right after you come to Kansai Gaidai, 2) provide a chance to practice your Japanese language outside a classroom setting, and 3) become information resource for your Japanese life. This program also aims to encourage interaction between you, international students, and local students at Kansai Gaidai."

Once I find out who my partner is I will post a small bio of them. :)

Orientation Week

I got confirmation today that I will be staying in Seminar House 1 for orientation week. I've been obsessed over youtube videos on the seminar houses and they look really cool. Here are some facts on my seminar house:
2 story building
Phones in each room (incoming only)
Dining rooms and kitchens are located on each floor
Communal toilets and shower rooms
Lounge room
3 televisions (in lounge and in kitchens)
Computer room with internet
Laundry facility
Pay phones are located on 1st floor
Bed linen and futon set including pillow will be provided.

Naturally I will be taking a video of my living quarters as soon as I arrive. And will be posting them on my youtube account and subsequently here as well.
During this week I will meet my homestay family. I'm getting more and more excited every day!!

VISA

Last week Grandma's boss took Grandma and I into DC to pick up my visa. It was a really simple process. I brought a picture of me, my passport and my CoE (Certificate of Eligibility) that Kansai Gaidai gave me and gave it to the lady at the counter. So now I have my visa and my CoE and am READY FOR MY TRIP. :D !!

Mood: Holiday Happy
Music: Jingle Bell Rock

Homestay

I got my homestay acceptance letter today! :D I'm really excited! The family chooses the student a week prior to orientation and I find out about them and meet them during orientation week. I really hope there are little kids. If there are kids my age that's fine to-we can go out on the town a lot. But if there are little kids it will be easier to communicate at first Lol.

Bought my ticket

Finally got around to buying my ticket to Japan. I had several options, the first went out of Dulles Airport and went straight to Osaka and was 1200$, the second went out of BWI and was 1600$, the third option went out of Dulles and was I believe also 1600$. The first option went by fast and I lost that ticket :( booo, the only different between the next two options needs the background story first. I told my mom I wanted to stay in Japan for longer, I wanted to stay there on my own after the program was done. She was worried however, that I wouldn't have a place to stay and blah blah- you know the whole parent worries. Anyway, if I had to change my return ticket date at the last minute it was cheaper to get the third option, the second flight out of Dulles. The only problem was that the flight stopped in Quatar in the middle east and would be a two day flight. My mom basically said.. "uh.. NO." SO without really getting to voiuce my opinion on how cool it would be to be in the middle east for a few hours we opted to go with the much shorter flight from BWI to Osaka, by stopping in San Diego. Much easier to navigate I believe. So long story short- Got my ticket.

Other than that I'm trying to survive my last few progects and nonsense finals. :P

EL OH EL

Let's not pull an all-nighter again.