Logistics

Listening to: Safety Dance by Men Without Hats
Drinking: Self-made Double Mocha (they're just so good!)

Today I received my Certificate of Eligibility in the mail. Although I am incredibly ecstatic (cut to five minutes of me jumping up and down and running around the kitchen), there are still a lot of logistics that have to be taken care of. The funny thing is that most of the paperwork is medical insurance information. Apparently, going to Japan means you have to be really, REALLY healthy. I also have to have THREE different forms of health insurance before I even leave the country, including:
1. Proof of Health Insurance in the US
2. Overseas Travel Insurance
3. and the National Health Insurance of Japan
Basically this means that I am medically covered for pretty much anything ranging from a stubbed toe to falling down a 10 story building and needing to be air-lifted back to the United States for immediate surgery. And though I am glad to be so well insured, I am also a little bit jealous of the people who can take off to any country they please without having to deal with the bureaucracy that comes with going through a formalized institution.

Some more random things I have to take care of are:
1. Rent a bed set (it costs 6,200 yen but includes a down comforter!)
2. Buy LOTS of antiperspirant because apparently they don't have it in Japan
3. Find a bank that I can transfer money to and from without huge fees
4. Get rid of half of my wardrobe, again
5. Decide whether or not I really want to sign over power of attorney to my parents (it just doesn't seem right)
6. Figure out how to get from the airport to the school by myself because I am arriving late
7. Go apply for my Visa
8. Breathe
9. Register for classes
10. Finish this quarter!

Anyway, I will be driving down to Seattle this weekend to apply for my Visa at the Japanese Consulate, and then possibly stopping by my parent's house in Tacoma to visit my family and little Winstonio before I head back up and get everything else finalized. I am crossing my fingers and praying that I will be able to get everything done in time, but I am also hoping that I will have lots of fun and see as many people as I possibly can before I leave. I truly believe that life somehow has its own way of working itself out, and that everything becomes a little bit easier when you take a moment to relax, take a deep breath, and smile.

Thanks for reading and love you lattes <3