Pikatto

Well, after one year of unsuccessfully looking for work in the US I am returning to Japan. The driving factor in making this decision was that I miss my fiancee and can’t stand being away from her any longer. She has a job and can thus sponsor me for a visa, whereas I am unemployed and cannot sponsor her. This is the fastest way for us to be together again. Its as simple as that.

My flight leaves in 3 days and I am still not ready. Typically for me I have put everything off to the last minute. I still have lots of packing to do, both my suitcases and stuff my parents will send later. I am not even really excited yet because I am so sick of packing. I really, really hate moving, and moving internationally has got to be the absolute worst.

I guess I better leave this as it is for now and get back to my packing. I imagine the next entry will be made in route. Who knows, maybe I’ll be over the Pacific. Jya ne.

The title for this entry is a bit misleading since I haven’t been working at all. In fact I am not even allowed to work until I receive my visa. And when will I be receiving it you ask. I sure as hell wish I knew. The guy at Immigration was a little too casual about the schedule for my taste. He initially said it would take three months, which is not good because 1. my visa expires in 90 days and 2. I really need to start getting a regular paycheck. Nobuko said, “Eh, that’s not what I was told on the phone!” The Immigration Guy responded with, “Oh, about two months then.” Nobuko once again responded with a resounding “eh” that echoed throughout the office. The Immigration Guy, who was now beginning to look flustered said, “Probably one month.” And with that he turned to the next person in line. This was not very reassuring. I’ll let you know when I get the visa, if I do that is.

Okay, I’m in Japan and I haven’t heard anymore gaijin das but then again I haven’t slept for about one day and could probably easily miss a few. I haven’t been in any shops yet but I am really looking forward to being greeted with lots of irashaimases from the employees. Maybe I’ll try to wait until tomorrow so that I can truly appreciate them. I am about to crash right now.

I finally made it to Narita with no major problems. In fact I think clearing customs and immigration went more smoothly than it ever has in the past. I have decided that I really dislike Narita. If you are flying to Japan and you can, fly into Osaka. The Kansai airport is so much better in so many ways. Narita is like a big maze. The worst part of this trip is the layover that I have before I can leave fo Fukuoka. I have to wait about 4 hours in Narita. I decided to go ahead and write this because I am afraid if I don’t find something to do I will all asleep and miss my flight.