LAST POST FROM AMERICA/58 HOURS WITHOUT POWER - Part 1

I couldn't decide on which title to go with, because they both apply, so I put in both. Compromise!

So much has happened over the past week that, seeing as it's also almost one in the morning, I am in no way, shape, or form capable of putting it all into an eloquent and sensible blog post at the moment. BUT I do promise that as soon as my head clears I'll put it all up for you to read.

Here's a one-sentence summary to tide you over until I can elaborate: I completed my summer job and then had a going-away party with my family, but then hurricane Irene hit and my flight got cancelled and I lost power for three days, and now I'm going to Japan two days late and I'm missing part of orientation.

Now, that actually sounds pretty depressing when you simplify it like that, but I promise I'm still really excited about going! My flight takes off at 6:00AM from Boston-Logan tomorrow (today?), I have a two-hour layover in San Francisco, and I'll arrive in Osaka at about 2:15AM on 9/1 'Merica time. Soo.... I better get some sleep!

Look forward to my next update. I have a lot to talk about!

P.S. One last thing! Something I'm way too proud to pass up writing about:

Look! I put everything I own essential for four months abroad into TWO SUITCASES AND A DUFFEL BAG. And one suitcase is only half-sized at that!

(And yes, Alfie is coming to Japan with me. So is my small red teddy bear that's already packed inside there somewhere)

Yay!

ADD ME ON SKYPE!

Okay, Skype isn't what I want to talk about at all, but search for me anyway if you wanna see my beautiful face (and probably my little 8-tatami mat room in the background) while I'm away!

Soo... Anyone actually ever seen any Japanese Yen? I picked some up at the mall the other day, nbd.

Here's some casual fifties and tens:

これは円です。

And there's a Japanese caption for ya. Just practicing!

(P.S. Know what else I've been practicing? Earthquake procedures... Oh, too soon, too soon, jk)

Countdown: NINE DAYS

Where did my summer go!? How did the time fly by so fast?

That's right, I only have NINE (9) DAYS left before I board my 6:00AM flight, Asia-bound.

It's a pleasantly horrifying feeling.


Anyway, on to what I really want to talk about: as I mentioned in my last post, about three weeks ago I took a lovely trip into Boston to apply for my visa! (I was accepted, obviously).

It was a surprisingly sunny Wednesday when, after a supremely rushed morning, I boarded the T from Southborough with my sights set on South Station.

 

The ride in was pleasant, and the most convenient thing about the day is that upon arrival, I walked out of South Station and was AT MY DESTINATION. The Federal Reserve Bank is literally the building next to the station.

It was pretty and shiny, just like a Boston office building:

And also very tall:

But the funny thing was, the elevator skipped floors five through eighteen. Later when I went back with Jon, we figured it must be official Bank space with its own separate elevator for navigation. But in any case, I thought that was pretty cool.

The actual Consulate-General of Japan was on the 22nd floor, and unfortunately pictures were not allowed, but the view was gorgeous. Here's another picture that I took after I had submitted everything, because it was a beautiful day:

After that, I met up with my very good friend Paige for one of the most SPECTACULAR afternoons I've had all summer. Shout out to this girl because, in just those few hours, we were able to bond over frozen yogurt and Lilly Pulitzer and sisterhood, and I was reminded why she is such an important person in my life. Not only can we be girls and have a fabulous time in the city, but Paige's warmth and encouragement never fails to make me feel good about being in my own skin. Being separated from her this year will truly be a tragedy, and I cannot explain enough how important seeing her one last time before I left was to me.

Also helping to make the day great: I love Boston. As temperamental as the weather is, as much as I can't stand it when my GPS freaks out because of all the roads and gets me lost, as expensive as it is, deep in my heart, I love Boston. (How many sisters out there just read "deep in my heart" and instinctively thought "I LOVE MY A-A-"? I did. Violets to us.)

Here's another picture, because I'm bad with transitions:

SO this past Tuesday, with Jon in tow, I again traipsed into Boston to pick up my visa. And let me just say... Driving the hour in traffic, getting supremely LOST and confusing the GPS (Rhonda!) until we could have murdered her, dealing with the road rage of sixteen year old girls, paying $12.00 for half an hour of parking and then getting lost on the way home, ALL without eating yet was NOT worth the ten minutes it took to actually pick up the damned thing. But what was I to do? The important thing is, I got it:

 (Yes, this is a different picture and no, you are still not allowed to see it. Jon saw this picture and my passport picture and laughed heartily at me)

So now, the only thing standing between me and my big trip is... Well, actually a lot of things, but mainly packing (ahh!) and getting the details of my affairs in order. At this point, I no longer have any reservations holding me back, but I do have to admit saying goodbye is hard. It's only four months, so it's not difficult to cheer myself because I am honestly so looking forward to going (and my life will still be here when I return, after all), but the tearful goodbye to Jon last week hit me hard and I know my mother is going to have a hard time handling it too (and for any of you who know her, you know just how much of an understatement that is).

All in all, however, preparations are running along with more rapidity than I can comprehend, and every day I can feel the nervous energy that has begun to possess me build and continue to drive me towards making sure things are going as smoothly as possible.

Nine days.

Can't wait :)