2 More Weeks

2 weeks left before I leave....still a long time, but at the same time....only 2 weeks!

So, here's the update...gifts for my host family has been pretty much decided.
Otoosan: Business card case (Okaasan told me he works 5 days a week. Leaves the house at 6:30am and comes home at 10pm. Since he is so busy with work, I want to get something he can use at work.)
Okaasan: Still a little undecided. It's either the Teaposy tea set I previously got or a silk scarf that Thiti will help me buy. I am leaning towards silk scarf because then my Okaasan can wear it (and it's easier for me to bring with me, the Teaposy set is big...although I love it.)
Riho-chan and Haruka-chan: My 12 and 9 years old sisters. I got them a really pretty and cute stationery set that can be use as a small treasure/jewelry box. I also got them a keychain pen that has a wacky face on it. I like it, so I hope they do too.
Cookie: My golden retriever dog =).... yes she gets a gift too. I got her a pack of dog snacks, Choco-Milk Drops. My dogs go crazy over it, so I think Cookie will enjoy it too.
* Besides these, I bought some keychains of NYC stuff and will give it to each person in my host family, as well as people I meet along the way. I also want to get some popcorns from Dales and Thomas,....they look so good that I want to eat them all. Probably going to get some sampler packs (for myself, my host family, and whoever). With the popcorn, I will wrap it up with the picture book I got of NYC, I guess this will be a family gift.

Ok, I know I probably spent too much on gifts and what not but oh wells since I bought most of the stuff already. I guess I don't really need to get the popcorns but it looks so yummy, so I will still get it anyways.

Other than being busy on deciding gifts (took me months after all >_<), I already packed up most stuff. So far, I have 1 suitcase and 1 duffle bag carry on as well as a handbag. The suitcase is not full yet so I can fit more stuff in. Looking at how things are, I will probably be able to fit everything into 1 suit case but if not...I will bring a extra smaller one as my 2nd checked luggage, because I don't want to take the chance of my luggage being overweight (50lbs max) and being charge $100+ fee on it X_x. Ok, that's all for now.

Some Updates since last post

I haven't update for a while now. Here's what happened since last update.

1. I received official acceptance from Kwansei (KGU). It includes an acceptance certificate, info on wiring the homestay and other fees to them, and a few pages of info on the meeting date, location, and other stuff. There is also a green paper to fill out which is the Statement of Understanding that needs to be sent out asap. Still waiting for info on host family and Certificate of Eligibility

2. Received email from Gilman Scholarship that I am a recipient for their scholarship on June 20th. Although it is Gilman scholarship, it states that it is funded by Freeman. It seems like I can only received Freeman or Gilman, not both. I follow the instructions to acceptance the scholarship as well as submitting the necessary documents to them by July 7th.

3. Aug 3rd: I received an email from my host family along with a picture. I was very surprised, excited, and happy. The picture shows there is the parents, 2 younger daughters, and 1 golden retriever. I am a bit nervous thinking about living with a family I don't know and having little sisters. I am the youngest myself so I am not used to having younger sisters. Makes me a little nervous thinking about living with strangers. On the good side, they look nice and I love, love, LOVE the doggie. Having a dog in the house will make me feel more at ease and homey since I have 2 dogs myself. From the picture, their house looks more modern. The email was written in Japanese, so I decided to reply in (simple) Japanese not knowing if they understood English. I asked them if they understood English in my reply among other things. They reply back another email, but this time in English. I feel more relieve now thinking "yes! I can communicate with them in English if my Japanese to not understandable =D" I eventually found out the one writing the email to me was my host mother. She seems very nice, and we email back and forth every 2 days or so but at the moment she is away with her family on a mini vacation to Lake Biwa (near Kyoto)

4. Aug 6th: Received call and email from USAC that my certificate of eligibility has arrived at their office and will be mailed out the same day. Fedex says it will arrive at my house the next business day. Yay! finally I can go apply for my visa =)

5. Aug 7th: Certificate of eligibility has arrive along with info on my host family. It states everyone's name as well as their age and their address in Japan (in English).

6. Aug 8th: Went to Japanese Consulate in Manhattan and applied for the visa. Simple process, although some stuff on the application I am not sure what to write so I took my best guess. No fees for U.S. citizens for the visa. They took the passport so they can put the visa onto one of the pages. Thiti have to pay $27 fee when she come pick up the passport. Only takes 3 business days for our visa to process. More info here for NY Japanese Consulate: http://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/d/01.html

I believe this is all the important things that have happened since my last update. At the moment I am trying to figure out what type of gift I want to get for my host family as well as getting ready to go to Japan. It's only 1 month away. I will be leaving on 9/12 (Friday) at 7am JFK Airport. I will make a transfer at San Francisco and from there straight to Kansai Int'l Airport (KIX), estimated to arrive at 3:20pm Japanese time. Recommendation for getting airplane tickets, go to student universe if your want to save money. It is the cheapest price I can find, although not the best airline (United Airlines). I would much rather take JAL or ANA (Japanese airline) but the prices is crazy....like $1800 or $2000+. United is $1300 after tax. I wanted to take Southwest Airlines because it's only a little over $1000, but the time didn't match for me. When you search for tickets, search everywhere for best prices....unless you don't care about the price, then go with your favorite airline. That's all for now. Ja ne ^_^