5 More Hours Before Departure

I've been so busy with my last few days in NY and getting everything together. I am still up and I don't plan to sleep since I have to leave for JFK @5am and it's already 2am. Now that I have to leave, I feel kind of sad. Even though I am only leaving for 4 months, it's still a long time. I'll miss NY, my family and friends, and of course my pets. Without them, it feels different >_<" ...

I just feel a bit sad for leaving now, but soon enough when I am on the plane on my way to Japan...I will feel excited and nervous instead =)

I've never introduce my host family so here they are:
Going clockwise starting with Okaasan, Otoosan, Riho-chan, Cookie, and Haruka-chan.

I will meet them all soon ^_^

Wire Transfer Issue

I did my wire transfer to KGU for the homestay fees through my local HSBC branch. The wire transfer cost me $30, which is a very typical price for wiring funds, so I have no problem with that. Last week, Sean (program coordinator in Japan) emailed me and told me they only received 293,000yen when I sent 296,000yen. So I still owe them 3,000yen + 2,500 yen in bank fees O_O.... I thought there was a mistake somewhere and I emailed Sean about it. He told me the Japanese bank receiving the money may or may not charge a fee depending where it is sent from. Apparently sending from HSBC costs an additional 2500yen fee. Ok, how about the missing 3000yen?....Sean reconfirmed that he only received 293,000yen. That means something went wrong with HSBC when they sent it? Went to the bank and asked. HSBC confirms they sent 296,000yen O.O ...but "now" they tell me maybe along the way, a middle bank/financial institution took a fee of 3000yen, therefore when it arrives at the bank in Japan...3000yen is missing. HSBC said they did sent the requested amount and what happens in between is not their responsibility. Therefore, they won't give me or resend the 3000yen.

So, basically my total fees was $30 + 3000yen + 2500yen = about $80-$85. What!? Honestly, goodness...what a rip off. (Thiti had some problem too since we both sent from HSBC).

I am not satisfy with HSBC's service because if I had to pay additional fees along the way, they should've mention it. On the Japanese bank's part they may not know, but the middle instituition taking a fee...apparently they knew and never told me (so dishonest). Kind of feel ripped off, but nothing I can do about it. My HSBC branch doesn't even want to trace where the 3000yen went for me, but Thiti's branch is willing to do it. HSBC told her it takes 1 weeks, but 1 week passed and they said they need more time. I guess I will find out where the 3000yen really went through Thiti. Now, even my parents said not to go back to HSBC for wiring funds because they too had problems dealing with them previously.

So, for those of you that have to wire funds in the future...don't go to HSBC and for any bank that you go to, make sure to ask about "all" the fees that may occur.

I'll just have to pay Sean the remaining 5,500yen when I arrive.