California Bound

The first leg of my trip officially started. Steve and I woke up rather early this morning and finished with packing, spent some time watching comedy online, and then it was off to the airport. Taxi costed $20, Bags costed $80, which was actually a $55 dollar improvement on what was originally going to happen. Because I wasn't flying straight to Japan, the weight limit on my first bag was 50 pounds and it weighed 87.5. The attendant suggested I go buy a new bag at a store in departures, so that I avoid the $125 fee for a bag nearly 38 pounds overweight. Thus, we went downstairs and bought a $30 duffel and proceeded to throw the food I had purchased for Japan into it, in addition to my medicine bag. My first bag was $20 to check and the second was $30. Needless to say, I should have bought the food in California.

That said, we are allowed two bags to Japan- with a weight limit of 70 lbs. Got to board. More later. =]

t-9

So, an update from last time- all visas are cleared for the year (thanks Sarah! [check her awesomely helpful blog out btw.]) That said, I checked the tracking number today and my visa is in the mail. Sadly, I won't receive it until our post office opens on Monday, but at least I'll have it. I'm glad I was stressed out about nothing.

Speaking of things that are going to be here by Monday, it would appear that my cell phone from PicCell will be arriving then too, despite my best efforts to cancel. They called me the other day and told me they couldn't deliver to my "P.O." box, to which I informed them it was different and that all the major companies that "don't deliver to P.O. boxes" delivered to CPU boxes (College Postal Union). When the man insisted I give him another address, I told him I didn't have one and would have to cancel if they couldn't deliver it. He put me on hold and came back on the phone, claiming it would be at my CPU box by Monday. I asked him about the plan and he reassured me that there was no monthly charge, just charges for outgoing calls and texts. Hoping this is so.

Oh! So, the other day (I think Tuesday?), IES sent out the housing assignments. No word on who my roommates are yet. I'm sure they'll be cool. A lot of people on my facebook group haven't responded. Also, no one, it would seem yet, is on the same flight as me... It's all good. A lot of books to read =D

Until then, I have work until Tuesday and Steve offered to drive me home Wednesday. Hopefully everything works out. I go to California next Friday. Crazy.

t-14 till take off

My COE finally came today and I turned around and sent it in straight away for my visa. Interestingly, my visa will clear my stay in Japan up through next July. Interesting, seeing as I'm leaving Japan in December. No time to send it back and get one only cleared for half a year, though, so I guess I'm looking at the ability to stay however long I want over there (sadly, I have already bought all my tickets, including the one back to Pittsburgh on December 28th, so it's not lookign like a return to Japan is really plausible). That said, I'm just happy to have my COE in, considering that two weeks from this very moment, I will be in transit for Japan. The thought truly sends chills up my spine.
Oh! So, an interesting note- express mail both ways ended up costing me about 32 dollars. It was quite the blow. Perhaps no visa fees, but it definitely felt like there were. I guess it was better than the alternative costs- flying to New York, missing a day or two of work, and getting my visa there. That said, I'm crossing my fingers that this will be back by next Thursday, seeing as next Friday morning I leave to see my family in California. It looks like next Wednesday I will be visiting my family in PA, if ever so briefly.
So nervous... wah! I'm sure you'll hear from me soon.