Things I've learned before I've even left!

I didn't think I'd learn stuff before I got to Japan, but thanks to watching T.V. last night I learned that Japan has Costco! If you're a costco member, you can share your membership with a family member which means I can use my mother's membership while I'm in Japan. This is too funny! I wonder what I'll buy in bulk in Japan?

Scholarship!

Well, I was notified of my first scholarship today!
UMSL's study abroad will be awarding me $2800 for my trip to Japan.
Now I'm just waiting for the JASSO and the Boren Scholarship to notify me- it's nerve-wrecking!

And we've recently learned I didn't get the Boren :(
Oh well, I'm heading for Japan either way!

Physical Done! Paperwork....Almost Done!

So, for Kansai University I had to have an x-ray and have blood drawn today. What is it with the Japanese and their fascination with blood types? Here in America, no one really cares unless it's the Red Cross.
The paperwork is almost complete, just gotta wait for those x-ray results to come in and then I'm all set. I'll just need to obtain my visa and the money, always important, and I'll be ready to hit the United American Airways ( or i.e. road!)!

Japan Blog

 Hello! I decided to do a blog over the duration of my trip to help me keep track of things I experience and to have a way to keep in touch with my family. They say while your over there to not speak too much English because people get intimidated and won't approach you. Some people go to Japan and come back having not learned anything because they spoke too much English. So I'm going to limit the amount of English I speak, even to my family. This blog will be a way for everyone to see what I'm doing :)
Right now, we are preparing every free moment (which doesn't come around often) I've already sent in for my passport and we've gotten some essentials. I get to meet with my doctor for all the predeparture check-ups on Monday. (including an x-ray, Fun!)
So this blog may be a little boring until I actually go to Japan, but I wanted to get the hang of it before I'm gone.
And everyone be praying that I get those scholarships!