Introspective Inanity

I have certainly run through my fair share of diplomatic issues in my preparation for this trip. So many little things that set Japan apart from the rest of the globe-trotting world. These discrepancies range from special immigration policies that require fingerprinting and photographing along with a brief interview to determine you are a "non-terrorist" to their 2,100 MHz only cell phone network. Prior to this week the acronyms HSDPA, UMTS, and W-CDMA meant nothing to me, now they are the reason I have a very shiny new LG Shine KU970, one of the few tri-band phones around for under $200, in hopes that in the future I'll be universally wirelessly functional.

I also have a strong suspicion that the TSA is actually just a ploy to drum up Ziploc bag and travel-size toiletry sales, because when else will you need to store a "quart" worth of something and have a bottle of shampoo less than or equal to 3 oz.? In any case, hoping for a safe an uneventful weekend of travel. Tomorrow afternoon I leave for my last night in Oxford, and then Sunday it's off to MEM for my flight.

じゃまったね！

T-Minus 10 Days

It's hard to believe where the time goes. I've spent the last few weeks working at Domino's and saving some cash before I jet off to Kyoto. I just got back from Oxford where I visited friends for the last time before my journey to Memphis International. The weather has been beautiful lately. Well, sort of. It was until yesterday, when winter suddenly returned with little or no warning, but such is life in Mississippi. However, the Grove is regenerating and it was nice enough in Oxford that I could spend some time in a tree with friends.
Certainly no shortage of happy occurrences in Oxford, although a little weird to be there without classes or obligations. I finally worked out my housing situation, though. Next year I will be living in a cute little duplex with a kitchen, den, fire place, and two nice sized bedrooms with full bathrooms! My roommate Brent and I signed the lease today, so I'm all set for my final year at Ole Miss.

My visa came a few days before I left for Oxford, and a packet from Ritsumeikan stating that I had a room in the International House I came a few days before that. I submitted my flight information to SKP, but forgot to enroll in the Japanese Confectionery class I was interested in before the deadline. Ah well. More time for JWP culture courses and some serious 日本語 studying. I will try and post again before I leave for Japan, but if not, any future broadcasts will be from the other side of this planet.