Cuz I'm Leavin', On a Jet Plane
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
I'm pretty much all packed up. Well stocked with everything that I need, which looks like a lot less than I thought. Here are some pictures of the packing process.
I leave tomorrow from Sac to LAX, with my flight leaving at 6:50 and arriving at 8:00. Then my flight from Japan is at 1:20, and I arrive in Tokyo on June 1st, 4:30 pm local time. I'm flying on Japan Airlines, and I've taken the flight before. A solid 16 hours. Luckily there are video games on the plane.
So this is my last post in the states. I'll be sure to post a blog when I get into Tokyo.
Wish me a safe flight!
Author: jeff » Comments:
Tying Loose Ends
Monday, May 28, 2007
I'm leaving on Thursday and I'm really starting to feel the pressure of having to get all my loose ends tied up. I've been packing non-stop trying to make sure I don't forget anything, while at the same time making sure I don't overpacking.
I'm also eating as much meat as possible, seeing as though it will be a lot harder to eat meat in Japan.
In addition I'm trying to finish up as much things for the fall as possible so I'm prepared. I dont' know how much down time I will have in Japan, but if I end up being extremely busy and unable to work on things concerning my extracurriculars on campus, then at least I will have finished some stuff before I went.
I'm also brushing up on my Japanese through the podcasts at www.japanesepod101.com. The company ended up being the perfect match for my skill sets, and what I'm trying to do. I can learn Japanese while at the same time working for a start up company creating content and doing marketing while also exploring Japan. This internship turned out to be perfect for me.
Just a quick update, since I'm still getting things all together.
Mate ne.
Author: jeff » Comments:
San Francisco
Friday, May 25, 2007
Today I went to San Francisco to go shopping for the things I still needed for Japan. I needed to find a pair of good jeans, a pair of board shirts, and some polo shirts. I love SF and it's been a while since I've been there so I was excited to go.
Excuse the splotchy marks. My car is dirty.
I did pretty much all my shopping at the shopping mall at 5th and Mission. I forget what it's called. First we went to eat.
While Mr. Hana looked tasty, I'm going to be having Japanese food for 2 weeks, so instead, I opted for this:
Bistro Burgers. Yum.
Then we hit the usual SF spots...Walked past the cable cars and Blondie's...
Finally finished shopping around 6:00.
I ended up getting 2 pairs of Jeans, 3 Polo Shirts, Dress pants, board shorts, a belt, a tie, and a rain coat. Seems like a lot, but I haven't gone shopping in like 6 months.
After that we went to get dinner at
Only to find out that Goldilocks (A Filipino restaurant) was replaced with a Tofu House!
Instead we went to
Yum. I'm going to miss Filipino food.
Author: jeff » Comments:
Packing List
I ALWAYS overpack. The people in charge of the program said that it's essential not to overpack. I'm planning to buy a lot of gifts abroad, so I need to keep a lot of space to bring things back. I found this and this resource, but eventually decided to just make my own packing list. If some of the numbers seem completely random, well, that's because they are.
-------------------------------------
Important Documents
- Passport
- Rail Pass
- ISIC card
- Drivers License and photocopy
- Money Belt
- Cash, travelers checks, credit cards and photocopies
- USC Global handbook
Clothes
- Formal shoes, walking shoes, jogging shoes, flip flops
- 7 white socks, 5 black socks
- 3 pair shorts
- 3 jeans
- 10 Dress Shirts, 20 Long and short sleeve shirts
- 1 Sweatshirt
- 10 Ties
- 3 belts
- Suit
- 2 dress pants
- Bathing suit
- 2 light jackets
- 1 Rain Jacket
- 3 Hats
Miscellaneous
- Watch
- 2 Sony Handicams
- 1 Sony Mini DV
- 2 laptops w/ extra battery and all accessories
- Sony DVDirect
- Flashlight
- Books/Guides
- Day pack
- Plastic storage bags
- Blog kit
o Notebook
o Pencils/Pens
o Mediasticks
o DV tapes
- Alarm Clock
- Letter writing
- Sleeping mask
- Cards
- Batteries
- Ipod
- Towel
- Photographs
- Sunglasses
- Airplane cushion
Medicine and Toiletries
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Soap/Shampoo
- Allergy
- Meds so you don’t have to go to the doctor
Things to get
Bathing Suit
Rain Jacket
Notebooks
Mediasticks
___________________________
I obsessively make lists. Get used to it.
Author: jeff » Comments:
New Toys
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Over the past few days I've been doing some shopping to help me get by in Japan. I needed some new gear to help me with my blogging, along with some tools to help me crack the language barrier and navigate through the metro.
One of my new toys is this:
I don't have a name for her yet. Isn't she pretty? Too bad she's taken.
I think they make a cute couple.
In addition, I will be wielding a pair of Sony Cybershots (not pictured), a Sony Handycam, a subway guide, a city atlas, Frommer's Japan, map of Japan, and conversational Japanese handbooks. I also have my Sony DVDirect to upload my videos and my trusty man-purse to carry all my junk.
So excited.
Author: jeff » Comments:
New Beginnings
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Welcome! Today marks the creation of this blog that will document my journey in Japan. I will be staying in Japan from May 31st until July 28th, where I will be working in Tokyo at this company. I will be staying in Akasaka in an apartment with my fraternity brother Brad. We are interning in Tokyo through a USC program called the USC Global Fellowship, which sends USC students to Asia and Mexico to experience working in other parts of the world. Brad and I were lucky enough to get selected for this program.
This blog will document my travels from the day I begin packing until at least when I finish unpacking. I'll try to update at least daily with pictures, video blogs, and written blogs to document my journey. Hopefully I will take you, my reader, with me on my journeys and adventures so you will be able to experience Japan as I will.
Hope you enjoy!
Author: jeff » Comments:
