Random Stuff
I went to Immigration to hand in my documentation to renew my visa. My fingers are crossed that they'll give me another year visa instead of a 6 month one since my contract is technically only six months . . . I have a friend who applied for a 1 year visa and randomly got a 3 year one, so I know it happens. I'd like to get a longer one, but we'll have to see. I mean, I have a lot of history here, so I hope that I can get a longer one. I got a piece of paper that said that technically, because I'm in the process of applying, that my visa is automatically extended until March so that the government has time to get everything together.
Immigration was a hoot, there was this super trashy woman there and this married couple that spoke Chinese and ...the wife didn't know where she lived? Like, what? The officer was asking her what station she used when she went out, and she didn't know the name, so the officer asked about landmarks, etc, and the woman couldn't answer. I wonder if she was illiterate or something. If you're Chinese, I assume that you'd be able to read the kanji on the station signs...but man, her life must be tough if she doesn't even know how to explain where she lives...
Anyway, I sometimes forget that people, especially other foreigners don't know Japanese. I know it's kind of a weird thing to say, but sometimes I forget that people have difficulty navigating the landscape. I mean, I'm at a really high level of Japanese so I have almost no problems, even when talking to government people. I went to ask to not pay Nenkin (mandatory pension) and I had no idea what the woman was saying to me because she was usually all these complicated government words, so I had to keep asking her to pause and explain it in simple Japanese, haha. I can totally understand, but my level is probably that of a Junior High school student, or a first year High Schooler. I forget that some people are afraid to go to the doctors, or can't read things that they get in the mail. It makes me grateful that I studied so much, but I'm still worried that I'm not learning as much as I could be learning since I'm in an all-English environment. Oh well.
I've been thinking about starting a blog about saving money in Japan. I spend most of my time reading frugal advice websites and tips to save money, and a lot of the advice is interesting, but doesn't help me at all. I have a budget and stuff, but I feel like I never have any money. I do, but I think I spend a lot on the weekends. Transportation is also kind of high here, so if I go somewhere it's kind of expensive. But when I cook at home and don't go to the conbini (I love drinks....) or use vending machines, I save quite a lot. I probably spent at least $30 at the convenience stores before work.
I guess I should explain. convenience stores in Japan are amazing. They are always stocked, always have fresh and new things. They have pre-made meals that are replenished every day. They have amazing seasonal drinks and products. You can pay your bills, buy coffee or a hot nikuman, buy an airplane ticket and mail a package...you can totally do an amazing variety of things there. And since my convenience store is in the middle of a neighborhood, they also stock household goods. I was able to go there and buy curry when I accidentally ran-out mid cooking.
But yeah. Anyway, I am sending home quite a lot of money each month, but my bills don't seem to get any smaller, and I feel kind of defeated lately. It just sucks to feel like you're constantly on the edge because you have no money. I'm going to use my bonus that I'll (hopefully) get in January to catch up and hopefully save a little bit. I'm just sad when I feel like I have no money at all and no savings.
Also, I haven't written anything on Nano. I feel lame. I could totally have won by now, but I don't have the energy. I better get my buns into gear if I want to finish! Hopefully the write-in this weekend will help. -___-
Work has been better. I think that EE is trying really hard to be nice to me. I can tell the difference. I got business cards at work, so that makes me excited and I finally feel kind of like I belong. I've never had business cards before! I feel professional! lol
Well, today is K-sensei's birthday, so I have to go and rustle up a present. Blah! Wish me luck!
Immigration was a hoot, there was this super trashy woman there and this married couple that spoke Chinese and ...the wife didn't know where she lived? Like, what? The officer was asking her what station she used when she went out, and she didn't know the name, so the officer asked about landmarks, etc, and the woman couldn't answer. I wonder if she was illiterate or something. If you're Chinese, I assume that you'd be able to read the kanji on the station signs...but man, her life must be tough if she doesn't even know how to explain where she lives...
Anyway, I sometimes forget that people, especially other foreigners don't know Japanese. I know it's kind of a weird thing to say, but sometimes I forget that people have difficulty navigating the landscape. I mean, I'm at a really high level of Japanese so I have almost no problems, even when talking to government people. I went to ask to not pay Nenkin (mandatory pension) and I had no idea what the woman was saying to me because she was usually all these complicated government words, so I had to keep asking her to pause and explain it in simple Japanese, haha. I can totally understand, but my level is probably that of a Junior High school student, or a first year High Schooler. I forget that some people are afraid to go to the doctors, or can't read things that they get in the mail. It makes me grateful that I studied so much, but I'm still worried that I'm not learning as much as I could be learning since I'm in an all-English environment. Oh well.
I've been thinking about starting a blog about saving money in Japan. I spend most of my time reading frugal advice websites and tips to save money, and a lot of the advice is interesting, but doesn't help me at all. I have a budget and stuff, but I feel like I never have any money. I do, but I think I spend a lot on the weekends. Transportation is also kind of high here, so if I go somewhere it's kind of expensive. But when I cook at home and don't go to the conbini (I love drinks....) or use vending machines, I save quite a lot. I probably spent at least $30 at the convenience stores before work.
I guess I should explain. convenience stores in Japan are amazing. They are always stocked, always have fresh and new things. They have pre-made meals that are replenished every day. They have amazing seasonal drinks and products. You can pay your bills, buy coffee or a hot nikuman, buy an airplane ticket and mail a package...you can totally do an amazing variety of things there. And since my convenience store is in the middle of a neighborhood, they also stock household goods. I was able to go there and buy curry when I accidentally ran-out mid cooking.
But yeah. Anyway, I am sending home quite a lot of money each month, but my bills don't seem to get any smaller, and I feel kind of defeated lately. It just sucks to feel like you're constantly on the edge because you have no money. I'm going to use my bonus that I'll (hopefully) get in January to catch up and hopefully save a little bit. I'm just sad when I feel like I have no money at all and no savings.
Also, I haven't written anything on Nano. I feel lame. I could totally have won by now, but I don't have the energy. I better get my buns into gear if I want to finish! Hopefully the write-in this weekend will help. -___-
Work has been better. I think that EE is trying really hard to be nice to me. I can tell the difference. I got business cards at work, so that makes me excited and I finally feel kind of like I belong. I've never had business cards before! I feel professional! lol
Well, today is K-sensei's birthday, so I have to go and rustle up a present. Blah! Wish me luck!