Farewell dinner

I just came back from a/the farewell dinner organised by the Embassy of Japan at the Japanese Association. Not only was there a great deal of fun, it was nice to catch up with the other participants and to share some tips as well as common experiences of lack of information. Also is packing process and omiyage, gosh!

It was also interesting to hear about the statistics from the Embassy of Japan about the number of applicants, the number of people invited for interviews and the final number of participants. The ratio this year is around 34:8:5, meaning one has a chance of 15%. Is that figure true?

Meanwhile I got the air ticket as well as some luggage tags for the hotel in Japan as well as stickers I need to wear to identify myself as a participant at Narita Airport. Oh well.

MH called me on my mobile yesterday (surprise surprise) to tell me about the stuff he will like to sell to me. I asked for photos as well as a quotation from him but I have yet to hear from him so far. I hope he does not move the things into my new place and then insist I have to pay them when I haven't even given my consent.

This is so last minute, if you ask me.

First 3 days in Japan - Tokyo Orientation schedule

This is so exciting! I want to do lots of shopping and drink and dance and play!

Tokyo Orientation schedule

Keio Plaza Hotel

Which ones can I skip?

Meanwhile, I am overwhelmed by the train station so maybe I'll spend all the free time I have in Shinjuku.

This is a cool map with the major departmental stores marked neatly.

I spent this morning checking out cameras, comparing online between amazon.jp, Yodobashi and BicCamera. amazon.jp beats the competition, easily $100 lesser than the other 2!

Not sure about Map Camera though.

Digital camera

Canon

model comparisons

Ixus model no. - singapore price - Ixy model no. - amazon.jp price

1. 970IS - 669 - 820IS - 27, 800
2. 960IS - ? - 2000IS - 30, 800
3. 90IS - 599 - 95IS - 25, 800
4. 85IS - 529 - 25IS - 26, 500

Electronic dictionary

aim: 1. good J-E; 2. handwritten support; 3. backlight 4. trilingual

coneco: top-selling electronic dictionaries

model - amazon.jp price - WhiteRabbit price (USD)

Canon

Wordtank V90 - 23, 617 - 282 (J-E-C)

Casio

Ex-word XD-GP9700 - 40, 900 - 450 (kenkyusha, J-E)
Ex-word XD-GP7350 - 34, 279 - 378 (partial J-E-C)

Sharp

Papyrus PW-AT770 - 18, 500 (partial J-E-C-K)
Papyrus PW-AT780 - 25, 012

Omiyage/souvenirs

Although a Japanese teacher and UD himself said omiyage is not really necessary, I guess I better bring a few nuggets to foster relationships. I heard that Japanese really like pork floss so I got a whole assortment along. Hope that's enough!

1-2 years in Japan

Things I wanna do:

Japanese language

• Pass JLPT 2
• Pass JLPT1

Academia

• Visit prospective Japanese universities (Tokyo University ...)
• Visit prospective US universities (...)
• Apply for (and get accepted into) graduate school
• Take GRE

Travel

• Stroll in Japan
• Run around in South Korea
• Fly over to US

Personal

• Attend a concert/live performance - Avril Lavigne - 13 Sept (sat) (my birthday!)
• Attend a concert/live performance - John Mayer - ?
• Attend a concert/live performance - Jason Mraz -?
• Attend a concert/live performance - Dave Koz - 2 Oct (sat)
• Attend a concert/live performance - Simple Plan - ?
• Attend a concert/live performance - Brilliant Green
• Attend a concert/live performance - Yui - ?
• Attend a concert/live performance - Bump of Chicken - ?
• Attend a concert/live performance - Do As Infinity (?)
• Searching for my polestar

Singapore - the old days (good?)

Stomp - A glimpse of Singapore... in the 60s
Stomp - See how things look like in the past