we are eligible!

Yesterday, the husband and I received our certificates of eligibility to enter Japan. Well, first we had to chase down and intercept a UPS van, and then we received said certificates. We were halfway to the Japanese consular offices before I read the fine print, and realized there were still a few more things left to cover.

After picking up a Visa Application to Enter Japan, which is different from the visa application itself, we took yet another set of passport photos, filled out the proper forms, put together all the documentation, and will return to the office later this afternoon. After everything is filed, I am told we should expect a call in 5 to 7 days, asking us to return to the consulate to retrieve our actual visas.

I'm going to be honest with you: I am exhausted. Just when I felt as if I was on a roll, I came down with a stomach bug, and spent the better part of a week either barfing or trying desperately not to heave ho. I began eating solid foods again just a couple days ago, then threw out my back for the fourth time this year. My sleeping schedule is erratic at best these days, and all the tasks I had lined up to finish are literally piled up in my living room awaiting the first day I can lift or bend or move without maximum effort.

I'm holding it together, and I feel myself getting very slowly better. I have decided to make small efforts for the rest of this week. I plan to get at least one thing done each day, in order to keep my motivation high, and possibly two whole things if I can manage it. The husband has been extremely helpful, picking up things from the floor, doing dishes, fetching me juice and apple sauce, and keeping a cool head in spite of all my worry between fits of vomiting.

This weekend, I will be as leisurely as possible. I will try not to worry or force myself to do too much beyond relaxing and getting better. I am fully convinced the only reason I got sick to begin with was because I wore myself down over the past couple weeks. I will be a good Scout, and I will take a break, and I will have a lovely weekend, so I can get back on task bright and early Monday...afternoon.

v i s a s

Yep, it is true...both of our visas have been approved.

It's so very exciting and terrifying at the same time.

major updates

There have been some major shake-ups and advances since I last updated this blog. Seeing as I am nothing if not a first-rate procrastinator, I haven't said very much about most of this to very many people. Well, at the very least, I haven't said much about it on the web.

To begin with, we received our housing assignment a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the already high price for student housing was nearly doubled by adding a second person. The husband and I would have more space than a single room, but it would be at a price: 650,000¥. That equals almost $7200 for a semester, and it doesn't cover food.

I was extremely appreciative of the fine people who worked to secure us a home, and even managed to wrangle a deal into it (they negotiated a $1000 savings!), but there was no way we could afford that. Literally, it would be a deal breaker. I quickly contacted a few people at the school, all of whom responded quickly and helpfully, and they managed to put me on track to filing a housing waiver and applying for an apartment.

I have yet to hear the final decision on the housing waiver, but we were referred to an awesome rental agency in Tokyo, who managed to put us into an apartment and fax a lease to my school in a matter of days. Don't get me wrong, there were many sleepless nights and fretful emails. However, the leasing agent's multi-lingual staff answered my myriad questions, sent me cute pictures, offered commuting times to campus, set up wire transfers, and handled the business end with my university. It was magical, and I expect someone will be getting the Japanese equivalent of a fruit basket when we arrive!

On the student visa front, our shiny new marriage certificate was received at a rate commensurate with the cost of expressing it there, and promptly sent to Japanese immigration. I have received no official notice that our visas were approved, but I did receive an email yesterday which said that Certificates of Eligibility were beginning to arrive.

We don't actually receive our visas from the school, but are shipped Certificates of Eligibility (COE) after our first semester's payment is processed. When the university gets its money, they will send Jarrett and I the COE, and we will take them to the nearest Japanese embassy. While briefly on foreign soil, we will be issued permission to enter Japan. Just writing that made me excited!

In the mean time, despite nothing official on the visa front, I just received an invoice in my email. I assume this means my visa has processed, though I will verify that tomorrow. I have the unique misfortune of usually receiving emails from TUJ just as they shut down for the day. Also, though no one has said my housing waiver cleared the proper channels, I was told it looked fine before it was submitted, and I was not invoiced for it on my bill. I keep my fingers perpetually crossed.

Now, the fun part: time to come up with the money which isn't covered by financial aid. I was hoping to have received my scholarship by now, but it hasn't come. Sigh. I would be pretty close to the amount I need, but had to decimate our savings for the wire transfer required to secure our apartment. You see how much fun this is? It's a roundy-roundy time.

In the mean time, I'm packing like the dickens. Well, I'm throwing crap away like the dickens, but the important part is how our apartment is very slowly emptying. Anything worth more than $20 is being sold on craigslist, and nearly everyone I meet is solicited with a polite, "Hey, how are you? Lovely to see you! Plasma TV? Bookshelves? Fairly reliable car?" I get the distinct feeling people are going to be glad to see me leave.

Hopefully, I'll have some more news soon. Wish us luck!

Criterion Discs

*If you've sent me money, I've sent your discs (unless you've received an e-mail saying they'll go out soon)*

Asterisk next to re-added movies.

----

I've cleaned up this post some. Here's what's important:

1: Postage is $5 for one disc; $10 for more than one disc. Shipping is expensive.

2: After reserving discs, please contact us within 24 hours or your discs become available again.

3: Please double-check to make sure the disc/s you want is/are available before sending money!

4: Pleas provide information in your comments or e-mails: what discs you want, your name, address if we're shipping, phone # if you're local, etc.

5: I've removed the reserved and sold discs. Some reserved ones may reappear if we don't hear from the person who first asked for them within 24 hours.

6: Leave a comment here or e-mail me at: shmoovio@gmail.com with any further requests for discs. Please be patient!

7: Everything is $10 unless otherwise stated.

8: All discs are in like-new or new-new condition.

Spine #/Title(/Price, if applicable)

2: Seven Samurai
3: The Lady Vanishes
10: Walkabout
22: Summertime
41: Henry V (Olivier)
50: And the Ship Sails On
56: The 39 Steps
75: Chasing Amy
* 82: Hamlet
376: 49th Parallel - $15

kitchen for sale

Jarrett and I spent the weekend cleaning out the kitchen, recycling a bunch of crap, and dropping things off at the Goodwill. I decided to make a list of the few things I have left which somebody might want, and post it here. Clicking any of the pictures should send you to a full-size photo. If you're interested in anything, let me know before I get rid of it elsewhere.

Obviously, this sale only applies to people in Portland. I can't imagine anyone would want to spend up to three times the price to have anything shipped to them. I am driving to California before we fly away, though, so let me know if you're down there, and you want to work anything out.

Very Nice Toaster Oven : $20
This shiny new toaster oven is only a few months old. We bought it to replace a crappy old one, and it has served us well. It is small enough to fit on a counter easily, but deep enough to fit a frozen pizza. Not that we eat those all the time or anything. It bakes, it broils, it toasts. . . and it's a shelf you can set stuff on, so long as you don't mind your stuff getting really hot!

9-Piece 18/10 Stainless + Copper Pan Set : $60
When I graduated from culinary school, my parents bought me a bunch of celebratory kitchen presents. My awesomely crafty mom wrapped all those presents in dish towels and kitchen twine, and they brought them on a road trip to see me. A short time later, the husband and I moved in to our very first apartment without roommates, and those gifts (and towels!) were invaluable. Best of all was this set of well-made pans with copper bottoms. One of my friends mocked me that they were Martha Stewart brand, but they were awesome them, and they remain as awesome now. They are in great condition.

This set comes with an 8-quart stock pot (spaghetti!) and a 10-inch frying pan (rice-a-roni!), as well one lid which fits both of those. There is also a strainer attachment for the big pan, but I never use it because it's dumb. There is also a 2-quart pan (macaroni + cheese!) with a matching lid, a teeny little sauce pan (soup!) with its own lid, and a 6-inch egg pan (eggs?). Original price was $149, but they can be yours for $60. Cause you're pretty.

Calphalon 2.5-quart Saucier with glass lid : $45
Remember all that stuff I said about my Martha Stewart pans? Well, it's true. . . they are nice pans. This pan, however, is lovely. I use it for everything. I don't know how to describe it, but cooks know a good pan the same way they know a good knife: it works beautifully, and it is balanced just so. It cost me eighty bucks, which is why the price is so high. Also, I'm considering bringing it on the voyage. . .

Isi Whipped Cream Canister : $15
Another gift from the thoughtful parental units. Lovingly cared for, in near perfect condition, and all yours for the above bargain basement price for two reasons. One: I have lost a lot of weight, and don't need any help finding it again. Two: it's kinda expensive to buy cream and nitrous cartridges, so you'll need the cash. Plus, they check your ID when you buy nitrous oxide, and look at you like a degenerate.  Be a weirdo noveau chef and make freaky savory foams to gross out your friends! Everyone loves the texture of saliva on their foods! Or, make yummy delicious whipped cream like a normal. The choice is yours.

Pretty, Dainty Cheese Plate : $5
Honestly, I was going to give this to the Goodwill, but figured someone might like it. It's really quite pretty, and my crappy picture doesn't do it justice. The base is about 8 inches across, and it's quite sturdy. The dome is blown glass, and it freaks my klutzy ass out every time I touch it. I like to put mini pies on it, then gaze at them lovingly. I wonder how it was that I ended up so fat. . . ?

Sharp Half Pint Microwave : $40
This little sucker is a cutey. I bought it because, clearly, I was on a blue kick at the time, and it's so damned adorable. It's basically a 12(ish)-inch cube, so it takes up very little space. It has a carousel inside, as all good microwaves do, and it rotates your food like a miniscule champ. Its only drawback is that it can't microwave big things. Then again, if you need more than four burritos in one sitting, your problem goes beyond microwave capacities.

Sno-Cone Machine + Extras : $5
I didn't buy this because it was blue. That was the only color they had. I bought it because I was hot and I wanted a freaking sno-cone. And now you can have it for the same reason. You don't even need to freeze special trays—just dump in some ice cubes. Plus, I found some sugarfree syrup packets and some cute sno-cone cups and straws in the cupboard when I dug this out, and you can have those too. Now, if only it was sunny outside.

Rival 4-quart Crock Pot : $10
This thing is in excellent condition, and I have used it religiously. Beef burgundy, Japanese curry, Kalua pig. . . oh, the memories that Crocky and I have. Wouldn't you like slow-cooked memories of your own? I'm also throwing in a weird insert I bought from the crock pot company, which allows you to bake cakes in it. You know, if that's the kind of thing you're into. I haven't actually done that, but it seemed like a kitschy funny idea. Take it away!

Kitchen Aid 7-cup Food Processor : $40
This little sucker was over a hundred bucks, but I just need to get it out of here. You're welcome to pay me more, if you're so inclined, but I won't twist your arm. That would be bizarre and mean of me. Comes with the regular attachment, a grater attachment, and an attached cord! I joke, but it's awesome. It's smaller than the behemoth food processors out there, but more powerful than one of those stupid mini prep things, which you think are going to be helpful, but really just piss you off, and leave you smashing up your stuff in tiny batches. It is actually the perfect size for small home lifestyles. Sadly, I am moving into a closet, and taking a pillow instead.

Sunbeam Bread Machine : $15
I will not shit you. . . there are much better bread machines out there. If you want a crazy awesome bread machine, then be my guest, and spend your yen on one of those. If I had the space or the money, I certainly would. However, if you just want occasional homemade bread, made perfectly fine, and available in two sizes, then look no further. This little guy is in good shape, and even has the original manual (ooooh!). Also, if you would like to buy a bread machine without taking out a second mortgage, this is just right. It's fairly big, though, so make sure you have room for the sucker first. I won't answer the door when you come knocking, crying that it's heavy.

Eight Little Jam Jars : $5
These cute little German or Swiss or Swedish or Whatever jars are built for homemade jams or jellies. I use them for little custards, because they're cute, I'm full of whimsy, and it cracks me up. I also made yogurt in them once or twice, and for your ten bux, I will tell you how I did so! You can use them for anything you see fit. They come with rubber seals and little metal clasps.

Unremarkable Little Rice Cooker : $5
Cooks rice, and steams veggies in the included attachment. Not fancy, not exciting. Fill with food and water, press down the switch, wait for your food. It does make a satisfying thud when the food is done. Whee!

Once again, there are many better [rice cookers] out there, but you can't beat this price. A rice cooker is not really a necessity, not even where I'm going, but if you wants it, it's yours! Don't make the poor little guy go into the Goodwill box! Take him home, glue on some googly eyes, and tell him your secrets!

Matfer Mandoline : $40
We call this guy Bitey. It is super sharp, and does exactly what it's supposed to do. If you are in a hurry, and you forget to use the guard while slicing onions for French Onion soup, it will do exactly as it was made to. If you store it wrong-side-up in the cupboard, it will do exactly as it was designed to. Comes with three blades, and a guard to protect whatever fingers you have left after remembering there is a guard. I will also throw in some band-aids, because you will be needing them. It's a lovely piece of equipment, despite the horror it has inflicted upon me, and you are more than welcome to purchase it at this more than half-off price, then write me in Japan, so that we may swap war stories.

Espresso Machine and Extras : $40
One mini espresso machine, which works by pouring water into a tank, then waiting for it to heat up. It's not a long wait, but I thought you'd like to know. Comes with a wand for lattes, and a glass decanter for said espresso. I don't know why we bought this, as even cheap espresso machines are crazy expensive, but we wanted one, and now we have to get rid of it. To make you feel better about your 40 bones, I'm throwing in a stainless steel milk-foaming thingy with an attached thermometer, a pretty canister for coffee, a shaker for cocoa or cinnamon or whatever, and two nice, big mugs. Doesn't that make you feel warm inside?

Ikea Spice Rack, Hardware & Jars : $20
I like spices, but I really love spice racks, so I shelled out the monies for this nice set-up only a few months ago. It has a pole, which hangs on the wall, two racks which hold 15 spice jars in total, and a couple clips for towels or whatever. Let me know if you want all my spices, too (free!), or I'll just run all the glass jars through the dishwasher for you.

yay!! f u c k

I just opened an email from Temple, the subject of which was student visa. I hoped the email would tell me I was approved, and I would be sleeping well from here on out. At the very least, I figured the email would tell me the application was being processed, and a rough date at which I could expect an answer.

Nope.

We just received a phone call from Japanese Immigration, who are currently reviewing your COE applications for you and your husband. They informed us that they cannot accept the marriage certificate you submitted because it is too old. They requested that we ask you to re-submit a more recent, original (not a copy) marriage certificate (issued within the last 3 months).

Okay, I have seriously jumped through a number of hoops thus far, most of which are related to being a married student who doesn't want to leave her husband for the next few years, and I have done so without (too much) complaint. This, however, is ridiculous. Actually, this exceeds ridiculousness, and borders on a heretofore unknown variety of ridiculosity.

Jarrett and I paid for and received a copy of our marriage certificate back in 2004, after it was officially filed and recognized. I didn't imagine I'd need it for anything, but I have kept it on hand all this time. When I was asked to send in a copy of said certificate, I simply reached for the official copy I had been holding onto—stamped, signed and notarized by Multnomah County—and sent it in.

I understand it isn't a recent copy, however it is still valid. Furthermore, even if Jarrett and I were no longer married (and we wanted for some unknown reason to move to another country together), we could still march down to the county records office and get a shiny new copy of our marriage certificate. Obviously, that is not the case, but it does point to the silliness of the whole endeavor.

Deep breath in. Hold. Deep breath out.

I will do, as always, as I am told. I will sleep poorly tonight, I will wake up early tomorrow, I will navigate morning traffic and parking, and I will secure a shiny new copy of the same old marriage certificate. And I will pay something like twenty-fracking-dollars for the pleasure of doing so. Then I will spend gawd-knows-how-much fed-exing it to Tokyo.

Sigh.