A ball of emotion
As I entered my last few days, everything started to go quickly. Information is appearing fast, to avoid missing anything I have taken to using a flag system in my inbox.
My emotions would give a bowl of spaghetti a run for its money on who is the biggest jumble right now. The pangs of excitement are replaced by nerves or even doubt. Yesterday I sold my car and this was perhaps the biggest wake-up call that this is real. My car was named Casper! I love being able to name things, strange but it certainly makes for fun conversations. As I waddled home I was hit by the wave of dread. This would certainly be one of the stories I would bend the ear of an unfortunate later in life when I am in a retirement home looking back. A huge life decision that would shape me as a person.
My packing is nearly complete, and I am pleased to be within the weight limit. But a faulty weight checker caused unnecessary stress and drained more money from my dwindling account! I ended up getting a second suitcase. Initially, I opposed the idea, but when I realized my suitcase weighed 30 kg, well, the floodgates of emotion burst. I ended up driving to pick up a second one to share the load, only to find out it was the weighing device itself! My advice here, buy a nice electric luggage weight and save yourself the stress.
So after purchasing two bags, both are now within the weight limit, and I even managed to add some extra items that I would have otherwise sent separately. I consider this a victory, despite the toll it took on my sanity!
Packing aside, my room is more organized and the furry beast has taken to passive-aggressively staking out my suitcase. I have finally completed my Hiragana and Katakana workbook, I made it my mission to cram both before I flew out. I am proud to have taught myself and established a strict routine that I surprisingly adhered to.
But one should be prepared for the whirlwind that awaits once that plane touches down. I have spoken to current and ex-ALTS and all agree on our favorite word ESID…. which I now propose we call - Every Story Is Different it has a much more poetic ring to it. Every single person who applies will have a very different story. My story will be different from yours but that’s the beauty of this program. Some find their dream jobs, partners, and new motivation!
As I type I now have 2 days left. I keep worrying I am overlooking something big. I pray to the furry beast that all will go smoothly and in 3 days I will be writing this in Tokyo!
