Since August 2nd I've waited patiently to depart to the Asian Rural Institute in Japan. I've gone through a number of stages waiting. Some have been tormenting, other stages have been delightful. I must say, it was a fun time volunteering in the Zigler kitchen at the Brethren Service Center in Maryland. That my friend, was an adventure.
It seems that I won't be in Japan until late January because of that ridiculous document necessary for my religious visa. However, it is possible to arrive earlier with a tourist visa (and change visa status later), which is a fine alternative to waiting longer in the states. Its been frustrating, and has become the longest I've ever waited for any overseas trip. At least perhaps I now have a longer period to catch up with friends before departing.
So, I've been home since Thanksgiving. And its been good! Though, eager beyond belief to be at ARI. Waking up every morning under a foot thick comforter, then spending the day practising guitar, reading, eating misu soup, and building a sonic screwdriver. My folks are now putting me to the task of painting the kitchen. The sonic screwdriver came as a time-filler inspirational project to satisfy my whovian dreams. Unfortunately, it doesn't pick locks, weld metal, weaken electrical currents, identify medical problems, hold heavy doors, or anything but flash things with its light. But, hey, its a start (I like to think it works on wood though). I got the song book by Yohann Anderson for Christmas! Most helpful book for my need to expand my repertoire. Its also been a fine time to read Hannah Arendt's Origins of Totalitarianism and Craig Calhoun's Neither Gods Nor Emperors by the wood stove at night.
When the time comes for me to leave, all friends have been visited, all movies watched, paint has dried, Japanese has been studied, plane ticket is bought, and the terminal stands waiting, I will happily shout, "adventure onward!"
