In a weird twist of events,I got down to speaking with my 1st cousin on the 2nd day of CNY. Haven't spoken to her in years,since my parents and her parents had a sorta falling out.We used to be very close,us cousins, and would always be looking forward to seeing each other at weddings and get togethers. Times were awesome then. Then shit had to happen,as usual,and we kinda stopped communicating after that.

I guess it has been at least 10 years since I last spoke to her. Now she's happily working in Japan and has been there for the 4th year running.

I'm totally envious. Which Japan fanatic wouldn't be?But you have to understand that my obsession with Japan,or whatever you guys call it,is not just based on superficial adoration. Believe or not,it's actually a pure love for the country and her culture and people and what not. It all comes together nicely so why not?

We finally spoke. It was pretty great and I found out so many things from her I would never have known if I hadn't plucked up the courage to start the ball rolling. I knew my mum was giving me looks from the corner of her eye but that's a story for another day. My cousin,a self-professed celibate when we were still on talking terms,seems happily attached to a Japanese guy. I would like to meet him. I want the best for my cousin.:)

And in some weird twist of fate, I have decided when I'll be heading over to Nagoya for the interview. Sept 18. I hope I get the job though. My cousin told me this when I asked her how a foreigner can start working in Japan:

"Basically there are 3 ways you can go about doing it. 1, you pay your way there by going over to study first and then find a job when you graduate.It's easier for them to convert your student visa into a work visa. 2, you find a job in a Japanese company in your home country and pray they send you over to Japan for training or exchange. 3, you teach English first and then move on to other things with your work visa. Of course there's always a 4th option. Marry there la!"

Apparently it's almost impossible for a foreigner to get an office job in Japan if they are still in their home country. They will have to be in Japan and have either a student visa or a work visa. That's coz the documentation to bring someone into Japan to work is a killer and even getting a teacher into Japan to teach takes 3 months for the teacher's visa and documentation to be settled before he/she can proceed over to Japan for his/her training.

So there you have it,straight from the horse's mouth. On a more bimbotic note,isn't it so cool that I have a cousin who lives in Shinjuku now?Yay!

There are alot of thoughts running through my head now. I'm dizzy with excitement on the prospect of going to Japan for a span of time.I desperately need time away from Singapore.

Not many people know about this dream of mine.But this time,I'm hoping to live it for real.

Wish me luck!

Signing off,
Tolora