* I would post the whole file. From the first inscription to the final update, in reverse chronology.

Update on the 10 Things I want to accomplish before I leave Japan for good

(4th Edition) Dec 7, 2005/12/07

 

This new revision makes the goals more challenging for the sake of giving me the proper motivation to fight for my stay in Japan. Hence, even if my term is up, I should seek for other ways to prolong my stay. Unless I’ve accomplish all items written here, then I cannot YET leave Japan. I’ve also made the tone more economic and included a simple cost-benefit analysis. Some revisions were also done to make the goals more concrete and clear.

 

10. Finish my MS degree in UP
Goal Classification: Academic
Update: Accomplished on Nov 2005. This is a job well done because after 4 years, I’ve finallly gotten over the jinx of the incompetent bloodline I came from.
How this benefits me? This gave me a better qualification when looking for a job. And also it opens up a slight possibility of a PhD in another country. I also have much more confidence when dealing with the MC problem since I now have a fallback in case he kicks me out of school.
9.　Finish the novel I’ve been writing for years. *Optional: look for a publisher
Goal Classification: Childhood dream
Justification: Even though this probably won’t amount to much, I still wanted to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a writer.
How this benefits me? Hypothetically, if I win 1^st prize in Takarakuji, I’ll use the money to study in California State University—Creative Writing course.
8.  Ski on a suicide hill—a.k.a. be the Tony Hawk of the slopes!
Goal Classification: New experience
Update: Will ski again next year, Feb 2006.
Changes: I removed the Nagano delimiting factor. Anyway, maybe sooner or later this suicide hill might just reduce to a mere suicide if my current situation won’t improve.
How this benefits me? The adrenaline rush, the fear of danger and dying makes me feel alive.
7.  Have a serious and meaningful relationship with a foreigner.
Goal Classification: New experience
Changes: Ok, forget about sweetie, sweetie. I can always achieve such goal even in the Philippines. So, what I would like to prove to myself is to have a relationship with a foreigner.
How this benefits me? I will learn more from life and stop my xenophobic tendencies.
6.  Achieve 1級 in Japanese Proficiency level.
Goal Classification: Personal fulfillment
Update and changes: I’m confident that I aced 3級 last Dec 4, 2005. And so since I’m boosting with confidence right now and so high with learning the Japanese language, I would probably go for the kill and aim for 1 級next time.
How this benefits me? I’m one of those unfortunate Filipinos who is a measly bilingual, having been born, raised, and lived all my miserable life in Manila. If I can be fluent in Nihonggo then this is my chance to finally be a trilingual. Moreover, this also gives me opportunities in the future as I can either be a language teacher in the Philippines or a tourist guide in the Hawaii.
5.  Save at least 180 万.
Goal Classification: Economic
Update and changes: By the end of the year, I will have around 100 万. It won’t hurt too much if I increase my quota from 150 to 180. Afterall, the yen is weakening in the market, and if I will leave Japan for good, I will probably need some cushion money for the first few months of my adjustment period.
How this benefits me? Obviously, money benefits anyone.
4.  Have 1 mathematical publication on a reputable ISI journal.
Goal Classification: Academic
Changes: This replaces the 50 1^st dates goal, because at the rate I’m dating right now (37^th date), it would probably take just 2 months to finish the goal. And also, each meaningless date I’ve been through just makes me lonelier.
Justification: Perhaps, I owe it to myself to let go, but I owe it to him to hold on. And so, inspite of the fact that I’m super over him; I would include this goal out of respect and guilt.
How this benefits me? Hypothetically, if there is still a chance of pursuing an academic career then this is basically the primordial prerequisite.  
3.        Get a US Visa. At least 1 year multiple-entry.
Goal Classification: Travel
Update: My initial interview is scheduled on Dec 9, 2005. However, I would back out because my current circumstances in life won’t appear too much to the embassy honchos. Besides, with the sheer difficulty of the fulfilling the other items, I guess, there’s no need to search for a new place yet. I’ve also read the Japanese proverb: 転(てん石(せき苔(こけを生(しょうぜずー A rolling stone gathers no moss.
How this benefits me? A US Visa is equivalent to freedom to travel all over the world.
2.        Conceive a kid.
Goal Classification: Personal fulfillment
Justification: Don’t blame me. The essence of a woman!
How this benefits me? Actually, this is my most altruistic goal in life, since my kid is my gift to the world. I know that cause I’m also my mother’s present 22 years ago, only I get this messed up.
1.        Get married.
Goal Classification: Personal fufillment and security
Justification: Again, don’t blame me. I just want to give the best situation for my kid in #2.
How this benefits me? I no longer have to work my ass off in order to afford my basic needs. Plus, I will be sexually monogamous and lessen my chances of procuring a deadly disease.

 

 

 Revision of the 10 Things I want to accomplish before I leave Japan for good

(3rd Edition: Sept 2005)
in some chronology. 1 highest, 10 lowest

 

10. Finish my MS degree in UP (almost there!)
9. Finish the novel I’ve been writing for years.
8. Ski Level 4 hill in Nagano
7. 50 1^st dates in Japan* (11^th date so far)
6. Have a serious and meaningful relationship with anyone.**
5. Achieve 2 級 in Japanese Proficiency Level.
4. Save at least 150万。***
3. Get a US Visa. At least 1 year Multiple-entry.
2. Conceive a kid+.
1. Get married.

 

Justification:
* This replaces the Fuji thing. Fuji is a ふつうexperience. Every foreigner feigns over the gaga on summer time. Besides, I realize I’m not much of an outdoor sporty person. 50 1^st dates is a unique experience and it defines my fleeting and painful existence in Japan.

 

** 私のSweetieを諦めたら、so anybody would really do as long as we feel for each other.

 

*** This replaces Okinawa travel. The Okinawa legend is just a figment of my imagination—it’s not even as accepted as the ineffective 七夕(たなばた。Besides, 将来のために。

 

+ Instead of kid with sweetie, this time a kid with a yet unbeknownst person. Sooner or later, he’s going to have a face.

 

 

Update on the 10 things I want to accomplish before I leave Japan

( 2^nd edition May 10, 2005)
(in no particular order)

 

1.      Get a US Visa. At least 1 year Multiple – Earliest: April 2006 year when I get extension of my scholarship. Plus about 20万。
2.      Achieve 2　級 Japanese Proficiency Level　– Earliest: 2008. Right now, I might even fail 4 級。
3.      Finish my MS Mathematics degree in UP, thesis option　– Earliest: August 2005. This year or never. Most feasible if only someone would cooperate.
4.      Skii Level 4 - Suicide hill in Nagano – Earliest: December 2006. We have to wait for the next, next winter since I’m just starting to fare out well on beginner’s level.
5.      Climb the top of Mt. Fuji at least twice – Earliest: July 2007. This year doesn’t promise even 1 full climb, and schedule might conflict on Goal #3.
6.      Travel to Okinawa and perform the sand-bottle-romance legend –Travel within Japan means a lot of cash and Goal 1’s should be prioritize not because of importance but of mere chronology.
7.      Finish the novel I’ve been writing for 3 years – I’m an artist so I can’t possibly force myself on this. Although, I can manage to squeeze this if only I can purchase a new dvd drive for my notebook.
8.      Have a serious relationship with my sweetie – Latest: February 2006, after then he might move to a new apartment or worse return to the Philippines. Better act fast and strive harder than before.
9.      Conceive our kid – This is only one night, I wonder why it’s NP-hard to occur. Again, watch out for the biological clock.
10. Get married – Hmmm, Accomplish #9 and by some luck this goal comes like a toy in a happy meal. But for the sake of nobility, I won’t resort to that yet. The prime number challenge is still on and 23 is my figure to beat!!

 

 

10 things I want to accomplish before I leave Japan

January 17, 2005
(in no particular order)

 

1.        Get a US Visa. At least 1 year Multiple
2.        Achieve 2 Kyo Japanese Proficiency Level
3.        Finish my MS Mathematics degree in UP, thesis option
4.        Ski Level 4 - Suicide hill in Nagano
5.        Climb the top of Mt. Fuji at least twice
6.        Travel to Okinawa and perform the sand-bottle-romance legend
7.        Finish the novel I’ve been writing for 3 years
8.        Have a serious relationship with my sweetie　
9.        Conceive our kid
10.   Get married

Currently listening to: Pinoy ako
Currently reading: An Integrated Course in Elementary Jap 2
Currently feeling: enthralled

Last night, straight out of my arubaito, I decided to walked around the red-light district of Shinjuku. The truth is I am expecting a dinner invitation from someone but to my dismay never came. Well, there I was, freezing cold and fel desolated when I chanced upon a street band who call themselves "Pilot Fish." 

It has been my habit to immersed myself into the sidelights of Central Tokyo, and so even if I'm not particularly interested in the kind of entertainment, I usually spare a minute or two. To my amazement, this band sounded really good, in fact more like my favorite JPop act, the defunct "Sophia." 

As an added bonus, they also gave away free sample CDs of their songs. When I get back to the dormitory, I played the CD continuously while I re-read Harry Potter 5. They are definitely something else. Now, I checked their website regarding the schedule of their tour. If only I can decipher the Kanji characters of the places then surely I have found the perfect way to spend my Winter vacation.

If anybody here is interested, then visit their website. They are good, I swear!

http://www.pilot-fish.com/

-mG

Currently listening to: Pilot Fish
Currently reading: HP5
Currently feeling: enthralled

Winter na naman. Feel na feel ko na ang ginaw. Feel na feel na rin ang pagka-apathetic ng mga Hapon sa Pasko. Parang last year rin. May isa nga lang pagkakaiba..

 Nami-missed ko na si Julio!!

Kahapon kausap ko si Brian. Napadalaw kase siya sa dorm para kunin ang DVD na nakalimutan kong isoli. Naramdaman ko yung disappointment niya dahil sa mga pinagagawa ko against MC. Naiintindihan ko naman siya. Pero nakakalungkot. Kase parang friend ko na sha. I mean, yung totoong friend ha--hindi imaginary!

 Pero parang gusto kong isigaw--"eh si Julio na nga ang mahal ko eh!"  Wala nga lang sa connection sa pinag-uusapan. Saka isa pa, parang friend ko na nga sha. Tapos, as if naman nakakapag-usap kame ni Julio.

Basta, nami-missed ko si Julio. Di ko nga inexpect na ganito ang mangyayari. Kasi ang nakalagay sa prophecy parang dapat yata yung lalakeng mamahalin ko sa Japan, he's the one na. Yun bang pag nagkita kame ni Brian, dapat  may iba na ako. Nagkatotoo naman na WALA NA TALAGA AKONG FEELINGS FOR BRIAN. Kumbaga, super-gotten over na ako. Isa na nga lang ang kulang..

Ewan ko nga ba kung anong dapat gawin dito ke Julio. Eh, halata namang malungkot rin sha. At halata namang naghahanap sa. Ika nga ni Ate Chesca, "sino ba namang ayaw magkaroon ng special someone lalo't nasa ibang bansa ka?"  Labo talaga ng utak nitong si Julio.

 Anyway, kung may guts nga lang ako, gusto kong itanong ke Brian kung ano bang dapat kong gawin sa Julio na ito? Kase, i swear, sha yung missing piece sa puzzle. Alam ko na kapag naayos itong problema namin ni Julio, everything else will follow. Maayos na rin ang problema ko ke MC, at baka makatapos pa ako ng PhD rito sa Japan.

Siguro nga nalulungkot eh. But above anything else, naguguluhan ako. Kapag wala si Julio parang napaka-incomplete ko. 

Di nyo naman maiintindihan. Kase di nyo naman naranasan yung ganito.

-mG 

 

 

 

Currently listening to: Hide and Seek, OC theme
Currently reading: Elliptic Curves by Knapp
Currently feeling: giddy