電子辞書 Electronic Dictionary Arrives!

It has been a few days since I posted but I finally have some news! My electronic dictionary or "denshi jisho" finally arrived today! I'm super excited because I got it for a good price and it seems to be really nice. I'll have to start learning all the kanji in it since it's all in Japanese and so is the instruction book x_x;

Anyway, here are some unboxing pictures! I've always wanted to unbox a product.

Main Screen

Keyboard

Included instructions and other products

Box (dinged up but the product was in perfect condition)

Bubble Wrap!

Package!

Essays

Of course, with traveling abroad the topic of money comes up many times. As a result I've been working for the past few days on and off trying to get some scholarships submitted. While I haven't finished any, I thought I'd post one of my short essays (less than 500 words). I think it came to around 400 when all was said and done. Anyway, I hope you like it. どうぞ〜

Question: Explain your reasons for wishing to study in Japan, and outlining what you hope to achieve by participating in a study-abroad program. (500 words max)
My name is Jon-Erik Akashi. The name is made up of a Swedish first name and a Japanese last name. My mother, who raised me, gave me a western and European style life. I was very grateful for all that she did for me, but there was always something that was missing in my life. Since I did not live with my father I never experienced the Japanese lifestyle. Occasionally when I would visit him we would always meet in the Japanese part of town (Little Tokyo), and eat Japanese cuisine and go shopping together afterward. Unfortunately, this was the extent to my father’s Japanese life too. He grew up during the war in a time where it was unacceptable to be Japanese, but it was something he always was curious about. When he died shortly before I started high school he told that he wanted me to study Japanese and discover a lost part of our heritage. After his death, I did everything that I could to study Japanese language and its vast culture. I learned about many different perspectives, different cultures, and a whole new lifestyle that confused me as much as it fascinated me.
Now, five years later I have the opportunity to visit Japan for the first time through the university. I have studied Japanese language in the university for two years as well as economics, my major. If granted this scholarship, I hope to take full advantage of my help. During my studies I learned about the wonderful culture that Japan offers. Everything from the technology driven Tokyo to the old world beauty of Osaka has mystified my imagination. I want to experience everything that I can, and while it’s impossible to see everything I want, that can’t stop me from aiming for the best I can.
While in Japan, I want to do far more than just study and improve my Japanese. I want to gain a sense of identity. My friends, especially exchange students often tell me “that’s a Japanese thing you did”. I want to learn what that means, what a “Japanese thing” exactly is and how it relates to me. I already consider myself fortunate to be able to study abroad, but I know that there is so much I can do, want to do, and must do.

I submitted my application

I thought I'd snap a quick photo before turning in the application! I was really excited (yes, this is before I put the correct number of stamps). Also, I blurred out my address and the program's one. My smile is kind of stupid, but I wanted to capture the moment and didn't have someone to take the picture for me.

New Vocabulary

Just some new vocabulary I've been learning:

To check-out: チェックアウトする

Dining Car: 食堂車／しょうくどうしゃ

Express: 特急／とっきゅう

First-Class Car: グリーン車

Non-Reserved Seat: 自由席／じどうせき

Non-Smoking Seat: 禁煙席／きんえんき

One Night Two Meals included: 一泊食付き／いっぱくしょくつき

One-Way Ticket: 片道切符／かたみちきっぷ

Passenger: 乗客／じょうきゃく

Platform: ホーム

Reserved Seat: 指定席／していせき

Room Service: ルームサービス

Round-trip ticket: 往復切符／おうふくきっぷ

Sleeping Car: 寝台車／しんだいしゃ

Smoking Seat: 喫煙機／きつえんき

I am an astronaut

In just a few months I'll be finding myself on a plane on the way to Tokyo. I hope to become a student at 早稲田大学 Waseda University. At this moment I'm finishing up my application. I've collected the letters of recommendation, my essays, and I've filled out most of the information. I still need to collect a transcript, send in a letter or two, and maybe a few loose ends.

It's a weird feeling. Ever since I began my studies of Japanese language almost five years ago, it seems that I've spent every moment preparing for this experience. I feel like an astronaut. I've studied for years, dreamed of everyday, and now I'm about to board my shuttle. Everything around me... every person I've met, every flower I've seen, every little thing is about to leave me, or rather... I'm about to leave them all for this new life for a year. I've dreamt and planned out every second of my future, but I know that reality will be completely different when it finally is unveiled.

What can I honestly do to prepare for this? What can I think of all the people that have helped me prepare? I've heard too many things about my destination to form a solid thought. I've heard Japanese universities are too easy, I've heard it's too westernized... and yet I still feel some kind of need to go. At this point I wonder... is it possible for me not to be disappointed in Japan? I've heard so many stories, and if things don't work as I've heard, will all my hopes be crushed?

I can do nothing more than wait and see.