You just can't go wrong with a deal like that.

After talking to the AEON Chicago office, I decided to forgo waiting to get my visa back from the Japanese Embassy before buying my plane ticket. AEON Chicago very helpfully informed me that getting my COE back from Japan pretty much means I will get my visa without any problems. And after finding a good deal through JTB USA, I decided to go for it.

So, hello one-way, straight flight from Detroit to Nagoya arriving at 7 pm on November 8 through Northwest all for the low, low price of $700.

(and thank you, God)


That's right - I am Brianna Ms Danese, and I am going to Japan.

Halfway to a plane ticket.

I received my Certificate of Eligability today!

Next step - send my COE with some other paperwork to the Japanese Embassy in Detroit.

Then - visa.

Then - plane ticket.

Greetings from Japan and Japan in Saginaw...

I got an e-mail from my co-workers in Japan at AEON Fujieda. It was a wonderful greeting and made me so excited to meet all of them in person. They all seem very friendly and welcoming.
AND I went to a Japan Festival today at the Japanese Gardens in Saginaw. It rained all day - but it was so fun! I participated in a tea ceremony, watched a drum performance, ate tempura (one of my favorites!), and checked out some bonsai.
I love Japan.

Thankful again.

I had a lovely conversation with a woman at the studio today about her experiences in Japan. We shared stories about the kindness of the Japanese, the cleanliness of the country, and the beauty of the culture.
And as she left, I remembered how thankful to go back to a country that I fell in love with three years ago.

"Do you remember the 21st night of September?"

Well, fall is quickly approaching and so is my departure date for Japan. During the summer months, November seemed so far away. But now that it's September, with a slight chill in the air and kids going back to school, November 7th seems to be a lot closer.
I'm excited...and anxious to get my Certificate of Eligability so I can buy my plane ticket!