Friend Me On Facebook!
Follow Me On Twitter!
First off, I’d like to apologize for the large gaps between my posts. I know many of you reading are close family and friends and enjoy checking up on my “doings” in this wonderful country. Over the past few days I have been very busy preparing for the conclusion of my time in Japan and more importantly, the new chapter in my life that awaits back home in America.
To begin, I’ll update you on the news of today. I arrived back in Japan on January 3rd and was given a 90-day tourist visa. This means the visa I’m currently on expires April 2nd, or 11 days before the drumline will be flying over to America for our WGI competition. Through the internet, we learned that we may be able to extend our visa for another 30 or 90 days by visiting the Immigration Consulate. To give you an idea of what this place is like, it makes the DMV seem like the McDonalds PlayPlace. Today was our second time going there. The first time was to initially apply for the visa and yesterday we received mail to come back for a decision. Keith was granted an extra month on his visa (which just recently expired) but I was denied any extension 
I have two options: 1) travel outside of Japan and re-enter on another visa (assuming they will grant me another) or 2) fly home on April 2nd and meet up with the group in Chicago 11 days later. I’m not too happy with either option as traveling abroad will cost a few hundred dollars and flying home early would mean missing out on several, VERY important rehearsal days. I would put the value of those rehearsal days above the cost associated with traveling abroad, so assuming I can get one more 90 day visa in Japan once I re-enter, that’s what I will plan to do.
Moving on…
I am very EXCITED about life post-WGI. I am rigorously exploring several career opportunities and look forward to taking the next steps once I return home. As I said in my last post, I won’t get into specifics, but I will say I have a fire inside of me more-so than ever before and I can’t wait to get going.
But for now, it’s time to drum and do my part to make this group something special - literally, rehearsal starts in 30 minutes.
Great things are on the horizon.
Great things are happening now.
Life is good.
C
