3 weeks, today.

My passport is on its way to Tokyo right now to get a special stamp in it. One that took a very long time, a lot of money, and a hell of a lot of bother. Looking back on all the shit I had to do to get where I am right now I have to shake my head in disbelief. They sure as fuck don't make it easy. It seems like, if you've reached a certain level of education, and have no criminal history, then you're a benefit to any society you want to be part of. You should be able to waltz into any country you desire because chances are you will be productive. Not so. Countries, especially developed ones, make it extremely difficult to gain entry, unless you7re there for tourism.

But don't let me kid myself. If I were some kind of scientist, or billionaire, I could just stroll on into whatever country I pleased. Perhaps the world has no need for partially trained political scientists. Maybe I could write a thesis on that very topic, though no matter truthful and obvious it may be, I doubt it would make for a very interesting read. All the same, the clock is running out on the Japanese experience, and soon I will be able to escape this muppet show. That excites the hell out of me.

I can't begin to express the anxiety I was feeling at the prospect of being denied a visa. It was ruining me. Well, no more of that. Time to pack and get rid of a lot of shit we have accumulated over the span of 3 years. Imagine how much crap you've gathered over that same amount of time, then picture having to get rid of about 90% of it. I7m moving to Australia, and I am fucking stoked.