Ten-printing

One of the things that need to be taken care of before leaving the US is applying for a travel permit. I intend to keep my US green card as much as possible, and if you stay out of the country for more than a year, you need a good excuse and a prior permit from the US government. The immigrant (me) has to apply for a permit, with the application fee of $445 to the US Dept. of Homeland Security (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) and wait to see if their petition is accepted. If you get rejected, you lose your $445 bet. If you get accepted, then you're invited to come to one of Application Support Centers for ten-printing, or biometrics appointment. All the while USCIS warns you that there is no guarantee that the permit would be granted: you shell out nearly half a grand not knowing who is making decisions based on what.

I was summoned to come to an Application Support Center for ten-printing, and luckily, I was available that day. Otherwise, you request for a change of date and see if the new date fits your schedule. You're not the one choosing the date.

Biometrics procedure consists of taking a photograph, fingerprinting of all your fingers (hence 10-printing), and registering your signature. The place is quite discreet: a small office where they conduct biometrics procedures and not much else, and the sign reads: "Application Support Center." No mention of Homeland Security, or even USCIS. If you have no business with immigration, you would pass by and not notice there is a government office.

The process went without a problem, and I was out in less than half an hour. I remember the last time I went through biometrics appointment (leaving the country for my fieldwork), the receptionist was sitting in front of a framed picture of George W. Bush.

A little peek into what an immigrant in the US goes through.

Tokyo-bound

A job is a job is a job. I took a job, so I don't end up on the street. I am grateful that this job was offered. I will be working for a Japanese beltway bandit in the field of international development. Japanese beltway bandits are mostly located in Tokyo, and that is where I am going.

I am from Tokyo, and thought I had left it for good. The congestion, the cultural conservativeness, the un-cosmopolitanness, small housing, expensive living cost, etc., etc. I do like the city, but certain things always made me uncomfortable.

After 10 years in the US, however, many things look attractive, too: Universal health care; efficient and extensive public transportation; near absence of gun-related crimes; abortions taken for granted; and I don't have to do my taxes.

Things that concern me, on the other hand, are: Availability of organic food; size of kitchen; size of apartment; earthquakes; radiation; high prices in general; complicated courtesy rules.

I have told myself that I would act as a faux-American, so that I'm exempt from the last mentioned. Japanese like to draw boundaries between Japanese and non-Japanese, and those are hard lines. I'd rather be "not quite Japanese," so they can cut me some slack about the million unstated rules of appropriateness. I will be that uncategorizable weirdo.

So friends, tell me good, fascinating, exotic things about Japan that I can look forward to.