Entries this day: Called_about_visa_info Pink_Cow_and_poken Yurika

Called about visa info

9:44am JST Thursday 9 April 2009 (day 14260)

According to http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/keiziban/happyou/tokyo_tell.html, one can call either the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau (representative number): 03-5796-7111; or Immigration Information Center: 03-5796-7112. I was greeted with computer-generated voice reading information on the first number. The second number more quickly got me to an English speaking human.

I had called the immigration office with one question in mind: Is it easier to

(A) Change my work visa from Engineering (to work in IT) to Humanities (to teach English)

      or

(B) fill out the Application for Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted? (pdf from Nagoya University)

I called and tried to ask in Japanese. I was transferred to a person who essentially spoke English. He told me that the correct process is to get a letter of termination from my previous employer, and I imagine therefore have to change to 90 day visitor visa (unless I also) submit proof of employment from my new employer.

Well, there's the trick; I don't have proof of employment yet. I contacted Gaba yesterday and Keiko told me I'd need to apply for the change of visa before I can apply for the job cause that's the first thing Gaba will want to see: permission to work in the industry.

So I'm a bit stuck with both sides wanting the other side to act first.

10:24am JST

Ami just called me; she's going to call them and try to get a finer grained answer.

Pink Cow and poken

1:28pm JST Friday 10 April 2009 (day 14261)

Actually I'm writing about yesterday today.

I went to visit Traci at The Pink Cow at 5pm, ate a delicious chicken burrito while helping her with website stuff a bit.. Not sure that I helped *all* that much, but, I also bought a poken from her.

It's a cute little plastic panda with a USB port on one side, and a IR chip on the other. Get a couple pokens to give a high four, and you've just taken part in the latest way to exchange business cards. Web 2.0 meets cute and namecards all at once. And it's just hit Japan!

I'm sure this will be all the rage soon, so I got one. I chose the panda, though a few other designs were available, with more to come, I'm sure.

Yurika

1:32pm JST Friday 10 April 2009 (day 14261)

Met Yurika for our lesson, for which she did great homework as always. And dat's why I love Yurika.

I don't think I remembered to show her my poken. Hmm.