October 7th, 2005

Yeah, I havent updated in awhile. Sorry...just wasnt a whole lot
going on and then we went to Osaka and I kept putting off
updating. I dont know why, Im just a procrastinator.
Anyways! So a long update and Im SURE you will want to read to
the end because I have news and all that.



We had to go to Osaka so we could get some very important papers that
said we could get married in Japan. Chris had Monday off because
he went to Sports day at one of his middle schools on Saturday so we
decided it would be a good time to go. So, Sunday, we packed up
our stuff and headed to the train station. We got on a train in
Izumo, transfered to a bullet train in Okayama and made it to Osaka
around 7 or 8. We didnt actually leave until 3:00 so it wasnt
that long of a trip. Just about 4 hours. Here is a picture
that dyjoots took from the bullet train. I think we were going
300 kilometers per hour but I cant remember. Just know that we
were moving FAST.



Osaka was really neat. I had never been in a city so big
before. We were mainly in the business and shopping district so
we got to see a lot of neat places and people. When we got to
Osaka, we had to find a hotel so we went to one. The room was
about $120 for one night (but two people, I think they charge by the
number of people). I have pictures! It was TINY. It
was really a travelling business man hotel and those are small because
they dont need anything bigger.



See how small. I couldnt get a picture of the whole room because
I was standing with my back against the wall. Heh. Very
small. And here is our lovely bathroom.



So tiny. It felt like I was in a camper bathroom. Not good for claustrophobics I would say.



So anyways, that was our room. On monday morning, we were up and
out about 10:30/10:45ish and started walking to the US Consulate.
Someone had told us that it was only a kilometer from the train which
is kinda a long walk but not really. Well...they were
wrong. It was a hellishly long walk and we had all our bags with
us and umbrellas even though it was really hot and sunny (it was
raining in Izumo when we left). Ick. I got one picture but its
really blue and Im not sure why. We were on a huge bridge
crossing a river and I tried to get a show of the skyline of
Osaka. Really, dont know why its blue it was a really bright and
sunny day.





Aaaaaaaaaand thats my last picture. I know I know, we were there
all day. But it became more important that we find the consulate
than to take pictures for my adoring masses...uh...I mean you
guys. We walked for about 2.5 hours before we FINALLY got to the
Consulate. We walked everyone trying ot find a restaurant for
lunch...but stupidly we couldnt find any. REALLY stupid...in the
middle of OSaka and you cant find a restaurant? Lame! So we
went to a curry place and it was tasty but we had just had curry the
other night. That was a bit dissappointing.



So about 1 o'clock, we head to the consulate. Some security guy
makes us come back at 1:30 so we just sat on a planter for the next 30
minutes and watched people. Watching people in the business part
of Osaka is kinda boring. So we went back when we were told and
got our papers. The getting in the consulate was kinda
interesting because we had to remove ALL electronic things from our
bags....including my hair dyer and electronic dictionary. They
kept having to send our stuff through because we kept having electronic
stuff in it. Anyways, so we got our paper and left. This
time we took the subway to the trainstation...what would have taken 2.5
hours to walk, took a mere 10 minutes to ride on Subway. Just
made us a little more irritable about walking. Then we came
home.



So...Osaka trip wasnt that exciting. It was kinda nice to travel
with Chris...but it wasnt a vacation sort of trip. We didnt
really have time to sightsee or anything.



This week was kinda dull for me. It either rained or I didnt got
out because I had to stay home in case Chris needed me to come with him
to the City Office. He didnt need me until today.



We got married today, btw. Im sure there is a better way of
saying that but Im not sure how. It was all very surreal.
We went to the Board of Education office (where he works) and they
helped us fill out a giant form and then we went to the Foreigner
Registration place and got our marriage registered. Heh, it took
awhile and was really hot. Its very surreal to me because most of
the time they were speaking in rapid Japanese so Chris and I had no
clue what was going on. Finally, they were satisfied with our
form and they took it back to give us an official paper. I dont think
we have the marriage certificate...I think we just have a form saying
that we are married. The marriage certificate is probably at City
Hall or something. We will figure it out though.
Anyways...so...voila! Married. It cost us $3.50 and I didnt
even have to be there.



Marriage in Japan is different than in America. I think I tried
to explain this before. You can have the ceremony before or after
you register your marriage, but you arent officially married until you
go to city hall and register the marriage with the japanese
authority. I know you have to get your marriage certificate
signed in America too, but they normally do that at the wedding,
right? Well...they dont in Japan. The ceremony is just
something they like to do, but its completely unnecessary to
have. So...we jsut did the registering part. We will
have some sort of ceremony when we come back to the states...but we
didnt want to have one without our family and friends here. Kinda
defeats the purpose.



So...thats that. I am now a Rogers and no longer a
Willis. Well...the name thing isnt official...that has to
wait until we move back to America I think, otherwise there are tons of
hoops to jump through and many trips back and forth to Osaka to get
things changed around. Probably just best to wait. On
Tuesday, I am going to see about how to get my dependent VISA and then
all will be well.



So that was my week! How was yours?




edit...Ok people...we are 13 hours ahead. That means we got married on Friday, October 7th, 2005. Not the 6th. Just remember that we are almost always a day ahead. If anyone tells me happy aniversary on the October 6th, next year, they are in trouble!