Sitting in the airport is the first time that I've really FELT like I am leaving. Leaving my dad, mom, brothers, sister, cousins, home, and birth-country.
So far, I have stood in a 45 minute security line, which anyone who travels knows ISN'T THAT HORRIBLE which is sad; I have also held my passport with the tickets in it like all the movie people do... 😊 just for giggles, and I am about to endure the EXTREMELY high airport food prices (or maybe just extremely high Starbucks prices??? Not sure which is worse).
All in all, after having spent some wonderful time with my family in Seattle, which is beautiful, I can contentedly say that I am okay with leaving.
I have spent a lot of time in my sister's shadow, and even some in my father's shadow; I am ready to be looked at like mysef, by people who have never met my family.
I am (Cliché incoming) spreading my wings.
Let's hope they hold my weight.
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
It's now less than two weeks before I leave and I should be super excited and nervous...
Instead I'm angry and exasperated.
I am the first person with medication needs to go on this scholarship, and so far I think it's INSANE.
I filled out the Yakkan Shoumei, I got a chest x-ray for tuberculosis, I got tons of new immunization shots and I've called my doctor, my endocrinologist, and my insurance more times than I would like to ever again.
Now, today was the start date for my insurance override. I have to go purchase 10 months worth of insulin, because my insurance won't cover it should I need any in Japan. Not only is this incredibly stressful for me, but I can't even bring 10 months supply. Because of regulations, I can only bring 2 months supply into Japan upon my entry. This means that my mom or dad will have to store (in their fridge, because insulin is heat-sensitive) the other 8 months supply, and ship some to me every two months.
More about that later. Now, I called the place I pick up insulin from to ask if they had my order ready. The woman on the phone replied that they had 6 bottles for me.
SIX.
I go through 4 bottles PER MONTH. What exactly am I supposed to do with six bottles?
Now, I just had to call my doctor again, ask for the prescription again, and might still have to call my insurance company AGAIN.
This wouldn't be that bad, if the override (allowing me to get more insulin than my monthly quota) was more than 3 days long.
Now, back to the Yakkan Shoumei.
I wouldn't mind filling out the forms to bring my diabetic supplies into Japan, if I didn't have to fill them out every time someone in my family sends me a shipment with more supplies. (If any of you are unfamiliar with shipping costs to Japan, DON'T LOOK IT UP, it'll make you want to cry).
If you are diabetic, or have any medication needs, be prepared to have to do like 7x the work that everybody else did, just because you were born differently.
So, yes, today I am angry. Tomorrow I will probably be bitter. Give me a week and I'll feel better about this, but for now, don't expect me to be super happy 24/7.
Instead I'm angry and exasperated.
I am the first person with medication needs to go on this scholarship, and so far I think it's INSANE.
I filled out the Yakkan Shoumei, I got a chest x-ray for tuberculosis, I got tons of new immunization shots and I've called my doctor, my endocrinologist, and my insurance more times than I would like to ever again.
Now, today was the start date for my insurance override. I have to go purchase 10 months worth of insulin, because my insurance won't cover it should I need any in Japan. Not only is this incredibly stressful for me, but I can't even bring 10 months supply. Because of regulations, I can only bring 2 months supply into Japan upon my entry. This means that my mom or dad will have to store (in their fridge, because insulin is heat-sensitive) the other 8 months supply, and ship some to me every two months.
More about that later. Now, I called the place I pick up insulin from to ask if they had my order ready. The woman on the phone replied that they had 6 bottles for me.
SIX.
I go through 4 bottles PER MONTH. What exactly am I supposed to do with six bottles?
Now, I just had to call my doctor again, ask for the prescription again, and might still have to call my insurance company AGAIN.
This wouldn't be that bad, if the override (allowing me to get more insulin than my monthly quota) was more than 3 days long.
Now, back to the Yakkan Shoumei.
I wouldn't mind filling out the forms to bring my diabetic supplies into Japan, if I didn't have to fill them out every time someone in my family sends me a shipment with more supplies. (If any of you are unfamiliar with shipping costs to Japan, DON'T LOOK IT UP, it'll make you want to cry).
If you are diabetic, or have any medication needs, be prepared to have to do like 7x the work that everybody else did, just because you were born differently.
So, yes, today I am angry. Tomorrow I will probably be bitter. Give me a week and I'll feel better about this, but for now, don't expect me to be super happy 24/7.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
So, it's about 15 days before I get on a plane over to Japan!
I was chosen this January to be the Citizen Diplomat between Iowa and Kofu. I am SO grateful to the Iowa Sister States program and the Japanese government who sponsor this scholarship every year.
I will be studying at Yamanashi Prefectural University in Kofu, while also running a research program.
My name is Katherine (Kate) Shaw, and I am a 19 year old female with type one diabetes. I was diagnosed when I was 5 years old and have lived with it for almost 15 years now. I have an older sister and two younger brothers, as well as my mom and dad.
I am in my final semester at DMACC in Des Moines, where I will graduate with an Associates Degree in Japanese Healthcare Interpretation and Translation. I have been studying Japanese for about 6 years now and couldn't go on the class trip to Japan a few years ago, so this is a dream come true for me.
I will be studying Japanese law and nursing at University. My research project is looking into how the implementation of permanent businesses showcasing transgender culture (places like cosplay cafes and cross-dressing cafes) have affected the acceptance levels of transgender people in the surrounding areas.
So far, I have gotten a passport (this will be my first trip out of country), a visa (since I am staying for 10 months), and the yakkan shoumei (which is the medication form that needs to be filled out in order to bring my medication to Japan).
I will be updating very frequently, with all kinds of fun and crazy stuff that I run into on my trip!
See you later!
Kate
I was chosen this January to be the Citizen Diplomat between Iowa and Kofu. I am SO grateful to the Iowa Sister States program and the Japanese government who sponsor this scholarship every year.
I will be studying at Yamanashi Prefectural University in Kofu, while also running a research program.
My name is Katherine (Kate) Shaw, and I am a 19 year old female with type one diabetes. I was diagnosed when I was 5 years old and have lived with it for almost 15 years now. I have an older sister and two younger brothers, as well as my mom and dad.
I am in my final semester at DMACC in Des Moines, where I will graduate with an Associates Degree in Japanese Healthcare Interpretation and Translation. I have been studying Japanese for about 6 years now and couldn't go on the class trip to Japan a few years ago, so this is a dream come true for me.
I will be studying Japanese law and nursing at University. My research project is looking into how the implementation of permanent businesses showcasing transgender culture (places like cosplay cafes and cross-dressing cafes) have affected the acceptance levels of transgender people in the surrounding areas.
So far, I have gotten a passport (this will be my first trip out of country), a visa (since I am staying for 10 months), and the yakkan shoumei (which is the medication form that needs to be filled out in order to bring my medication to Japan).
I will be updating very frequently, with all kinds of fun and crazy stuff that I run into on my trip!
See you later!
Kate
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