Unexpected Guest Appearance: A Series of Mishaps During Passport and Visa Photo Shoot

Introduction

Recently, I needed to update my passport's name and obtain new visa photos for my student visa in Malaysia. I also had a minor eye issue that needed treatment. So, off I went to sort these things out.

Passport and Visa Photos

First up were my passport and visa photos. My current passport photo was a reused shot from a formal occasion, making me look like a seven-year-old boy with a bowl haircut. While it might be a practical choice for international entry, it's hardly recognizable as me.

Now, I needed visa photos for Malaysia, and it was essential that they adhered to the country's requirement of a white background. However, the machine I chose initially didn't offer the option for a white background. Despite having prior knowledge of these limitations, I didn't realize that there could be such differences between various courses on the machine.

As my intention was to use the standard blue background for my passport, this situation worked out well for me, and I opted for the excellent course to take the photos. So, despite the initial hiccup, my positive outlook remained.

Data and Print

Next, I realized that I needed both digital and printed copies of the visa photos. The machine I used allowed me to have both for an additional fee of 400 yen, making the process convenient. However, this photo session was a string of unexpected events.

1: White Background Issue

First, after the initial shoot, I realized shockingly that the white background condition required for the Malaysian student visa wasn't met. I knew that not all machines had the option for a white background, so I had chosen a compatible one. However, I hadn't anticipated differences between the courses.

Although I was lucky enough to use the standard blue background for my passport, which is what I wanted, I had to redo the photos in the "excellent" course.

2: Failed Data Upload

While retaking the photos for the excellent course with a digital copy, I encountered another unexpected hurdle. The photo data couldn't be uploaded to the server due to network congestion. Upon seeing the error message, I ended up receiving a refund, which meant that I had to redo the photos again.

The third attempt finally went smoothly.

3: An Unexpected Guest

However, the surprises didn't end there. The most memorable incident happened before the initial photo shoot.

As I was adjusting my hair using the mirror provided within the photo booth, the curtain suddenly slid open, making a loud noise. To my amazement, an elderly man had walked in unannounced.

When our eyes met, he hastily said, "Oh, I'm sorry," and left.

I wondered whether he thought this was a quiet, secluded space to relax. However, I'd like to offer a piece of advice to all humanity: please double-check before opening curtains, especially when someone is in a photo booth, striking unusual poses.

In any case, it seems that even seemingly routine tasks like obtaining passport and visa photos can result in unexpected memories. Now, I just hope that these photos will pass the necessary checks, although an online photo checker has already questioned my "changed facial color." I might have to explain that I'm just a pale, indoor person who skipped the beauty filter offered in the excellent course.

Conclusion

Even tasks as mundane as obtaining passport and visa photos can turn into dramatic experiences. I can only hope that these photos meet the requirements and prove sufficient for their respective purposes.

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Feeling Anxious! Reasons Why I Don't Want to Speak English in Front of Japanese People

Introduction

Speaking English in front of Japanese people can make me quite nervous. Even with the flexibility of online English conversation classes like "NativeCamp," I've rarely taken lessons from Japanese teachers. I prefer chatting with teachers from the Philippines or Serbia.

There are practical reasons for this, like Japanese teachers' classes often being fully booked and the difficulty in choosing them, but I've also enjoyed experiencing different cultures and ways of life through foreign teachers' stories.

However, reflecting on my past experiences, I've come to realize that I have a fear of speaking English in front of Japanese people.

Fear of Making Mistakes

The most significant reason for my hesitation is the anxiety about making mistakes. I worry about mispronouncing English words, using expressions that may not be suitable for the situation, or accidentally using phrases with poor etiquette. It feels like a never-ending cycle of overthinking when I start considering all these things.

When conversing with an online English teacher or foreign friends, they often clarify if I make a mistake by asking, "Do you mean [this]?" However, when speaking with Japanese people who are proficient in English, they tend not to provide this kind of assistance.

I find that when I speak with someone who is less confident in their English skills, I tend to question if my corrections might hurt their feelings or if I'm making a mistake in pointing it out. People who don't ask me to clarify might also lack confidence in their own English abilities.

Fearing English-Speaking Returnees

Speaking with English-speaking returnees is also intimidating for me. Lately, there are many YouTubers and TikTokers with international backgrounds who create videos like "This Kind of English Won't Work!" Such content suggests that only high-level English skills are worth considering. While I've reached a point where I can hold conversations unless they involve highly complex topics, my past self would consider it an achievement to respond in English at all.

I've encountered situations where I had to speak English in front of English-speaking returnee friends. These friends were expected to be fluent in English, yet they didn't seem to engage in the conversation at all. We ended up having awkward exchanges in broken English. I couldn't help but wonder if they thought I was incompetent.

Insecurities of Returnees

Conversely, I've also been approached by returnee friends who had the opposite concern, saying, "I'm a returnee, and I can speak English better than those who grew up in Japan. I don't want people to think I'm looking down on them."

I was genuinely surprised by this perspective because I had no problem with them or their English skills. In fact, they were always supportive and corrected me when I stumbled in English. One of them even praised my knowledge of Japanese and Japanese literature, which was my strong suit.

To be honest, unless someone's English skills are terribly inadequate, some people don't seem to care about the level of their friends' English. I tend to get nervous about speaking English in front of Japanese people, whether they speak English well or not. I think it's a confidence issue.

Building Self-Confidence

Of course, people's reactions vary. Some might indeed look down on the English spoken by Japanese people, but others won't. I believe that we shouldn't forget that there are people with both perspectives.

Online English teachers at NativeCamp have often told me, "You need more self-confidence!" I agree; self-confidence is what I need. So, I plan to continue with online English lessons until I go abroad to build my confidence by increasing my communication experiences.

In conclusion, although I feel anxious about speaking English in front of Japanese people, I've learned that I shouldn't worry so much about it. Building self-confidence in my language skills will be my key to overcoming this fear.

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The Dawn of History! The Musical "Pacific Overture" is a Harmonious Blend of Music, Cast, and Story♪

The Musical "Pacific Overture"

I went to see the musical "Pacific Overture" at the Nissay Theatre. The double-cast roles were performed by the following combinations:

Narrator: Yamamoto Koji

Koyama: Hirose Yusuke

Manjiro: Wentsu Eiji

I had the opportunity to see Wentsu Eiji's stage performance in "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" before he went abroad to study. I wanted to see his musical performance after his study abroad, and since there was no scheduled performance during that period, I decided to make plans to see it.

I belong to the generation that watched "Tensai TV-kun." 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, "Miwaku(Fascinating) no Kachiroko" or Kachi Hiroko, who is also active on YouTube, is also appearing in the show. I had seen her on stage before, but the balance between singing, laughter, and talk in her YouTube videos is so exquisite that I have unintentionally become a fan of her recent appearances.

About the Background and Setting of "Pacific Overture"

"Pacific Overture" is set in Japan shortly before the footsteps of civilization and modernization were heard, around the time of Perry's arrival in 1853. It features characters such as the shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate and John Manjiro.

Originally, it was a production that won the Tony Award in 1976. I had seen it before in an introductory stage art class at university, and I approached it thinking it would be like an operetta influenced by Japonism, such as "The Mikado."

There seems to be a version directed by Japanese directors as well, but it is fundamentally a Japanese work created overseas, so it is not recommended for those seeking a traditional Japanese-style theater. It is more of a "Japanese-style" production.

It was good that not only the main characters but also the surrounding people contributed to the story through their songs and lines, creating depth.

In particular, I liked the song "Someone in a Tree," which was bright, cheerful, and had beautiful harmonies.

Witnessing the Dawn of History!

The performance time was a non-stop musical lasting 1 hour and 45 minutes (excluding curtain calls), truly a dress rehearsal.

After the Nissay Theatre's performances, there will also be performances at the Osaka Umeda Arts Theater.

For this stage production, there were also ticket sets available with meals or coffee, making it a recommended show for spring outings, not just for theater enthusiasts.

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The Results of English Learning: Why I Was Able to Speak in English During a Discussion!

Super Nervous About Speaking English

Recently, I found myself in a situation where I had to participate in a discussion at work in English. 

My supervisor organized a casual meeting with colleagues from other organizations, where we were supposed to have a conversation among young professionals. Initially, it was planned to be in Japanese, so I volunteered. 

However, it turned out that there were individuals who couldn't speak Japanese, and the discussion suddenly switched to English.

For some reason, I don't feel embarrassed speaking in front of non-Japanese individuals, but when it comes to Japanese people who are fluent in English or have a background of studying abroad, I become anxious and shrink away from speaking in English.

This time was no exception, as the majority of participants were "Japanese individuals who were proficient enough to conduct work in English." I was extremely nervous.

Apart from online English lessons, I think this was probably the first time I had a conversation with someone in English since my student days.

After graduating from university, I made diligent efforts to express myself in English through online English lessons and daily tweets. And it paid off.

I was able to speak without any problems!

Speaking in English and having a proper conversation made me happy.

Another Joyful Incident Later

A few days later, I emailed a person whom I couldn't exchange business cards with at the event (this person can speak Japanese but is originally from overseas).

Although I didn't mention being nervous about speaking English in the email, they wrote back saying, "Yuna-san, your English was excellent."

This experience boosted my confidence. It made me happy!

However, I believe part of the reason I was able to speak comfortably was because I limited the conversation to topics within my English-speaking ability. 

Therefore, I want to continue practicing my speaking skills and expanding my range of topics in the future.

Can't Take Passport Photos!? I'm in the Midst of a Battle

Battle with a stye

I've been dealing with a stye in my right eye for about six months now.

In the past, I would visit the ophthalmologist and get antibacterial and steroid eye drops to treat it promptly. However, this time, I've grown tired of going to the eye doctor and I'm waiting for the swelling to naturally subside.

Causes of a Stye

The probable cause of the stye is unconsciously rubbing my eyes while wearing makeup. Over time, it has become more frequent, even on days when I haven't rubbed my eyes but have worn makeup.

Despite wanting to do eye makeup to complement my mask-wearing style, I often have to give up on applying eyeshadow or mascara.

Unexpected Crisis!?

I had been thinking that it's okay as long as it heals, but then I realized that I need to take passport photos (which will likely be used for my student visa in Malaysia) soon.

I don't want to take the photos with swollen eyes, and trying to cover it up with makeup would only worsen the condition of my eye. It's disheartening, and I want to avoid it.

Currently, the decision to wear a mask for preventing stye recurrence is left to individual judgment, and I have been going to work without makeup. Honestly, as long as I apply lipstick or lip color to give some color to my lips, my face doesn't change much even without makeup.

So, if there are people who believe that "not wearing makeup is impolite," I would appreciate it if they could take on my stye for me.

I need to heal the current swelling quickly and take the photos during that period when my appearance improves.

Spoiler-Free! Watching the Acclaimed Film "Everything Everywhere All at Once"

Watching "Everything Everywhere All at Once"

I went to see "Everything Everywhere All at Once," also promoted as "#エブエブ" in Japan. This film has won seven Academy Awards, and Michelle Yeoh, a Malaysian of Chinese descent, won the Best Actress award, making her the first Asian to achieve this honor, which has sparked a lot of discussion.

I had known about this movie since last month when I saw the trailer while watching "Titanic." Just hearing about the setting and story was already intriguing and had me laughing.

Although the trailer looked interesting, I was left confused after hearing the synopsis. Nevertheless, my curiosity was piqued.

I had been thinking, "I want to see it and be surprised," and then I happened to turn on the TV, and there was news about the Academy Awards. Thinking that the theaters might get crowded after the film won awards, I decided to watch it on the same day the winners were announced.

Off to the Night Cinema!

Since the movie ends close to midnight, my boyfriend, who usually only watches Japanese films, came along with me.

He asked, "I didn't read that message you sent about the movie properly. Can you tell me the plot?" And my response was, "It's a story where a laundromat lady saves the entire universe with Kung Fu."

I'm not wrong, haha.

Impressions of "Everything Everywhere All at Once"

Without giving away any spoilers, I can't fully explain, but the film is filled with absurd settings that will make you laugh, intense action scenes, and dramatic moments. It's peculiar how it manages to evoke courage within you.

After the Academy Awards, the speeches of the winners also resonate with their characters.

The costume design, visual effects, and technical expertise are outstanding, and it makes me want to watch it again.

My boyfriend, who usually watches only Japanese films and prefers dubbed versions, says they want to see it again. They're also busy but express a desire to watch Steven Spielberg's autobiographical film "Fablemans," so it might not be easy to find the time.

If you're still undecided, I recommend watching it on the big screen. Even if you're someone who usually waits for the DVD to think, "That was good," experiencing the power of the big screen once will leave you with no regrets. It's a highly recommended film that gives that feeling.

Almost Like a Musical! The Captivating "Safety Instructions" In-Flight Video You'll Want to Watch Over and Over Again

Watching Video at the gym

I was at the gym, watching an English video as I ran on the treadmill or cycled on the bike. It's my way of ensuring that I can't escape from listening to English since I'm glued to the screen.

One Recommended Video Caught My Attention

Yesterday, while watching a documentary video related to Malaysia, a recommended video caught my eye.

It was an in-flight safety video from Malaysia Airlines. If you haven't seen it before,I highly recommend giving it a watch.

 

It's almost like a musical, and it looks so much fun!

By incorporating a musical-like style, there are more gestures and repetitive phrases, making the safety instructions easy to understand.

You'll definitely fall in love with it.

No Worries About Changing Last Names! New Favorite Hanko with My First Name

The Dilemma of Choosing a Name for My Hanko

As I'm getting married, my last name will change.

Regarding my new last name hanko (personal seal), I had previously made one using a "Hanko Vending Machine."

However, I was a bit worried about using it for official purposes like banking transactions because it can be easily duplicated.

So, I thought about getting a new seal. But since I plan to continue using my maiden name for work, I won't completely abandon my old name hanko either.

Therefore, I decided to create a hanko using my first name so that I can use it in any situation after marriage.

Purchasing a Hanko from "Nishino Workshop" on Rakuten Ichiba

I chose to purchase the hanko from "Nishino Workshop," which is available on Rakuten Ichiba.

"Nishino Workshop" is a shop where two Kyoto craftsmen, Mr. Seiichi Inokuchi (hand-engraved seal) and Mr. Kiminori Yamazaki (hand-finished carving), make hankos by hand.

The deciding factors for my choice were the trial price, the craftsmen's hand-engraved seal, and the hand-finished carving! Moreover, the hanko comes with a guarantee, providing peace of mind in case of any issues. It's truly a hanko shop where everything I wanted is available.

When placing the order, you need to specify whether the last name or first name should be engraved on the seal surface. I initially thought I would have to provide detailed instructions, but the material and design are already determined, so you can easily place an order.

However, the delivery time is about one month, so it may not be suitable if you have an imminent need. But if you prioritize design and price, it's highly recommended.

The New Hanko Has Arrived at Home

Now, this hanko with my first name arrived at my home the other day.

Unfortunately, I can't show the finished product because it contains personal information, but it's amazing!

The black buffalo horn material feels more solid compared to the plastic seals I have used frequently in the past, and I like it. The envelope also contains a postcard-sized "Engraving Certificate," which serves as a commemoration of when I purchased this seal.

Since I will be using the hanko for various purposes such as marriage registration and changing the bank's registered seal, I hope it will be very useful and play a significant role.