What to do....

The application is finally drawing near. Supposedly, US required docs will be updated sometime this week (I'm hoping Friday as a bday present to me <3). Lots of people have started doing things ages ago (like me) and some are just starting now.. So I think that maybe I'll talk about things that can be done right now, despite the lack of proper forms and the main app not being out yet.

First? I recommend starting the SoP. You want to have plenty of time to read examples (if you are unsure what to write). I am not a huge fan of focusing on the work of other people to create your own, for specific works like this, but when you aren't already sure, it is the best way. I admit, I was against it before, but a few people gave me crap about my douche-y attitude, so I sucked it up, read some papers and I think I am much better off. So, read examples. Then, you can start your drafting, bullet points, full writing, whatever works for you. The most important part of all this may be finding people you trust to read your SoP and rip it apart. If your family and friends can't be honest and tell you it's crap (if it's crap), then they aren't the right readers. Find someone that doesn't care about your feelings and let them at it.

Second? Order transcripts. Very straightforward.

Third? Find out if you have all your paperwork. Do you have a passport? Do you know where it is? If no passport, do you have a birth certificate? Do you have an official copy to make copies from? Also, if you have had your name changed, do you have proof of your legal name change with your birth cert?

Fourth? Proof of graduation, impending or already completed. Seriously, paperwork.

Fifth? Start thinking about your references, maybe ask them now and start grooming them, so that you can hop to it when the required docs are updated. If not this, at least think about who you want to ask.

Sixth? Figure out if you need to see a doctor prior to sending your app. I have severe food allergies and need an Epi-pen, thus I need to see a doctor to get my prescription renewed and get a Physician's Form stating that my health won't prevent me from doing my job as an ALT, if I get in.

Seventh? Maybe find something else to do with your time, rather than obsessing over JET. I've been much better off since I stopped obsessing and last year's obsessing was brutal...

Anyways... Those are some of my suggestions, if anyone is new to the process or just not sure what to do right now... A lot of this stuff is repeated from old posts, but it still stands true now. Good luck everyone ^_^

September Progresses...

As September moves on, the new required docs still aren't available, but c'est la vie. I am trying to get myself together and slowly accumulate my paperwork. It's a bit frustrating to feel trapped at the point I am currently at.... Supposedly the paperwork will be out sometime this month, when it does I'll update that it's out, in case  anyone isn't stalking the page ^^;

Anyway... I finished my kosode... If you search for Endewearde's Fort Knox Demo, you can probably find pics or I posted on with an explanation on the fb group... I'm also teaching a small class on momiji-gari in two weeks, so hopefully that will go well ^^; And other than that... I guess I can update my check list

App-N/A
Medical Forms-X
SoP-in progress
LoR-requested from three people, just need the form
Proof of Graduation-just need copies
Proof of Citizenship-just need copies
Proof of TESOL-just need copies
SASE-Check
Transcripts-just need copies

Basically, I have everything together that I need, except what isn't available and I need copies of everything (including the kitchen sink)