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Cortez  ·  2801 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Pubski: July 27, 2016

I'm working on my youtube channel, a video everyday, and a stream as well. Along with studying for my ACT's in September so I can apply for uni in Tokyo by October 10th. Lots and Lots to do. Also keeping up on my language studies.

Cortez  ·  2802 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Hey guys, how you been?

I was there for a year and a half, but I move back permanently with my girlfriend in December!

I have a big story I'm going to write up for you guys, I think you might enjoy it.

Cortez  ·  2802 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Hey guys, how you been?

Thanks man! Checking it out!

Cortez  ·  2802 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Hey guys, how you been?

Thank you! Hahaaha I went digging through some stuff and I found the old stickers you sent me, I was like "I'm in their timezone now!"

Cortez  ·  2802 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Hey guys, how you been?

Jesus what a task! That's amazing!

Cortez  ·  2802 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Hey guys, how you been?

Checking it checking it ouuuut

Cortez  ·  3186 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Why do you live where you live?

I am from Georgia in the United States, lived in a small rural town. Thanks :)

Cortez  ·  3205 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: PSA: Starting the search for the next Hubski team member

Wow that's an extremely interesting idea.

Cortez  ·  3206 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Favourite band no one has heard of?

They're extremely famous here :) Was kind of surprised to see how old they look though

Cortez  ·  3206 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Favourite band no one has heard of?

Well I've built up a small list of bands while being here

Te' a japanese postrock and mathrock band

フレデリック (Frederic) a japanese indie rock band (love this music video)

The Kiddie a japanese visual kei pop rock band.

Make My Day japanese Metalcore Band

KANA-BOON japanese indie rock (just kidding they're famous as fuck)

和楽器バンド / 千本桜 (this is also very famous but very awesome)

The hardest part would be getting the visa to do this, without a visa it's hard to get a part-time job, you can't have a bank account. Japan is an extremely strict company when it comes to your visas, the easiest option is to become a student; however if you are Canadian, Australian, and German(and a few others) you can come on working holiday for a year and do whatever you please. For me, I had the money so I opted into a language school which took care of my visa.

After that it's adjusting to the culture, and I'll go ahead and say Tokyo is completely different than the rest of Japan in terms of how people act towards you and how things are done. I believe it's the best starting point for anyone. I have a few others things I could say about this but I'll save that for another thread :)

I think the most crucial part of all of this was my father is a financial advisor, I never owned a car, and my town had nothing in it.

I had managed to save up all my life, money I had been given to spend with friends, birthday money, christmas money, all of my life. When I was young my father had taken notice that I was saving a lot and made a savings account where he started putting it back for me, he began managing that money and as I got older it became sort of a hobby to see it grow, made me feel good. As a graduation gift he matched what I had saved and gave me the account to do with what I please.

That being said, it was surely enough to take care of myself for awhile, not enough to sustain myself indefinitely, and my dad knew that with my other plan I would have drained that pot completely. And as of this year I have drained it but I lasted much longer on it than I thought I would have. When I saw the end coming I got a part-time job teaching English and I am currently working on some side projects to start saving up again.

One thing a friend of mine asked me was why I didn't spend it on college, why spend it on a language school, and the truth is I have more of a chance of getting into college with a scholarship here in Japan for being a white male english speaker than I did in America. I would have rather given this the opportunity than have been trapped in Georgia spending that money on a small college.

My father thought I was going to be home in two months time, and who would blame him? How the hell could a high school graduate financially sustain himself in a place like Florida, let alone the third most expensive city in the world. It's been more than a year and we skype frequently, he lets me know how proud he is of me and the truth is I'm extremely homesick for him and my step-mother. I'd go back to America for a few months if it meant being in my old bed and waking up to a delicious breakfast like I use too.

My friends? My friends never really talk about it, I don't think they're as interested in it, they're all very busy with work and school and I understand that, we play some games on Steam and they'll sometimes ask me about certain cultural things but other than that they have other things to worry about and I respect that a lot.

Tips about Tokyo: One thing you have to learn is that there's always a way, in Tokyo, tourism is expensive, having fun is extremely expensive, but surviving and getting where you need to go isn't. You can live off $1,000 a month with how the exchange rate is currently, it's just a matter of finding the best place to live. Remembering that convenience costs money.

Cortez  ·  3212 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: PSA: Welcome to Hubski, Redditors.

Heard something about chairman mao coming back?

Cortez  ·  3212 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: PSA: Welcome to Hubski, Redditors.

Hahaha I can't wait to see that analytical data, should be interesting. So whats the story behind Reddit? Something about hating fat people?

Cortez  ·  3212 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: PSA: Welcome to Hubski, Redditors.

Wow, this all seems like a pretty crazy.

Cortez  ·  3212 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: PSA: Welcome to Hubski, Redditors.

Are you serious?

Cortez  ·  3212 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Pictures from Tokyo

I live in Ikebukuro and I spend most of my day in Shibuya and Shinjuku. I speak enough Japanese to understand people and reply to them. I wouldn't say I'm fluent by any means but I can definitely have a conversation. And navigation? Absolutely not! When I got here I didn't speak at all! The city is laid out so well its extremely hard to get lost and if you do you just find the nearest train station, it'll have maps and even can take you back home. I remember coming here and thought that I would get lost so easily but to be honest its rather hard... I think the only real place you'd get lost is the train stations, especially Shinjuku station I hate that place.

Cortez  ·  3212 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Pictures from Tokyo

It's a mixture of all especially in Tokyo. Everyone is extremely friend though. I'm sure it would be different outside the city.

Cortez  ·  3213 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: PSA: Welcome to Hubski, Redditors.

Woah it happned again?

Cortez  ·  3219 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Been living in Tokyo for the past 5 months, whats up Hubski?

Wow! I thought I had replied to this! I'm so sorry.

Everything was fine, the first Earthquake hit and I was like "whatever." and then the second wave hit and I fell out of my chair, my roommate came down stairs and told me that we should go outside. But all was fine, it was crazy seeing everything shake like that.

Cortez  ·  3225 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Been living in Tokyo for the past 5 months, whats up Hubski?

TOKYO IS GREAT, I'm programming and studying. I've learned a lot of Japanese. Love the food, people, and culture. Hate the fact I don't speak more Japanese. I recommend staying in Shinjuku or Shibuya. Avoid... uuhhh, huh I don't know. Leaving Tokyo unless you're going to Kyoto or Osaka.

I WILL WRITE A POST ABOUT IT LATER! Detailing a lot, there's just so much.

I will be around more.

Cortez  ·  3226 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Been living in Tokyo for the past 5 months, whats up Hubski?

Oh sweet! I'll check it out!

Cortez  ·  3226 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Been living in Tokyo for the past 5 months, whats up Hubski?

I'm likely going to spend the next four years here, hopefully. I'm looking through these posts now!

Cortez  ·  3226 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Been living in Tokyo for the past 5 months, whats up Hubski?

It's amazing! How are you doing?

Cortez  ·  3226 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Been living in Tokyo for the past 5 months, whats up Hubski?

Hahahahaha, that title.

Yeah I moved to Florida and began doing some programming, shortly after I decided to take up schooling in Tokyo and begin transitioning to a University here. I've been working on some games holy shit a big earthquake just happened as I typed this.

Anyway, just been programming and what not. Good to see you're all doing well! My has everything grown!

The best part? How easy it is to make friends and meet people. The worst part? Communication and having to completely relearn your own manners.

How are things with you?

Edit: The earthquake was a 4.8 http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/00000000092.html

Cortez  ·  3546 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: I'm drunk but I'm here to tell you I love you all so much

I didn't walk I got on a plane and moved to Florida instead

I literally ate Sushi on my birthday which was the same day, got on a plane and moved to Florida the day of graduation for work lol

Cortez  ·  3604 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Hubski Newsletter #023: One of the best newsletters yet

Thanks Insomniasexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Cortez  ·  3611 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: How does raising Minimum Wage not cause inflation?

Ahhh well thanks B_B for giving me a huge tl;dr on that for the most part. Normally hate trying to read about this because it's normally a huge wall of text.