Applying for a Visa

Today I handed in the materials for applying for a visa to Japan! Since I live in the Boston area I figured I would just go to the Consulate in person, instead of mailing it in. It went very smoothly and apparently it will be ready in about 3 days. It made the entire trip to Japan seem much more real though. So far it's just been like "Oh, I'm going to Japan." I'm sure I'll start to freak out when I have to start thinking about packing and taking the Japanese placement exam. I am definately dreading the test. I don't want to do so badly that I'll be placed in beginning Japanese, even though I have been studying for two years. With that in mind, I hope to get in touch with a Japanese professor or at least a tutor in the next few weeks to work on my listening and conversation skills.