ご安心下さいませ

Please, don't worry.

That's what it means.

I purchased a new laptop online Monday through the Dell Japan website. It was easy. The basics of computing seem to translate easily, even in Japanese (though a year of living here and getting used to the language sure helps a lot, too). I picked out a reasonably priced laptop, not top of the line, which would have run over 20man, or the equivalent of $2,000 US, but something that is an upgrade over what I'm currently using (Joe, if you're reading this, your Gateway has done well for the past year, but it's starting to go).

The hardest part of the process was determining how to pay. I could have put the full balance on my Citibank Japan credit card, but I don't like the revolving payment method. So I chose to make a bank transfer, which I could do that day. The other popular method, to pay at a convenience store, would have required me to wait for 1-2 days for receipt of paper instructions. There is no way a boy in want of a toy can wait longer than he has to.

So I hopped along to my bank and processed the 振り込み, or bank transfer, at the ATM. No cash changed hands; it was purely digital. And in Japanese. The only part I messed up was not including my order number in my name field. I called Dell Japan today and told them of the minor mistake I made. They checked up on the order for me, and when the lady called back and left a message, she said it there was no problem.

Cool. That's what I like to hear. Now the only problem is that I have to wait for them to make it, and ship it, and I'll have to be there to sign for it. It's due for delivery on 12/24. Perfect timing. Luckily, there's a neat habit of delivery services in Japan to ship to your place of work in case you happen to be 留守, or not at home.

I can't wait! Oh, and it's a cool olive green case, in case ( =] ) you're curious.