What is Step One? Well, simply enough… actually applying for the damn thing. =D I am planning on doing my study abroad in Japan starting next Spring and I need to get my shit together. So this is the first step in gathering said shit. Fairly painless to, save for the cost. $121.10. That is 5 for a fresh birth certificate (my old one was a bit worn and the raised seal was practically non-existent), 15 for proper passport photos to be don’t in the post office, 25 dollar post office fee for.. I dunno… TAKING my application, then 75 for the State Department. And of course you can’t send cash in the mail so the last 1.10 comes in the form of the fee for the USPS money order. They said it is taking approximately 4-6 weeks for these to process right now. So with some luck, I’ll be getting my passport like a present by my birthday next month. Thanks Uncle Sam… now… SEE YA! The using it part should come next Spring. Wish me luck!