Life
The unstable Japan life
This morning, while scrolling through X, I saw a rather alarming post. From now on, in order to become a Permanent Resident (PR), you first need to have held a 5-year visa. Previously, a 3-year visa was sufficient – and since that’s most likely what I’ll receive at my next renewal, I had already mapped out a whole plan in my head. As soon as François and I have been married for three years (another requirement you have to meet), I would apply for PR. That would be two years from now. But with this legal change, that will only work if they immediately grant me a 5-year visa this July. And the chances of that are slim.
Almost there
The countdown app on my phone says 13. Just 13 days to go until I fly to the Netherlands. “Could you maybe pick me up from Schiphol?” I ask my brother. “My flight is on March 3, so I’ll arrive on March 4…” He corrects me: “No, if you’re flying to the Netherlands, you arrive on the same day, because you’re flying against the clock.” I panic. “Oh, shit! Did I also book my hotel for the wrong…”
2016
Happy New Year everyone, and welcome to 2026. Wow, time really does fly. 2016, a year that in my mind is still one of the best years of all time, is already a decade behind us. The day before yesterday I shared a few Instagram stories with photos from that year, after scrolling through the photo album on my phone. “I was so cool in 2016,” I wrote, with a touch of melancholy.
Toeps Rewind 2025, part 2
The year is almost over again, so just like every year it’s time for my year in review! In the previous part, you could read about how François and I tied the knot, how I made a whirlwind trip to the Netherlands, how I worked on the Prikkelplanner, and how I navigated my way through bureaucracy and visa issues. How did things continue? You can read all about it below!
Toeps Rewind 2025, part 1
The year is already coming to an end, so that means: Toeps rewind! Last year ended with my wish to simply take it easy for a while. Just sit behind my computer building websites. So instead, I released a planner together with Cynthia, started writing a whole new book, and oh right, we also got married!
Zero-tolerance at the JLPT
Yesterday I took the JLPT, the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. This Japanese language exam tests vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening, and is offered at five levels. N5 is the easiest, N1 the hardest. After passing N4 more than a year ago and skipping the exam last year, it was finally time for N3. Was I ready? No, not really. I’d been a bit too busy with my new book and barely had any time to study. But I’d already paid, so I thought: let’s give it a shot. It’s multiple choice, so maybe I’d guess everything right.
A tale of donkeys and tails
A little while ago, my Japanese friend Kei asked if I could help her with something: her ten-year-old daughter Emma had a “world cultures” day at school, and they thought it would be fun to bring along a real foreigner. Meaning: me. And since I still owe Kei my eternal gratitude for everything she helped me with when I moved to Japan (without her I wouldn’t have had electricity, running water, or food during quarantine), of course I said yes.
Autastisch leven pre-order is live, and I’m coming to The Netherlands!
Last week I suddenly had a day where I felt like I had wings. You know, one of those days when you’re inexplicably full of energy – well, actually, I suspect it was just because I was at my office – and you end up ticking off all sorts of tasks. I was at the office, and the day before I’d found a box of fancy-looking felt-tip pens at Off-House. They were 55 yen (about 30 cents) each, so I picked out ten.
Three weeks with humans
Two little eye emojis and a screenshot from the KLM app – that was all my brother sent. “Wait, are you guys coming to Japan?!” They weren’t even staying a full week, I saw on the ticket. “Yeah, little yolo move,” my brother replied.
1784
“What is your date of birth?”
“Uhm, August 7, 1784!”
“Are you sure about that, ma’am?”
Six months married!
Wow, time flies. François and I have been married six months today! It was also a good excuse for me to finally finish editing our wedding photos. Okay, they were taken a month later, but it was starting to get a bit embarrassing.
Saved by the bells
People who have read This Autistic Girl Went to Japan, and those who’ve been following this blog for years, know that I moved to Japan in 2022 as a (Startup) Business Manager. But now that the Japanese government has recently decided to overhaul the criteria for this visa, I’ve been getting worried messages from some of you: “Does this apply to you too?!”
Toeps, 41 (yes, really!)
After I told you last week that I was starting to run out of money, you all massively clicked the Kofi button below. It wasn’t my intention to beg for money, but your small contributions are very much appreciated, so thank you for that!
This week I emailed back and forth with my accountant, who turned out to have a good solution for the loan between Toeps-the-person and Toeps-the-company: we can write off the debt against a tax-free severance payment for me as director, which will neatly bring the balance to zero.
I’m out of money
This autistic girl went to Japan, and you won’t believe what happened next: she set up a Japanese corporation, paid a fortune to accountants, lawyers and the tax office, and then watched her bank account hit rock bottom.
The multiverse
Just over a week ago, I returned from the Netherlands. I was there for two weeks, mainly because we had to shoot some videos for the Prikkelplanner*. But since I was there anyway, I also took the opportunity to see my friends and family, photograph four people, record corrections for the audiobook, and interview someone for my new book.