The flight was long. Super long. I didnt really sleep the night before. But the Dreamliner was cushy, and I finally got to watch Skyfall. I am so behind on things ^^*.
Immigration took all of 30 min between getting my visa, getting my bags, and clearing customs. Then I took my two 70lb suitcases to get delivered to the office. And then I was off to the hotel. The room was TINY. Super TINY. A bed, bathroom, small desk and thats it. Maybe, Maybe 50sq ft and that is being generous. But it was enough for the 2 nights that I was there until I got settled into the apartment.
The first "day" at work was just seeing the apartment, which is tiny and cute, and mine, and I like it. Even if it is right on the train tracks. Ill have some pictures up at the end of this post. :) It doesnt have tatami like I wanted, but I just got an extra foam pad for my futon, and that seems to have helped.
The second day was a bit crazy. I started orientation, which they cut short an hour early since the time change was killing me. After that I got to lug my carry on and laptop bag (about 70 lbs) through Shibuya, to the hanko shop (since I need a hanko for bank account and cell phone acquisition), to Shibuya station, on the Yamanote Line, to the Seibu Shinjuku line, to Nogata, which is where I live. Yes, I was that person on the train. I have been that person on the train every day since I have been here. One more day of that, and then I will be all moved in. Then I had to go to the Nakano city ward office, register, come back to get my gas hooked up, then go back out and get a futon, so i wasn't sleeping on the wood floor. It was a LOOOOOONG day.
Did I mention that with the humidity factor its felt like 100-110 daily. Its gross. On the plus side, with the heat, and all this exercise, I have been a lot less hungry, and I am eating healthier, even if it is just convenience store sandwiches, onigiri, and soba (and beer) for the first 3 days. I think I have lost weight already. And hope the trend continues. :)
I also got to wander to the drug/sundries store and try and find shampoo, body wash, conditioner, a razor, toilet paper, and things like that. Which is harder than one would think. But at least I know enough katakana to sound out conditioner, since with curly hair that is a must.
One the second day training was a bit better. I met the other instructor who just started, who is three doors down from me. Glad I arrived when I did, as my apartment came with a fridge!! But then I had to go, open a bank account, get a keitai (cell phone (which was an experience and involved an iPad, face time, and a translator, but we got it done)) and home internet (WiMax is great, I can take it with me anywhere, and its immediate. So no waiting! Yay technology). I also had lunch with my trainer and the snarky american who was making speedy gonzales references in the emails to me, and goya is still not to my taste, but a lot better when cooked at least. And to lug large suitcase 1 or 2 from the office to my apartment. Again. in 7PM rush hour train time. I was that person again.
Then Saturday came. Since All I had was one curtain panel, and a futon without coverings or a duvet, this weekend was crazy get stuff done day. And I had done some research, and based on work recommendations Nitori is the way to go, since Muji is a bit pricy. And I liked Venus Fort last time I was there, so why now. So I spent the morning (having run into the new instructor on her way to the apartment) at the grocery store, and then the 100Yen shop, and finding the random recycle shop stall and scoring a rice cooker and electric tea kettle for cheap) and then around 5 we went to Venus Fort.
Which might have been a mistake, since it is Obon, and there was some festival with a bunch of people in yukata, and fireworks (HANABI!!!!!!) and everyone seemed to be on the island. Which made leaving with a foam futon cushion, and 2 large bags of bedding, towels etc a ton of fun (not) and I was even more that person on the trains. More than usual. But it was nice to hand out with M, and we had amazing pasta, a seafood pasta with a genovese sauce that was better than a lot of italian food that i had had, and the kirin with the icy creamy foam on top was good. Also, it was random to see a Glay caricature display at the mall, as I didn't even realize they still made music ^^* And of course, there was giant Gundam.
Today was low key, though I did make about 2 trips to the 100Y shop, and the grocery store, getting things I forgot. But I have pocari sweat in a pitcher in the fridge (they sell it in powder!!!) and barley tea so I am staying hydrated. And I cooked my first meal at the apartment. Beef curry with some unknown green vegetable over rice. Oishii!!
And that pretty much covers it. I need to settle down and get some work done.
And I am hoping to hear back from someone on craigslist about getting a washer, microwave, vacuum, kotatsu, chair, and small cabinet for cheap. We shall see. I wont be totally settled in, but I will be minimally settled in. Will still need to get bookcases, but those can wait.
the view from my balcony
Pretty sunflowers near the 100Y shop
Did I mention the train was right outside?
House slippers and Kirin Green label. For reasons.
Giant Gundam!!!!!!
Glay!
Frothy delicious Kirin Black!
Reflection of the ferris wheel on buildings
Curtains!
Bedding!!
Bedding and curtains!
Adventures at the french bakery. Iced coffee. A edamame cheddar things. A chorizo, onion, edamame, mayo hotdog, and a apple cream pastry.
Itty bitty kitchen. Still needs the microwave. Which will go on the fridge.
Food, pots and pans.
Not zojirushi, but for 5000Y for both, I cannot complain too much.
Induction cooktop.
Scientist duckies!
Dinner! Curry!!
