So we've been in Japan for a week now and things are well. It's odd....I honestly don't feel like I'm in a whole other place. I feel just like I was back in the states. I know it's a whole other country, I know it's a way different time zone, (I'm 13 hours ahead to my friends on the East Coast back in the states), but it feels just the same to me. I will have to say one thing, this time change has definitely made me a morning person. Feels like I should have been here all along. :) This most certainly is the "Land of the Rising Sun." Sun is up and shining by 4:30 am and I am up about 5/5:30 every morning. I make my coffee, watch a little TV and I still feel perfectly fine throughout the day. I am neither tired or groggy.
Our apartment is simple but quite nice. We have everything we need and more. Being on the 12 floor is pretty high up but it is nice to look outside from time to time :) We have wood flooring through the entire apartment, C.J. finally has his own room again, and I love our sliding doors. They really add space and growth to the apartment. (View my Webshots page so you can see all my photos.) 
I have used my washer/dryer on a daily basis. (It is a two-in-one but a little too compact for my liking.) The dryer does not work as well as I would like and it takes about 5 hours to actually dry a load of wet laundry, so I use our shower room. I can hang clothes in there and there is a dryer button that blows out hot air and dries the clothes a little faster. (It is also a steam room, Love that!)
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| Remotes for EVERYTHING!!! |
One thing I am still trying to learn and adjust to is our microwave/toaster/oven. (Laugh)I have the microwave and toaster features down but I still don't understand how to bake in it!!! I want to make cookies dang it! I told Erick he has to call his friends to come and explain it more to me. :)
Erick leaves for work about 6:30 am and is back just before 6:00 pm on most days. C.J. and I spend our days about the same as always. We still practice letters, numbers, writing and now we've put Italian lessons and Sign Language on hold. Erick has gotten me the Rosetta Stone in Japanese now so we are practicing that. We don't need to become fluent, but I'd like to at least be able to communicate somewhat with the people here. Especially when I am at the grocery store, the mall, the train station, etc... I think it is important for us to make the effort and learn the language here. Some people do speak English but not everyone of course. I've done a couple of lessons and it is difficult but I think I can pick a little of it up soon.
My phone is not working as I expected it to. I cannot get texts and phone calls are not coming through either. I have the Wi-Fi on at all times but for some reason, I cannot connect anywhere other than the apartment. So as long as I am at home I get my emails, Facebook and Twitter feeds. I have the Tango App so anyone who has an IPhone or the like, please upload it so we can video chat from time to time. :)
I've met a few of Erick's work friends already and so far everyone has been really great. I even have someone to do my mani's, pedi's, and eyebrow waxing.
My local grocery store is about 2 blocks down the left of the apartment and they have a nice selection and variety of supplies - as far as groceries go. We have to head down to the 100 Yen store (our version of the Dollar General) for all my cleaning supplies. We've taken the train a couple of times as well, something else I need to get used to and actually need to pay attention to. But as much time as we are planning to be here, I'm sure I will get the hang of everything soon enough.
I've visited the Aeon Mall, two of them, great places to shop! But there is definitely so much more to see and visit. We had dinner last night at a Turkish pub that was absolutely delish!! That is certainly going to be a regular for us. (Erick and his work friends have already been going there a lot.)
All the places and the food are things we are going to have to get accustomed to, after all it is really different. :) I have no worries that it will all begin to feel like "home."
I will keep everyone posted on any new findings and adventures :)
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