IKEA

So Sunday we went to Ikea and I spent LOTS of money. Considering I needed a bed, kitchen table, and a small lounge for my bedroom I think I did pretty well.

My first challenge was that I don't know how to write my name in Kanji AND I don't have it written on my house. How are they supposed to find my house without my name written on it?!?! Oh yeah . . . there is the address. Ikea made a REALLY big deal out of the no name thing, but I talked them into it anyway.

Challenge number 2 figuring out when it will be delivered. My window for delivery was 8am to 6pm, so pretty narrow. Then in the morning they called and said they would arrive at 2214. Um. . . What? Again he said 2214 and said "Okay, bye." But "Wait, Wait!! I don't understand." After MUCH discussion we finally got to 2pm to 4pm. Then they arrived at 12:30.

Putting the furniture together is actually the easiest part of the whole thing.

Finally the last challenge is what to do with all the boxes afterwards. I folded them all up, tied them with string, checked my garbage calendar, and put it out on the correct day. Or not. Turns out I did it wrong and they did not take my trash. The owner had to come a claim the trash and now has taken responsibility for its disposal. I have received instructions on how to do it properly, which I only heard "Just take it on base."

Sounds

Spent all last week organizing my house. I have WAY too much clothes and shoes. So far I still really love my house. . . Except for the sounds.

My first night there I thought there was a cat dying in my bathroom. At least I hope it was dying from the horrible noises it was making. I actually got up to look for it but it was just on the street outside my window. My house backs up against a hill and the second floor is in line with the street on the top of the hill.

Being right on the street corner the bus picks up/drops off kids for school right my upstairs window.

There is also a stone stair case leading up the hill right by my front door and I get to hear people climb that at all hours.

And then it rained. . . Being at the bottom of the hill I get to hear all the water running down hill. The first night I though I left a faucet on FULL BLAST. But no it was just the rain pouring down into the drain below my house.

Don't get me wrong. I really do love my new home, just getting used to the sounds my house and neighborhood. I am already blocking out most noise and my sleep is no longer being disrupted.

Moved In

I found the house just fine and was there early to sit and wait for everyone to show up. The gas man and electrician came and went with no problems. The realtors came and made a DETAILED list of everything wrong with the house, tack holes listed, minor scratches on the floor, the outline of paintings hung, . . . took FOREVER.

The movers. . . first they drove right past the house and I had to go running into the street to find them. When I came back I found them a few doors down trying to unload. So now I am trying to complete this detailed list for the realtor and direct the movers with all my boxes. Both were patient and we got things situated nicely. My furniture on the other hand was difficult. Everything I own is too big for this house- and right now I actually own very little. My very little couch couldn't fit through the doorway so they had to take out some windows and slide it in from outside. My roll top desk belonged upstairs in the office area of my huge bedroom, but the desk was WAY too big for the stairs. So, they hoisted it up through my balcony. It was very scary to watch, but the movers were great (and fast).

Overall the move was good. By 2pm everyone was gone and I was alone to start arranging everything. Now I don't want to move again for a very long time!

FINALLY!!

I am finally moving into my new home tomorrow! I have everyone coming over tomorrow, the gas guys, the electricians to up my amps, the loaner furniture people, the movers with my things, and my realtors. They are all due to begin arriving around 8am and most will be gone by noon. My biggest worry is actually finding the house. I have never driven there myself and have only been there 3x's (and the third time the driver took a "short cut").

I found out Thursday that my staircase is too small to take an American size bed up the stairs so I can only get a twin American bed. Looks like I am going to be buying a Japanese bed, sounds fun right? All part of living in Japan.

One more thing. The internet will not be connected at my house for at least two weeks! Those withdraws are going to be worse than the caffeine ones I just went through. Not really a complaint, just mostly a whine.

Updates

Just a couple of updates:

My turtle's name is Cedric, he is very cute and I am currently looking to outfit him with a wand.

My computer is still broken. (Which is why I have not posted a picture of Cedric yet.)

My house is still undergoing renovations. They said it they might be done by the end of next week.

I am tired of living in a hotel.