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.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Breakfast
This morning after church I wanted breakfast, and not a buffet. The only way to get a breakfast, that's not fast food, on base is at a buffet. My friend suggested we go to Denny's. Denny's here is . . . different. But they do have eggs, pancakes, and french toast on their menu. So I ordered a regular American breakfast, at least as far as the Japanese is concerned. The one I chose had eggs, corned beef hash, and pancakes. Oh yeah it also included a salad covered in thousand island dressing. How is that "breakfast?" But they think we are weird for ordering fried bread covered in syrup for a meal. To each their own.
Mostly I was excited to be getting pancakes that weren't from McDonald's- which I have had once here to my peril. But when they arrived, I couldn't even pretend to think they were normal. There were three of the smallest pancakes I had ever seen. I literally laughed out loud at seeing them, they came with a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of syrup. Normally I don't like butter but I thought "What the heck, these are so small anyway." I used maybe half the tbsp of butter provided. And the one tbsp of syrup was the perfect amount.
Sadly this tiny breakfast is probably a "normal" serving of food. No wonder the Japanese are able to stay so skinny.
Mostly I was excited to be getting pancakes that weren't from McDonald's- which I have had once here to my peril. But when they arrived, I couldn't even pretend to think they were normal. There were three of the smallest pancakes I had ever seen. I literally laughed out loud at seeing them, they came with a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of syrup. Normally I don't like butter but I thought "What the heck, these are so small anyway." I used maybe half the tbsp of butter provided. And the one tbsp of syrup was the perfect amount.
Sadly this tiny breakfast is probably a "normal" serving of food. No wonder the Japanese are able to stay so skinny.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
DELL!!!
Okay so my computer crashed! Spent 10 hours Sunday trying to get them to ship a new hard drive to me here in Japan. This caused HUGE confusion for this company. They were enormously confused since I live in Japan but don't have a Japanese address and my FPO address doesn't seem to count as an address. They had me calling 10 different numbers (5 of them were Japanese- where surprise they spoke only Japanese!). Finally I spoke to someone who was like oh yeah of course we can sent this to you at you military address, no problem! NO PROBLEM?!?!? Who had I been speaking to for 10 hours who made it into a huge problem?!?!?
So now I wanted to complain to someone for all the trouble I had gone through. Not just the trouble of getting the hard drive shipped here but for the fact that I needed a new hard drive for a computer less than two years old. The guy said he would have a "resolution manager" call me back and I could report what I needed to and that this guy would see that my problem was resolved to my satisfaction. They made note that I am in Japan so to note the time difference when calling me back.
Of course I got the return phone call at 1am, Tuesday! They guy told me that they were still working on my problem and that my part had not been shipped yet and they were unsure when it would be shipped. So just to clarify, I asked, “So you woke me up at 1am just to tell me you have done nothing and you don’t know when something will be done?!?!” I asked who he was and he said he was my “resolution manage” to which I pointed out that NOTHING had been resolved! He said he would call me back.
I'll talk about the call back and other conversations later. This is getting long.
So now I wanted to complain to someone for all the trouble I had gone through. Not just the trouble of getting the hard drive shipped here but for the fact that I needed a new hard drive for a computer less than two years old. The guy said he would have a "resolution manager" call me back and I could report what I needed to and that this guy would see that my problem was resolved to my satisfaction. They made note that I am in Japan so to note the time difference when calling me back.
Of course I got the return phone call at 1am, Tuesday! They guy told me that they were still working on my problem and that my part had not been shipped yet and they were unsure when it would be shipped. So just to clarify, I asked, “So you woke me up at 1am just to tell me you have done nothing and you don’t know when something will be done?!?!” I asked who he was and he said he was my “resolution manage” to which I pointed out that NOTHING had been resolved! He said he would call me back.
I'll talk about the call back and other conversations later. This is getting long.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Birthday
I had a great birthday this year. I have such wonderful friends! Ben baked me a fabulous cake and together we made felafel's (note for the future: PURCHASE THEM).
After my wonderful party I went home (aka the hotel room) and flipped on the computer. Which proceeded to crash. Now it beeps mean words at me-- okay it just beeps but it feels mean to me. Now I need a new hard drive. Luckily it is still under warranty and I regularly back up the hard drive. Unluckily i live in Japan so getting it shipped here will be difficult. Remind me again why I love Dell?
After my wonderful party I went home (aka the hotel room) and flipped on the computer. Which proceeded to crash. Now it beeps mean words at me-- okay it just beeps but it feels mean to me. Now I need a new hard drive. Luckily it is still under warranty and I regularly back up the hard drive. Unluckily i live in Japan so getting it shipped here will be difficult. Remind me again why I love Dell?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Present
Got my first birthday present yesterday!! I love my birthday! Don't tell Deanna but I love my new bag, it is going to be great for riding my bike. Not sure what I plan for Friday but I am looking forward to my birthday cake. Ben is making one special for me so I am sure it will be great.
Today I moved out of the BOQ and will be going to live in the Navy Lodge for at least 3 weeks. I picked up the paperwork for my new house yesterday. They are doing all the renovations I asked for!
The house is over 13,000 sqft and only one bedroom! That's right one bedroom but there are two tatami rooms, one upstairs and one downstairs. I asked (half joking) if they could turn one of the tatami rooms into a real room- basically I was asking them to build some walls for me. They realtor just smiled at me probably thinking "Silly American! Asking for silly things." But he called his office they had a good laugh, but to humor the silly American they asked the owner. And do you know he said "YES"?!?! I went back to the house and they asked if there was anything else I wanted, so I made a wish list. Basically redesigning every closet in the house, adding shelving and hanging bars everywhere. The realtor again laughed at me, but I told him that is what he gets for allowing me a wish list. And again the owner said "YES". I am really excited for my new home. (In three weeks.)
Today I moved out of the BOQ and will be going to live in the Navy Lodge for at least 3 weeks. I picked up the paperwork for my new house yesterday. They are doing all the renovations I asked for!
The house is over 13,000 sqft and only one bedroom! That's right one bedroom but there are two tatami rooms, one upstairs and one downstairs. I asked (half joking) if they could turn one of the tatami rooms into a real room- basically I was asking them to build some walls for me. They realtor just smiled at me probably thinking "Silly American! Asking for silly things." But he called his office they had a good laugh, but to humor the silly American they asked the owner. And do you know he said "YES"?!?! I went back to the house and they asked if there was anything else I wanted, so I made a wish list. Basically redesigning every closet in the house, adding shelving and hanging bars everywhere. The realtor again laughed at me, but I told him that is what he gets for allowing me a wish list. And again the owner said "YES". I am really excited for my new home. (In three weeks.)
Saturday, September 13, 2008
I got a car!
I finally found a car I wanted and got it today! She is so pretty! Things seem to be finally coming together over here. I think I also found a house today, there are some renovations that need to be agreed on first. We spent an hour today putting today putting together a wish list of everything I want done, they will get back to me after talking to the owner on Tuesday.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Labor Day Weekend
Saturday was spent looking for someplace to live. Nothing really said "This is home" to me so I am going to keep looking. I'm hoping that better things will come along, I'm not in any hurry to find something right now. This is where I am going to live for at least the next two years, possibly more, so it needs to feel right to me.
Sunday I got to spend the day with my two best friends in Japan. I had brunch with Monica and Ben to start the day. The remainder of the day was spent sitting around Jill's house, mostly talking but also creating the website for her wedding. If you want to see what I put together for her you can go HERE.
Today, Monday, I completed my first 5k since my knee surgery. I was VERY slow but I wasn't last, so I accomplished my only two goals- finishing and not being dead last. It was fun to try the race and there were quite a few people from school there.
Sunday I got to spend the day with my two best friends in Japan. I had brunch with Monica and Ben to start the day. The remainder of the day was spent sitting around Jill's house, mostly talking but also creating the website for her wedding. If you want to see what I put together for her you can go HERE.
Today, Monday, I completed my first 5k since my knee surgery. I was VERY slow but I wasn't last, so I accomplished my only two goals- finishing and not being dead last. It was fun to try the race and there were quite a few people from school there.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
My Day
My day started about an hour late. I slept in and only had 20 min to get ready for school. Needless to say I was a few minutes late meeting my ride. Actually my ride was also late and when I wasn't there assumed I had already left for school. I ended up taking a taxi to the school and was about 20 min late. As I walked into the school who do I happen to run into first thing? Yup. You guessed it. I ran into my brand new principal. Of course it was him who else would you run into when arriving late to a new job? I immediately apologized. To which he asked "What for? You just got our of a cab so something must have happened." He didn't press for details and appeared completely understanding. Everyone at school was completely understanding, they were more concerned for my welfare than anything else.
This evening my friend invited me to join in salsa night at the A-club. It was fun, and a little odd. Taking a salsa lesson in Japan from a little Japanese couple. And then after the lesson we went to the Italian restaurant where I had kung pao pizza.
My day began badly but luckily improved throughout.
This evening my friend invited me to join in salsa night at the A-club. It was fun, and a little odd. Taking a salsa lesson in Japan from a little Japanese couple. And then after the lesson we went to the Italian restaurant where I had kung pao pizza.
My day began badly but luckily improved throughout.
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