We moved into our apartment 9 days ago. Even though I DO have to make my own bed and clean my own bathroom, I am very much enjoying being able to grocery shop and cook. I am getting used to my 'camp stove' and mini grill and I have learned how to use some settings on my oven. Luckily the instruction book has pictures, so I just find one that looks like what I want to make (muffin = cupcake) and use the setting and cook time it shows then make adjustments, if needed. So far, I have made grilled steak and baked potatoes, spaghetti, soft chicken taco with fresh pico de gallo with lovely fresh veggies I got at a side street open air market just one subway stop away! Last night I made my first Japanese dish, Soy Pork with Carrot, from a recipe book of a Japanese cooking show host, Harumi. It turned out fabulous! Two hours later Gary was still commenting "That was a really good meal!"
How do you like my dinner plates? Got them at the 100 Yen store. Of course, we had to try to use our chopsticks too.
We have received all our furniture deliveries and the house is coming together. It still needs a few more decorations though, as it looks quite bare. I am having difficulty finding a very wide selection of accessories like rugs, sofa pillows, throws, etc. What I am finding is...shall we say, not very mature looking. Almost cartoon like flower patterns and very bold neon colors. I have my U.S. shopping scouts out ( Mom and Sister-in-law) and I am counting on them to know my taste and send me a 'care' package soon. ; ) Here are some apartment pics for all you non-FBers, who haven't seen them yet.
Master bedroom
Main area - Living, kitchen, dining
Kitchen
Guest bedroom
It is still scorching hot here..30C-32C lately and really humid. After 9 days with only having A/C in two areas, we went and pleaded our case due to our apartment size and layout and got approval for 2 more units for the other bedrooms. If we open all 4 doors, we think it will cool the 2-story entrance hall, as well. So potential guests, start planning your summer visits NOW... first come first served!
Summer is a great time of the year to visit (if you can stand the heat), as there are lots of festivals and activities going on then! I had to laugh at an article in the English version of the Japanese Times the other day. It was about the heat and humidity and how foreigners are surprised at how hot it is here. Although the translation went something like this. "Foreigners to Japan need to become accustomed to their own sweat. They must realize it is not something that just happens at the gym, but all day, every day in Japan in summer!" Ha ha. That says it all.
After walking at least 500 miles by now, and lugging bags of groceries and household goods through the subways like a homeless person, I finally have a set a wheels! School bus yellow was my color choice, just so I can be seen really well by oncoming traffic if I happen to enter the cross-walk at the wrong time. Gary is a bit paranoid about me crossing streets. (Ash, remember London?) I liked the bikes with smaller tires, so I can maneuver around pedestrians on the sidewalks with more precision. As I will now have a greater radius of distance I can travel, I will be able to make it the 2.5km to the 4 story shopping complex without being so hot and tired by the time I get there, that I don't even want to shop! Also, a good alternative to driving and paying for parking on nights when we feel like having a couple of drinks at the local ex-pat hangout about 3km away! (Which is not easy to get to on the subway.) Gary also got a bike. His is the same model in blue. So Ash, we will have 'wheels' when you come to visit. Our shopping will only be limited by the amount we can carry in the really cute matching basket (and what will fit in your suitcase home)!
Well, I got on quite a roll and I still have more to tell about my Japanese lessons and some outings I took around the city. So, look for that post soon. I promise to be more consistent with my blogging now that we are 'Settled In'. Amy
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