WooHoo!!! I know what a triumph this is, and how utterly rewarding (like finding a two pund box of See's candy by the side of your bed. Ok, it's not le Maison du Chocolat or even Godiva, but it's sooo good because it's familar). I remember watching ancient episodes of Dallas, dubbed in French, 'just because'.
And, hey! Just in time for a certain football game.
Hello from your Mitre Office-mate! I am sorry to say that I just recently found your little slip of paper with your blog address on it.
However, I have enjoyed "catching up" with you guys and am glad to see all is well WAY over there.
BTW Marc, our new office is really nice.
Mike
for both Arlene and Marc It is wonderful entrance and garden at your apartment. I love to see gardening, flowers when I go back home from work. YOu must be very happy and make it happy home by now. Sorry not respond earlier, Wage Index and cost reports received kept me all holidays. Wish you a happy New Year in foreign country. When is Japanese new year? Chinese New Year is Feb 18. This year it falls on Sunday, we celbrate our New Year at the same day. Arlene, have you start learning Japanese yet? Try some words, it fun to know other languages. My brother who picked up by Japanese ship when he left VN bu boat in 1981. He settled in Japan 5 years, spoke Japanese little bit, if he continued to work with Japanese restaurant, he would be fluently by now. Keep in touch. Thanks for all writting you and Marc share with us.
Sincerely,
Ngoc
5 AM??? A Bistro that closes at 5 AM? Even Suzette is asleep by then!
Loving your blog. I keep looking at the Inn calendar and can hardly wait to make a formal booking!
Wow! Sounds like you two find lots of interesting things to do and see. I am curious Arlene, are you cooking much and did this apt. have the infamous fish grill? Are you enjoy ing all the walking and not having a car? Thanks for taking all the time and detail, it is fascinating.
I am anxious to see pictures of the furnished apartment..It sounds so cute. This is coming from someone who has lived in Korea in a one room apartment, (with our own bathroom). So Arlene, how are you enjoy being a "housewife" I shall not know what that is like for a few more years. Enjoy!! Happy New Year!
Thanks for writing your blog Hi Arlene (and Marc),
Your blog is a fascinating glimpse at life in another culture. Thanks for taking the time to write it. I am enjoying reading about your experiences.
It's good to read that the holidays were enjoyable for you and not too lonely. You are having so many amazing adventures.
Happy New Year and please keep writing.
Arlene and Marc, I am greatly enjoying reading of your adventures! I appreciate the glimpse into Tokyo life that you are providing for us. Looking forward to being there for a few days in September! Thanks for taking the time to do this.
I'm Not Surprised Marc,
You have always been able to find your way around---I'm not surprised at how well you do it! Glad you are having fun; don't give up on the people-watching though. That's one of the best ways to pass the time.
Light Switches The light switch Arlene showed was for the bathroom. All light swtiches are of the "press on press off" variety. Press it once and it is on; press it again and it is off. For the bathrooms, the top part controls the light. When the light in the bathroom is off, there is a little green light on the switch that lets you know it is off (for example if the door is closed). Usually a safe sign to enter. The bottom part is the press on press off for the fan. This time, there is a little red light that indicates that the fan is on. In the middle is a timer. When you turn on the fan, you have three options: two hours, four hours, or continuous. So, we can turn the fan on when taking a shower and know that it will automatically turn off in two hours. In the humid summer, we can just set to four hours instead.
Marc
Thanks for the photos. The front door is very interesting. The washer/dryer is large. I forget- no dw? great photo of the light switch. I guess you can explain it to us? Not sure what the middle botton means.
It is very nice- great job of finding the place.
Great Pics! What a lovely place for you to enjoy! Hope you can translate the info on the light switches and security system. Can't wait until we see you in your new home in September.
Luv,
Mom and Chuck
Yipeeee, pictures! Marc and Arlene, your apartment is MUCH bigger than I had imagined!! Your kitchen looks very Westernized, everything looked like what we would be used to except the light switches, lol.
Thank you so much for posting the pictures.
It will get easier...trust me I, too, had similar experiences when I arrived in Switzerland. Everything was so foreign. Duh. And Europe is not half as foreign as Asia. Nevertheless, when I go back now, it is as familiar as back in the USA. I fit in Switzerland like an old shoe fits me. It will be home within 6 months and the US will feel alien.
As far as adjusting to non-working, our identities are so tied up with what we do, especially when we have worked forever, it is quite an adjustment to find your identity...with or without children. What you are feeling is normal and will pass.
Enjoy XMAS, Chunukah and have the merriest of New Years. It will be a year to cherish.
Merry Christmas Glad your back is better and you have moved into your apartment. What a huge adjustment. You'll get used to the not working, try to enjoy the time and do some things you've always wanted to do. I hope you have a nice Christmas.
Hi Arlene! Wow Arlene,
I just caught up and read all of your blogs at once...what an experience for you and your husband! You should write a book, you really are very good at describing things a reader has never seen before.
I hope your back is better very soon, take care unloading those boxes. I guess it will be like a sense of belonging having your things around you again.
How great that the landlords there will change things for you as part of enticing you to take the apt. Can you even imagine apartment complexes here doing that!!
I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful and that your Holidays are happy.
I know what you mean about Grey's Anatomy, that's a shame about abc.com.
I look forward to reading more about your experiences. Good luck with the move in process.
Tina
Congrats! Congrats on finding an apartment. How knew it was so expensive, yikes! Enjoyed reading all the details. Hope you heal quickly and take care of yourself.
Merrie
Woo hoo! The apartment sounds fantastic! Congratulations on catching some good luck on the apartment hunt. That is very good news, indeed. And thanks for the warning .. who knew champagne drunk on high bar stools also carries the risk of throwing your back out? As always, you provide meaningful public service information.
Seriously, though, I am sorry to hear your back has gone out. That's worrying. Please rest up and be very careful about handling too much stuff when you are moving in to the apartment. We are sending you big hugs.
When's the virtual housewarming party?
My husband Marc and I were living in Winter Springs, FL in August, 2006. My husband decided to accept a new position with his company which meant relocating to Tokyo, Japan in November, 2006. We lived in Tokyo until November, 2008. After a couple of months in th US getting our paperwork in order, Marc's company moved us to Brussels, Belgium in April, 2009. This blog is intended to keep our family and friends up to date on the logistics of our moves and our adventures living in Japan and Belgium.... full info
Suzanne
non-member comment
WooHoo!!!
I know what a triumph this is, and how utterly rewarding (like finding a two pund box of See's candy by the side of your bed. Ok, it's not le Maison du Chocolat or even Godiva, but it's sooo good because it's familar). I remember watching ancient episodes of Dallas, dubbed in French, 'just because'. And, hey! Just in time for a certain football game.