It Hasn't Even Been a Week
I should try and chronicle what's been going on, because life moves incredibly fast. Life in Japan is busy, you have plenty of fun, but I get this feeling that everyone is always on the move. Always doing things to get to do something else. So far, I still enjoy this new busy existence I find myself in. We'll see in a month or two how I feel.
I am sorry for the radio silence, especially amidst all the terrible news about the earthquakes in Kumamoto. I felt nothing over here in Tokyo, I randomly had Japan Meteorological Agency's earthquake information site up when the news came in about the first big quake. Then twitter exploded, and I spent a good couple of hours glued to the news. Big earthquakes are devastating and terrifying.
But I am safe, I am thinking about disaster preparedness a lot, and have put together a go-bag, just in case.
Fun things:
I went to a limited edition Sailor Moon café at アニON STATION in Shibuya with illusoire! I've never been to a themed café like this before, and I had an absolute blast.
They had a DJ and took music requests (only music from Sailor Moon shows and musicals, of course), there were adorable sweets, each table was equipped with glow sticks so you could express your love for your favourite character, and after the DJ set, they screened the first episode of season 3 of Sailor Moon Crystal!
It was a really fun experience, and the menu items were absolutely adorable! I'd love to go again.
I also went to an exhibit at Parco Museum that same day, I had never heard about this illustrator before, but I am now absolutely in love with Sootome Keiko's work!!!
I went to Disneyland again and completed the Beginners Course of their Egg Hunt. It took me 1 hour to complete, it was a lot of fun! Though very easy, no real challenge involved. A fun thing to do while strolling around the park and taking in the sights/enjoying some sweets. I am looking forward to trying the Expert and Master courses!!
I hung out with Tomoya again this Sunday. We had curry at the Nepali curry place again, he invited along another friend of his, and we overindulged on a party plan of food while talking about movies. It was a lot of fun, but I really ate way too much food.....
Afterwards, Tomoya took me to what must be the most interesting coffee shop I've been to ever. Looking up info about it afterwards, I see it's supposedly Shibuya's "worst kept secret", but I had never heard about this place before ... I'm really glad he took me there.
The place is called 名曲喫茶ライオン LION coffee & music. The establishment has been in business since 1926, though I'm not sure how old their current building is. With the exception of their amazing 3D surround sound system, it looked and felt very old. The interior was like a really old theatre. All seats facing a small stage, but instead of a stage, there was the huge sound system, which played nothing but classical music. They gave us a music program listing all the music they're playing this month. It was such a relaxing experience, no one was talking, you could just sit there with your drink and listen to the music. A great place to go to read or study, I'd think.
No photography allowed inside, so this shot of the exterior will have to do. I want to go back here so bad!!
Life/practical things:
I feel I've been doing fairly well mentally so far this time around, but one thing caused me so much anxiety, I had to bring in moral support - though in the end I'm fairly sure I would have managed fine on my own as well. But illusoire came with me to open a bank account! I was really worried I wouldn't be allowed one, I've read too many horror stories about people having difficulties setting up bank accounts in Japan, so I had absolutely no confidence whatsoever going in to do this. But I walked out with a bank account registered in my name and a cash card ready to use. It's a huge relief to have that all sorted out.
I went to view more flats and houses, this time with a different real estate agent (who was also very nice!!). Both the properties I viewed this Saturday were really good, I couldn't decide. I could easily picture myself living both places. Christian couldn't decide either, but in the end, we opted for the one with a guest room ... and I just got news from my agent today that the owner approved my application! I guess I'm buying a house???? The news haven't really sunk in yet, it feels way too unreal. I am super excited about the prospect of moving! I am already decorating in my mind and window shopping for furniture!
I'm going to the Norwegian embassy on Wednesday to get a signature certificate so that I can sign the contract for the house April 30th! If all goes well, I'll get to move in by the middle of May.
I assure you pictures and things will come later. I'M BUYING A HOUSE???!?!??!??
I am sorry for the radio silence, especially amidst all the terrible news about the earthquakes in Kumamoto. I felt nothing over here in Tokyo, I randomly had Japan Meteorological Agency's earthquake information site up when the news came in about the first big quake. Then twitter exploded, and I spent a good couple of hours glued to the news. Big earthquakes are devastating and terrifying.
But I am safe, I am thinking about disaster preparedness a lot, and have put together a go-bag, just in case.
Fun things:
I went to a limited edition Sailor Moon café at アニON STATION in Shibuya with illusoire! I've never been to a themed café like this before, and I had an absolute blast.
They had a DJ and took music requests (only music from Sailor Moon shows and musicals, of course), there were adorable sweets, each table was equipped with glow sticks so you could express your love for your favourite character, and after the DJ set, they screened the first episode of season 3 of Sailor Moon Crystal!
It was a really fun experience, and the menu items were absolutely adorable! I'd love to go again.
I also went to an exhibit at Parco Museum that same day, I had never heard about this illustrator before, but I am now absolutely in love with Sootome Keiko's work!!!
I went to Disneyland again and completed the Beginners Course of their Egg Hunt. It took me 1 hour to complete, it was a lot of fun! Though very easy, no real challenge involved. A fun thing to do while strolling around the park and taking in the sights/enjoying some sweets. I am looking forward to trying the Expert and Master courses!!
I hung out with Tomoya again this Sunday. We had curry at the Nepali curry place again, he invited along another friend of his, and we overindulged on a party plan of food while talking about movies. It was a lot of fun, but I really ate way too much food.....
Afterwards, Tomoya took me to what must be the most interesting coffee shop I've been to ever. Looking up info about it afterwards, I see it's supposedly Shibuya's "worst kept secret", but I had never heard about this place before ... I'm really glad he took me there.
The place is called 名曲喫茶ライオン LION coffee & music. The establishment has been in business since 1926, though I'm not sure how old their current building is. With the exception of their amazing 3D surround sound system, it looked and felt very old. The interior was like a really old theatre. All seats facing a small stage, but instead of a stage, there was the huge sound system, which played nothing but classical music. They gave us a music program listing all the music they're playing this month. It was such a relaxing experience, no one was talking, you could just sit there with your drink and listen to the music. A great place to go to read or study, I'd think.
No photography allowed inside, so this shot of the exterior will have to do. I want to go back here so bad!!
Life/practical things:
I feel I've been doing fairly well mentally so far this time around, but one thing caused me so much anxiety, I had to bring in moral support - though in the end I'm fairly sure I would have managed fine on my own as well. But illusoire came with me to open a bank account! I was really worried I wouldn't be allowed one, I've read too many horror stories about people having difficulties setting up bank accounts in Japan, so I had absolutely no confidence whatsoever going in to do this. But I walked out with a bank account registered in my name and a cash card ready to use. It's a huge relief to have that all sorted out.
I went to view more flats and houses, this time with a different real estate agent (who was also very nice!!). Both the properties I viewed this Saturday were really good, I couldn't decide. I could easily picture myself living both places. Christian couldn't decide either, but in the end, we opted for the one with a guest room ... and I just got news from my agent today that the owner approved my application! I guess I'm buying a house???? The news haven't really sunk in yet, it feels way too unreal. I am super excited about the prospect of moving! I am already decorating in my mind and window shopping for furniture!
I'm going to the Norwegian embassy on Wednesday to get a signature certificate so that I can sign the contract for the house April 30th! If all goes well, I'll get to move in by the middle of May.
I assure you pictures and things will come later. I'M BUYING A HOUSE???!?!??!??