Adjusting

We arrived to Japan Tuesday night of this past week. Quite the whirlwind adventure thus far. A lot of sleeping has taken place in attempt to adapt to the time difference, which is about 15 hours. The first days were filled with constant rain, and not like that of Colorado. Rain that doesn't stop, ever. I think that I've been mostly in shock since arriving. Harry picked us up at the airport and was able to spot us out instantly, possibly because we were the only white people on the flight, and it seems the only white people in Hirakata (yea, people stare a lot). The drive from airport to our new apartment was with wide eyes and few words from us. Traveling for some 15 hours is quite exhausting. He took us on a quick trip to the grocery store so we could avoid starving for the next few days. I'm glad he was there with us as I wouldn't have, and still don't, an idea of what anything is. Back at the apartment it seems as though someone still lives there. There are things everywhere. This is good as we won't have to buy as much to start this new life (we just found out I won't be getting paid till the end of June), but there is also a lot of things we don't need, want or know what to do with. Many empty cardboard boxes, a second fridge and a second t.v. in one of the extra rooms, and several random nick-nacks. Hmmmm.....
On Wednesday we slept. Still in awe and shock.
On Thursday Harry picked us up and took us to each of the schools, three in total, that I will be teaching at. Meeting the other English teachers and seeing the children has definitely put me more at ease about being here. I think that once I am keeping busy and playing with kids, I mean teaching of course, I will feel much more at "home".
As well as touring the kindergartens, Harry took us downtown in attempt to set us up with everything we need for living here: phones, bank accounts, internet, sheets for our bed etc...
Turns out that all of these things are impossible to acquire without our Resident Card, which I need a Work Visa to get. On Tuesday of next week we are going to the Immigration Office in order to set that all up. We were however, able to buy a pay as you go phone, so we can receive calls for free but it costs a pretty yen to make a call. Today I realized that I can make phone calls from Skype for about 2 cents a minute. How very handy! Another thing we were able to accomplish was the buying of our seals. These are little stamps that have your Japanese name on them that you use for signing things, "everyone here has one!" My Japanese name (I'll show you as soon as I figure out how) translates to Weaving (or knitting) Beautiful Asia, hence the blog title :)
On Friday we wonder around. Back to the lovely, huge park across the street from us, Yamadaike. This walk was much drier than our first there on Wednesday. We walked around the city for about 3 hours before my feet and knees couldn't take it anymore. Still no sheets.
After yesterday we were both feeling much more optimistic and positive, maybe we do actually have a handle on this. This morning though, feeling quite a bit of stress and confusion again. It's really not nice sleeping without sheets on our bed and we're becoming frustrating that we are having such a hard time finding them. We also haven't yet braved the mopeds. Neither of us have driven one ever, although I'm sure it's going to be easier than we think, and they drive on the left side of the road. For the most part everywhere we'll have to go is within walking or bike riding distance, but I'm sure the convenience of the mopeds will convince us to take the challenge.
Speaking of convenience, there is a Circle K on the other side of an apartment building from us! So many good and crazy Japanese snacks for us there. Also, we've discovered the 100 Yen stores, which is basically the equivalent to a dollar store in the US, though much, much nicer.
Today we've not accomplished anything so far and again I am having anxieties about being here and letting my homesickness get the best of me. I am sure these are natural feelings for someone in my position, but I am ready to not be lost in this crazy new life. Who knows if that will ever happen.