Home at last

Now that I've settled in and unpacked, I actually have a little time to sit down and reflect on where I'm actually at. I can already tell this is going to be an awesome year, but there are definitely many things about Japanese culture that I am going to have to adjust to. So, in no particular order, here's a list of things that have popped into mind since I've come to this country:

1. The hospital cafeteria food blows any asian food I ever had in Nashville out of the water.

2. Speaking of water, the button on the toilet which looks like a squirt gun pointed directly at your butt does exactly what it describes.

3. Japanese apartments are tiny, but then again, I haven't seen any fat Japanese people either.

4. To go along with that, fast food for Japan means noodles and fish, not a burger and fries.

5. I am going to have to get better at riding a bike when it's loaded with grocery bags.

6. Beer vending machines. Seriously.

7. I am going to be answering the door every fifteen minutes, until I get used to the train passing by.

8. If I'm not careful, I'm going to end up with a trashbag filled with Japanese coins.

9. Green tea is awesome, and makes me never want to drink another soda.

10. Dragon Ball Z figurines add a nice amount of decor to a room.

11. The AC is in the living room, but not in the bedroom, and I wish it were reversed.

12. Judging by the collection of video tapes left in the cabinet, the previous occupants of this apartment were odd people.

13. I want to tell the trombone player who's practicing at the high school across the street to use more air, it would really help his intonation.

14. Considering that there are at least five portable heaters in different places around this apartment, I am assuming that it will be very cold this winter.

15. A bicycle with more than two gears would be a beautiful thing.

That's all I can think of right now, but I'll be sure to add more as I become less jet-lagged. Tomorrow I'm going to get all of my immigration stuff taken care of, and learn how to give English lessons, as I've just found out that I have to give two on Friday. No rest for the weary! I'll try to post some pictures after I get my camera equipment set up, but I have a nagging suspicion that the pictures I have taken are at too high a resolution to be posted. So if you don't see any, don't worry, I'll retake them and post soon.

This is going to be so much fun!