New Occurances

So yesterday we went to the Inkai for the first time. The BOE was on the 4th floor of the main government buildings. All of the government buildings are on the same building because this is just a small city. We got there around 9am and met everybody and had to do a small introduction. Then we had a bit to stand around and then we met Kugai-san, the BIG BOSS. Kugai-san was in a flowery Hawaiian style shirt and sunglasses. I thought he was wearing the sunglasses just because he could and it really helped me to relax. Turns out he just had cataract surgery, but whatever. We had a nice chat in his office with the other ALTs that were there, with Nick translating for us. He seems very laid back and pleasant.

While we were at “work” we went downstairs to register as Aliens. Its gonna apparently take us a couple of weeks to get our cards, but we have a piece of paper that says that we are registering. However, because we didn’t have the cards the 3 hours after work were filled with a lot of walking with nothing accomplished except I actually know where work is in comparison to my house. We found out that the only place we can get bank accounts is at the post office, everywhere else didn’t tell us no, but just looked very worried and unsure until we said, “oh, that’s okay, we’ll come back later.” Because apparently the Japanese don’t like saying “no.”

So we went to only one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and played beach volley ball (I sucked, but at least I tried) and swam in the ocean (clear, blue, and stupid strong current). It was a really fun couple of hours. Then we went to the airport to pick up Sam. When we got there, her plane hadn’t even left Naha yet, so we killed an hour at the coffee shop upstairs. When she came in we welcomed her and she went to see her apartment and we went back to ours to get ready for a barbeque on the roof. On the way back home we stopped by the supermarket, which looks a lot like Publix, but very different food. I thought I got some oranges for breakfast, but they turned out to be grapefruit, which is just as nice. Oh! But I left them in the fridge at work! I hope they’ll be okay for Monday . . . We grilled out, and I just about died at 11 so I went to bed.

This morning I actually slept until the decent time of 6:30, and talked to my family, which was really really nice. I also talked to Leo a little bit, but he was still at work, so he couldn’t talk long. Oh, and got to say hi to Tia.

At work we only stayed about 1 hour before embarking back on the hunt for things we need without an alien registration card. Turns out we got bank accounts that can be used all across Japan (weeee). We also stopped by Teresa’s leasing office to start her paperwork, and the cable company to try to get her internet turned on. Then we went back home and I decided that I really didn’t want to go to the beach today too so I stayed home. I’m really tired, but more than that I’m just kinda hot and wanted to just sit somewhere nice in the A/C. So after a soujourn down the main drag in front of my apartment (lots of nice, touristy shops. I saw many of your Christmas presents sitting in the windows) I ended up in Mos Burger (although I can’t eat anything cuz we’re having pizza in just a few hours) where I bought two drinks to cover the fact that I’ve been here for about 3 hours. The A/C is wonderful, the music is soft and poppy. The staff has been nice, so far.

So far I’ve tried to create a budget and wrote this post (it’s about 6:15p now). My budget didn’t come out as nicely as I would have liked, but much of that is because I don’t know how much things will cost. Like my cell phone, which I feel I should have one, but I don’t know how many minutes I’ll need. Or maybe I should get a prepaid and just see how I use it. I really wish I could see the plans in English, they’d make so much more sense. And I don’t know how much my electricity will be, because Nick is really careful with his electricity and doesn’t mind the heat. I really do. As the plan currently has it I only have around 30000y left for savings. That should be a much higher number, but like I said, we’ll just have to see how it turns out. And hopefully some of the rainy day funds will turn into more savings, on top of the retirement fund and growth fund, which are budget items. I think for my growth fund I’ll just send it home with all of the other money I’m sending and ask my parents to use it to buy savings bonds or something similar. Right now that’s set at just 4000y, which is small, but with the massive interest, it would be worth it. I wonder how small an amount can be to put it into a roth IRA?

. . .

Is it bad that it’s only been a few days and I already want people to come visit me? I’m happy, and I’m healthy(ish) (oh, did I mention the horrible cold I’ve had since last Friday? It’s made the plane rides SOOOO much fun. I’m actually a little worried that I’m getting a bit of an ear infection on my left ear.) but it would be really nice to share some of this experience with someone I know. So who’s up to coming? It’s not THAT expensive (laughs). My apartment (which I can’t live in until next week, but after that is nice) is much bigger than I thought it would be, so I could probably easily put up one or two people for a decent bit of time comfortably. More I could always put in the tent on the roof? What do you say? Come visit a bit of the island paradise? Swim in the warm seas, see plenty of fish, eat the great food? Fresh mangos . . . ? No?

Sigh, I don’t actually expect anyone to come so soon, but it would be nice . . . I think the first time I get to see people would be September, and I just realized that I won’t be teaching until the second week, so I should probably have my trip ahead of time . . . hmmmm. I wonder because I only have to work for 3 hours during the holidays if I could just work for 6 hours for 2 days and take two days off . . . I should ask Taira-san when I see her next. And I need to ask Chris if earlier would be okay . . . I really want to see people. Damn is that going to be an expensive plane flight. Maybe I could buy it ahead of time and save some money. There’s a JAL office somewhere right around here, maybe I could ask for a cheap flight :P.

Mmm, I should probably head back to the apt. Janine should be picking me up soonish for pizza, and it should have cooled down enough outside that I won’t drip inside Justin’s apt. I don’t understand why it builds up soooo much heat! Nick says that it’s because there’s another building right in front of Justin’s and not in front of mine so that mine is waaaay cooler even though it’s smaller. Also my plumbing works better. And the layout is nicer (I think) because the bedroom isn’t tucked away in a corner away from the A/C. I think if I were in Justin’s apt I would have to (buy an A/C that actually works) put my bed in the living room right under the A/C and use that tiny back room as an . . . I don’t know. Work room? Excersise room? Storage? Something. As is, I don’t think I really need that much space. It is just me. And most of my stuff I left at home.