These are pictures of the cute little shopping place across from my apartment.
What a day! I will call it Super Sunday. I woke up early and got to talk to my family on the phone. I love having skype. It’s so great to be able to talk to people like we were just down the street. I went to bed about 10:30 last night. The wind was still howling and the rain was beating at my door but I felt safe enough. When I got up this morning it was a gorgeous day. The sun was shining for the first time since I have been here. It was warm and slightly breezy. Some kids were having a baseball game in the sandlot behind my apartment.
I decided that today would be a good day to explore the neighborhood. Around 12:00 or so I headed out to those cute shops across the street. They are called Arow & Department. I have always had great taste because no matter where I go, I find the most expensive shops. They had some really cute stuff. I wanted to buy a lot of things but I decided that this was only my first time out and I better hold off just yet. After that I headed back to the main road. I had seen a 100 yen shop down the street when we had ridden our bikes to school on Monday so I thought I’d walk to it and check it out. I wanted to get a few things so off I went.
I walked for a little while…man, this was taking a long time. I kept walking…where was this place? Did I miss a turn? I kept turning around to see if I could still see my apartment building. Yeah, there it was. Hmm…should I turn around and go get my bike? Nah, it wasn’t that far. I would have remembered. I kept walked for awhile longer. Two cars pulled over to chat. They were full of teachers from one of the nursery schools. They were going to my building to clean Mandy’s apartment since she had moved out. For a second I thought about hopping in the car with them and going back but I didn’t. I kept walking a bit more. Why hadn’t I gotten in the car and gone back?? Then angels sang out from the heavens, “AAAAAAHHHHH”…there it was, the 100 yen store. I am really bad with estimation but I think I walked a couple of miles. I walked about a 10 minute bike ride and my shoulders are bright red if that tells you anything.
In the 100 yen store I just had myself a little field day. It was so great. They have everything and not the normal junk you would buy at the dollar store. I mean high quality, cutesy wootsey stuff. I stocked up on much needed items (and a few things I could have lived without but they looked heartbroken sitting on the shelves).
Then I started the trek home. Wow, I thought I was going to keel over there a few times. I arms were loaded down with my great bargains and my feet were hurting from the flip flops…not to mention the sunburn that was setting in. I made it though, all the way back to the apartment.
I checked my email and called home to chat about the stores. It’s so great when you buy stuff and then can talk about every little thing you bought in great detail. It’s like reliving the whole experience. The teachers were still cleaning so I hung out with them some. Dear, sweet Misaki came through the door and saw me and made a beeline for me. She was so excited to see me. She brought me a drink and a snack. It was some bread thing with pudding in it. Very good.
After they left I was getting hungry so I decided to make my last stops for the day. I went across the street to the bookstore. It is two stories full of books. Most everything is in Japanese but I still managed to find my way around. Upstairs there is a TINY English section with books that are pretty outdated. We all know my love for Harry Potter. That was one of my reasons for going in. I wanted to see if they would have the last book in English. I don’t think so. They have paperbacks in English but they are old and do not look like the American ones. They did have the Japanese ones but they were about $40 each. I think I will have to send for one in America. I had the best time in the children’s books. Eric Carle’s books were in Japanese. I am going to go back and buy a couple one day. I already have them picked out.
My next stop was the grocery store. They have all of this food that is cooked and prepared for you to eat. It’s like our deli with the chicken and veggies, only theirs is Japanese food. I grabbed a couple of things for dinners and then left. As I was leaving something caught my eye…a fish!! They sell little fish that you can buy as pets. I am going to have to go back and get one once I do some research. I am already thinking of names for it. The girl was so excited that I was excited. We communicated through some wild hand gestured and smiles. My new fish will be so happy at home in the apartment.
As the evening comes to an end, I think about the day. I am reminded many times a day that I am a foreigner. I think, though, that I have somewhat found a solution (at least for walking around): big sunglasses. I wore mine today and I found that people stared less and honked their horns less as I was walking on the street. Maybe next time I’ll throw on a hat for good measure. I can’t imagine how movie stars do it…always being followed around with cameras and people starting and talking to them. It would creep me out.
I managed to figure out how to work the washing machine tonight. It has been working on my clothes for about three hours. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad sign. It is a washer/dryer combo so I think it is drying them in there too. I'm getting a little concerned. I'll let you know how it turns out. I've kept busy by watching Grey's Anatomy, occasinally going in their to look into the washer.
That’s the end for today. I have a big day planned for tomorrow. It will be the first time I ride the train alone!! WOW! Sayonara!
I decided that today would be a good day to explore the neighborhood. Around 12:00 or so I headed out to those cute shops across the street. They are called Arow & Department. I have always had great taste because no matter where I go, I find the most expensive shops. They had some really cute stuff. I wanted to buy a lot of things but I decided that this was only my first time out and I better hold off just yet. After that I headed back to the main road. I had seen a 100 yen shop down the street when we had ridden our bikes to school on Monday so I thought I’d walk to it and check it out. I wanted to get a few things so off I went.
I walked for a little while…man, this was taking a long time. I kept walking…where was this place? Did I miss a turn? I kept turning around to see if I could still see my apartment building. Yeah, there it was. Hmm…should I turn around and go get my bike? Nah, it wasn’t that far. I would have remembered. I kept walked for awhile longer. Two cars pulled over to chat. They were full of teachers from one of the nursery schools. They were going to my building to clean Mandy’s apartment since she had moved out. For a second I thought about hopping in the car with them and going back but I didn’t. I kept walking a bit more. Why hadn’t I gotten in the car and gone back?? Then angels sang out from the heavens, “AAAAAAHHHHH”…there it was, the 100 yen store. I am really bad with estimation but I think I walked a couple of miles. I walked about a 10 minute bike ride and my shoulders are bright red if that tells you anything.
In the 100 yen store I just had myself a little field day. It was so great. They have everything and not the normal junk you would buy at the dollar store. I mean high quality, cutesy wootsey stuff. I stocked up on much needed items (and a few things I could have lived without but they looked heartbroken sitting on the shelves).
Then I started the trek home. Wow, I thought I was going to keel over there a few times. I arms were loaded down with my great bargains and my feet were hurting from the flip flops…not to mention the sunburn that was setting in. I made it though, all the way back to the apartment.
I checked my email and called home to chat about the stores. It’s so great when you buy stuff and then can talk about every little thing you bought in great detail. It’s like reliving the whole experience. The teachers were still cleaning so I hung out with them some. Dear, sweet Misaki came through the door and saw me and made a beeline for me. She was so excited to see me. She brought me a drink and a snack. It was some bread thing with pudding in it. Very good.
After they left I was getting hungry so I decided to make my last stops for the day. I went across the street to the bookstore. It is two stories full of books. Most everything is in Japanese but I still managed to find my way around. Upstairs there is a TINY English section with books that are pretty outdated. We all know my love for Harry Potter. That was one of my reasons for going in. I wanted to see if they would have the last book in English. I don’t think so. They have paperbacks in English but they are old and do not look like the American ones. They did have the Japanese ones but they were about $40 each. I think I will have to send for one in America. I had the best time in the children’s books. Eric Carle’s books were in Japanese. I am going to go back and buy a couple one day. I already have them picked out.
My next stop was the grocery store. They have all of this food that is cooked and prepared for you to eat. It’s like our deli with the chicken and veggies, only theirs is Japanese food. I grabbed a couple of things for dinners and then left. As I was leaving something caught my eye…a fish!! They sell little fish that you can buy as pets. I am going to have to go back and get one once I do some research. I am already thinking of names for it. The girl was so excited that I was excited. We communicated through some wild hand gestured and smiles. My new fish will be so happy at home in the apartment.
As the evening comes to an end, I think about the day. I am reminded many times a day that I am a foreigner. I think, though, that I have somewhat found a solution (at least for walking around): big sunglasses. I wore mine today and I found that people stared less and honked their horns less as I was walking on the street. Maybe next time I’ll throw on a hat for good measure. I can’t imagine how movie stars do it…always being followed around with cameras and people starting and talking to them. It would creep me out.
I managed to figure out how to work the washing machine tonight. It has been working on my clothes for about three hours. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad sign. It is a washer/dryer combo so I think it is drying them in there too. I'm getting a little concerned. I'll let you know how it turns out. I've kept busy by watching Grey's Anatomy, occasinally going in their to look into the washer.
That’s the end for today. I have a big day planned for tomorrow. It will be the first time I ride the train alone!! WOW! Sayonara!
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