Our first week in Japan has been fun. A little trying at times, but the people are so friendly here. We got our first offer for a house through housing. We have 3 options for housing here, but we'd rather make an informed decision. We're going to look at a few more houses out in town and take a tour of Ikego (that's where I want to live) before we make our decision. I told housing we'd let them know by the 16th, that's the day we go see a 1900 sqft Westernized house. I was told that we could be in a house as soon as the 23rd if we give him that date. So we shall see. I will learn how to post pictures on here once we get a house, well once I get my real computer back. I'm not familiar with Windows 7, so it's a learning curve for me.
Two days ago we were hankering for a taste of home. So we were out in town and the boys spotted McDonalds. We went in and ordered 2 value meals and 2 happy meals. It came to a total of 2,470 yen about $30! My jaw hit the floor when I used my yen converter on my phone. Oh, and their medium and large size drinks are an American small and medium. Learning curve. I do have to say, it was the best McDonalds I've ever had. Everything was hot and fresh. Next time, we will go to the one on base (which we found out about afterwards) or on special occasions. Here in Japan, they are huge on recycling and you must separate ALL your trash. So as I was taking our trash up, I had to watch a young school girl (they all wear the Catholic school girl uniforms, so cute!). Then I had to ask where certain things like the juice box went.
Being here a week there are two things I have noticed. One, the people are so incredibly nice. And they like 2 little blond headed boys. Between the ladies and the older generation, they are not starved for attention. We hear, "cute, cute" everywhere we go. They don't speak much English beyond that, but we're finding that we can gesture and try to understand each other. Second, they do little things like separating the trash. And once you get used to it, it's not that big of a deal. It's not necessarily about convenience, but doing the right thing. They are honest, kind and very well dressed people. Heck, going out wearing a nice sweater and jeans and I feel like a total slacker! Men are dressed in suit and tie, ladies wear skirts. Almost everyone wears black, so if you wear any kind of color you stick out. Not that we don't already.
I think once we get our footing and find our niche things will settle down. Zach is on the ship already, so I'm having to do things on my own. Registering the boys for childcare (we have a week long brief we have to attend next week), heading out for lunch (we only have a 2 burner stove) or just getting out of our hotel room. I may take them out in town sometime this week. I'm sure I'll be able to manage it just fine.
Things are starting to sink in with the boys. The acting out is at an all time high. It stresses me out and I hurt for them because I know how difficult it is for me, but they've no idea. We've tried to talk to them about things before we moved here, but Jack is really homesick. We had a talk yesterday about missing our family and he was crying. It just killed me. I understand how he feels, it's like any new place, but totally different at the same time. It's not like we can hop in a car and drive somewhere, when we go off base, they speak a totally different language and there's a bunch of writing we don't understand. I'm afraid that I'll do something to offend, not knowing it. It's something that after our orientation and time in Japan, I can overcome. It's just a little overwhelming.
With all the ups and downs, I know it just takes a little time and we need to establish some friendships. Once that happens, things will get better. They're not bad, everything is just so new. Talk about being out of your comfort zone! Even the toilets and faucets are different! It took me about 10 minutes to figure out that pushing the lever down is for pee and up is poop! I'm learning, but the faucets in the sinks are opposite of ours. You push the handle down to turn it on. I've splashed myself a couple of times doing dishes by pushing it up to turn it off, when it just makes the water come out faster! I will conquer that obstacle. I'm trying to look at it as a challenge. It may take a while, but I will relearn how to use a faucet. I've got the toilet down pat already! Next, driving on the wrong side of the road! I'm terrified, but I will conquer that too!
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