We move to our new place on Saturday. Just another 36 hours of living with the in-laws. To tell you the truth, while I miss my own space, living here has not been THAT bad. I could probably even stay another couple of weeks without killing anyone but I am definitely glad we are moving. We certainly saved a bit of money by living here first as well…in total we will have lived with them for 7 weeks or so.
I have packed everything up except for the last minute items that will need to go into suitcases- yesterday I was pretty busy all day getting things together and closing boxes. A lot of our stuff was already packed in boxes from Australia or previously from when we lived in Japan but at different times when I had been searching for things most had been opened so that is what I was doing yesterday- closing them all!!! Plus packing up my clothes and books and shoes. Today I worked on Shun`s clothes and things and while his suitcase is still open in case there is anything from his old room he wants to put in, I am pretty sure I am done.
Yesterday morning before starting the packing I stopped and did a ten minute yoga warm-up and stretch thinking my arms and back would thank me for it later. I guess it didn`t really work much though because I woke up with back pain and a pulled muscle in my stomach (I hope that is all it is – luckily I am going to the baby doctor tomorrow so they can check me out there) – after finishing all I needed to pack up today as well I had a two hour nap!
Things I am looking forward to in the new place-
- While expensive, shopping for all the stuff we need (luckily most really expensive big stuff we already have!)- trips to Yodobashi, Ikea and the local Itokaido (sp?) planned!
- Cooking my own food and playing around in the kitchen (oh and making own bread)
- Unpacking and putting everything where I want it to go
- Snuggling up on the sofa and watching movies with Shun (now we snuggle on the bed and watch it on my laptop but it is not the same!)
- Space
- Exploring the new neighbourhood- will be the first time I will live in Funabashi so I am sure to make lots of new discoveries!
- Starting a mini herb and veggie garden (thanks to Heather for her tips by email!)
- Setting up my sewing machine and sewing stuff (too hot for knitting right now!)
- Setting up the room for goma-chan- although this won`t happen for a little while yet.
I am sure there is a lot more too!
I might be without internet for a little while- NTT is coming on July 28th (Tues week) but hopefully I will be able to scam some internet off the neighbours- if not they well, you might not hear from me for 10 days or so.
The plan is to stay in the new place for about four years until we can buy our own place- so I need to try to make it as homely as possible! If anybody has any nice hints on how to make it our own (within reason, as we are renting it) then please leave your advice!
Popularity: 15% [?]
I am just a twenty something Aussie girl living in Chiba, Japan with my Japanese husband trying to make sense of the crazy Japanese world we live in! We welcomed our first son in December 2009 (Noah) and a second son in January 2011, 2 months premature (Shion). I am working hard at raising them to be confident, bilingual, happy kids!
Have a great and safe move for you and Goma!!!!
Gosh – by the time you get the net more than likely BG should be here… kind of puts things in perspective!!!
I can’t wait to see your new place in Sept!!! Sounds like its really great and you’ll really enjoy decorating and making it your own
Might not be able to talk to you now until you either steal some internet from somewhere or your internet is set up in your new home. Just wanted to say have a safe move and am looking forward to seeing pictures of your new home!! Although, I think I will be the first to see it in real life, among us blogging girls, lol! Only 2 weeks till I come!!
Have fun shopping for all your household items as well. I kind of wish Sara and I could be there to go shopping with you because you are so much fun to shop with, hehehe!!
Nothing beats snuggling up on the couch watching a movie, does it! It is one of our favourite pastimes.
Btw, please message me or something tomorrow and let me know how your appointment goes!! I might not be online till at least Sunday I think.
have a quick uneventful move!
how about making some curtains. i love homemade curtains because you need them, you usually see them every day and they remind you that you made them! also, i love noren and in previous houses (this house doesn’t really need noren) i would hang them in certain doorways and then change them with the seasons. i even have an awesome ‘yu’ half noren which i would hang over the bathroom door.
plants are a good choice, too. if you’re absent-minded like me, get varieties that don’t need a lot of water! LOL
HAVE FUN!!
You mentioned you pulled a muscle? Please be more careful…. don’t push yourself too hard, that’s Shun’s job now — you protect Goma-chan =)
Hope the move is smooth and you’re relaxing in your new place in no time.
Thanks everyone! I went to pick up the keys today and the moving truck is coming at 9am tomorrow morning (EEK, that early on a Saturday!)
Making curtains sounds like a great idea Illahee! We already have curtains for the bedroom but eventually we will need some for the living room as well so I might attempt making some!!! Will see how that will go
Hope you have a smooth and uneventful move
hi, i’ve been a reader of your blog for a while now and this is my first comment. first off, congrats on your marriage and baby on the way! i was born in Funabashi and go back there often (i live in the US). hope you’ll like living in my hometown!
Congratulation on your baby. Reading your blog is quite good. I’ll be on Chiba for 3 months. But I have to complete some travel arrangements, since it’s for a project. How much is a mount rent for a small apartment or studio in Chiba? You might have this data. Any tips on meting Japanese culture?