Ogakijin Blog

Finally, my free time is over!!!
No plan for the day.
Woke up around 7:30am... early enough to make work from tomorrow on?
Just searched. Yep, I need to get 8:15am train for work.
Well, I may want to get up a bit earlier... just in case!

I did clean bathroom. Laundry took place, too. See, I was busy then!

For lunch... I decided to be part of the line to the restaurant.
Not really... ramen noodle shop called "JIRO." Not too far from my place.
Very famous noodle. ALWAYS you see so many people waiting for spot in that noodle shop.

Took me more than 20 minutes to get in. The noodle was amazing...

Man, this is HUGE!
Even though I requested garlic to be minimum... still too much for me!
Tasted like garlic with thick noodle... didn't taste anything else... much.

Am pretty sure that I will not be part of the waiting line again. NEVER AGAIN.

This wasn't that great food like everyone loved to and spent quite time to take a seat in that noodle shop. This is crazy... but that's what people want...

Okay, I will be working from tomorrow! See ya!

Two more days to go... the time is of course ticking...
I had to make a last visit to Nifco... practically still my employer. Yep, resignation is effective on 31st. So I went to my old work place. Yeah, it took a while to travel all the way.
It took me about hour and a half. Plus, had to walk for 15 minutes from station.

Almost all people that I said hello remembered of me. Thank you all!

Many (most) of them showed understanding about my next challenge. It seemed that many of them wanted to try something new like I do... though, they thought that they weren't capable or not even ready. That's how the conservatism is recognized. No surprise.

From sales, engineering, to quality assurance, I saw so many coworkers.

At night, Boss Miura, mimmy, and Ogose came along with me for dinner. Yeah, cool! I drank at faster pace then. I must have been enjoying myself too much (even though there wasn't any female company there!).

Everyone, I thank you for everything. I really enjoyed myself while working there. People were definitely nice. This place gave me lots of opportunities for thinking and I could develop many different understanding.

Am sure that if this piece of my life missed... I wouldn't even have been there at Thunderbird for MBA!

Count down is in progress... almost time for me to work!!! Yeah, I woke up around 7:30am... like regular working day! Almost ready. This Thursday is the Day One for me. Yep, almost there...
Tons of paper work around in this apartment room. Why? I have to sort them out. Things from Thunderbird, back from Ogaki, and new stuff from recent shopping activity... so many things are here and I have to check them out.
I spent entire time in this morning for cleaning. Yeah, were a desperate housewife! Hehehe.

Oh, I found that abc.com broadcast all past episodes of popular show like "Desperate Housewives" or "Grey's Anatomy." Though, that service is available only within American continent. Not for viewers in Japan.

Bummer!

Yes, I start it up again! Yeah, "Ogakijin's Gathering." Those who are Ogakijin's friends from time in Atlanta and other place... I hold gathering like several times a year... Since am back in Japan... (Tokyo, precisely), I organize the gathering again.
Just sent out invitation via email. Most of them are positive response.
I decided NOT to provide my place to hold a meeting this time. Still don't have much stuff to host a meeting... I mean, I don't have any folks and knives... Hahaha!
This time, we'll get together in Ginza area.
Date? February 3rd. Yep, Saturday.
Do you want to join us? If so, let me know! Everyone speaks English there. I mean we all can (except MoonFlower).
I expect about 7 to 8 people to show up. Cool, huh.

Tomorrow, I have an appointment at old work place. Yeah, in Sagamihara. I guess, I will drink with ex-coworkers at night.
2 days to go...

Nothing planned for the day. Like your weekend? Hehehe. Woke up quite late... actually later than 9am. Latest since I moved in. I must have been tired of doing all this? I must have been so. Lots of work for this place so far!

Sunjeev called in to my cellular phone. 2nd time this year! Good to hear from ya!

Today's shopping was kept minimum. Bought several cleaning goods for my room. Wait. Who in the world is going to clean my room? (BANG!)

Oh since Internet connection open, I brought my old PowerBook 2400c out of box which was in the closet. For what? 2400c is totally out of specification for regular use. That's true. However, I still make it WiFi-enabled and I can surf the Net from it!
I set up everything on that laptop to have Internet connection. Didn't take too long.

Now the question is how I am going to use it? For what? Where should I put it?
What about another laptop? Gold Epson laptop that I used at T-bird? Yeah, that computer is currently with MoonFlower because she took it with her when she returned to Japan from Phoenix (I asked her so...).

Thus, I do have three computers in this apartment room. Wow!
Yeah, call me GEEK!

Curtain looks good in this room! Thank you, MoonFlower.

Last weekend of the month... already? In February, I "officially" get back to realty. Yeah, start working again! (i.e. start making money again!)
Thus, I have to enjoy myself as much as possible while this free time lasts.
This morning, package from ISP arrived. Also, service personnel from that ISP came to set up my Internet connection. Yeah, finally! This is pretty fast access!! Great!

MoonFlower got here around 11:30am. She brought lots of my clothes that I sent to her home from Japan.
Well, there are some more stuff on the way to her place from US. That means that I ought to expect more stuff in this apartment room. Hmmm.

Went to nearby department store to buy curtain. Some of styles were on sale... I grabbed one for my room right away!
We went on to furniture store called NITORI. We took trains to get there.

MoonFlower: glass table
Ogakijin: wooden table

We have a disparity in preference. Hahaha. Well, in this case, MoonFlower has MORE power in decision-making. Therefore...

This is what we bought (and I paid...). $200.
Since ceiling light is black... the black table is also selected. To be delivered on coming Saturday.
Saturday? Not tomorrow? I had expected to have in by Monday morning... (BANG!)

Well, today's mission is complete! Didn't think that I would finish it all within a day. I guess, buying curtain so quickly gave us advantage.

My apartment is almost well-furnished! Yes, you're welcome anytime!!!

MUJI closet boxes got here around 10:30am. From that time on, I became busy to clean my apartment since I get good storage space.
I put all clothes and towels in... into different boxes. My closet is better utilized.

Over this weekend, MoonFlower and I take a look at table and curtain. Other than that, my move-in project is almost complete! YEY!

Went to Ginza again to pick up my Canon camera. Yeah, another to-do is done. Now camera is clean (both inside and outside) and ready for another heavy use!

Went to police station in Akihabara... and update my information on driver's license.
Bought blank CD-Rs and DVD-Rs in Yodobashi Camera. (how often do I need to go there?)

I thought that it would be a good idea to ask friends around to have dinner together tonight. Well, it was all in vain. Tetsuji was busy for his family and other friends had different refusal reasons. Suddenly, I am no longer popular. (Wait, I never got prime time before...)

So I made it early tonight. Came home with magazine and some take-out sushi for supper. Watched TV all night long... laughing.

TV stand is delivered this morning. WOW, it's BIG! I ordered over Internet last week or so from Ogaki.
With sofa and TV, my living room looks like very small!
Well, good color (brown) and I like it. Good match in size with TV, too.
Now, sofa and TV are set. Space between them is identified. Thus, I can go out to shop a table for this space.
Oops, that's MoonFlower's choice.

Went to Ginza to drop by at the Canon Service Station. Yeah, I requested the cleaning service on my digital camera.
Went to some department stores to check some things out. Wanted to buy (fancy) mugs for my use. No plates and cups in my room yet. Hehehe.
At least I need my own mug for coffee!!!

Dinner was scheduled around 7:30pm. In Kanda. Yeah, Nishi who is my first boss in my life and I got together. Time to time like once or twice a year, I get a chance to meet my most respect business person for talk.
This time, I told him what I have done last year and where I would head to.
Good Japanese dishes. Obviously, overeating. Not much drinks, though.
I had a great time with my ex-boss.

You know what? Spending time for fun like this... made me realize that great convenience (so close to center of Tokyo) was SO beneficial. Oh, don't get me wrong! That doesn't mean I am going to spent lots of fun time over drinks!

Still lots of things to do, folks. Oh, T-birds... about start new trimester, huh. How was your Winterim? Hope everyone had awesome time in different project and assignment!
Day Three without being wired. How much longer I have to be this way?
Am sure that many of y'all are curious if I am okay... yep, am! Just a matter of technicality. I don't go too far from y'all whether you like me or not.

In the morning, I went to ward office (like city hall) for the registration of residency. Didn't take too long. 15 mins.
I wanted to go to police station to update my address on driver's license... though, I found it relocated far from where I thought it was.
Thus, I will do that tomorrow or so.

In the afternoon, went to Kinsicho for shopping. Destination? MUJI store. Yeah, Martha's favorite brand. Yeah, I mean Martha Stewart. She introduced famous MUJI's monotone stuff in her own show. I firsthand saw more than several times.
You know? MUJI originally started low-end brand... now seemed very high-end. Obviously, some furniture were definitely overpriced. Since I took a look at more than several furniture stores such as IKEA and local stores... I can tell so.

Didn't buy big stuff then. However, I bought 6 boxes for my storage. Yeah, they are closet boxes. To be delivered on Friday.
That's about it for the day.

More deliverables today, folks. How are y'all? Woke up quite early so that I can be ready for new realty. Hehehe.
Suitcase got here around 10am. Yeah, now I have most of my clothes! Plus, AC adaptor for my cellphone which was dead since last night. You know, having dead phone means end of life! Hehehe.

Bag which I asked exBoss Ito to send from Hamamatsu got here, too.
Yeah, finally I got all personal belongings.

Wait. Not precisely.

I sent how many? Oh, I sent 4 boxes from Thunderbird. 3 more afterward (1 from Atlanta and 2 from North Carolina). I sent them all to MoonFlower's place since I wasn't sure where to settle around this time.
So far, she got 2 boxes. Only first 2 boxes. All were stopped at the Customs? Am I considered as terrorist by now? Hehehe.
Am sure that surface takes some time... and all will get here (eventually!).

Back to my today's story.

In my room, still curtain and coffee table are missing. Need a table so that I can put things on it... like MacBook, cup of coffee, etc. As agreed with MoonFlower, she would choose those things for me. (Too bad that doesn't mean that she also pays them for me) Now it is her task to arrange those. Remember the sofa I got? Same scenario. She picks and I pay (and use!).

Remember, the budget is EXTREMELY tight!
Actually, my debt is amazingly increasing since I came back to Japan... due to all financial requirement for new place to live.
Now the cost for this requirement is exceeding 10K! (no kidding!)
Hmmm, Japan is darn expensive! (Oh, I have known so.)

This apartment room doesn't have much storage space. Basically big closet. Well, I have to buy boxes to put in the closet so that I can sort different clothes for convenience.
Hmmm, more to shop!

About time! So tired of living in strange place. I mean, not my place...
This morning, things kept me so busy. Showed up to real estate agency around 10am and dealt paper work. Then, received a key to my new apartment! YEY! Finally...

Walked down to my new place. Very new... brand new! Smell like new place. It is new place, darn it! Hehehe.

Almost all deliverables were in... throughout all day today!
First, Yodobashi Camera delivered TV, washing machine, refrigerator, etc. Delivery men were very decent and nicely gave me a briefing about how to operate this sophisticated TV... that is in front of me now.
In Japan... cable channels aren't that common as in US. In stead, we have satellite channels in addition to ordinary air channels. In this new place, I can receive all... at least capability-wise. Thus, I have to make individual contract to get those special channels such as CNN-J, etc.

Around 2pm, futon got here... so I can spend night from tonight. I told Arashida that I didn't have to come back to his place for tonight.

Nippon Express brought my boxes from Ogaki. The old man wasn't careful about my stuff and not really nice.
Since my suitcase and the bag left in Hamamatsu (!) are on the way to here... not today but tomorrow. Thus, I have minimum number of clothes here. Oh don't worry, I've got clean underwear. (BANG!)

No Internet yet. Already applied (I think I mentioned it before). Hopefully, connection gets open soonest.

Anyway, so exciting about starting new environment. Money-wise, this is severe disaster though...
Photos of this new place? Not yet. Allow me some time, please! I don't want to share about this messy room with y'all. Rather, once I settle, I will put up photos showing y'all how this is like!

As yesterday was longer than expected, I started this day quite late. Came home before 6am and hit the sack. Then, I got up around 11am.
NO energy to do anything for the day. Tomorrow, it will be a big moving day for sure. Thus, I better keep my energy full for tomorrow.

Arashida (my current landlord - hahaha!) and I went for lunch to nearby restaurant. That's pretty much it.
We talked about many things, though.

Late afternoon, I packed my big suitcase and brought in to a convenience store for dispatch. Yeah, don't plan to take it with me to the new apartment since too heavy! Cost me about 12 bucks to sent it off.

That's it. Watched TV all night... Ready for tomorrow!

Except TV table, everything else that I have already purchased is on its way to my apartment! By the end of day tomorrow, I should be with full of stuff around in the new apartment room!

With old friends, had superb time in Hamamatsu.
Originally, planned to get the last train for Tokyo around 10pm... so we started festivity early enough at 6pm. However, my ex-boss Ito told me that I should stay longer... I ended up to take red-eye train leaving Hamamatsu at 1:14am for Tokyo. Yeah, instead of Shinkansen super express, I had to take local train...

Well, I had great time, though. I made a right decision! Hehehe.

Ex-boss Ito, Arata, and Hasegawa - all ex-coworkers of mine got together for me.
I hadn't seen them for about a year. Great to see you folks!

Went to tavern for drinks first.
After several drinks, wen to ramen noodle shop for a bowl of noodle.
Then, showed up to a pub.

We drank along with Japanese, Chinese, and Philippines hostesses. Yeah, sang Karaoke, too. From 9pm till half-passed midnight, we kept drinking, talking, and singing! We almost made it endless night! Yeah, almost.

Funny thing... I couldn't retrieve my big bag from locker! That area in the station was shut down during the last night. Darn it!!! I asked Ito to hold the key and get my back next day to send it to me later. Huh, that's funny extra!

Well, I really appreciate y'all for fantastic night. Just what I needed! Very Japanese way of having fun!

Of course, train leaving at 1:14am doesn't give me much comfort... I came home around 5:30am. Yeah, I had to sneak in! (BANG!)

Showed up to City Hall.... 2 days in a row. Yeah, I know. This is because I have to take my residency out of this town due to moving to Tokyo. Yeah, this should be last part of my moving process. Packing is complete, already.

As soon as process is done at the counter in the Hall, I was told, "Have a nice day, Sir."
Immediately after that... I was still facing the counter.

"Are you Mr. Ogkaijin?"

It was my knee-jerk reaction... I said, "Yeah, it is me."

Wait a minute. I was standing in the middle of City Hall... Some City personnel recognized me that easily?! Hmmm.

I really thought that it was my last day as Ogakijin since violating some regulation out there.

At night, my friends from high school got together for me. Yasunori and Nakai. Both guys spent high school years (entirely!) with me. Same class all the times!
Talked about job, family,and most importantly... money!
Yasunori remains single and Nakai is father of 2 kids. Yeah, same age with big difference! Hehehe.
Thanks, guys!

Moving is serious issue!!! This morning, Nippon Express (mover) brought a couple of empty boxes for me to pack my stuff. I moved other boxes from upstairs to the entrance so that Nippon can pick them up easily tomorrow.
How many boxes? Probably about 5 boxes or so. Golf bag and clubs, electric heater, what else...

Went to City Hall... yeah Ogaki's. For what? I had to get certification of my seal impression (right English?). However, I hadn't even registered my seal impression at all. Thus, I went to City Hall to register and get certificate at the same time.

Didn't take too long since there were not many foreigners who register their residency in Ogaki. So didn't take too long. Last time earlier in this month, it was a disaster!!! OK, got what I needed. Good to go!

What else do I need to buy for my new place?
-TV board
-coffee table
-bed (isn't this most important?)

Oh boy... still need to shop.

Yep, am back in Ogaki again. Since 6th. This time is going to be last time for a while to stay home. Yeah, I don't get next chance coming home so easily. At least I presume so. It's NOT cheap to come home!!!

In the morning, I had a meeting in Akasaka. Yeah, it was serous meeting about shifting my life toward new direction. Hahaha.
Afterward, I showed up to Tokyo Headquarter of Nifco, Inc. - my current employer. Submitted my resignation letter. The company cancel the employment as of end of January. It means that I'll be free man! Hahaha.

New job starts at February 1st. Thank Goddess.

Phoned exBoss Ito... I hadn't talk to him for a long time. Told him that I was on my way back to Ogaki...

"How come you don't plan to stop over at Hamamatsu?" He asked. (He's in that city)
"Hmmm" I had no words replying to that suggestion.

Well, we both agreed with each other that we see each other either in Tokyo or Hamamatsu this weekend.
We'll see which location to be better for us.

Surprise phone call from overseas! It was Anshu! Thank you for your call! It was from India. This was the first time in my entire life to receive a call from India. Wow!!! Nice to hear from you, my friend!!!

Plus, I kind found myself that I still can speak some English...

I didn't buy it... didn't even have control over the purchase. MoonFlower decided to buy this particular sofa for my apartment room. Well, I was on the phone with her who was in the shop looking at the sofa.

After the purchase, I got picture. Seems pretty nice. Price? That's too very nice!



Delivery is going to be made on 22nd, the 1st day at my new apartment. Yahoo!!!
How much? Well, it's about 500 bucks.

What's up, folks? Am still busy... even though haven't started working yet!!! After apartment hunting, I have to look for stuff to fill out the new place!!! I never bought TV, refrigerator, or washing machine. Yeah, seriously... I used old TV... didn't have fridge for a long time... and I used Laundromat.

It means that I now come to totally new life style! Yeah, truly.

In the morning, I stuck with my cellular phone. That was because I have to request service to power, gas, and water company. Plus, I sent an application for Internet access via fiber optic network (should be super fast access!).

Went out to Akihabara for serious shopping in the afternoon.
MoonFlower joined me since she took a day off today (she went errands before meeting me).

Of course, Yodobashi Camera superstore is my destination.
Previously made a booking with concierge support at Yodobashi because I already knew that it was going to be multi-products shopping session. From TV to refrigerator.


-Panasonic "Viera" 37-inch plasma TV
-refrigerator
-vacuum cleaner
-electric kettle by T-Fal
-room lights (2)
-rice cooker

Wow, with those new stuff, am SO sure that my room is very cozy!!!
Money? Yeah, it's gone!!! Paid 321,779 yen for this shopping. More than $2,500 spent instantly!

Wait. Who would support me financially? Hmmm. (BANG!)

Yeah! Now I got my apartment in JR Koiwa area. Phone call this morning brought me a good news! There were five cancellations and I was given a choice between 3rd and 7th floor room. Since the latter was facing the north, I took the 3rd floor which faces south. In fact, it is south-east corner room. Perfect!

Here is the floor plan

Actually, this is south-west corner room. You need to flip the side left to right.
Now I can invite any T-bird!

Now the concern is the payment. To reserve this room, you need to pay:

-1st month rent
-deposit (=1 month rent)
-key money (=2 months rent)
-commission (=0.5 month rent)

To ease your calculation, here is example.
Assume that you want to hold an apartment which is for 1,000 dollars a month.

At this time of process, you need to pay:
1,000 dollars x 4.5 months = 4,500 dollars

Am not kidding. This is pretty standard. Normally, the commission is 1 month rent rather than half.

Worst case could be:
-1st month rent
-deposit (2)
-key money (2)
-commission (1)

1,000 dollars x 6 months = 6,000 dollars

This depends upon real estate agency and property owner.

Conclusion: you have to be SMART shopper!
I was simply lucky! Saved quite bid of money. Plus, I made the first choice! This is big deal.

Of course, I will throw an Open House party soon as I settle all in. Sure thing.
Oh, all girls are invited! No ugly men, please. (BANG!)

Yep, this is the last day for apartment hunting! Doing this for longer time doesn't mean anything. Rather, I cut this out and decide so that I can move on to next phase of my life.

8:30am, wake-up
9:30am, departure
11:00am, JR Koiwa

Today, it was Open House Day for the new apartment. Real estate agent took MoonFlower and me to the site. Yeah, brand new!!! Certainly, nice.
Check 2nd floor and 6th floor. Also saw all types of rooms.

Conclusion:
all rooms above 3rd floor with one room on 2nd floor = good to go!

Over night, property owner will decide which application to take. It could be mine... maybe not. By tomorrow noon, I should be informed of the result. If awarded, this is going to be it! If not, I have to see which one to take between #2 and #3 option (mentioned before).

I believe that I did all I could and sent enough time. Check SO MANY agencies for information. That's it! Let's finalize!

8:00pm, home...

Somehow am still busy doing so many things, folks.
Around 10:30am, was in Suidobashi area. For health check. This was mandatory whenever you start working for new company.

Height 5.63 feet
Weight 157.3 lbs
Vision 20/13 (with glasses)

Doc, "Do you have any (health) concern?"
Ogakijin, "Oh, just about (my) mental. That's it." (BANG!)

Other than blood testing result (which wasn't available at the time), everything was okay. Hehehe.

In the afternoon, apartment hunting still continued.
Went down to Ichikawa to take a look at three more candidates. None met my requirement! Hmmm.

Over this coming weekend, I have to decide which apartment to take. I don't have time to wait any longer. Thus, it's about time and it is already critical!

#1 JR Koiwa area, 6 mins, 430 ft3 (rent factor: 100)
#2 JR Ichikawa area, 7 mins, 430 ft3 (rent factor: 109)
#3 Keisei Koiwa area, 0 minis, 559 ft3 (rent factor: 119)

I will get informed of any cancellation on #1 over this weekend. One of three is going to be my future home!!!

From 7:30pm, big party among friends. Most of them are UPSer...

Tetsuji Fukui (m)
Masahiro Arashida (m)
Ryuji Takashima (m)
Akiyoshi Mori (m)
and
Yasuko Ishiyama (f) = exUPSer

6 of us spent about 600 bucks for dinner!!! Korean BBQ. Man, it was expensive and great taste!
Lots of interesting stories about current business condition. Very interesting.

Man, was drunk for sure. How much did I drink then? Hmmm.

Welcome to the realty! I went up to the office of company that I start working for from February. For what? Serious meeting already took place. Oh not, it wasn't administrative issue. Rather, it was of the real case that I have to face immediately after joining this firm. Facing the Manager for the project, I was given hour-long lecture about client and mission of the project.

Did I get good grasp of the project? Fully understood the scope of project?
Well, let's put it in this way:

There is a framed paint on the wall. I can see the frame clearly. However, I cannot tell if the drawing is water or oil painting. The paint is still vague because I see it from far.

I better say, "So far so good." Nothing to worry about. Let's worry once start working! (BANG!)

Interim conclusion: Supply Chain < Strategy

Dustin Overbeck, welcome to Japan! Too bad that you don't come to Tokyo. Instead, he stays in Osaka.
He told me in email that he was very impressed with Japan about technology, customer care, and train system.

At the same time, he must be disappointed with cellular phone system in Japan - not compatible with European and American phones. Yeah, we have to close our market to protect from world competition! Hehehe. True, though.

Rolex - I made a stop-by at the Service Station near Tokyo Station. Left my Explorer II for overhaul. Will take a whole month for the service. ETA is 2/23. Cost? $380. More than I thought? Hmmm.

No apartment hunting? Well, called up several agencies for information. I now schedule tour tomorrow afternoon. Yeah tomorrow, its going to be another busy day!

No apartment hunting today since most of agencies take a day off on Wednesday.
No girl hunting, either... (BANG!)

Most of the time during the day, I stayed home (precisely not my home, though).
I had to fill out many forms about apartment, new job, etc.

Laundry is complete. I put those clothes up to the sun for drying. Wow, it is nice day! Not so cold.

In the late afternoon, went out to FujiFilm repair center. Yeah, remember that my S9000 has been broken? Yeah, one of dial buttons no longer works after heavy use. Hehehe.

"What can I help you?"
"Yeah, I think this camera is broken."

"Oh OK... let me take a look... Do you have a warranty card?"
"No, I don''t."
"Do you remember when you made a purchase?"
"Well, it should be around the same time last year."
(even though I know that I bought in DECEMBER year before last! The warranty is valid for a year after the date of purchase.)

after a while...

"Mr. Ogakijin, this is repair required. We can fix this in 30-40 minutes."
"OK, please go for it."
"You said that you don't carry the card... Well, here is the thing. We will fix this under the warranty since you mentioned last January."
"That's super! Thank you!"

Thus, I went in grey zone to get this work done for free.
Oh god, please forgive me... (BANG!)

Robyn, I will give you a call tomorrow about that Bluetooth device!!! It should work...

I better decide which apartment soonest possible! Oh, thanks for reminder! I know so. I am and have been eager to look for the best possible place for my living!!!

To be honest with you, almost decided. Yeah, one place near Keisei Koiwa Station.
Originally I wanted to live along with JR line, not Keisei line. I think I have mentioned that.
Well, time to compromise.

Before doing that (because it means that I finalize!), I wanted to take one extra moment to look for other alternatives. So I went to JR Koiwa area today. Not too far from Keisei Koiwa area. About 15 minutes on foot.

Went in the first agent. I guess, it was totally wasting time. No good candidates.
At the second place, I was given some information about newly-built apartment complex. Not too far from the station. It's a 7-minute-walk. Well, I liked it. However, there is a problem. Apartment contract is almost done with other party. Only the chance I get is in case of cancelation. According to the agent, "it's highly possible."

Compared with Keisei Koiwa apartment:
- 100 dollar cheaper (big deal so that I can afford extra lunches and dinners in month - no longer have to skip means anymore!!!)
- less space
- brand new apartment (clean)

I told the agent that I was quite serious about it and wanted to know if canceled. If happens, it must be by this Friday.
Well, let's keep the fingers crossed!

On the way back home, stopped by Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara. Checked Sharp's LCD TV called "Aquos" and Panasonic's plasma TV. Originally (even before looking at them), I almost made up my mind for Sharp. It's extremely popular here in Japan.

After taking a look at each of TVs, I sort like Panasonic better. Much much better. Prices are within similar range. It is most probable that I come to buy a Panasonic TV upon move-in to my future home!

Wait. Only concern is... who would pay that kind of luxury goods? (BANG!)

Day two. Yeah, my apartment hunting is STILL in progress. Seems to me, there is no end. The area that MoonFlower and I look at is very crowded (more than you imagine) and it is hard to find a (almost) perfect place to live! The preliminary budget now has no meaning! I should pay more for sure. Hmmm, that's not healthy.

"What are you doing for living?" real estate agent asked.
"Oh, I have no job for whole year."
"Are you serious? How come you afford new apartment?" "How did you live?"
"Yeah, that's the question. I will think about it!" (BANG)

This kind of funny conversation took place while on tour in Koiwa area today.
2 agencies we visited showed 7 locations in total. Make a deal? No, not yet.

One of those is now pretty good potential. Though, the location is out of the range originally targeted. Different railroad station and I have to travel more time for commute. Hmmm. Though, the cleanness and facility (amenity) are the best and MoonFlower loved it. Yeah, over budget, too. (BANG)

What shall I do?
I now should take one more day for search. If nothing comes up, I should make a deal. Time is critical and I do need a place to live! That candidate place gives me the largest in space and I surely can accommodate any T-bird... Oh, I do take an application, though! (BANG)

Well, will see how things go tomorrow. By Friday, I should make a deal. Otherwise, it'll be a disaster... about setting up my life in Tokyo!

Apartment hunting day one. Well, did it go well? I can say... that I didn't make a deal today. This process does require me to take time to finalize the decision. I should take a look at more than several options to see which one would be most suitable.

Two important factors: rent ($) and square footage. Also the distance from the train station.

At least I have to decide which apartment to live by the end of next weekend. Will see how it goes.

Two real estate agents I visited for information. First one couldn't give me a tour. The other gave me a tour over three different locations. First two... were totally out! I didn't like them at all. Rated 30 and 40 points respectively (100-point scale). Last one came out as surprise and I gave it 70 points. Pretty good. Though, I still wanted to see more... so I didn't make a deal.

Salesperson giving us a tour had no clue about my background. I told him that I spent last year jobless. He doubted what I said. However, I didn't lie, did I?

After all, went to Tokyo Station to look for pocket diary. Finally, I got Quo Vadis note for my 2007 schedule. Yeah, Tokyo is always great place since you can find anything you want!

Light dinner with MoonFlower. It means easy on my wallet, too. Remember that I am still financially challenged. True!

yk110 phoned me. Many ex-coworkers replied my New Year greeting. Thank you guys bunch!

Not precisely. Am in Kawasaki area - just outside Tokyo. Finally, decided to make a move. Woke up around 8am and started packing after light breakfast. Around 11am, went out for shopping. Yeah, wanted to buy suits. Well, at that time, didn't expect to spend more than $800 for two pairs of suits.
While shopping, Sanjeev called in! Wow, great surprise. Talked about 10 minutes?! He had great Christmas and New Year's. Now is ready for final stage of Thunderbird experience... the Winterim. Wow, am sure that it is very exciting! I wish I could be part of some program. TOO BAD!
Ate "Miso Nikomi" noodle for lunch - very typical Nagoya noodle dish. Yeah, very thick Udon noodle with heavy dark Miso soup. Yeah, my favorite! I took a picture with my phone... where did it go? I still cannot locate it yet. Hahaha.


"Miso Nikomi Udon"

Gifu Hashima - Nagoya: Kodama express
Nagoya - Shinagawa: Nozomi superexpress

Took me about 2 hours on the train. Very crowded. It was so-called "U-turn" rush from New Year's holiday. Lots of kids and their mothers were traveling today. It means, lots of kids walking or even running around and much noise out of them! Hmmm.

Got Shin Kawasaki, eventually - final destination of the day. Visit and stay with friend Arashida. This guy whom I have known for years recently bought a big condo and he generously offered me to stay. Thank you! Oh yeah, he's very loyal Ogakijin reader as well.

This place is very new. The building was complete several months ago and he just finished move-in. This is great place! I am sure that I enjoy my stay here. Purpose of visit? Of course, I need to hunt apartment for myself. Tomorrow and Monday (the Adult Day - national holiday), I spend entire time for the search. Wish me luck!

Already spent 5 days this year for nothing? Yeah, keep wasting time? Don't think so. Well, I would say that this is recovery session from MBA year. Need to eat good stuff and spend time to be relaxed. Watching TV is some fun that I have missed! Hehehe.

Reading three books is too few? For me, I usually get information from media other than books. Reading book had been always last to come. However, I seek learning stuff out of the books this year and TOTALLY NEW. In other words, the magic number three may look easy on you, not on me.

Tomorrow afternoon, I travel to Tokyo. About time? The answer is obvious. Within the month, I have to be fully ready for new life starting (practically) coming February (new job and money). Hunting an apartment is primary task and setting up living space is next to follow. Very fortunately, I found a friend who can accommodate me for a while... so I don't have to stay in hotel. This is big plus... not hurting much my budget. Will take "bullet train" from Gifu Hashima (nearest station from Ogaki) to Tokyo.

Mother took me to Gifu City in the afternoon. Purpose? Surely it was for my 2007 schedule book. Still stick with "Moleskine" brand. Though, it was all in vain AGIAN! Nobody carries that particular brand. I should give it up soon.

Sanjeev emailed me to inform that he has a scheduled transit over Tokyo on the way to Shanghai. Wow, good hear from you, old man! (BANG!) I guess, he's on the way to Winterim class taking place in China. Surely, I cannot go to see him in the airport because he do NOT step to Japan's soil... However, I gave him my cellular phone number so he can call me for a talk. Hope he gives me a call to say hi then.

I gave mother an Alain Mikli glass. She was quite happy because she had a thought replacing her current pair. Wow, I never expected that she would love that vivid red frame. Hmmm. Anyway, I made my mother happy. That's good. Any prospect on Mikli frame stuff for me in 2007?

tsumori chisato JPY12,000 ($100)

Yeah, this is the shirt that I talked about yesterday. I haven't seen this firsthand yet because MoonFlower bought for me and she holds on to it. Seems this is very casual. Yeah, strictly casual. I hope this will be good on me. Otherwise, I am going to resell it online?

Busy day today. Started at the City Hall. Resident registration. Then, brought the copy of registration to the police station in order to renew the driver's license. Yeah, took me several hours to do it all. Hmmm. It was about 3:30pm when I was done.

To renew the license, all applicants must take a session of driving manner and etiquette. Saw some video showed of bad traffic accident would ruin one's life so easily. Yeah, that wasn't so funny. Rather, it was pretty much discipline-giving.

"Car is running lethal weapon." Lecturer wrote the phrase on the board at which more than 60 people looked.

Moleskine Agenda is hard to get. Yesterday, checked in the bookstore in Gifu... was in vain. No inventory. Today, went to another one in Ogaki... wasted time for that. No one can buy one around this area!!! I should wait until I get up to Tokyo.

Man, big celebration on New Year's is almost over! In reality to where I am about to go back, everyone gets back to work either tomorrow or day after. I have a plan to go to City Hall and Police station tomorrow. That's not because I have done something wrong... I have to go for registration in the city and renew my driver's license.

I may have done something wrong like having made many girls cry on me who couldn't afford myself more than one girl at a time

In side bar on this page, you can see "2007 Resolution."

2007 Resolution
Books to read: 3
Golf play: 3 rounds
Saving: 100K
Pro sports game: 3
Weight: 143.5 lbs
Movie: 18 movies
Travel: 2 times

Well, as a result of 2006 Resolution, I made 5 complete out of 9 tasks. It means that I didn't stay behind. This time, I raised 7 tasks for the Resolution. Hopefully, I can keep the trend move forward this year as well. Need to win on 4 or more tasks. Saving of 100k seems tough one because I have to pay the debt back throughout this year. Saving some money should be difficult. 100K may be too much to do. Will see, though.

Weight is never be under control so far. Last year, I lost some weight during the MBA time... not enough, though. Hmmm. Now am back on wrong track. I should reverse this trend immediately after New Year's holiday!

What about book? Haven't I read enough books during the MBA year? What happened? I hadn't learned enough? Well, learning is yet lifetime work and I should keep learning! 3 books aren't enough for sure. Though, I have to make reading be my habit this year. I haven't decided what kind of books I should ready to qualify the task.

Of course, Japanese animation doesn't count for that. Am not that bad...

Hey, I don't see any comment on this new blog-style website. How do you like it? Please feel free to leave any comment about my writing! Always welcome!

MoonFlower had a great shopping day today (without me - probably this is good idea...). Went to a big bargain place for her clothes. Wait. She actually got new shirt for me too. Oh don't get me wrong. I owe her for that. 120-buck shirt. She sent me a photo of the shirt to my cellular phone for my okay. Yeah, I granted right away. What do you think? Do I have choice then?

au Toshiba W44T

What's up! Hope you're having too much drinks with great foods! For me, it is sure thing... that my mother feeds me too well. Yeah, am gaining again! Well, let's put it in this way... I can gain now and lose later. Sounds like everyone's diet strategy

W44T is my brand new gadget! Yeah, it's cellular phone. This is the first time for me to carry "au" (carrier) phone. So far I have been loyal (?) NTT DoCoMo user for a half of decade. Due to MoonFlower's demand? (yep, she's au user) I had to bend myself for this particular decision.

Please note that the number you can reach me to this cellular phone isn't identical as before! It means that you have to demand me the number. Please do so. You can email me for the information. If you're T-bird and good friend of mine, you should know how to contact me!

So far, I like this new phone. Pretty neat. I hadn't got access to au network or downloaded applications yet. However, love this color (red) and interface. Emailing and calling are primary functions that I use daily (of course, this is phone, darn it!).

Via messenger (Skype and Yahoo! Messenger), Anshu, Abhi, Tiffany, Zach, and Aida had a contact with me for New Year's greeting. Wow, great to hear from you guys! Anshu still in India, Aida in Morocco.

Watching TV all day long. Stated home all day long. Yeah, I have done noting. Yep, you can call me lazy! (Yeah, Kristy used to call me, "slacker.")

Internet access is granted fully right now (finally!) and I kept searching apartment information... I have to find a place to live for new job and have the move complete within the month. Target area is Ichikawa City - just outside Tokyo. That's where MoonFlower wants me to live. Do I have a choice? You know what I mean!

Oops, seems to me, I do not have any decision-making power for my life. What has happened? Something wrong in the picture?

Malek has requested me to be friend on Facebook. Good hear from you, bro!

Hello from Japan! Yes, it's new year from today. Weather in Ogaki is clear and isn't so cold.
Went to bed around 2am last night (this morning?) and got up at 7am. Yeah, precisely "fresh" start!

Foods over New Year's Holiday are definitely special and I do eat those dishes everyday for a while from this morning on. The dishes save housewives from cooking everyday so that they can enjoy (practically celebrate) New Year's themselves as well.

I, however, keep my mother busy by asking for coffee and other stuff. This is the only privilege while I am home with my mother. I will be careful not asking her too much.

How's New Year's in your place?

All day long, have done nothing. Watch TV all the times because of all special programs!
Plus, send out and receive many New Year's greeting messages. Thank y'all!