Run around

So my first week at work finished with flying colors :D I'm the baby at the company, so everyone is really helpful. I'm really enjoying work so far, it's stretching me in so many new ways. Like using muscles I never even knew I had before. Having to research so much is making SO much more aware of the world around me, and not just in relation to Japan but globally. I also can't complain about having to keep up with updates on the iPhone and getting paid for it haha.

On Wednesday went out for dinner with Asano to a Vietnamese restaurant in Ikebukuro. They have an AMAZING dessert that's a ginger shirodama (mochi ball filled with sugared ginger + covered in warm ginger sauce) that made me all warm and cozy heehee. Need to be going back a lot during the winter I think~ After that we went to karaoke and sang (of course) Sweet Vacation songs :D Very good night and can't wait to hang out with her again~

On Thursday we had our company party celebrating the 17th anniversary of it, which was a BLAST. Getting to talk with everyone was a nice change, since our offices are divided by department. Ate too much (and yes mom I got FLAN), laughed too much, and can't wait to hang out with the IT staff again, since I somehow got seated between all of them. Good good times~

On Friday I FINALLY opened a bank account, yay!! They even let me choose the cover of my cheque register, so I got DISNEY heh!! Then got my teiki (unlimited commuter pass), so I have been GREATLY using that for shopping purposes along my line...*cough* Even bought a dresser! Which I am currently putting together, shall post a photo later.

On Saturday ran errands and went to Saturday night service for the first time, which was AWESOME! It's much smaller than the Sunday services, so easier to connect with people. I somehow ended up on welcome team for that too rofl, don't know how this keeps happening. Anyway met some more amazing people there, so excited to be serving. On Sunday had church again and met cool peeps, so enjoying that as well~

Monday was a national holiday (Respect the elderly/aged Day), though I saw nothing promoting it...maybe just me ^^; Anyway did more home/decor shopping then met up with the Yoshida family, who I tutored last year. OH MY GOSH, the kids are getting so big (as big as 2,4 and 5 year olds can be heh)!! Daichi, the youngest, can somewhat talk now so it was SO CUTE when he was like "HELLOOOO" and "NEEECHAN" (big sister) to me. Also loved his accent when he tried to say otoshichatta (oops, i dropped it) while eating ice, but it came out "otattaaaa" XD Shouma (oldest) was like "Let's go home now~" but when his mom explained that meant he needed to say goodbye to me, he was like "Iyadaaa, neechan tomatte ii jan!" (I don't wanna, can't sis just sleep over) haha~ Can't wait to see them again <3

Happy Anniversary

YAY, happy 1 week anniversary for me & Japan, rofl. I can't believe a week has already passed by, but I'm glad I'm getting into the groove of things. This past week was AMAZING, as I got to see many friends and made some new ones <3 On Tuesday I ran errands then met up with Taka from the Sweet Vacation community for lunch. We then window shopped around Ikebukuro + Shibuya for about 6 hours until the ING anniversary party at club asia. The club was really fun, though being all standing until 11pm did kind of wear me out after all the shopping ^^; HOWEVER, got to see Daichi & finally meet A-bee after working with him for over a year now. Really nice and can't wait to see him again at another event :D After this went home and crashed.

 On Wednesday ran more errands, but it was raining from when I woke up (8am) until I went to pick up Aachan from the airport (7pm), so kind of a dreary day...but getting to see her made it SO much better! We went to Shibuya for dinner at an izakaya then strolled around for a bit~ On Thursday morning we went to Ikebukuro and took purikura heh~ Then she had to leave, so sad ><;; But was very glad to have a sleepover, first one in 2 years!! I then went by my office to drop off some paperwork, but got lost on the way, so took like 45 minutes walking around in 95 degree weather not knowing where I was *sigh* But finally found it, and administration there is amazing, gotta love em~! I then met up with Kei in Ikebukuro and we window shopped + had dinch (since it was 3pm lol). Again, went home and crashed lol.

On Friday I ran more errands and submitted my forms for a gaijin card, which I'll be able to pick up in a couple of weeks. Very looking forward to that, since I need it for buying a regular cellphone plan, opening a bank account, etc. That night I met up with Minami, which was FUNNNNN. We had dinner then went to a cafe for girl talk~ I am very much enjoying being able to speak in Japanenglish to EVERYONE I know, gosh so much easier on my brain.

On Saturday met up with Yohei for lunch and then Asano for SHOPPING DAY in Harajuku :D Spent 8 hours straight doing such, such a girls day haha~ We then met up with Nonogyu-san for a cafe break, and he gave me a Sweet Vacation plate badge, so now I must find something to put it on!! Taka also gave me a badge set, such great gifts kya <3

Sunday I FINALLY got to go back to JLH, and of course it was AMAZING as usual :D I went for the 1pm + 4pm service and had life group in between~ So many new people now, it's exciting but also great to see familiar faces. I have also already somehow been dragged into 4pm welcome team...don't know how that happened, but feels GREAT to be back!!

Yesterday was my first day of work, which went well besides me arriving late...gotta love Tokyo trains ^^; But everyone is really helpful, and I have so much to learn about the company, it's exciting~!! I just hope I can get into the groove of things quickly~ Oh and did I mention I get to take Accounting classes in Japanese starting next month? Gonna get the entry level qualifications for Japan...if I can pass the exam in December that is, heh...hope that goes well.

I'M HERE

YAY, after a 24 hour day, I'm finally in Tokyoooo :D I didn't even sleep the night before, since I had to leave by 4 to get to my 6:10 flight, so technically I have now been awake for 45 hours straight minus short naps on the plane.

Everything on the flights went well, and I must say I am SOLD on JAL airlines for good - best service EVAR. I got a gluten free meal option, 50+ movie choices and 20+ games on my personal tv >D Was I entertained? Oh yessss!!! And Tamsyn was there to pick me up, so awesome X3 We got my cellphone, which is in fact a white 821SC, which looks MUCH better in person if I do say so myself~ The top has a metallic plaid design, and now it just needs my personalizations (aka phone straps & stickers) heh~ Got my luggage shipped off as well, so should be getting that tomorrow morning between 9 & 12, which means I need to get to sleep soon.

But yes, spent the evening with Mami + Tamsyn, and I am SO excited and blessed to know both of them <3 I have my own key to the apartment, so I feel so special keke~ And if anyone would like my phone email address (or number), just let me know :D

I plan on taking a self-led adventure around the area tomorrow, even though it is DISGUSTINGLY hot ;___; Was 35/95 today and super humid, but the warm front it supposed to move out by the end of this week, so I'm very much looking forward to a Tokyo autumn. Anyway, shall post more coherently after I get some sleep, just wanted to say I'm here safe and sound!!