I'm sorry I can't be there to celebrate with you but my wishes for a fun day and happy and healthy year are flying across the Pacific. I know that your friends will make sure you have a nice day, or week!
I finally got my working visa which means 1) I'm legal now, and 2) I can get my residence card which means I can open a bank account, health insurance, a cell phone, (start the process for) internet service in my apartment (it still may take a long time for that) and get a library card (although I don't know if they have any English materials).
Aside from picking up my visa and enrolling in the national health plan I didn't do much else but work. I conducted the classes on my own and I'd say except for Thursday, when I wasn't feeling well, the week went pretty well. I think after 2 or three more weeks I'll have it down (hopefully).
Today is a national holiday - the vernal (?) equinox so my exercise class yesterday and the Japanese class today were canceled. Which was just as well since I needed the extra sleep yesterday and the time to sign up for insurance, and today I'm going to Otsu to meet Noriko and her husband for a special lunch.
It has been really nice to have a TV. I'm understanding more of the news these days (not always a good thing) and I can get the weather forecasts as well. It seems that most of the dramas, which usually run for a few months, are ending now so I'll be able to watch the new ones from the beginning soon. I try to have the TV on most of the time to absorb some Japanese since my days at work are spent in a mostly English environment.
I've been trying to take at least short rides on my bike everyday but my legs still ache often and especially going into the castle area where there is one small bridge that is built in an arch shape. I might try to go that far everyday just to get my thigh muscles in shape. I know that if I could raise my seat a little my thighs would hurt less - I'd use different muscles I guess - but I seem to have brought shoes with thin soles so I can't reach the ground if the seat is higher!
Tomorrow I will go to an electronics store where I will look for a small laptop computer. I was planning to get one before I left but didn't, and I just can't figure out how to get pictures onto the blog with this tablet. I will also compare phone and internet plans and decide if I want to move up in the world of technology and get a smart phone or stick with my old flip phone. Wish me luck!
No comments:
Post a Comment