WE HAVE A HOUSE! AND A CAR!
WOohoo! a big day... we have a car AND a full sized house!!
The car: a 318ti BMW...25,000mi only...a sporty (if somewhat pared down) little thing. Only an automatic (you have to get a special license for an automatic...but at least it has a sunroof!! SWEET!
I had to take a DRIVING test again. I was as nervous as I was when I was 16... repeating to myself "ME in the middle" "hug the left turn" "wide right"... 
Driving on the other side of the road is so weird! thankfully, all the channels on the radio are in japanese and therefore aren't distracting. No cell phone talking either (by law). I'm going to need every ounce of concentration when I drive.
Driving on the other side of the road is so weird! thankfully, all the channels on the radio are in japanese and therefore aren't distracting. No cell phone talking either (by law). I'm going to need every ounce of concentration when I drive. We also settled on an off-base house. This was a less clear decision. 318ti? Not a tough one. But on vs off base was kind of hard...mostly because living in town is less convenient, less clear cut than living on base. Heck, we have to separate our trash into 4 or 5 different piles in order for them to be picked up. If they are not in clear bags and separated properly, they wn't be taken!
Anyway, the house is an amazing 1500 sq feet...WAY bigger than our apartment...and of course, we brought 1/4th the furniture. Good thing I like shopping.
I'll have pictures soon...we have a FANTASTIC view of the water and the city below. We are 4 minutes from the train. We are 2 minutes from a 7-11 (this is a good thing). We are 6 minutes from sushi.
We only have to climb 50 steps to get up there. oh well. At least the Japanese toilet has a toilet seat heater! Good for winter trips to the bathroom.
We have had to mobilize over $13000 to make all of this happen...thankfully the Navy fronts you about $9000. eek. they said it was expensive here, but sheesh! the rent is like $2200 a month...(they are making a KILLING off of the Navy's COLA).
Justin has been avidly looking for work - and at this point, he could be a swim coach (a stretch i know - but it only pays $10 per hour), a public affairs officer, a professor, a professional volunteer, or even work for starbucks! No final decisions yet.
Otherwise, the weather has been beautiful. Lightning every night thanks to the tropical conditions they have here in teh summertime. Almost had a typhoon. Better than the drenching rain Jacksonville is getting right now. Are you folks okay out there??
Much love to you all. More thoughts later. For now, konbonwa (good night).
Hi Franki....wow...loved your emails...I have now updated myself on your crazy adventures.....I was just asking JLo about you. It seems as though you are doing well. I can't wait to hear what is next. It is like my own reality show in japan
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Tell Justin to take the Starbuck's job!!! What could possibly be better than that?!? Your running club friends miss you every morning at 5:15...
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