So much to tell!! 

We're in a house. 1500sq feet - more than we know what to do with...Lots of little nooks and crannies. Great great view of the water. 4 minutes from the train and about 15-20 minutes by car/train/bike/run for a commute. It's just over 2miles from base. 

** SIDE NOTE: If 15min for 2 miles sounds ridiculous, just think of the 405 freeway in Southern Cal. The traffic isn't all that bad, but the lights aren't timed, there are about 15 on the way to work, and there are about 10 million people shoved into an area the size of California. It's why we didn't move farther away.**

I'm (just slightly) irked by the fact that everyone said "don't bring any furniture! you'll buy it all there!"...b/c we literally brought a couch, chaise, baker's rack, TV and a bed...and now i need nightstands, a coffee table, a DRESSER (no shelving anywhere!), etc.  We are making do with little organizational boxes, but we're goign to need furniture soon! AND the couch and my favorite two rugs were water damaged and now MOLDY from the move...i'm sure they'll be replaced, but it's a pain and these items smell. YUCK!

That being said, having a house means we had teh chance to explore Japan's version of a combined Home Depot and Bed, Bath and Beyond...one can go a little nutso in those places! AND...there's IKEA...

Okay, it sounded so benign. IKEA has everything right?  TUrns out the IKEA trip was a bad idea. Took 2 trains, one free shuttle and about 90m inutes to get there. And then we bought stuff. And had to lug it back. On the same route. In rush hour. mmm. Might think harder about that one next time.

The good news is, we have curtains (hurray! no fishbowl aymore!). We have little boxes for all the undies, etc. We found a dresser, etc -- but will likely wait until the big furniture bazaar at the end of the month before settling on something less cultural. 

**SIDE NOTE: Roaches exist everywhere. There seems to be a colony somewhere near the house b/c we've killed about 6 already and I'm currently watching one climb my wall. Can't kill it right now. I hate bugs.***

It's late here and I have a lot more to tell...like the 14pt turn we make to get into our parking spot every night; my first week on the job; what our TV situation is like, how our appliances (including ultra useful toilet) work, and how much I love that USC beat Virginia (did I mention I lvoe college football - on at 4am Sunday morning here!) ...lots of reasons to write again. Tomorrow. IN the meantime, here are pictures of our view!