Random Bits of Knowledge....and Curry

After two days of sporadic cleaning and getting used to Japanese grocery stores, we`re finally beginning to feel situated. The other night three of our fellow teachers (Mike - Canadian, Kirk - American, & Heather - Aussie) came by to say hello and share some information about work and the city. Interestingly, the first impression they got of Steph was of her dicing veggies and cooking up a hot meal (see below, Steph in kitchen - unheard of!). We quickly clarified that we`re more into "heating things up" than formally cooking. Anyway, before they left for the night we agreed on meeting up later in the week for dinner or a few drinks. We then settled into our tiny couch with hot plates of curry (pictured above - nice job Steph) and watched, as Steph would say "our favorite TV show EVER": F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

Speaking about curry, did I mention that our toilet has a sweet `ass-warmer` feature. Seriously. . .there`s a coil-type apparatus inside the seat (like Dan`s old VW Passat) and there`s even a knob for adjusting the intensity (so as to avoid swamp-ass). Sorry about the language mom, but that`s really what you get if it`s turned up too high.
Onto another subject, trash and recycling are a "ritual" in Japan and an example for us all. Everything needs to be separated into non-burnables & burnables. They are further broken down into recycling categories: plastics, glass, cardboard and newspaper. The problem is that recycling is only picked up twice a month. When we moved in we therefore inherited about 2 weeks worth of beer cans, wine bottles and tea containers. We were told at orientation that if trash is not separated properly, do not be surprised if it shows up back at your front step. People are fined for not recycling.
To answer a previously posted comment, we do sleep in traditional Japanese futons on the floor. They consist of 3 layers: a 2 inch thick pad on the bottom, a "down comforter" like cover on top and in between another "comforter" that serves as a mattress. They are quite comfy and warm at night. We did have to push two of them together because they provided two singles as opposed to one double.

If you have questions about our living arrangements or anything else, please post it as a comment and we will reply in a following post. Some of you might have the same questions and it is easier to post an answer to everyone.