I guess it's about time to start this thing for real. My internet connection at home is not yet set up (should be any day now), but I was told today that there is a third computer in the office that I can use. So now I won't feel bad about tying it up for stuff like this. Two ladies in the office use the computers a lot for whatever kind of work it is they do and I thought I shouldn't be on too long. But hell, now I know I can use this third computer (and it's only one desk over from mine) so let the words flow.

Anyway, Japan has been good so far. Some hardships but nothing that can't be handled by either patience, thought, gesturing or any combination of such. (by the way, I don't have an English dictionary close at hand so excuse any typos). Right now, my mission is to figure out how to use the ATM. By the end of the day, I should have it down. And that's how it's been....one or two more things conquered everyday.

The teaching begins for me on Sept 1st, except that I do have to visit one of my schools on Aug 28th, the Japanese Aviation Academy. Not really sure what I'll be doing that day except that I think I have to make a short self-introduction to the 700 students and how ever many faculty they have there. That should be an interesting experience as I've never addressed more than say, oh, 20 people. But I just keep telling myself that most of them won't understand most of what I say anyway. What did Eddie Izzard say? 70% how you look, 20% how you say it, and only 10% what you say? I think that's it. See? I can get through. Just smile alot and act like I've done this a thousand times before. No problem.

My apartment is pretty damn nice. Imagine a big square divided into four smaller squares and that's the basic layout of it. Two rooms are six tatami mat rooms, the bedroom and livingroom. Then there's a kitchen with all the basic necessities, fridge, rice cooker, two-burner stove, etc (no coffee maker though). And the last fourth consists of the entryway and the bathroom. Bathroom is actually two rooms though, one for the toilet and the other for the sink and shower. Pretty nice place. And I'm up on the top (fourth) floor with a pretty nice view of part of the town. And on a clear day I can see the great MT. Fuji. All in all, I like it.