September 17th 2012 - Day 11

Finally my apartment feels more like a home now. After days of camping on a futon and waking up with a wrecked spine, my furniture has been delivered.

This really was the highlight of the day. It arrived at about 11, before which I didn't go out for fear of missing it by accident (which knowing my luck may have happened). While I sheepishly stood around and watched the delivery men bring in my stuff (I did  offer to help but they refused) The kindly put in my sofa bed, table and chairs. I had also ordered a second coffee table and a shelf for my TV - which took my 2 hours to put together. Whoever decided building instructions needed pictures, thank you. While I was fiddling with a screwdriver and mumbling swears under my breath, the second delivery arrived bringing my kitchen utensils and other living necessities. These are japanese necessities and include a stool for washing myself in the bathroom, extra bowls specifically for rice and miso soup, and an ironing board. that last one is one of several universal objects.

Once I had put all the furniture together and finally started to unpack my suitcases, I made a discovery - I was STILL MISSING STUFF. No everything had been delivered fine, I mean there were a couple of things I hadn't bought yet and needed to. Just goes to show, a home is never finished until its fully furnished. I had to immediately go out and buy extra shelving and a lamp, the absolute last items on the list. Then I finished unpacking. Now a lot of the stuff I have had to buy have come in extra large cardboard boxes and that annoying foam board that leaves pieces everywhere. I could get rid of the foam board, but the cardboard rubbish collection isn't until friday, so I'm now stuck with a large pile of cardboard blocking my doorway as a result. If it weren't for that my apartment would be perfect.

After catching my breath back I headed out and did my first proper food shop, rather than just getting bentos to heat up and extra water. And I had timed it perfectly to walk into the 1st rain storm since my arrival. Funny that.

In the evening I had planned to do some cooking. Only to discover I had forgotten to get veggies, and so had to make do with a microwave pasta dish, but I can now sit back in my sofa and watch my favourite film on TV. All my productivity has finally paid off.