Jetlagged and STRUGGLING to stay awake at 12:30 am. I caught myself thinking "Thank God I get to sleep in tomorrow," but then I remembered that my job will allow me to sleep in EVERY DAY. Yes, Mom, I loopholed my way out of personal responsibility once again.
Anyway, I went for my inaugural walk around the neighborhood today to check things out. I also discovered that I can post pictures to this thing really easily. Click for a larger version. You're excited.



Here's the street that I live on, and the van on the left which was blocking the entrance to my building in the most awkward way possible.



The door to my building. I don't know what Bonn Wohnung means, but it's not even close to Japanese. And you can see me in the reflection, looking indecent (according to my observations today, Japanese women don't expose their thighs even when it's so hot that your eyeballs are sweating).



I'll be walking down this street every day, to and from the train station. This is the "from" view.



My train station, Omiya, largest station in Saitama and a short walk from my apartment. It's a monster, and I love it.



Why the squirrel, Japan? Why?



Tee hee.



And my favorite purchase from the 100-yen store.


I did more walking today than I had over the past two months. I also was gawked at pretty frequently, had an awkward conversation with a guy trying to sell me an apartment, and was helped in the electronics store by a man with the grodiest hands ever. I can't even describe the horror.

My mind is shutting down. I'm off to bed (Western-style, no lame futons for THIS girl).

P.S. My toilet seat is heated.