small move. part two.

First things first.  

The very first thing Jeff did when getting to the new apartment was set up the TV and internet.  He has priorities.

Actually, that TV there came with the place, making the larger, more cumbersome TV that we paid 3000 yen to transport when we got it (for free) a very awkward coffee table in our tiny new place.  It's going on Craigslist ASAP.  

The bed, which came without a mattress, has been dissembled (by me) and is now being stored out of the way in our loft.  The coffee table pictured also came with the apartment and thankfully has collapsible legs and slides very nicely under the couch when not in use. 

We've picked up several storage units (some free, some very cheap) and are perfecting the skill of careful arrangement for maximization of usable space.

The main level is not yet ready for public display, but here is a peak at the loft.

We actually just bought our futon (the kind the just goes on the floor - think of it as a futon mattress you'd find in America) yesterday so we just slept up there for the first time last night.  As you can see, our clothing storage is right up against the bed.  Behind that we have stored our luggage, Jeff's bike case (which he bought right after buying his bike so he could transport it home - in eight months) and the bed frame that came with the apartment.  It doesn't look all that pretty, but it gets everything that we don't need regular access to out of the way.

Sidenote:  What you see there is basically all the clothing storage we have, which means that it contains all of our clothing for the year in Japan.  Can you guess which one is mine and which one is Jeff's.  Yea, it's that easy.  He was definitely the kid who went home from camp with a trunk full of clean clothes and one filthy shirt.  And it's not because he did laundry before he got on the bus. 

I mentioned we were celebrating with a friend the other night - for two reasons. One, our tough move, two, Jeff's friend Ryo just got engaged!  He works right near the Tsukiji Fish market, so we met him out there for some just-off-the-boat fishy goodness.

Maguro = tuna.  Y.U.M.

I even ate a raw giant oyster.  I won't say it was good, but... I ate it. 

And because we were in celebration mode we of course indulged in some really really good sake.  At this restaurant, you pour your own sake and they provide small bowls for under your cup in case (when) you overpour. 

Disclaimer:  I do not recommend mixing large amounts of raw fish and large amounts of sake.  And then riding the train.

As soon as we get the first floor looking presentable, we'll post some pictures.  Until then... Anyone else lived in a smaller apartment? Anyone?

Mata ne,
Melissa