HAPPY HOLIDAYS! It has been 4 months since I arrived in Okinawa and I must say, it has gotten better. It took a while for me to get used to the new surroundings and to get settled in but I knew once I found my place to live and make it home, things would fall together and they have.Many of you know that I really love to decorate. I looked forward to that when I came. Initially I decided not to do a lot of purchasing because I didn't want to worry about having to get rid of it when I return to the states. But if you know me, I couldn't rest on that. I needed to make my place feel like a home. I was able to do that because with the 500 lbs that I could ship here, I did manage to bring some personal items, pictures, masks, bedding, figurines, candles, throws, all things I used at home. Kim G. helped too by sending me some things after I arrived. That was greatly appreciated.
Typically, Japan style homes are very compact but what I'm finding is that they are building more apartments and houses to suit the needs of westerners. My place is pretty small but that was on purpose. I didn't want to have to furnish a big space. I knew I couldn't live in a big empty apartment so I went with small. The price made a difference too. I pay 1150 yen a month. In US dollar terms, that is over $1150 because the yen is stronger than the dollar. To break it down even further, their dollar equals our 87 cents. I have 2 bedrooms, 2 rooms that make up one bathroom. One room is like what we would consider a 1/2 bath, toilet and sink. The other room has a sink (with the washer and dryer), then you step into a standing shower room that also has a tub. The kitchen, dining and living room. The guest room is the next room that I will work on. I need to get that ready for all of the guests I expect to have. :-) Lastly, I do have a wrap around balcony, one that I can access from either my bedroom, living room and kitchen. Perhaps I'll bring that to life next summer.
I really love my little place since I have added my extra touches. I've included the before and after pictures to share my progress. The first photo is the view from my apartment. I live around at least 4 beaches. It is beautiful here and really beginning to feel like home. When I'm here and away from the outside, I can't tell where I am, in the US or Japan. Now that is home.
