Costco

Do you remember last week how we went on the ropeway up the mountain and then hiked back down? Well I skipped past what we did Monday.

 

We have two options when we face a new or different situation here in Japan. We can get upset, let it ruin our day, and wish that we were back home where we don't have to deal with the situation. Or we can laugh, take pictures, and enjoy our life for what it is - a constant unexpected journey. That mostly pertains to me and how I can react, my level-headed husband goes with the flow and I love that about him.

 

All of that being said, we decided to finally go to Costco and do some grocery shopping. A few things we knew about this excursion before hand: It is an uphill walk from the train station and about a mile away. That didn't scare us. We were making this trip happen regardless.

 

I picked up a rolling cart at the grocery store for less than $10 and I brought along a reusable bag Brandon bought for me for groceries a few weeks back. I headed to meet Brandon at the train station after his practice. From there we took roughly an $8 taxi to Costco. We made sure to remember the way as we were going to be walking back to the train station.

 

I think we were both so excited once we started shopping, mostly to see brands we recognized, but we had to keep in mind we could only get what we could wheel and carry back to the train station. Basically not a lot and nothing super heavy. I then devoured a huge slice of pizza and we headed home. I left the packing to Brandon and like always, he nailed it.  All of our groceries fit snuggly into two boxes and a bag. That guy is good. He had to be if he wanted to get his box of 72 frozen waffles home.

 

 

 



We took one subway and two trains back to our apartment. Each time we got on or off I had to help lift our cart so it wouldn't fall in the crack at the station. I could feel the eyes staring at us but couldn't have cared less. We were making things happen the only way we knew how. Besides the rolling cart being a little too short it wasn't that bad of a trip. I was laughing on our way up the escalator and there I had the, 'is this my life moment' but was loving every second of it.

 

Would it be easier with a car? Yes, but I learned that Wednesday when I took another trip with the girls in which one of them drove us. Definitely easier, but you got to do, what you got to do sometimes.

San (3) and Sannomiya

Day 3.

I decided to go exploring a little on my own today. I didn't want to go sit through a game again since Brandon had just pitched. We ate breakfast together and then he left for the field. I did some chores around here then picked up the Living in Kobe guide book. Unfortunately most of the activities are for when the weather warms up so I will have to wait a few months. Instead I decided to head out to the busy shopping area in Sannomiya. (san o mia) I would be taking the JR train line instead of the Hanshin line that I had previously used the two days before. I got online to map my route to know exactly what time and train to be on. I studied the map quite diligently. I gathered the guide book, our Japanese cell phone, and Brandon's phrasebook and dictionary. At the expense of looking like a tourist, I didn't want to get lost.

I would say that the Sannomiya is one of the busiest stations. It is the hub to three different rail lines and I believe the subway. When I came up from underground there were people everywhere! So I just started walking until I found the shopping center I read about. I walked and walked and walked until I reached the end. Then I went up to the second level (mostly comic books an trading cards) and started back the way I came. It was like a giant shopping maze! There is a north south east west and central plaza. Then below all of this are the café and bistros. I spent almost two hours walking around in and out of little stores. I don't even know if I got to see all of the shops. There is one little boutique that I loved and also an amazing shoe store. Definitely learning my shoe size in Japanese.

I LOVE the clothes and style here. It's pretty much anything goes. Everyone dresses different to their own style and taste. My favorite look that I have seen quite a bit is a dressy short with tights and heels. Excited to incorporate their style into my wardrobe. But not yet. I didn't buy anything. From what I noticed prices here are pretty comparable to stuff in the US. One thing I would like to find someday are some thrift shops.

I was thinking of being brave and grabbing some food but I just couldn't muster up any more courage than I had already used to find my way there. Outside almost all of the restaurants they showcase their dishes. Most of them all carry the same things, rice and noodles, curry, sushi, etc.

I decided I was done walking around and started to make my way back to the train station and then I discovered another whole street. I think most of these places were bars and nightclubs based on the trucks outside them unloading liquor bottles. The girls travel in groups and are often giggling. There were several little streets, more like alleys, that had restaurants and places I'm not quite sure what they were. I never felt unsafe walking around but I decided for the future, just to be safe, these little tucked away streets are for when Brandon is around.

I made it back to the train station and it seemed more foreign than before. There were people rushing in every direction. I found a place out of the way and got out map of the train routes. I had to make sure I was headed back in the right direction and I wanted to be 100% sure. Timidly I scanned my train card and proceeded to the platform. I let one train come and go so I knew it was going the right direction. Then I hopped on and felt a huge sense of relief come over me. I did it. I got back to the station where I had to transfer to the Rokko Liner ( the train line to and from our island) and my card wouldn't read and I couldn't get through the turn style. I tried three more times. I thought I had maybe ran out of money so I went to the kiosk and added another 1000 Yen. I tried again twice. Denied. I walked over to the two men that were on duty ,using my hands and a few words I explained what happened. He scanned my card in his computer, fixed what he needed and then using his hand directed me on through. Arigatou!! It's one of the words I know how to say and I pronounce it wrong in the heat of the moment. Fail.

Anyway, that was my adventure of day three. Maybe a little stressful but I made it there and back with minimal trouble and next time it will be easier. I made chicken alfredo for dinner and unpacked my suitcases. Right now our evenings are pretty laid back and I don't mind. Hopefully when the season starts the end of this month we can venture out together for dinners and entertainment. Until then I have to figure out what to do during the day. I know there is a jogging path around the island and we have a gym here in the building. It isn't free but it might be worth it so I have something to do during the day. I also think I spotted a dance school across the street maybe I can volunteer and there are some posters in the lobby for activities that I am going look through. One of the other wives is here with her daughter so I will probably be meeting her this week and we can spend time together.

I miss home and my dog! My mom updates me daily that he is doing just fine. I miss the food but I am finding different things to try each day at the store. Brandon is going to be my biggest cheerleader in helping me try new things. Last night we had to eat our pasta with chop sticks so when we go out to eat I'll know how. He made it look easy. He is fearless and tries everything at least once. I'm so jealous and again annoyed at him for that but inspired at the same time.

Until next time..

Sorry about all the cell phone pictures. For some reason I haven't figured out my camera photos have a hard time uploading.

A Baseball Update - Behind the Scenes

Hey guess what... we've moved again/are still moving/never stop moving. I don't really know how to describe it so I'm going to do my best. 

I left you yesterday telling you I was going to New York until Monday. It's Thursday night. I've already been to New York and I am back at my parents house in Missouri. My husband on the other hand never made it to New York, is in Memphis, and leaves for another long road trip Friday. 

The thing with our life is that it is on a day-to-day basis. We thought that we had at least until mid June until we would be rejoining the Memphis team. We thought wrong. Brandon was temporary filling in for a teammate that was on the disabled list and we assumed we had more time. 

It's hard to explain how baseball life works sometimes but I'll keep going...

I arrived in New York yesterday afternoon and got checked into the hotel. When the ladies travel they are usually allowed to check in on arrival. Sometimes the guys don't get in until the early morning and they accommodate for the wives/girlfriends. The hotel was one block from Times Square - I promise I'll write some happy posts with touristy photos soon. I walked around with one of the other girls that had been to NY before. Then we headed back to the hotel to rest up and just do whatever. I got hungry around 9:30 and was nervous to go walk around in the big city alone, but me being the huge rebel I am decided to go. 

My husband finally called me and I was so excited to hear from him. Our conversation went something like this:

L: Oh my gosh -- you are not going to believe how big it is! I have been wanting to text you pictures since I got here but I know you'll be here in about two hours so I'll just let you see it in person. You're going to drive right through it all on the way to the hotel. 

B: Oh, well you should probably go ahead and send them cause I'm not going to be seeing it.

L: What?! How come?

B: I got sent down tonight. They told me after the game.

L: Are you kidding me?

He wasn't. Were we really having this conversation while I was already there waiting for him to arrive? I was crushed. He was crushed. We were going to have a whole day of sightseeing in a new city together. Instead I'm staying in New York, alone, and he is flying to Memphis. I wasn't ready to go back to the room and be alone and ponder over everything that just happened and all that needed to happen. I stayed out in Times Square until about 1 am. Mostly just taking in the little time I had left in NY. 

I went back to the room, showered, and cried. There was no point holding it in. I cried because I could hear the disappointment in my husbands voice on the other end of the phone. Because I couldn't be there to comfort him. Because I know how much he loves what he does. Because he wants to live his dream. Because he loves supporting our family. Because I won't see him for ten days. I needed and wanted to be there for him and I was hundreds of miles away and stuck. We were both helpless. We can't control and had no say in the matter. It's hard.

I made the decision to head to the airport as soon as I woke up, after not falling asleep until after four, and cancel Monday's flight and schedule a new one. After a hour and a half delayed flight after boarding...I made it back to St. Louis to my parents house. 

Did I mention that we gave our 30 day notice for our Memphis apartment on the 29th, scheduled for our rental furniture to be picked up, and the rented washer and dryer to be picked up. Also, Brandon's bags were on the plane already and ended up in NYC without him. Fortunately he has a hotel room for the evening and his bags will be there soon. 

I like to think I'm handling this all very well, maybe I'm not. I don't know. How do you prepare for this? I know it's complicated for those who don't fully understand how it works. Basically they just tell my husband which team he is playing for on any given day and that's where we go. Right now its between Memphis and St. Louis but... if a trade happens, well, I don't want to think about it.

Since he is leaving for a road trip, I'm staying in Missouri with my family, who has been awesome and them living here has made our life so much easier. We'll try and let the dust settle before our lives change again unexpectedly. I have a sleep over already planned with my favorite munchkins and a trip to see all siblings next weekend. We don't know why this happened, but we are trying to focus on the fact that we don't know what will happen tomorrow or the next day, or the next and that it could be so much better than today. 

Times like these make me realize how much of a rockstar my husband is. He used to be a bachelor and could handle this all on his own, now he has to worry about me too, and he does it the midst of all he has going on. I'm learning to be adaptable and always ready to roll with the punches even though some days they are sucker punches. Luckily we can rely on each other through the chaos. He apologizes for me being stranded alone. I apologize for him and his bad days at work. We pick each other up and sympathize for the other, we love each other through it all. I guess that is the lesson in today's crazy events. We're gonna be okay because we'll always have each other. 

Roach Motel

I shouldn't even be writing this post. I am utterly annoyed at this point in the roach motel I feel I live in. Now, before I go any further, I am aware that there are much much worse living conditions than the one I am in. Do I feel guilty for complaining about a few extra critters deciding to mooch off us for a place to live, yes. But you will agree with me, bugs are gross and are meant to live OUTSIDE?!


I honestly don't know why I am awake right now. Around 11 I was tired but being like a kid I fought it and found a zillion other things to do including paint my nails. Shocker right. Normally I sit at a table but tonight I decided not to. As I sat there on the bed I see something MOVING out of the corner of my eye. 


ROACH. 


My days of cursing are behind me but I won't lie when I say I wanted to shout some nasty things to that defenseless little creepy crawly. UGH! You know I'm OCD about my nails but I grabbed my shoe and chased that bug down! He almost escaped under the door but I got him, then of course I check to see if I just ruined my fresh coat of paint. I didn't but that is definitely something that would be worth ruining it over. 


I calm my nerves and decide that turning the lights off to sleep is not something I'm ready to do after that drop in visitor. I sit on my bed not sure if I want to cry or scream. 


I kid you not I see something moving again! That freaking little bug wasn't dead! Now he was headed into my closet. NOT IN THIS HOUSE! I beat him to pieces and I'm not kidding, two to be exact. A proper burial was performed. I flushed him. 


I don't know the lesson in the situation that keeps bugging me. But God help me one day I can look back on this and laugh. It isn't normal that each time I walk into a room in my apartment I look down to scan the floor for critters. Or that each time I pick something up from the floor I shake it first. And we check the bed most nights before we get in. 


Tomorrow I am calling the leasing office and asking if they can have our apartment sprayed for bugs. Until then I'm sleeping with one eye open and all the lights on. Thankfully the Mr. gets home early early Wednesday and he can protect me then. 


Who knew I'd be writing frequently about cockroaches? Sick.