Today is my very last day in Misato... sob!!  I'm really leaving.  It hasn't really hit me that yesterday was really the last day of school, but the fact that my house is nearly empty is bringing my looming departure into reality quickly. 

Tomorrow morning Jaclyn, Danielle, and I will board the train from Hitoichiba for the very last time (at least as residents).  Then we'll zoom towards Tokyo on the Super Azusa (train).  By 2:30 pm I will officially be the renter of a cute but small little apartment in East Tokyo and we'll begin the fun chore of lugging my stuff from Tom's guest room to my place... by train.  It may take until December to fully move in! 

Friday morning I head to my new office to sign paperwork.  I will start full time on Monday morning- which means I get 2 and a half days of summer vacation.  For once, my work a holic teachers here in Misato were truly impressed with my dedication.  They don't realize that it is actually my *desperation* to cover my bills!  Not only must I pay about 5 months rent as a deposit (half of which is more a gift), but I also have to buy all of my appliances (refrigerator, stove, etc.) and everything else (hangers, hanger bars, silverware, curtains, light fixtures)... you name it.  The real killer is that I don't have any air conditioning yet, which hasn't been too tough in Nagano but Tokyo has been setting records for blistering temperatures lately (39.5)!!!  It's rather insane. 

I also don't have a phone line.  Which means I won't be here or on e-mail at all until I get one set up.  It could be a while!  Thanks for all your support and good wishes- I'll be back as soon as possible! 

It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to... Ok, its not that bad, but not only is my birthday on *Monday* but I'm also at school- where no one has remembered.  Bummer.  I'm also a bit depressed because tomorrow's my last day of school and Thursday I move to Tokyo!  Perhaps anxious is a better word: there's just so much to be done!  (Find some one to be a garuntor for my new apartment, deliver my car up north to the AET who's buying it, spend a million yen on a huge but required apartment deposit, spend the rest of my yen on new appliances....).  Good thing I've got Jaclyn and Danielle schemeing up something fun to do after school.  ;)  ...sigh.

Been waiting for this day... can't wait to say: I GOT A JOB!!!!

whew. That's out of my system. Well, I haven't signed the contract yet, so technically I only have an offer. But the ball's in my court, baby... ;)

I'm a happy, happy girl tonight. Now if it would only cool off outside perhaps I would be able to sleep at night!!

Details when its all official and stuff.

Had an incredible weekend.
Friday night: partying and drinking for the last time with all the Nagano JETs.
Satuday & Sunday: took my hangover up and down Tsubakuro Mountain & camped on the peak. Here are the photos.
Sunday night: trained to Tokyo with Tom (alliteration!) and celebrated the 4th of July with sparklers in a park near his apartment & by falling asleep while he packed for Europe.
Monday: Fabulous interview with a travel company- 99% in Japanese.

I'm exhausted & taking the day off back here in Misato. My brain is melting... (I wish I had air conditioning!!)