We found a house!!!

Japanese Home Depot!!!

Back of house.
Quiet area!


*Dog NOT included!* LOL.

We went and looked at a house!! It is in a great location, close enough to the base for Berto's work. Not hard to get to. There is a row of only 5 houses. We weren't able to see the inside, because people were still living in it. But, to us it is perfect. It's 4 bedrooms, 2 bath and about 2,000 sq ft. One car garage and carport. So, we told the agent, we definitely want it, so it's reserved for us. It will be available to us around August 9th. Big relief for us! So now we just need a car. Berto knows someone who is selling his Accord. And it's right in our price range and we looked at it, it's in great shape.

Things are looking up for us! We will be going on 2 tours in the next couple days. Tomorrow is Misawa. Then Hachinohe, so look forward to lots of pictures! :)

iPhones

We finally have cell phones. It wasn't what we wanted. Long story :(

Kristina: 090-XXXX-XXXX

Gilberto: 090-XXXX-XXXX

I still don't know exactly how to place a call. Not sure what you have to dial to reach Japan.

**updated**

Public profile now, you have to ask for # if you don't have it already.

Weekend--House

On our walk from commissary/exchange we passed this pretty landscaped garden. Also the plane statues.
Pretty :)



This is a house we checked out today. It is brand spankin' new. 4 bedrooms, 2 bath @ 1,800 sq ft. (ONLY!!) One car garage.
Side of the house.
The view in the back.


This is house right next door. Finished and lived in.
Front of house.
Looking up. Also you can see the sliding door.
Laundry room.
Closet in other room.
View from inside a room.
Ha! Just took this bc it has Japanese writing.
2nd bathroom--with the bidet. (Think most toilets have this)
2nd bathroom shower
Bathroom off the master bedroom

Master closet
Master bath
Master toilet
Master shower

Kitchen
Living room, kitchen.

There is sliding doors separating rooms. I LOVE that there's no carpet! We still want to look at other houses. But would not mind if we got this one. It's a bit beyond our housing allowance, but we may still be able to get. It's the first place we looked at so we are trying not to get too excited. Those of you who have seen our apartment in OK or VA know that we have a lot of stuff! There is another we want to see that is 3 bedrooms and 100 sq ft less. I would have taken pics out the window as we drove there, but it was raining.

Berto went to AU (cell phone provider store) to check on the phones. We already had some in mind that we wanted. They are REALLY expensive. About $600, that is more than we wanted to spend. One company called Softbank has a kiosk on base at the exchange. So they offer discounts and is very military friendly. Most military have this as provider. And calls are free between Softbank phones. The best phone they had though was the iphone. It's still expensive! And we really didn't want a phone that is so easily had in the U.S. We wanted a sweet Japanese phone. :( <---that is me pouting! So, I dunno what we will get. But we will get something tomorrow, probably. We also had to walk from the commissary to our "apt" and passed a parking lot that had taxis. That is good to know! We want to be able to get more independent and go get some "real" Japanese food! We still want to get a car asap. Berto was able to get his Japan drivers license already! It was a power point presentation with an open book test after!


It's Friday here in Misawa. Last night it rained alot and since there's no a/c on base our windows are always open. I woke up to a mist! In the living room, the couch got all wet! Ooops! Berto came back to the apt today around 10 am. I guess for an early and long lunch. Went back to work just now, at 12:30. We should be going later to meet with a housing agent that will help us. She will be showing us a 4 bedroom, only 1,600 sq ft. This is with a one car garage. I will take pics and post later. We also are trying to get cell phones today too. Some of them are amazing! Solar powered and waterproof! Hopefully, we will have a fun filled weekend, and I'll have more to write about!

For those of you who will download Skype (it's free) you can find us under kristina.esteves And there is an option to just talk, without video. This will be better for YOU, especially if I don't have make-up on! :)

New uniform

This is Berto's new uniform. Long ago are the days he wore the bell bottoms! But I really liked them! He bought these right before we left and thank goodness, because that is what they expected him to wear. Before we left VA, they had changed to "digital" camies that they were required to wear. Look like regular camies only were navy blue, with the new digital print.

Day off base

We went to get some groceries at the commissary for now. I want to figure out the Japanese stores though. We also got fresh veggies, sake, and Japanese beer at the mall of all places!
This is our "apt" a view from the bedroom.
I did not make the bed, housekeeping came and brought us more pillows and towels. :)
At the desk, excited because I was able to steal some internet in our apt! But it was soo sloooow! Drinking green tea, my fav screen saver is always James!
This DOES NOT look comfortable! But Berto keeps falling asleep like this so far.
The fully stocked kitchen. Pots, pans, utensils, rice cooker, everything we need! :)
These huge bottles blew my mind! This is at the MALL!!
I got to get off the base today!

Lots of pictures

Not to sure what this was.

The options on some were cr8gy!
Many to chose from, and they are nicely advanced!
At the mall shopping around for phones.
Not sure?
I pray to Diosito that I will NEVER have to use one of these! At least it seems like you have options (these are all in one bathroom at the mall)
So, I had my first run in w/ Japan's funny toilets at the airport. They have a side attachment that is a bidet, shower (for your bum, don't know how this is different than bidet), sanitizer, and even a flushing sound!!!
Lots of boxy cars. This is the mall. It's bigger of course, has a movie theater. Berto's sponsor (Israel Jones from Indiana, but has lived in Japan for 4 yrs) said it's like $25 to watch a movie! Eeeeeek!

On the way to the mall. We wanted to check it out and look at all the cell phones. There is just country road for a few miles between the base and the mall. Oh, and it stinks! they must use some funky fertilizer!

Got to get used to being on the wrong side of the road!
This is a cr8gy pink pharmacy.



There's vending machines everywhere. With tons of differant stuff. Berto is excited to vend some beer soon! Ha-ha!

Going off base.
Furniture on base @ Exchange
Visiting the kids at the kennel. They are traumatized!