Busy Monday

Went to the office today, and I sat in a meeting (about 20 people), and was able to follow thanks to some simultaneous translation. Although I did get some numbers as they were being called from the charts (pat on the back)!

And there I go with the gaffe du jour: my keitai (cell phone) starts ringing during the meeting. (I had borrowed a SIM from a friend, and a device from another friend). The ringtone: the song "Sexy Lady" (I swear I have nothing to do with the choice of ringtone). I had forgotten I left it in my pocket. Or maybe I put it in there because I thought it would be better to have it on me rather than letting it ring in my bag at my desk... yeah right. I did get a few glances. I wanted to dig a hole and jump six feet into it....

I then ate lunch with a colleague (best shrimp udon I ever had... the shrimp tempura was so GOOD) and then met with Emi to visit a few apartments in Ebisu, since I thought the area was so charming.

The first one we saw was on the top floor of a 4 storey building, on a very small and quiet street, yet with bright rooms and nice clear views. Miki's 2nd strike of the day: my camera's battery died after 4 pictures.... :-(

The agent and I started taking pictures with our cell phones, but posting them online would assume I either know how to operate the cell phone upload, or have the proper cables to begin with... so no photos of the 2nd place for now. The 2nd place was on the 19th floor with sweeping views (and on a clear day, directly facing Fuji-san), nice layout, and near a subway called Daikanyama (tiny subway stop) but walking distance (3 mins) from that charming street we walked along on Sunday, where all the cafes were. I really like that street! but the building was a bit older, and the commute might be a good 20 mins longer because of that. Decisions, decisions...

Both apartments didn't have an oven, though. Or rather: they had the standard Japanese cooking thingy which is a sort of a pull-out grill below the cooker, that absorbs all smoke. Works for pork chops and fish, but not ideal for cooking turkey or chicken.

I took the opportunity to visit the supermarket below the building, and buy some nail products. I miss my little nail salon downtown New York where I could get a mani-pedi for $19 !! Here, the manicure will cost you about $50 and the pedi twice as much... Although I have been told that the expats end up shamelessly indulging in such luxuries after a while. Let's see how long I resist the highway robbery prices.

Oh and I asked about the melons: the $100 ones are greenhouse-grown, and are supposed to be very sweet and juicy. But more than anything, they're a typical "expensive gift" item. I just bought a ¥69 ($0.69, not even!) papaya juice drink in the supermarket and was in heaven. It's the little things...

Oh darn, I forgot to look for masks in the supermarket... Here, people were surgeon-like masks when THEY have a cold, so they won't spread the germs. I find that so respectful! And I remember taking a walk around the aircraft to stretch my legs and seeing a few masks in the crowd, was a bit weird back then. But you totally get used to it. The masks even come in leopard-print, Hello Kitty print, heart-print and more! I bought a whole supply of Airborne (a concentrate of vitamins and herbs, all natural) before I left NY, hopefully this will leave me sniffy-free for the winter season!

More Ebisu apartments visits tomorrow!!