The Metrics:
9 = The number of paintings which still need to be hung up in the apartment.
3 = The number of hard-drives which have been in my computer
in the last 24 hours.
14612 = The kilometers Google Maps claims would need to be traversed
for DW to drive to WR.
0 = How many Amphicars I have access to.
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Hiyo All,
The dust is just beginning to settle from the chaos that was the past few weeks. Whit safely reached Tokyo and navigated the gauntlet that was the orientation process, and as I type at you she is just about to start her day of travel which will take her to her final destination in Fukuoka Prefecture. Thanks to the wonder of technology we've been able to talk face to face via skype several times since she landed, and rest assured you will be getting some choice stories in the weeks to come of her time in orientation and Tokyo.
For now I thought I would give you all a look at our newly set up apartment, tell you a little about what I've been up to, and give any of you wanting to stay in touch with Whit a heads up on a few apps/programs which make the process easier and more affordable.
Our new stateside apartment is back closer to where we lived when we first moved to the Twin Cities, in an area known as The Wedge.
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| Hard to see why they call it The Wedge eh? |
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Although we really liked our last apartment, distance from the U, increasing rent, and a lack of public transit options took it out of the running for a good long term fit. And, while our new apartment is smaller, it makes up for size in a very ped/bike/public transit friendly area, swimming in restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores. Did I mention I get free off street parking? Yeah, that hasn't happened in a few years.
The space is definitely compact, but with Whit's help in planning we've created a pretty functional living space. Here is a quick tour:
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| The entryway. Whit's bike gets a much needed post triathlon break beside the rack of bike hooplah. |
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| The Kitchen. This is always the sticking point for me in small apartments: teensy kitchens. But I've grown adept at creating counters and storage where none were found previously :). |
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| The Living Room. Nice and cozy . . . well except for the fact that the coffee table has been annexed for an alternate purpose . . . |
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| Puck standing sentry over the Computer Repair Wing aka the coffee table. |
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| The Bedroom. Both mirror and lamp were items I got as a result of giveaways at the website I used to work for, huzzah! |
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| The disaster area I call my office. As you can see things still need to be sorted out here, but the general shape is there. |
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| Rags felt left out, so he decided to perch in front of the mirror to keep himself company. |
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No bathroom pics, sorry. But I assure you it does exist, so if you wind up visiting you won't go wanting.
Before calling this post a wrap I promised I would point you to some ways of staying in contact with Whit and I over the coming year. All of the apps below can be downloaded for both iPhone and Android OS and they're free (at least for most uses).
This is a big one, and it's likely you've all heard about it, but if you aren't already on the bandwagon I'd suggest you join. It allows you to make free video-calls to other Skype users, and for a charge (of less than what you'd pay to do it otherwise) you can use it to make phone calls to non-skype accounts. While it can be used from a smartphone, Skype works best over a computer with a quick internet connection.
This is a program available on all major smartphone OS which allows you to do free texting including picture texts, be they local or international, via your 4g or wifi netweork. And it's free.
Viber uses your phones internet connection to allow you make calls free to other people who have the app, even internationally.
Thanks as always for reading! Look forward to our first blog update from Japan in the weeks to come.
Cheers!
DW
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