It's hot out there, but not I am not complaining (much)

Baby, it's hot outside!  I swore I wouldn't complain because I complained so much about the cold last winter and spring.  I was mighty disappointed in the winter here in Japan, I thought we would have a more tropical kind of winter.  Instead, it was cold just like in Washington.  Well, maybe not AS cold, but still pretty darn cold, with some snow to boot.

It is hot here, with high humidity.  When you step outside- it is like going into a sauna.  But we have AC, so the hot weather is much more bearable. 

 However, did you catch my mention of a little car accident a while back?  The car I bought from my neighbor back in April is now totalled.  Well, technically, it could have been fixed- but the cost to fix it was more than the car is worth.  Basically I was driving to my house and a guy came out of nowhere (having run a stop sign), I didn't have enough time to stop and couldn't get out of his way, so he hit me.  He didn't see me until the impact either.  No one was hurt, we were all very lucky in that respect.  I was lucky too, that this was on base.  Getting into an accident off base is everyone's fear I think.  But I can say this was my first international incident, seeing how the other guy is a Japanese national.  I had one of my ladies' groups I teach English to, in the car with me.  So the guy I got into the accident went over to them and told them in Japanese that the accident was MY fault.  They knew better of course!  He even tried to lie to the liason (the interpreter), and said I was turning and he hit me in a different part of the street.  But she saw the tale-tell signs of skid marks and pieces of my headlight where the accident actually ocurred.

Like I said, no one was hurt.  I realized later that the guy was obviously distracted, and it could have been so much worse.  What if a kid had been riding his bike or someone was crossing the street?  I did feel awful about my poor ladies, they were a little shaken up, but so supportive and concerned about me.  They are so sweet, I love them all.

it's smooshed!

My lovely Japanese ladies I teach English to (and who were in the accident with me). 
Check out the doll- it was a gift from them.  It is so beautiful!

So that was back in June.  Here it is August and I still don't have a new car, nor have I received any compensation.  It is still in the works.  It didn't help that security botched the first report and then took over a week to correct it.  It has all been a very frustrating experience to be sure.  I have Hubby's car, but it has NO AC!  It is just a two door little hooptie, it is like driving an oven on wheels.  I rented a car for a couple of days so we could drive to Brother's ortho appointment and do some other things that required being in the car more than 5 minutes.  The rental is a little Nissan, nothing fancy, but it felt like a luxury car when we blasted that AC!  I felt a little sad turning the keys back in.  Wish me luck on getting a new car, I am so dreading the whole process.

A little note about Japanese traffic laws and such.  For us Americans, we will get at least 10% liability even if the accident is really 100% the other party's fault (for accidents that are off base.)  Someone told me it was explained to him that it is because we are in the country, therefore we have 10% fault.  If we are not here, there wouldn't be an incident.  If you get into an accident and the other party is injured, you have to bring gifts and money to them when they are in the hospital.  It is called gomen-nasai (I am sorry).  And be sure you don't bring an inappropriate gift.  A potted plant is a bad choice- because has roots and you don't want the person to "grow roots" in a hospital and therefore never leave.

Drunk driving is no joke either.  I can't remember what the blood alcohol limits are, but they are extremely low, and even lower on base.  If you have just one drink you are done for the night.  If you have many drinks, you are done for the night and the next morning too.  I seriously will not drink if I have to go somewhere in the morning, it is too risky.  If you are in a car with someone who is drinking and driving, you will go to jail with him if caught.  The penalty for drinking and driving in Japan is prison with hard labor.  Though I did hear that the US government helps provide better prison quarters, I am sure it is still no trip to the park.

I totally understand the strict rules on D&D here.  The roads are too narrow and too congested with not only cars but pedestrians, bikes and scooters.  One must be at the top of his or her game to drive.  Actually, I think maybe the US could do with some stricter laws.  It would probably save more lives, what do you think?

Life gets in the Way!

Wow, I didn't realize I had taken so long to post!  I thought it had only been a week, but apparently it has been much longer!  I haven't even read anyone else's blogs recently- I usually keep up those at the least.
February has turned out to be quite a busy month for me.  Sister landed her first modeling job.  It was such an awesome experience for both of us.  She was supposed to have only 2 changes of outfits- they ended up doing 4 with her- I guess they really liked her.  She got to wear Christian Dior.  Christian Dior!  I don't think I will ever have that experience.  I can't wait for the magazine to come out in March.  It would be awesome if she makes the cover- but I am trying not to get my hopes up.  For all I know this will be her only modeling job- so we millked it for all its worth. :)  I will definitely post the pictures here once I get my paws on the magazine.

I am finally going to start teaching English.  My neighbor is moving and is handing over her students to me.  I am very excited!  I am starting with two of them this week.  I have met most of the students- they are all such sweet ladies- ranging from 20 to 50 years of age.  Of course now I have to do a super scrub on my house since most of the lessons will take place in my living room.  But that is a good thing for me.  Its called MOTIVATION.  And of course getting paid in cash- Yen- is a good thing.  The exchange rate is about 88 yen to the dollar- so getting paid in Yen is the way to go right now.

I did my first Compass presentation last week and I did alright!  Compass, if you aren't sure what it is, is a Navy Spouse Mentoring program.  We do classes for new spouses, though we tend to get a lot of "experienced" spouses as well. We had some really nice ladies in our class.  I was very nervous about presenting and was regretting signing up to do so.  But after it was over with, I was glad I did it.  Now I have a better idea of what to do next time.  I guess that is how things like that go?

Spring is in the air, though we have been getting some snow.  But I saw some plum tree blossoms yesterday- that gave me hope.  The plum blossoms are the first sign of spring around here.  The Cherry blossoms follow.  I am so excited for that!  I promise to post lots of pictures!!
I must go.  But I leave with a promise to not drop off the Earth like I did this last month.
Cheers!