I lived in my first apartment in Shizuoka for two years and would probably still be living there if I hadn't found out about the construction problems and the no firewall issue. When I found out about the construction code violations, I quickly and hastily moved and made a really bad choice. There was a big window for sunlight and the water pressure was great but everything else about that apartment was really really bad, including the location. I was resigned to put up with it because of the trouble and expense of moving again, but the straw that broke the camel's back was that I couldn't get wifi in the apartment. One of my students was being transferred to the Tokyo office the first of October and moving out of her apartment. I took that as a sign that it was time to move. She was happy with everything about the apartment and thought I would be also.
My new place is a building with just six apartments and it backs up to a little community or children's park. The apartment has a small balcony in the back. I look forward to sitting outside and drinking coffee. I need to get a laundry pole and some curtains.
Here are a few inside shots before the movers brought my things. It is much bigger, cleaner, newer, and brighter than the old place and there are many electrical outlets.
It is in a nice residential neighborhood and is only a 10 minute walk from the little local train station and about 30 minutes from the JR station. I think I will like it here.
It's been a strange few months in Japan with too much rain, record high temperatures, 25 typhoons, and then, all the earthquakes. Yesterday morning there was an earthquake where I live. It was a pretty good shake, but didn't last long.
Now, on to the temperatures ---
Year Two of the temperature quilt
Week 22 September 23 - 29
81, 81, 72, 65, 63, 79, 66
Sarah at Sarah Did It! is continuing to host us on Wednesdays, so please check out the temperatures around the world. Feel free to join in!
I am reporting the high temperature each day. My Year Two temperature/color (Fahrenheit) scheme remains the same:
100 + Brown
90-99 Red
80-89 Orange
70-79 Yellow
60-69 Green
50-59 Blue
40-49 Purple
30-39 Pink
20-29 White
10-19 Black
Yesterday's Fuji san from the train station --
I happened upon this shrine after visiting the nearby Yoshida Castle. It was quiet and well kept.
Yoshida Castle is located in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture. The castle is open from 10 am to 3 pm, Wednesday - Sunday and the admission is free. It is located on the hilltop above river, which means lots of steps and a beautiful view.
The first floor is a welcome area with brochures and information.
The second floor has information and a model structure of the area and displays of armor and this clothing item.
This Noh mask exhibit was on the third floor. It seems like I'm seeing Noh masks everywhere since I attended the Noh Mask Exhibit in Fuji City in July.
The fourth floor has gorgeous views and a mask cut out for photos.
Small, but well worth a visit!
(If you are interested in Japanese Castles, please check out my Castle Page to see links to posts about the castles I've visited.)
I finished two more kimono bags. The black one has a pink lining with black tabs on the ends of the drawstrings. The blue bag has a brown Japanese pattern lining and blue buttons on the ends of the drawstrings.
I love stories about the oldest living people in Japan. Guinness World Records has recently confirmed Masao Matsumoto, 108, and his 100 year old wife, Miyako, as the oldest living spouses by aggregate age. They have been married since October 1937 and have a combined age of 208 years. Mrs. Matsumoto credits the long marriage to her patience. They live in a retirement home in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture and have five daughters, 13 grandchildren, and 25 great- grandchildren.
Do you ever have a project that you can't put down? This week it has been the triangle fobs for me. I stitched the two sides of ten fobs and made the twisted cording for them. The next step is to make the beaded dangles, then I will be able to finish them.
