Wrapping up

[spacealien_vamp]

I went to sign up for my days off. Turns out I have 33 vacation days saved up, which means I can take off every day until my contract runs out (except Graduation, which I plan to attend) starting next Monday. That means this Friday is my last day of work.

My vice-principal took the opportunity to have a big discussion about how to deal with my apartment. It seems that a large portion of the items in the apartment are being rented. This saves me a lot of trouble, because now I don't have to worry about getting rid of everything. The down side is that I didn't know up until now, so it's possible that I've already thrown out some of the rental items unknowingly.

I was given a list, and it looks like most of the things are still there, with the exception of the oven toaster. I tossed that shortly after I arrived, because it was filthy and smelled terrible when I tried to use it, and bought a new one. The question is whether previous inhabitants of the apartment did the same thing. For example, did they toss an old fan and buy a new one? Thus, in order to figure out how much of the rental stuff is intact, they are calling someone to come at the end of the month and inspect the apartment.

One other little problem is that the rental place has to remove electrical appliances, such as the air conditioner, which apparently must be removed before the electricity is shut off. This means they have to come in and take stuff before my official last day. It was suggested that I leave at least a full week early.

I was planning to leave out of Tokyo anyway, so I can get in some last-minute shopping. I will probably stay there at least a day or two before the date my plane leaves.

Today I looked around at several international moving companies, including the one wednesday_10_00 suggested. I am seriously dreading all the packing. It's a good thing I have so many vacation days...

Comments

[nooddlez.livejournal.com]

moving for good? I don't know why I had the impression that you lived in Japan permanently.
So what's the plan after this? I really enjoyed the Japanese lessons you posted.
Good Luck with packing.

[kataren.livejournal.com]

After being there for so long, how do you feel about leaving? Your students know, I take it?

Also, good luck with the packing. Leave No Manga Behind. :P

[megory.livejournal.com]

Wow! What a nice unexpected surprise that you get so much time off since you didn't have much to do at school anyway, I think.

What a surprise about the rental items. It's hard to believe they were renting a toaster oven for...how many years (at least 10, I'll bet)! They must have paid for it several times over.

What is the official last day that they would like you in the apartment? If you are still going to be there for the graduation, then you need a place for you and your things probably until then, right?

When is graduation?

I know you'll feel better once you get all your stuff on its way home. It'll be a lot easier hanging out wherever with just your mobile stuff.

[spacealien-vamp.livejournal.com]

moving for good? I don't know why I had the impression that you lived in Japan permanently.

Yep, moving for good. I've been here for over three years, but my contract is finally up.

So what's the plan after this?

That's a good question. Finding employment is at the top of the list.

I really enjoyed the Japanese lessons you posted.

Thank you. I'm hoping to do more now that I'll have some free time.

[spacealien-vamp.livejournal.com]

After being there for so long, how do you feel about leaving?

It's going to be very strange. I remember the last time I returned home from an extended stay in Japan, I was like, "WHOA, there are so many FOREIGNERS here! Everyone's so HUGE!" It's definitely going to be hard to do without a lot of the things to which I've become accustomed, such as buying new manga on the release day or picking up sweet potato tempura on the way home from work.

...Or having telemarketers hang up the moment they hear me speak English...

I'm kind of in a "comfort zone" right now. That's going to be shaken up, and I'm sure I'll get cranky about it at times. But there are going to be plenty of good things about moving back as well.

[spacealien-vamp.livejournal.com]

It's hard to believe they were renting a toaster oven for...how many years (at least 10, I'll bet)!

No kidding! Other things that were rented include a fan (aren't those like, what, $15 to buy?) and bookshelves.

What is the official last day that they would like you in the apartment?

The 25th/26th was the time frame they were tossing around. I'll be getting back from Australia on the 14th, so that leaves me less than two weeks to pack everything up in boxes and have it sent out. I'll probably have to start packing up my manga and extra clothes pretty soon to be done on time.

If you are still going to be there for the graduation, then you need a place for you and your things probably until then, right?

Graduation is March 1st, so that's not a problem.

[megory.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's comforting. I thought that graduation was at the end of March.

If you have the rest of February to pack up, you should be just fine. You might be living the last month with just the minimal amount of stuff, but at least you can dedicate yourself to your tasks at hand.

There will still be the customary good-byes and things. I remember wednesday_10_00 's trip back to work for her final good-bye.

It still must be bittersweet. What can we do here to soften the blow?

[spacealien-vamp.livejournal.com]

If you have the rest of February to pack up, you should be just fine.

That is assuming I spend my time packing and not playing Warcraft...

Speaking of which it's time for the Lunar Festival again! I bet Guapoton would look handsome in festival clothes.

What can we do here to soften the blow?

I don't know. ...Lots of Warcraft...?

I'm going to miss my sofa bed a lot. I wish I could ship it, but it would be expensive.

[megory.livejournal.com]

Yes, that wonderful sofa bed. Find out how much it is to ship; we could probably help with that. I don't think that would be easy to replace here. There are plenty of sofa beds or day beds here, but not one that low that I can think of, and that soft. That could accent any room. I really like your coffee table, too. They seem to go together very well. They each might not cost any more than a box full of manga. And we know that we wouldn't skimp on that.

[mangaroo.livejournal.com]

I was planning to leave out of Tokyo anyway, so I can get in some last-minute shopping. I will probably stay there at least a day or two before the date my plane leaves.

I wish I could join you. Dear heaven, I wish I could join you.

I'm boggling over the rental stuff. Can they just take the non-stinky replacement toaster oven instead? Oh, cheesy toast, oh cheesy toast...

[megory.livejournal.com]

Yes, please get some festival clothes for Guapoton if you have time to.

I hope to play with you this weekend.

[spacealien-vamp.livejournal.com]

Actually, the shipping companies charge by volume, not by weight. This is good for shipping manga, which is small but heavy...not so great for shipping a sofa.

The charge is about $550 per cubic meter, not counting extra charges for carrying/packing furniture. I haven't measured the sofa yet to see how much volume it takes up, but it's certainly a lot bigger than a box of manga.

On the bright side, one of the companies will ship to Toledo. Would that be more convenient than Detroit?

[spacealien-vamp.livejournal.com]

I wish I could join you.

It will be so lonely in Tokyo by myself. ;_;

Depending on how much I ship ahead of time, I may be able to make purchases for people, if you have a list of things you want.

Can they just take the non-stinky replacement toaster oven instead?

I certainly hope they will.

...And I hope they don't ask me about the metal clamp intended to act as a "potholder" for the microwave oven rack. I tossed it out when I first cleaned my kitchen because I didn't know what it was.

[nooddlez.livejournal.com]

Good luck with relocating and finding a job.
I'm looking forward to your Japanese lessons.
Cheers~