Friday... an adventure to say the least!

Where to start? This was to be my first day alone... things started off rocky when I took a wrong turn and ended up taking twice as long to walk to Sydney's school. She was a few minutes late but the teachers did a good job helping her get started. I met a woman on the way out, however, that showed me the "short cut" back to our apartment so next time should be better!

Next I met a woman from the Japanese versions of the "Welcome Wagon." We had a very nice time chatting and she gave me TONS of information about Tokyo - from medical to shopping to travel. She even showed me a good place to get facials and pedicures...

Afterwards I went to the National Azabu which is the international grocery store - I had the most fun time walking around looking at all the different items and really taking the time to shop. I still find myself scurrying past the fish section though... I went to pay and arrange for delivery - that's when the trouble started. My credit card was declined... and it was the only card I had with me! We don't have our local bank cards yet so I'm assuming the American card was declined for security purposes... anyhoo - the store said they would take cash on delivery... so I had to run back to the house (10 minutes away, uphill, in the midday sun, and 100% humidity), get the bank card, run back to the ATM that we can get to work (10 minutes, fortunately downhill, in the midday sun, and 100% humidity). Got the cash, came back, and waited for the delivery - which didn't come in time for me to go pick up Sydney... I went and got her and fortunately as we came back we saw the delivery truck pulling away - I flagged him down, he came back, and we got our groceries. Whew...

I called Chris to tell him my tale and he informed me that his day hadn't gotten off to a good start either - since it was muggy, he went to the train rather than walk all the way to work - which is fine except he got off at the wrong stop and ended up not having a clue where he was... he smartly got in a cab and asked to go to the US embassy - which fortunately is next door to Corning's offices.

It looks like we will have many experiences like this until we figure it all out. The night ended with a massive thunderstorm - the kids stayed up late since it was so loud but fortunately there was a lull in the storm and they got to sleep before it started again.