update on my status

I'm fully into preparing to leave for Japan at this point in time. Everything was suspended somewhat when I was in Australia, but I'm now into the full swing of things as there are just soooo many things to settle!

My predecessor has contacted me, and we've exchanged a couple of emails. We're sort of trying to settle on a price agreeable to both for almost all the furnishings in the apartment that he's leaving behind. He bought tonnes of stuff, like 3 bicycles, a vacuum cleaner, blender, couch, etc etc, and the latest price he has quoted me for all the stuff is USD650. I'm not too sure how reasonable this is, but it's about 32.5% of what he paid for all the things, and as a percentage sounds quite ok. It's just that the above, together with the NTT landline* which I'm buying from him will work out to about S$1050. *sob* so much money!!

I suppose if you think about it, i'm getting a fully furnished house complete with lots of futons, some chairs, plates, a bed, etc, plus some of the other miscellaneous stuff that he's not charging me for (cos he said he'll feel bad trying to sell those off to me). I'll end up with some things i dont need - like 3 bicycles and a satellite dish for Sky TV - and other things that I may or may not use (chances are it's the latter) - like a stereo and a dvd player - but it means that i wont have to buy anything on my own, which is a bonus. He didnt mention anything about an iron, and if he isnt handing one over to me, I think that and an ironing board are the only 2 things that I would have to purchase on my own**!

So while i'm settling these stuff with him, I'm also trying to pack and start shipping things over. For the moment, i think I'll ship in 2 batches. The first batch will be all the things that I dont need to use now in Singapore , like my work clothes, sweaters and winter gear. These will be sent via surface mail around the 14th, and will reach Japan either the same time as me or within the following 2 weeks.

the 2nd batch will be the things that i will be using all the way up to the time i leave. these are the more important stuff actually, like my toiletries, clothes and so on, and i'll airmail them. i guess it may seem conter-intuitive to be shipping the important stuff last, but i really dont see how i can live for 5 weeks without some of those items - like my jeans! when i wear them so often - hence ruling out sending them via surface mail. so i just have to spend more money... :( but see how it goes, as i still have to ask the post office more questions.

AND at the same time, i have to prepare soo many things to bring over to showcase my country and my life! i was reading through the preparation guide that the Osaka liasons sent us, and they included a list of suggested pictures/items/etc to bring over for all the self-introductions that i have to do. and it includes stuff like pictures of celebrities, local food, famous places and things, japanese things in singapore, my house, my friends; maps and pictures of singapore, my university and neighbourhood... wah. it's time for some serious phototaking! i'm heading to chinatown tomorrow to see what i can buy in the form of postcards for the 'famous places and things' though. that'll be far easier!

i also have loads of things to buy too - like new specs, maybe some contacts cos i have found a need for them (like formal dinners) and they're apparently really expensive in japan, foundation (i dont own foundation!) etc. wish me luck! lots of things to settle in the next few weeks.

*: although a landline is kinda useless cos i will have to get a mobile line anyway, without an NTT landline it'll apparently take a really long time to get connected to the internet! and i suppose the advantage is that it's a lot cheaper to call back to Singapore via Jajah from a landline in Japan too.
**: that of course doesnt include those little knick-nacks to make the place more like home.. like a nice cup, nice places, nice wall decorations and so on. i'm actually thinking of bringing/shipping over the beautiful cup that i bought in london.. but we'll see about that!