Omiya.

And the saga continues...previously on My Life at 30kgs...Charlene was busy cleaning and shopping while wondering when her flatmate will be showing up. Drama! Flatmate finally showed up late last night (not late enough to miss the last train). She's Asian American who's into photography. Your run of the mill, 20s, independent type. She gave me quite a few pointers on where to get a bike, (I'm going to get a bike!!), comfirmed I could use the other room (yah! I could actually fit another futon in there if people (actually one person) visits, general Nova goss (a Nova girl was murdered in a bathtub filled with sand. Kinky.) and advice (she said I should have spoken in English to that demoted suit yesterday. Apparently being spoken to in a foreign language is very embarrassing for a Japanese who had just been ranting at the said foreigner...because its impolite and it looks silly because the person you are saying bad words to don't understand you. I guess looking like an Asian gives Japs authority to yell abuse.)
So. I spent a good part of the day cleaning the other but bigger room - and this room was ickier than the small one. The girl who was living there before truly should get an lifetime's grime achievement award - she had left little toenails/fingernails presents everywhere. And I had to consistently keep vaccumming the floor because I didnt prioritise. I should have done the lights, windows, curtains (my god were they feral) hanging and storage equipment, then the floor. This is my apartment. Why, do you ask, is there no pics of inside? Well I'm still in the process of 'rearranging' so hold. on. I'm on the fourth floor, which is where I have kindly circled for your convenience. Yes, it's an alcohol shop downstairs (for those who can't read the kanji) but its not just an alcohol shop - it sells cheap snacks and food. Kinda like a 7-11 but with hardcore stuff. Pretty building yeah? On my way to the station...it's a good 15 min walk! That's why I want a bike. Coz eveyone has one except me :( Oh I took a pic of the flower store and the cute coffee shop next door because they are THE most proliferative shops in Japan. Being a green thumb while sipping green tea latte is very in.
My favourite store in Todakoen! This chemist has EVERYTHING! and its cheaper than the bloody supermarket. (and see if I had a BIKE I can park it there too!)

On a recommendation from a friend I went to Omiya to have a look see. There's about 3 different department stores and plenty of basement food levels. I really like Loft, kind of young designery with a price tag attached. It had my major work inspiration arianzi and aronzo there! They had a mini shop to boot! Can't help to make a small purchase... and of course it had to be from the slot-in-coins-and-turn-dial-before-plastic-ball-with-goodie-inside-falls-out. What on earth are they called?! I'm fanatical about them. If bleach and mops are bought like that I would love cleaning.
I tried to take a sneaky shot of the Food Theatre in Omiya- one of the ubiquitous and highly recommended basement food levels...only this one is inside the station! It was swarming with people. I'm too chicken to blantantly take a pic of the food...maybe I'll be braver tomorrow...