Our HHG Shipment Finally Arrived!

The last time we saw our stuff was on June 2 in Carlsbad, California.

Traveling all the way from the West Coast, with a stop in Busan, South Korea, and then enduring two weeks waiting on Japanese customs clearance, the moving truck finally made it to our apartment on August 5! Who knew our entire life could be packed inside 6 crates and would visit new countries on its own?!

At 9am, I greeted five Japanese men as they opened the truck and began prying open the crates containing all our belongings. After signing some papers and calling the housing office to confirm COVID measures were being followed, the work began! As the men unloaded boxes and called out numbers (in broken English,) I marked the numbers off the packing list to confirm everything was here. I learned quickly that thirties and eighties sound very similar when spoken by Japanese men who are out of breath from hauling our crap up a flight of stairs. Just say a prayer its all here.

By noon, everything was off the truck and stacked in the yard outside the apartment building, while the major furniture pieces were Tetris-stacked in the living room. Thank God it didn't rain today! The team took a lunch break, during which I freed the pups from the bathroom, where I had locked them with all their toys while the movers were in and out. After the 30 minute break, the pups went back in the bathroom and the team and I began unwrapping boxes.

the only thing getting me through today is knowing I get to sleep on that mattress tonight

The movers were fantastic! They were quick workers, but they were so gentle with our things and careful with moving furniture. When they had to move dressers or desks, they would pull out these thick, bendable plastic sheets to lean against the walls to protect them as they lifted and maneuvered the large furniture to the proper room! I couldn't be upset when they opened boxes and found broken or damaged items, because they would bring it to me with the most sorrowful expression and say, "Broken, so sorry!" and then hand the item and the box's sticker to me. (For those who have dealt with filing damaged claims, you understand how helpful it is to know the box number!)

You know I can't sit still when others are working, so I dove into unpacking the kitchen while the guys worked on unboxing other rooms. I was able to get several boxes unloaded on my own and I had the basic kitchen organized by the time the guys were finished with the other rooms! We made a great team, if I do say so myself!

At 1:30pm, in the midst of the team unboxing literally everything, a Japanese technician came by to look at my washing machine. A little backstory: since moving in, the washing machine sounds like it's lifting off into space, while also eating my clothes every time I run it. After he worked on it for a few minutes, he explained that it was beyond repair and they were going to replace it.

Today.

So, in the midst of movers unpacking everything, we added 3 more Japanese men to the Johnson House Circus Show, as they removed one washing machine and then returned an hour and a half later with a replacement! Good thing I can multitask! And now I know my neighbors won't hate me and I won't find huge holes in all my clothes anymore! Win-win for everyone!

By 4:30pm, the boxes and packing paper had been hauled off and the HHG paperwork was signed. Enjoy the pic I snuck of the lead delivery guy:

signing my life away with this HHG delivery

Over the course of the next five days, I organized, sorted, cleaned, set up and moved every single thing we owned. Some things went great, while others didn't.

Things I learned while setting up this new apartment on my own:

1. Don't try and move a bookcase you already filled with books. Especially if there's a solid "J" figurine sitting on top that WILL 100% fall off and hit you in the head, leading you to question if you have a concussion in addition to the giant welp on your skull. When this does happen, pause your house setup and go sit at the pool for a few hours. The thought process here is, at least if you pass out or start vomiting there, people may help and you won't die in the hot mess of an apartment. Also, leave the "J" figurine on the floor and kick it several times over the next few days as a reminder.

2. Don't try and take the 40 lb screen door off its hinges by yourself. You will get 7 of the 8 screws out using your husband's fancy drill, and you will think you have mastered the art of power tools. But then you will 100% strip the final screw holding the hinge on the doorframe, thus leading to an HOUR AND A HALF wasted Googling "how to remove a stripped screw," and trying everything under the sun including (but not limited to) 3 different sets of pliers, at least 14 different drill bits, rubber bands, brillo pads and finally tears to get it out. At this point, you think the worst of it is over. You are wrong. Then the hinge will slam shut with two of your fingers blocking the closure. As you attempt to pry out said fingers, you will get another finger stuck. Eventually (through yelps and many, many tears) you get all three fingers out thinking at least one is broken. 30 minutes with the fingers sitting on ice, and you will realize that no, you can't use power tools, and that the damn door is going in the back of the storage closet so you don't have to look at it for the next two years.

**no fingers were broken, but my pride and nerves are shot.**

My stripped screw. Impressive, I know. (photo pre-fingers smashing)

I'm not gonna lie- it was a long five days working some grueling hours. But it was all worth it (minus the high probability that I will lose at least one fingernail) when the pups climbed up on their dog beds for naps, and then proceeded to dig out every single toy they own to play amongst the chaos!

In the end, the house is finally feeling like home! Now I just have to build up my courage to get back out the tools to hang things on the walls...but then again, that may wait until the man of this house gets home. I don't feel like visiting a Japanese ER over a frame-hanging accident.

Enjoy these before and after photos:

(you can click on the images to view them fully!)

Before- note evil screen door

After

two great dog models live here

see? Models, I tell you.

Before: Kitchen

lovely dark 1970 cabinetry

note brand new washing machine

Before: Dining Room

yes, they broke the chair back

Before: Bedroom

After: Bathroom

Before:Office/ B's Gaming Room

bike is indoors bc typhoon...

**Sorry there's no before of the bathroom. Just imagine it without a shower curtain and covered in dog hair and drool. You get the idea.

We currently have a typhoon going through the area, so once the weather settles, I'm buying plants for the patio and we will see how long the housing office lets me keep a potted plant by the front door. From what I've been told, the housing office has strict rules about what you can have in the "common areas," and apparently anything colorful or welcoming is prohibited. I plan to play dumb until they tell me otherwise! Such a rebel, I know.

With love,

-The girl with three bruised fingers, two bumps on her forehead and a newfound hatred for power tools