Moving On Up

Last week my company completed its transition to a new office space high above most others. The view is stunning, just as much as one of my student's reactions. While discussing the move he casually said, "I really like the new place, but did you know it used to be a main office for **** (a competat
or that went under)? I think your company will go bankrupt too!"

We both had a good laugh, but there is a shadow of truth to his statement. It is hard to tell how the financial crisis in the US will pan out. For God's sake, my bank went bankrupt!

つづく

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Ikea wasn't pleasing

Last week I went to IKEA with Sanami. While the showrooms were interesting, the products themselves left us wanting. After we bought our goods, but before leaving the store, we found our new stew pot was warped so much the lid didn't fit. It took over an our to complete the return process, from wa
iting in line to waiting for a new product.

Once we arrived home we found (a) our new pot and pan didn't work with our IH burner and (b) our new light ficture needed to be screwed into the ceiling because it was not built with Japanese style, easy-attach sockets.

Hopefully we can return these things next week.

On the good side, their resturant served good food.

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Moving... Offices

For the past five weeks Sanami and I have been looking at new apartments. In the end, we decided to stay where we are at now.

The decision was heaviily influenced by financial forethought. By moving we could have gained 2x the living space, but lose $400 per month and Sanami would lose 40 minutes of her work day to extra commuting. It was a hard decision, weighing living space to other life costs.

The turning point for me was two-fold. One, over the course of two years I could potentially save around $7000 by not moving. Two, I realized that 25% of the moving cost ($4000) could significantly upgrade our firnature, creating a move livable environment.

But, next week my office is moving!

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sent from W-ZERO3

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