ペーパー ド ライバー

It’s a great phrase that actually for once makes sense!!

"ペーパー ド ライバー” in Katakana represents someone who has the licence and doesn't use it. That’s me! So I have opted to have driving lessons to get some practice in!

Had my first one last week, and I surprised it went so well!!

Can’t wait to get on the road again, but might just wait until we settle in the new place!

Phew! So much happening!!! :)

Moving (blog) HOUSE!

Moving back to the city and...moving over to Tumblr!!!....MAYBE...it seems blogger is working for me again...maybe I really AM here to stay!! Hope so - it's nice and easy here :)

Let's see how it all goes! But, at least I can go photo crazy there!!

http://leonorasophie-everyday.tumblr.com/

More on the move later, but for now - bye-bye Kauskabe!!! Sad to go, but new beginnings ahead....on tumblr!!! MAYBE...

Persimmon season again!!

 So exicting - Last week I found three...! persimmons growing in OUR garden!!!
What a shock -we had forgotten about the fruit trees ever actually bearing fruit!!

And, the neighbours gave us some more too (as well as tomatoes from their veggie patch in Ibaraki!), so I am making more jam / compote or something stewed anyway.
This time, I am adding prunes and brown sugar. Forgot to pulp it properly, but realised mashing it in the pot is the easiest one to do!!
Oh, yummy joy!

A very big tomato!

Transferring a UK licence to a Japanese licence.

My experience at the driving centre.

Konosu is my 'local' centre to visit to do the change over. I am lucky to be British today as we are able to take the required documents and have an eye check and get the Japanese licence... so I am told!

Konosu driving centre is a bus ride (5mins) from Konosu station (which in turn is about 20 mins from Omiya).

I went to JAF last year to translate my UK licence, buy it was on the day of the earthquake, so even though I got my licence (after also visiting immigration and attempting to renew my visa), there have been a few hiccups since. This cost us ￥3000.

It is important to check what is needed at each centre as it could differ. I was told, that after the translation, I would need proof of living in UK for three months after getting my licence....when I was 17!!!!

It was time to call my mother and get her to help me dig up this ancient passport. Then, getting it took a while as I did not trust then post, so waited until I could go and pick it up myself.

We had phoned a couple of times to see if my university certificate (which would prove what they wanted to know more than a European passport with countless stamps in would) but to no avail.

I did find out (unlike some others on blogs I had read - see below) that you need the residents certificate - Juumin-hyoufrom your ward office as well. Do not forget this! 

So, I rocked up today, green lights at each crossing, a bus waiting for me at the station..you know the kind of day. Even the receptionist was friendly. I had to head straight to the second floor and wait. And wait and wait. Actually, it was only half an hour, but I had hoped that whole thing would be finished by half past 11.

I arrived at five to 10. It is worth noting that the room is open at 10am, but you can start lining up from 9.40 and you may even get seen.

The policeman who dealt with me was really friendly too. (I think I read only bad horror stories...).

I was however very nervous. I realised that I forgot to bring number two passport (my first and third should have been enough...) and I forgot my university certificate as I had wanted as much proof as possible.

Anyway, he tried to check each stamp in the passport that I used from 1995 and I explained that in Europe they don't always stamp, actually I had to ask for them, but he was worried about entries into one country then nothing out.

He was very thorough checking everything, and my heart was beating fast even though nothing was amiss.

He stamped the forms, and we made an appointment for 1pm. Yes, there was more to come and he told me I should be finished by 3.30. I was to buy some stamps for my form...around ￥2400.

Counters 1& 2 are for the foreign licence exchange (and eye tests)

At 1pm prompt, the shutters to the counters opened. We were led through for the eye test, which took ten seconds. You can even answer in English - up down, red, blue. Easy.

Then, I was sent up to the third floor, room 6. I was the only one from the group foreigners; my heart was pounding...it still is...I am sitting in the exam room, so I had to check - I am not ready for a test!

The policeman was due (at 1.45...) to talk to us about safety on the road.

I was wondering which would be more boring...

Well, the guy came and babbled the fastest Japanese to everyone which was crazy; he was obviously up against the clock. Before he began his rant, he did say to me that it didn't matter if I didn't understand it anyway! He then went on to talk about the three people who failed their test today (including one foreigner...hey ho)

Then the guy led everyone out with me...ME at the front of the queue being fast-tracked to the counter to receive my card. I had to collect another ￥2050 worth of stamps and await my card.

After a quick picture, mouth closed (!) I was goof to go! And an hour earlier than expected too!

All in all, it was no a bad experience knowing that I didn't have tests along the way, but it didn't feel like that.

My advice - read around, but be prepared.

Double check your own offices requirements and be sure you have each document ready.

The blogs below helped and didn't help me in my preparation...Luckily, I was OK!!! 

GOOD LUCK!!!

THIS GUY HAD A COUPLE OF CRAZY VISITS TO THE CENTRE, BUT FOR A CANADIAN, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN EASIER!!

http://lart.ca/2007/05/01/my-big-konosu-adventure-part-1

http://lart.ca/2007/05/02/my-big-konosu-adventure-part-2-round-and-round

http://lart.ca/2007/05/02/my-big-konosu-adventure-part-3-getting-your-address-right-is-the-most-important-thing

THIS GUY WAS A BIT MORE INSPIRING AND MADE ME FEEL MORE RELAXED BEFORE I WENT

http://www.robertliu.com/archives/429

Dwindling blog entries...

It's so great to be able to jot down the day, the week, the fleeting moments that pass so fast...but when there are too many, no fingers can type hard enough nor fast enough to fit it all in.

And as such, my study of the flowers is not as acute as last year. I still read the labels, but I don't monitor them as closely and I forget much more easily their names or even if they have been 'fed'.

I have embarked upon more studies, enrolled for another Japanese exam (miraculously passed the last one), have entered University again, 'playing with garbage' and of course, looking after hubby and Elbi.

Another challenge for the list is the 'October Daily' - one poem a day for the long month of November.
It worked last year, and when it comes to writing, having challenges that can be reached are important.

So, expect nothing on this blog here!! But do pop by to read a poem sometime!!

http://leonorasophie.blogspot.jp/

Let's Play With Garbage!

Lets Play with Garbage!

OK, I have finally gone 'public' with my new little creation. 

It's all about having fun with the kids, but at no major expense to the environment.

Have a look at the site and do get in touch if you have any awesome suggestions!

Thanks.

The abandoned garden

It's amazing what happens when you let all the mundane things in life take over.

I haven't had half a chance to look after our flowers and plants since the last post. The flowers are drying out, it's too hot to hope that they will look after themselves and I am just watching them die.

However, this will change and soon!! The survivors are doing well...

This year's Anthurium...pink!!

Morning glory! 

Hello!

At the lake! Huge flower - what is it?

Everyone has these outside their house...they grow well, easy to flower and very colourful...but what is it?!