All I Want For Christmas is Peace & Quiet
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Commentary By Hank F. Miller Jr.
How's your life space these days? Do you have correct balance of relax space, social space and, say, foot space? In Japan, space is a topic of constant discussion at Hair salons,barber shops etc.In Japan there are Hair salons and barber shops called space"and companies tout products for "your living space." Why the obsession with space in Japan ? Because there isn't any !
When foreigners come to Japan and move into into our first apartment we feel a bit like we've been punished and force to live in solitary confinement.
And you definitely don't buy anything new " I just bought a sofa,"You say to your spouse. "A sofa? Where are you going to put it ?" "There isn't room enough to swing a cat."
"If we stand it on end, it'll fit perfectly in the corner."I have a better idea, " says your spouse, axing off the arm rests and wedging the sofa into the tokonoma, a tokonoma is an alcove that is in all traditional homes. It's where one puts a hanging scroll and flower arrangements.The space in the tokonoma is about 41/2 ft.long x about 21/2 ft. deep.
Well,now there is no need to ax off, nor even whittle down,furniture to fit it into small spaces anymore. Because real living space has arrived in in Kitakyushu, City at last , thank heavens!
This new space living : it's called vertical living,100 meters from the ground.
On the 42nd floor, you'll not only have that space all to yourself, but you'll be able to watch migrating birds and emerging weather patterns.
We, my spouse and I purchased a large house 85.85sq. meters which is very comfortable. When you consider Japan has 3,000 people per square kilometer, compared to America 353, people living in homes and apartments this size in Kitakyushu is not equal to living in a space of a football field like in the U.S.
God forbid you should misplace your keys.
Most homes and apartments have a western room ,that is one room with a wooden floor,all the other floors are tatami that means straw mats,and with no heaters or lighting,or washer and dryers provided by the builder or landlords.
When one rents an apartment or a house you must also provide all the utilities. When we bought this home it was quite expensive but I had only running water,we had to purchase everything from the local appliance store,such as hanging lamps sockets are provided by the builder for you to plug the lamps into.
We had to order as extra our lamps, heaters as well as air conditioners ,washer and dryer,Oven and micro wave oven for the kitchen etc. Dishwashers are not provided nor are refrigerators either. Everything as I mentioned above has to come from the appliance store near by. And it's all very expensive for the extra items.
But one needs to live in comfort,so it has to be done if one decides to stay here for very long.
Presently we are experiencing all the comforts of home that you have in the states. And we have really worked hard for what we have accomplished these 29 years here.THE MILLER ENGLISH SCHOOL Japan has come a long way in 26 years in business,and thus we're grateful pleased to have had success. My wife Keiko and I have raised three wonderful children in this home and educated them here at local schools,till junior high school and then sent them to high school in the U.S.A.
Our daughter Rachel is 21years old,and is in her second year at Portland State University in Oregon .She is majoring in International Business and economics.Our son Maximillian,is 23 years old and has just been discharged from the U.S.Marines, He is trying to decide just what to do for his future. Lucas our eldest son he is 26 years old. He in the U.S. Army stationed at Scoefield Barracks,Honolulu,Hawaii. He just married recently to Miss Raeana Cepeda on November 23rd in Guam. They are presently living off base in Waipahu,Hawaii.
From Us To You:
We hope each and everyone of you back in the U.S.A. has a most wonderful Christmas & New Year Holiday.
Warm Regards from Kitakyushu City, Japan.
The Miller Family
