I had a dream last night that we had moved back to Japan and I was trying to find us a car. In my dream I spent hours and hours looking for the perfect car for our family, becoming increasingly more frustrated in the process. I finally had a zing of inspiration and realized that, duh!, I could just find another Nissan La Festa like our much loved “wasabi” car that we owned the last time we lived in Japan.
Such a simple solution! At that moment my alarm went off and I woke up to the realization that my dream was just a dream and I still had not found the right car for our family. If only Nissan sold the La Festa in the US, my problems would be solved! We bought Mr. Fuji’s car about a month ago, but are still looking for a car for me. I wish we could get away with being a one car family for a while, but that just isn’t a real option because of how much Mr. Fuji travels and has to drive out to different clients in various parts of Southern California on any given day of the week. So, the hunt continues.
Lest you think the grass is always greener for me on the Japan side of things, I must say that I’m enjoying a long list of things that, in contrast, were a pain in the neck in Japan. To give you a few examples:
– A normal size refrigerator and freezer, not a miniature doll sized one.
– An oven that will accommodate something larger than a 13×9-inch pan.
– A dishwasher.
– A garbage disposal (no more cleaning out yucky drain filters every day! wahoo!!)
– A garage that provides extra storage space and plenty of room to park cars. (In Japan our parking space was on B2 of the basement. We had to back into our parking space, as that’s just the way it’s done in Japan. The corridor was extremely narrow. On the driver’s side there was a cement wall, and on the passenger’s side there was a very nice Mercedes. We had approximately 8 inches of wiggle room on either side of the car. Although I got very good at parking our car, I think I held my breath every time I had to do it.)
– Easy free parking almost everywhere I go (and no having to pay $600/month for my parking spot at home!)
– Target!
– Being only a 40-minute drive away from my parents and Cuca’s.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I have a stove just like that! Viva la Gas Range!!!
Glad things are going well and that you have a little taste of Japan still available to you out there via shopping centers. Now you can fill that giant freezer with Japanese goodies!
Ah, Cuca’s! I make my family and Chris’ go everytime I visit!
Good luck car shopping. I know the right car will show up for you.
I do have a question. Could you not have shipped your wasabi car over here?
hahah Wasabi..that was funny
Oooh, Target. And Mexican food. And the beach. :)
Ah, 40 minutes from Fuji Nana. That’s the best, right???
Yes, I don’t miss my knee high refrigerator. you did not mention the weather, hot humid summers. Does that mean you enjoyed those? well, the summertime comes with lots of sugary yummy drinks…. yoroshiku!
I’m jealous of your gas stove in the picture! As for looking for a car, what a hassle. I hope you find one soon!
Big refrigerators are awesome, I know when we came back from England, we were in awe that we could buy a gallon size milk!
Hi there! This is Goldie (Avalos) Mayry. I found you through Adri (Doria) Reeve. I love your blog. I love going back to Redlands and eating at Cuca’s too. My husband doesn’t understand my obsession, but at least I know someone out there does too. Welcome back home! I don’t know if you moved away from Irvine, but we’re in Costa Mesa if you want to visit.
We’re down to just one car as I had to return my lease. I’ll need a car soon, but I’m undecided on what to get. What did you eventually decide on?