Ever find yourself in this situation? You plan to move just a bed, so you contact a moving company, and before you know it, half your stuff is at your boyfriend’s place? That’s exactly what went down this Tuesday on moving day.

You may have already read about my plans in a post titled The Ikea haters. I hired a moving company, they had issues with my Ikea bed, but I eventually convinced them by promising to dismantle the bed myself and waive the warranty. So, last weekend, I was busy with screwdrivers and moving boxes.

After watching this video by Rachel and Jun, I always wanted to try a Japanese-style move, and I must say, it didn’t disappoint. A week in advance, the moving boxes were delivered (I’m not a wealthy YouTuber, nor sponsored, so I chose to pack myself – I also kinda had to, as only I knew what should and shouldn’t go). The day before the move, they sent me a text message with the start time. On moving day, I was ready in my office at 9:00, with an Ikea bed in a thousand pieces and stickers on all the furniture I wanted to move.

The movers arrived, looked around, and wanted to check upstairs as well. I had boxes and labeled furniture there too, and the three men decided to start there. In about ten minutes, they had everything loaded and moved downstairs. The guys, two heads shorter than me, easily picked up two large boxes and carried them outside – constantly taking their shoes on and off, because this is still Japan. In less than half an hour, the truck was full, and they drove to François’ apartment in Kawasaki. I took the train and arrived half an hour earlier.

At François’ place, the movers went full-on Japanese style: They covered all the walls with the characteristic blue wall protection and placed all the furniture in their designated spots. Just when they were almost done, one of François’ cats decided to get involved. Concerned meows came from the living room – Madame’s way of saying something strange was happening. One of the movers briefly broke character: “You have cats? How nice! I love cats! What are their names? How old are they?” François proudly talked about his fluffy babies and how he specifically chose this apartment because it was “cat ok.” I paid the movers (66,000 yen, I had negotiated a discount), and then it was, again, Ikea time.

I assembled my bed but found out afterward that I had five of those wooden pegs left over. The bed was fine, but it still bothered me, so I redid it yesterday. Yes, I am very smart. I also unpacked the boxes. Now, a lot of my clothes, some of my photography equipment, and my sewing machine are at François’ place. I will need the sewing machine soon to make curtains. The fabric is already waiting.

The last box isn’t unpacked yet. It contains my craft supplies, which belong in an Ikea Helmer drawer unit. Only… Helmer is still in Hachioji. I think there was a sticker on it, but I also recall debating about the unit for a long time, so maybe there wasn’t. Anyway, I’m considering whether to buy another one and leave the old one at the office, but that’s for later.

I have all the time in the world in the coming weeks. François left for France this morning for two weeks, and I offered to take care of the cats. This morning, I woke up in my bed, in my room, in his house, and I felt slightly overwhelmed. François briefed me on the garbage schedule, the cat feeding routine, and how to use the intercom and mailbox. Meanwhile, I’m working on my visa extension for November, for which I need to get various papers in Hachioji. But then, I need to return to Kawasaki for the cats.

Fortunately, my room is nice, and it will get even nicer. It feels strange and somewhat mean to sleep there instead of in François’ bed, but it does make me a happier person. (Besides, he doesn’t go to bed until 6:00, so I’d be alone there anyway.) My room is my own autistic heaven: tidy, organized, with a huge bed and a door that I can close. At the same time, someone is always near – or at least, the cats are. Now, I just need a TV or a projector or something, the aforementioned curtains, and maybe a rug or mat, and it’s perfect.

_{I don’t want to think about Project Office Reorganization, which of course also needs to happen…}