We've arrived in Chicago! We're still in the moving process, getting the internet working smoothly, setting up the apartment (we have to buy a few shelves) and learning where to buy groceries. But we've unpacked everything, my dad has started work today and we beginning to set up our life here.
We haven't ventured that far yet. Last night we walked to a Best Buy on the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Ave.) to get a router for wi-fi internet. We walked by some of Northwestern University on the way back to our apartment. We've found two groceries stores that are just down the block, a five minute walk from our new home. The one store, Fox & Obel, is like a miniature Whole Foods, organic foods, bakery and cafe. We've have already gotten used to shopping there, memorized where everything is.
I can't wait to see more of the city, there's a lot to see. In Fox & Obel my mom met one of the baristas who has offered to help us tour the city, he will tell where to go and what to see so we can get to know the city well.

The apartment is amazing! We can see Lake Michigan from every window in our apartment! It's incredible. And the city is huge, looking out over the city from our family room window; it stretches as far as you can see.
The apartment itself is smaller than the one we had in Japan but we still fit in it well. Nick, Eric and I share one room, my parents have their own room, a have a nice kitchen big enough for my mom and I to cook together in it. And a lot of closets. But I like it, it already feels like home!

Our kitchen and dinner table area.

The view from part of the family room. That mass of blue is the lake!

The rest of the family room, and the lake.

We can see the Navy Pier from our bedroom, and apparently in the summer the city sets off fireworks at the Navy Pier and we can see everything from our balcony!

じゃな。