Saikin dou desuka?

It’s not official yet, but there’s a very real possibility that Alan will be getting stationed in Japan next year.

He introduced this topic by asking me on Facebook "How do you feel about Asian food?"

It’s a scary thought, moving to the other side of the world. There was a position available in England that he wanted, but he had to be able to report in February and the unit isn’t releasing anyone until May. The post in Japan would be for October. Of course, my first thought was of all the logistics. Can you tell I’m a planner?

I’m actually pretty excited about the possibility, especially since for the time being I’m trying to ignore the other stuff that gives me headaches. The day to day life would be an adventure. Getting all our stuff there is something I’ll worry about later. So for now I’m just going to go with a sort of jittery happiness. LOL

I’m not sure how we’re going to tell our families. When I look at it in real terms, it’s going to be upsetting for them. It’s not like there’s going to be a lot of travel back and forth. Christmas will be a "just us" thing. When Alan enlisted I told my mom that she should probably get a passport since we could end up overseas, but I’m not sure how seriously she took that possibility. She does have her passport though. But now that Pippa’s in the picture, I think us being so far away will be harder on them. Maybe when it’s time to announce it I’ll preface it by telling them they need to get real internet because the only way we’ll be able to talk to them is on Skype. The time difference should be a challenge. Tokyo is 14 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

One thing I’m curious about is the car situation. I mean, do we ship our cars over there? Put ours in storage and lease for the time we’re there? Of all the things that my brain could pick out to focus on, that’s the one that’s sticking. Also sticking is me wondering if I can get renter’s insurance for only 4 months. I know we can do a short lease, but I’m not sure about the insurance.

The cats would have to go into quarantine for 30-60 days, but apparently you can visit them every day, which makes me feel a lot better. There’s no question of them going with us in my mind. I couldn’t be without them – a house isn’t home without the whole family and they’re our family. Cassie and I were talking about it and she would leave Cosmic with her parents. For one thing, I think the Army only approves two pets (she has two dogs as well), but Cosmic is also 14. The stress of travel would be an awful lot for him to bear. Our cats are in the prime of life. And I don’t think my cats would get the level of care and love with either my parents or Alan’s mom that they get here. I do worry about Aladdin being in the quarantine. He’s been in a shelter and I would be worried that he would think he was going back. Karma would just be very very confused. Okay, I’m choking up. But being in quarantine with us visiting every day and then being with us again is a much happier scenario than giving them up for three years. I think that would kill me.

Still, I’m getting ahead of myself. I did give Alan the go ahead to reenlist for Japan, but nothing is set in stone yet. For right now, I’ll try to just focus on him coming home. The rest will come when it comes.

Of course, since I know most of you on Facebook, please don’t let it slip that we might be headed to Japan. Is it sad that I hope Cassie and Tim end up in Korea? Maybe we could have holidays together once in a while. LOL… I’m such a dork. Anyway, the couch beckons.

~Liz