I am going back to Japan! I am very excited, but I still don't have tickets in my hot little hands. Until I get those tickets I will be anxious. Shoot! I will still be anxious because I have to get Brownie's health certificate so the nation of Japan will let me doggie in! And let me tell, when there is no military vet nearby, it is a PAIN IN THE BUTT!
Basically I will be relying on a couple of overnight packages and paying lots of money out the nose. I really was hoping to leave Brownie here with the in-laws, but they don't have dogs anymore and I think Brownie would be lonely without us. *sad face*
Taking a pet to Japan is no easy task! Even though we have only been gone one month- we have to jump through all of these hoops. Luckily, she already had her FAVN test (test for Rabies antibodies), and it is still valid (they expire after 2 years). She has all of her shots, microchip, and FAVN test. Now the vet must examine her, fill out the paperwork to be faxed to the USDA office for pre-approval. Once they get that, we have to overnight the paperwork to USDA, and include a pre-paid overnight envelope to send the certificate back. I just hope USDA works quickly. I would have done all of this already- but. But the certificate is good for 10 days. Make that 9 days seeing that we will lose a day traveling to Japanland. Oh- I have to let Japan know I am bringing a dog to the country. It is supposed to 40 days notice, but we are exempted this time around. :)
I am not looking forward to the actual flight. But I AM looking forward to seeing my honey again!! It will all be worth it when I am in his arms again...
Cross your fingers I receive my itinerary tonight (morning for Japan)!!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Can I go home now?
We are on week three in Safe Haven land. Now that the jet lag is gone and we got to see family, I am ready to go back. Unfortunately, things don't seem much better in Nipponland. They aren't WORSE, but not much better either. I think things ARE better in Tokyo as they don't have so many rolling blackouts to put a stand still on everything. But as far as the Nuclear reactor problem, they have made baby steps so far. I know things will get better, I just need to be patient (take a cue from the Japanese.)
My in-law's pad is gorgeous- better than a hotel. In area it is bigger than the 4-plex we live in on base. But it is not my HOME. Know what I mean? I miss my bed, my things. I miss being able to make a mess and being able to pick up after myself at my own leisure. I miss running my own household. Here I feel like I have worn out my welcome. I know I haven't really, but you know how it is when you feel like you are "in the way?" I have interrupted the "flow" here and I hate that.
So after feeling sorry for myself- I see this. My heart is still breaking for Japan. I want things to get better so I can return. But more importantly- I want things to get better for the Japanese people who are suffering. I am sure they aren't whining like me. I am so grateful my family is well and safe.
My in-law's pad is gorgeous- better than a hotel. In area it is bigger than the 4-plex we live in on base. But it is not my HOME. Know what I mean? I miss my bed, my things. I miss being able to make a mess and being able to pick up after myself at my own leisure. I miss running my own household. Here I feel like I have worn out my welcome. I know I haven't really, but you know how it is when you feel like you are "in the way?" I have interrupted the "flow" here and I hate that.
So after feeling sorry for myself- I see this. My heart is still breaking for Japan. I want things to get better so I can return. But more importantly- I want things to get better for the Japanese people who are suffering. I am sure they aren't whining like me. I am so grateful my family is well and safe.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
missed my blogiversary
I just realized that on April 1st, I had been blogging for 2 years. Geez, it feels LONGER than that. Happy belated blogiversary to me.
Looking back:
2 years ago I was trying to get TO Japan. The No-FeeASSport Passport people were making me jump through hoops to prove I wasn't born in Mexico.
2 WEEKS ago I was trying to get OUT of Japan.
2 years ago I was missing my sailor terribly- knowing I wouldn't see him for another 5 months.
Today I am missing my sailor, not knowing WHEN or WHERE I will see him next.
2 years ago my kids were both in elementary school.
Today my son started middle school. (He was still in elementary school when we were in Japan. Here in Colorado 6th grade is MIDDLE SCHOOL).
2 years ago I thought GETTING TO JAPAN was the hard part.
Today my heart aches because I had to leave.
2 years ago I was determined to learn Japanese.
Today all I can do is order food.
2 years ago the only foreign countries I have been to were Mexico and Canada.
2 years later I have added Japan and Singapore to that list. I was hoping for more than that- but I am grateful nevertheless.
2 years ago I didn't think I will be able to keep up a blog.
Well, here I still am! I haven't been the most consistent blogger. I know some of what I post is pure dribble and a snoozefest. But I do have some good memories here. If nothing else- I have my Food Fun Friday posts to look back on.
One of my favorite pictures as of late:
This isn't really related to my blog post. But this picture just tears me up. It is a Japanese man hugging one of the Helo guys (I believe it is HS-4) who came out with relief supplies for the tsunami victims.
I hope that on my next blogiversary I will be able to report that all is well in Japan again. Ganbate Kudasai!
Looking back:
2 years ago I was trying to get TO Japan. The No-Fee
2 WEEKS ago I was trying to get OUT of Japan.
2 years ago I was missing my sailor terribly- knowing I wouldn't see him for another 5 months.
Today I am missing my sailor, not knowing WHEN or WHERE I will see him next.
2 years ago my kids were both in elementary school.
Today my son started middle school. (He was still in elementary school when we were in Japan. Here in Colorado 6th grade is MIDDLE SCHOOL).
2 years ago I thought GETTING TO JAPAN was the hard part.
Today my heart aches because I had to leave.
2 years ago I was determined to learn Japanese.
Today all I can do is order food.
2 years ago the only foreign countries I have been to were Mexico and Canada.
2 years later I have added Japan and Singapore to that list. I was hoping for more than that- but I am grateful nevertheless.
2 years ago I didn't think I will be able to keep up a blog.
Well, here I still am! I haven't been the most consistent blogger. I know some of what I post is pure dribble and a snoozefest. But I do have some good memories here. If nothing else- I have my Food Fun Friday posts to look back on.
One of my favorite pictures as of late:
I hope that on my next blogiversary I will be able to report that all is well in Japan again. Ganbate Kudasai!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Missing Japan...
It's a stormy and dreary day here in Colorado. The kids and I arrived safely a little over a week ago after traveling over 48 hours. I think the jet lag has finally worn off and we feel rested. And now that I am here I want nothing more than to go back. I miss Japan, I miss my friends, and I miss my husband.
There have been people who stayed behind that accused those of who evacuated of "abandoning" Japan and its people. That really upset me at first, and I felt like I had been put on the defensive. But now, in spite of a sham of an article in the "Farse and Lies" (ie Stars and Stripes)- that said that everyone who evacuated only did so for a "free vacation", I am at peace with my decision.
There will always be haters out there, who want nothing more than to make everyone as miserable as they are. I am a good person, I will not justify my decisions to anyone. My family and my country come first. Call me selfish, I don't care. That isn't to say that my heart isn't broken and I don't grieve for Japan and her people. At last count, according to NHK World, over 27,600 people are dead or missing. My brain can't process that number.
Eventually we will return. When that is, I don't know. Until then we remain in limbo, while trying to have some sense of normalcy for the kids' sake. They are enrolled in school here and are enjoying seeing their cousins again after 2 years. While we wait, I am trying not to break down and cry. I am afraid I won't be able to stop.
There have been people who stayed behind that accused those of who evacuated of "abandoning" Japan and its people. That really upset me at first, and I felt like I had been put on the defensive. But now, in spite of a sham of an article in the "Farse and Lies" (ie Stars and Stripes)- that said that everyone who evacuated only did so for a "free vacation", I am at peace with my decision.
There will always be haters out there, who want nothing more than to make everyone as miserable as they are. I am a good person, I will not justify my decisions to anyone. My family and my country come first. Call me selfish, I don't care. That isn't to say that my heart isn't broken and I don't grieve for Japan and her people. At last count, according to NHK World, over 27,600 people are dead or missing. My brain can't process that number.
Eventually we will return. When that is, I don't know. Until then we remain in limbo, while trying to have some sense of normalcy for the kids' sake. They are enrolled in school here and are enjoying seeing their cousins again after 2 years. While we wait, I am trying not to break down and cry. I am afraid I won't be able to stop.
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