Monday, August 25, 2008

Is the suspense killing you?

I could be really mean and let all my impatient readers wait a few more days. After all I do have suitcases to unpack and laundry to do from an impromptu trip to the beach for a long weekend. But I guess I have left you waiting long enough.

Sorry to all those who guessed I am pregnant. Considering that would have to be an act of God, you are incorrect. With the busy life I have with the three we already have I think another would push me over the edge to the funny farm.

So what is it then? Are you ready? You holding onto your chair in suspense? Are you jumping up and down from the wait? Well here we go...

Matt has been offered and accepted a promotion at work. And while that is exciting, it is not the
BIG news. The BIG news is that the job is in...


... Kobe, Japan.

(I will pause while you pick yourself up off the floor)

Yes, you read that right. We are moving to Japan – as in the country Japan. We have always wanted to do an international assignment, and while we were thinking maybe next summer would be a good time, this fell into our laps. And after lots of talk and prayer we have decided to take on the adventure.

We will be starting to work with our relocation counselor this week to iron out the details and book a house hunting trip for Matt and I. Matt has to be in Japan for an already booked business trip the week of September 14, so I will fly out and meet him at the end of the trip and we will stay a week to pick a house, get the kids schools all organized, learn the area, meet fellow expats (people working in a foreign country) and much more. The job is a 3 year assignment and after that we will be back stateside.

As of right now, Matt will be going around the 3rd week of October and the kids and I will follow at the end of February. While the kids and I could go by the end of the year, Matt and I have decided that allowing the kids to finish up some commitments here for school, football and gymnastics will help them transition easier. Our hopes is to rent our house out here, allowing us to keep a US residence and hopefully some back here when our assignment is over.

I am excited, scared, nervous... so many different emotions. This is huge for our family. But I know that during the next 3 years our family will have an experience of a lifetime. And don't worry all my bloggy friends... I will be here to blog it all. I know. Finally something to blog about besides David Cook.

So I will leave you with these few facts about Kobe, Japan. And be prepared for lots of posts leading up to our departure. The next few months will be filled with visits, packing, passports, redtape, jumping hoops, tears, smiles, airport travel, recommendations for the
best acne treatment due to stress levels and much more.
  • Kobe is the capital of Hyogo Prefecture and one of Japan's ten largest cities.
  • Kobe's has a population of approximately 1.5 million.
  • Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is considered one of Japan's most attractive cities.
  • Kobe was one of the first cities to open for trade with the West following the end of the policy of seclusion and has since been known as a cosmopolitan port city. It is Japan's fourth busiest container port.
  • In January 1995, Kobe was hit by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which killed over 5000 people and destroyed tens of thousands of buildings. A decade later, the city is completely rebuilt, and few signs of the terrible event are left. (Don't worry the city was rebuilt to withstand such an earthquake)
  • The city is the point of origin and namesake of Kobe Beef, as well as the site of one of Japan's most famous hot springs resorts, Arima Onsen.
  • Companies headquartered in Kobe include ASICS, Kawasaki, and Kobe Steel , as well as over 100 international corporations with Asia or Japan headquarters in the city such as Procter & Gamble and Nestle. (While we will live in Kobe, Matt will actually be working in Akashi, Japan, where Caterpillar is located)

24 comments:

Unknown said...

As you know, I am very very very excited for you, a little scared, but mostly excited. What an adventure. And knowing you as well as I do, you are just about all the way planned ;) I will miss you, but as Matt said, "if anyone would come visit us, it would be Val!". :) That makes me feel good. So now I feel like I have something to live up to. hehe:) I know that this is something God has been preparing you for a long time with all those possible moves in the past years. Now you have also been to Asia and know a lot about the culture. (Another God thing.) My biggest concern is not you, but Em, but I have a feeling after a few weeks, she will adjust just fine. And when she comes home to US she will be the most popular girl around :)

Again, I couldn't be more excited for you and more proud of Matt. Knowing the field he is in and how similar it is to Neil's, this will be nothing but the BEST for your family. Love you bunches my sweet. Can't wait to see you in October and then in . . .Japan! :)

Amy said...

Oh Congratulations! I love Japan! I did a year and half of teaching English there and often wish I'd never left. I never made it to Kobe, but always heard great things about it. I think that's a pretty good area to be.

Oh the food! The wonderful trains! The karaoke! I'm jealous ;)

Unknown said...

The sushi!!! Alexis, you may die if you don't even TRY some fresh fishes that swim in water with breathing gills and little fins and mouths that make kissy faces :) I bet you that you can NOT make it 3 years without doing so :)

Alexis Jacobs said...

Ugh... Val... raw fish? I am just not sure. I took one for the team this weekend and ate one of Matt's shrimp and tried his flounder and scallops. Blech... I just wanted the kids to try it.

Rice... girl i am looking at ALOT of rice.

~michelle pendergrass said...

OH my gosh!!! I can't even imagine!!!

Multi-tasking Mommy said...

WOW! I just got shivers reading your post. You see, I'm envious. I could never do that move in a million years, but there is a small part of me that wishes I could do something like that.

Good for you and what an incredible experience for all of you!

I cannot wait to read all about it.

Jennifer said...

oh my...this is great. I have several Air Force friends that LOVE(D) Japan. They said it was beautiful. Our friends Kevin and Joy plan on living over there after they retire. that is something you have to watch is falling to in love with it....some never want to leave. I have heard it is nothing like China in many ways.
What do the kids think? I know they will grow to like it, but they are probably at that age where it will take some time.
To exciting....this is what I miss about military life..the traveling. I lived in Europe for 4yrs and I wouldn't take that back for nothing! love it and I got to travel everywhere..Spain, Austria,Switzerland + many more...oh waht good times.

Anyhow, can't wait to here more!

In our thought and prayers!

mama2dibs said...

Wow! That IS exciting! We just had some friends move to China for 3 years too. What an adventure you are in for. I would love to live in a foreign country (not Asian, sorry) for a year or two. It ain't ever going to happen though. My baby is a HOME body to the core. I'll pray for you as you get everything put together and begin this journey.

Deborah said...

Wow, Alexis! What an amazing adventure you and your family are about to embark upon. I can't wait to read all about it!

Corie said...

Oh my goodness!
WOW!
This is HUGE news!!!

So excited for you and your family.
I can't wait to hear all about everything- the culture, the food, the climate, just every day living...

Thank goodness for the internet!!!

Runner Girl said...

Congratulations...to you all! What an exciting opportunity. What a great experience for your family. Good luck getting the details ironed out!

Kimberly said...

Oh wow, I'm SO excited for you. What an experience this is going to be for your entire family! I had a chance to live "abroad" over in Ireland and it was the experience of a lifetime!!!! I look forward to hearing more about it. Congrats!!!!

Unknown said...

um. W. O. W.

you are so brave.

I will keep your family in our prayers and keep reading as I always do.

Good luck and many blessings on this fabulous journey.

PaulickFam said...

Now THAT is some exciting news! It is just amazing how God plans things! I am SOOOO looking forward to your updates and will keep your ENTIRE family in our prayers. Congratulations to all of you!

Aimee said...

Oh my word!!! I don't read your blog for a few days, and now you're moving to JAPAN!!!! Wow, not what I expected to say the least, but what a great opportunity for you guys!! Can't wait to hear/read all about it! I will be praying for you and your family!

Leesha said...

Alexis~I'm so excited for you & your family. I remember you giving me your "life plan"...and you said it would be happening.

I hope everything goes smoothly. Each of you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Kimmber said...

Very excited for you! I can't even fathom it. I remember your move to where you are now... but JAPAN, that is huge! Best of luck to you all. I will be looking forward to your blog, as I know there is a place I will never be but for reading about it.

And as for seafood, yuck... but you know, there is always McDonalds!! ;)

Ang said...

Alexis,
With everything going on in your life you will never know what it meant to me that you took time to 'leave a comment' on my blog!! I am so new to this & I have followed yours for seems like forever now & just lately got the nerve to leave you a post!!! ha I have a cousin that lives in Japan and is a librarian & she just loves it over there. I will pray for you daily & your family!!! I am very excited for you. Please check back with me occasinally & let me know how you are!!! thanks again!

Terri said...

really, really, no I mean really cool. This will be a great experience for your family. Good luck on all the planning and transitioning. And you have just guaranteed yourself a serious stalker so I can live vicariously thru you in this adventure!!!! :o)

Anonymous said...

WOW that is awesome!

Anonymous said...

Oh, my...WOW!!! That is incredible and exciting and scary and wonderful. I'm sure you've been through the whole gamut of emotions : ) I'll keep you guys in my prayers as you relocate and tie up all the loose ends and make the big transition! Wow!

Johanna said...

Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. That IS huge news. I love when people say they have huge news and aren't lying! :) Congratulations to Matt on the promotion, and how exciting to you and your family for the adventure you'll get to have together. How are the kids taking it? I can't wait to hear (read) all of your adventures along the way. So much fun!!!!

Anonymous said...

ohmygoodness, what an incredible, exciting & awesome adventure this will be for you all! prayers that everything will unfold as smoothly as possible! Congrats to Matt for the promotion!

Michelle said...

Wow is right!! What an awesome opportunity! I am super excited for your whole family. I too, cannot wait to read all about your adventures!

Congrats and best of luck! You will for sure be in our thoughts and prayers!!