Getting Our Feet Wet

Mornin' y'all!  So that is as far as my Texas lingo will take me, but give me a few months and I am sure I will have expanded my vocabulary.

Our family (minus Emily) has been in Texas a month now. I thought it would have been much easier to jump into daily life, but alot changes when you are out of the country for 4 1/2 years.  New technology. New food. New products. New styles. New trends. New cars. New, well, just about everything. In some ways, it is like being someone who has amnesia and slowly has to remember and learn everything over again.

We closed on our house at the end of March, but have not been able to live there since most of our belongings are on the slow boat from Japan. However, tomorrow that will all end, as 427 boxes containing our junk stuff will be delivered. It will be like Christmas opening each box and trying to decide what to do with everything. (Okay, so 7 1/2 weeks really hasn't been that long, but it sure feels like it.) Chris told me recently "Our life has been like living the Suite Life of Zach and Cody. Finally it is almost over."

While I cannot tell you much about the area thus far, I can tell you where every Target, Lowes and Home Depot is within a 25 mile radius of our house. Chris and Sami have settled into school with only a few minor bumps. The kids here seem very welcoming and friendly, which has made the adjustment much easier. We miss Emily more and more each day, but we also know each day that goes by is one day closer to us to all being together again. If this is how it will feel when Emily goes off to college in a year, then I owe my mom a huge apology for not understanding why she was so upset when I went off to Ohio State. I feel a bit lonely and overwhelmed most days, but I know that is all part of the repatriation process. Hopefully getting in the house and turning it into our home will help.

Life in quiet, small-town, Prosper, Texas will be much different than being in the city for the past 4 1/2 years. I am sure the weeks and months ahead will provide laughter and many tears, but I think we will really enjoy this new adventure. So don't stay away from this blog too long. I have a feeling things are about to get interesting.

A Little Bit of Work and a Little Bit of Play

Well in case you were worried, I managed to survive my trip to Hell ( AKA the cell phone store). I did receive 4,000 yen in Visa Gift Cards (which I promptly spent on myself for some kitchen items) and I **think** the shopping certificate is being mailed. It is hard to say considering I had no clue what they told me. But the kids have their phones and that brings much relief in helping my comfort level.

My neighbor offered to help me get Emily's monthly train pass today and then show me some of the cool shopping spots. After we got the train pass she took me to the CHIC office to sign up for my membership and RSVP to some Cocktail and Carpet evening on Valentines Day. I have also decided to take a photography class there. The first one is next Friday and if I like that one there are 3 others I can choose from. I also put my name on the special events committee list. Beth (my neighbor) said it will be fun and a good way to meet other people.

After we did all that we went down to Sannomiya to get a feel for the area and have some lunch. While I have been there a few times already, Beth really showed me everything from "Designer Row" (Prada, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana etc) to some cool department stores to bakeries to 100 Yen stores. We went to lunch at this really yummy place called Mother Moon Cafe. We also scoped out some other places as potential lunch prospects. It was very nice just getting to know Beth and seeing the area.

Next week we may be connecting with another wife who just arrived this week, and I am having coffee (tea for me) with Ilena, a hilarious woman who I only know through blogland. Plus our sea shipment is scheduled to be delivered at 2 pm on Monday (whoo hooo!). So already next week is shaping up to be busy.

I finally feel like an end to all the "paperwork" may soon be in sight. We have started the process for looking at cars (although driving scares the crap out of me here) and I have a stack of expense reports to do. I finally feel like I can start getting connected here, establish a routine and make some friends. Even though its only been 10 days, and I have been busy with all the red tape, I was starting to feel lonely. It is hard when everyone you know is 14 - 15 hours behind you and on the total opposite time schedule. (However I do have to say it has been much easier than I thought to stay in contact).

Tomorrow Matt is off work and the kids will be in school. I am hoping we do something fun, however the forecast is showing 90 percent chance of rain so I won't hold my breath. Rain and walking is not a good combo.

Kiotsukete (Take care!)