Good News Amongst the Work

When moving, there is a lot of work involved.  There's no way of getting around it.  When moving internationally, it is at least triple the work.  My husband and I are pretty through people.  We enjoy making sure all the details are taken care of and nothing has been overlooked.  But, honestly, this move has overwhelmed us. 

First, you have all the "normal" moving stuff: 

• The purging of things that you are not going to take with you. 
• Selling, selling, selling all those things that you thought you'd purchased for a lifetime. 
• The packing of everything that will go with you. 
• The changing of address forms to the post office. 
• The update of address and change of service to all accounts. 
• Figuring out what to do with the old place (since we own our home) and finding someone to manage that.  Details, details, details...

I had huge task lists almost every day!

Then, you add on the international aspect: 

• Flights. 
• Visas. 
• Shipping, specifically carry on luggage versus boat. 
• Language barriers. 
• Temporary housing. 
• Finding housing in a place you've never been before. 
• Transportation. 
• Taxes!!! 
• Governmental registration. 
• Cultural differences.  
• Bank accounts.  
• Technology, like cell phones and computers. 
• Change in diet. 
• Jet lag.

Some things we expected - we knew we had to deal with getting a visa for me and that we'd feel as if we were in limbo for a long time.  Some things we didn't think about - not figuring out school for our son during the transition meant meeting new friends for him is vastly more difficult.  And some things simply fell into place without too much fanfare - already knowing the culture has made things so much more smooth.

We have reached the point where things are starting to come together.  Yesterday my husband received his My Number card (Social Security card).  And today we found out that the house we REALLY wanted was ours!  Although this means another transition is coming, it has always been expected and we are both very excited about living in this house.  I already can picture myself and my family there.

It is a small townhouse at 81.7 sq. meters (880 sq. ft.), but it is warm and has lots of light.  The first floor has the kitchen, living room, toilet room, and bath room.  The second floor has 3 bedrooms with large closets in two of them.  There is a patio off the living room and a balcony just outside two of the bedrooms.  And there is a lovely little enclosed yard, perfect for a container garden.  I'm already dreaming of the plants I will grow.  The house is just a block away from a huge park and surrounded by lots of vegetable gardens.  I think it will be a wonderful place for our family.

Now comes more work.  Japanese rentals do not come with refrigerators, washing machines, stoves, and many other things that we would consider standard in the US.  So not only do I need to buy furniture for our new place, I also need to find appliances.  Luckily we will have 10 days of "dual residency" to have time for deliveries and getting things set up before subjecting my son to truly minimal living.  After all, our stuff that we shipped isn't expected to arrive until the end of October!

Although we are both still a bit overwhelmed by everything, I'd say getting housing all figured out will really help us sleep tonight.