Gearing up to GO!

This time next week we will be preparing to head to JAPAN. And to quote:
"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."
And if you are confused by the quote, or how it ties in...then you know exactly how I feel with this whole moving to Japan thing. When dealing with the military you have to be prepared for some obscure things to occur and for things to never go as planed.

So, July 30th Bill and I moved to Newport, RI. Bill had to attend school called Naval Justice School. When we arrived in Newport we were involved in a car accident that totaled our car. We were planning on selling the car, so although no car seems like a rough time, biking around Newport is lots of fun!

While Bill is in school, I spend my time playing with the bureaucrats that are on base. Lets just say they are not my friends. For the past ten weeks I have been working on securing my area clearance to Japan and then getting a plane ticket.

The military really likes to pay top dollar for their tickets, so a week before the departure date, I finally got a ticket. I don't know details of when I leave, but I HAVE A TICKET!!! The Corporal at the Marine Detachment was ready to get out of the office on Friday, he told me to pick the tickets up on Monday.

It only took 8 months to get area clearance and place tickets, it looks like my husband and I will be living TOGETHER in Japan, after all.

My cat, Degas (he is named after the French Painter, Edgar Degas, he painted ballerinas in the 1800's) is also going to Japan with us. He has been through a lot, moving to Rhode Island, living with a pet sitter, Katie. Now he gets to travel as hand luggage to Japan. Bill and I will not be on the same flight because of him. All exported animals have to travel out of Seattle.

Now, one week before we leave I have to pick up plane tickets, military orders, medical records, international health certificates, close a post office box, supervise a move, attend a command function, graduation and pack our suit cases. It is a busy, busy week! But it is GO TIME!