It's official.
We're moving!
Tomorrow!!
Tomorrow!!
Usually moving in the military means a PCS - Permanent Change of Station. You organize all your things. Sell your car. Wait patiently for your command to organize your travel arrangements. Make cookies for the guys packing up your house. Then you uproot and end up wherever your orders tell you to go.
For us, this is a tiny move. We are relocating just about a mile to the north, from our off-base Japanese vertical trailer to a sweet little 2 bedroom tower apartment on base. We made this decision since being extended an extra 18 months in Japan. By then, we figure our family will grow and this house will no longer suit us. I have to admit, I'm pretty pumped to have an American washing machine (with hot water! Rejoice!) and full-sized oven. We definitely survive and do well in our current house. But certain things will get significantly easier.
About three weeks ago, I started the moving process. I went to the housing brief. Set up our termination with our current house. Chose an apartment on base. Made appointments for appliance pick up. And bill pay. And a new parking certificate. And holy cow, I never knew how much could go into it all. I paused briefly enough for it to set in.
We're moving.
It's almost harder that we're not moving across the ocean. Logistically, this is pretty simple. But we are remaining in Japan but not in our sweet house. This is the home we began our marriage in. This is the kitchen I learned to cook in, despite the lack of oven and multiple near nervous breakdowns. I've spent hours studying Japanese in this house. And have endured several deployments here. I've walked miles around this neighborhood, discovering its nooks and crannies. I feel like a local in this town. This is the house I labored in! And where we've been raising our first kid. So much has been done within these walls. I complain about this house a lot (ah, the stairs, the washer, the tiny kitchen!), but I admit it's grown on me. I can sprint up and down those stairs without a thought and I feel like I have a relationship with the washer. Spend that much time trying to figure out various functions in Japanese and you'll know what I mean. All in all, it will be strange to move on.
Transitions often make me feel that nervous/excited feeling, and this time is no different. But I'm eager to discover a different sort of life here, and see what it has in store for us.
We'll post photos of our apartment as we make it our own! Stay tuned.
About three weeks ago, I started the moving process. I went to the housing brief. Set up our termination with our current house. Chose an apartment on base. Made appointments for appliance pick up. And bill pay. And a new parking certificate. And holy cow, I never knew how much could go into it all. I paused briefly enough for it to set in.
We're moving.
It's almost harder that we're not moving across the ocean. Logistically, this is pretty simple. But we are remaining in Japan but not in our sweet house. This is the home we began our marriage in. This is the kitchen I learned to cook in, despite the lack of oven and multiple near nervous breakdowns. I've spent hours studying Japanese in this house. And have endured several deployments here. I've walked miles around this neighborhood, discovering its nooks and crannies. I feel like a local in this town. This is the house I labored in! And where we've been raising our first kid. So much has been done within these walls. I complain about this house a lot (ah, the stairs, the washer, the tiny kitchen!), but I admit it's grown on me. I can sprint up and down those stairs without a thought and I feel like I have a relationship with the washer. Spend that much time trying to figure out various functions in Japanese and you'll know what I mean. All in all, it will be strange to move on.
Transitions often make me feel that nervous/excited feeling, and this time is no different. But I'm eager to discover a different sort of life here, and see what it has in store for us.
We'll post photos of our apartment as we make it our own! Stay tuned.
