it's not life that matters but the journey...

well, the good news is that I'm not feeling as tired or stressed as I was yesterday. Nothing has really been resolved yet, but it will be soon, and I'm positive about this move. The only thing I'm worried about now is my cat - I have to be sure there are no special rules for getting him into the U.S. - but most sites I see say that he doesn't need any vaccines, so I think its okay. And he did get the rabies vaccine (a 3-year one) last February. I'm just so worried, and feeling really guilty, about taking him on a 12-hour flight. Poor thing, he's comfortable here, and he's traveled so much. But I have to take him - he's family!

Of course I'm also worried about money. There have been arguments with my husband about what happened to the money we used to have in the bank account (I haven't spent any), and how much I'll need when I get to Chicago. and he just keeps saying "Its your decision to move." Hmmm. Yes, it is. But I don't have much choice lately the way things are going.

Anyway, I have to update on what happened yesterday with my kids' class, which gave me so much stress, and which is still lingering in my head to this moment.

( read more here )

I'm finally getting around to another chapter in my Guide to Japan. And since I'm a little stressed and busy these days, I'm going to make it a little more general than the previous chapters. Each of these could be elaborated (or has already been) in a chapter of its own, but for now, I'll just give you a taste of the things that I just don't "get" about this country.

the next two chapters will be as follows: things that I will most miss about Japan; and the things that I will not miss at all (a.k.a. the reasons I can't wait to get out of here). Really, after spending two years here previously, and one year this time, I have come to the point where I both love and hate this country. Its a love/hate relationship, truly. and you might see why after reading this chapter:

( things that make you go HMMMMMM )