Sunday, January 30, 2011

Getting Somewhere...

I am here.

I'm in Japan, loving it, annoying the heck out of Ajax, being crazy, tall, blonde and just all-around abnormal... and it is SO cool. 

The flights went well. I was on the first part of my trip on the plane with FAMU Rattler's Men's Basketball team. The second connecting flight I was on with the FSU Dive team on their way to Nationals.

The actual 12 hour flight from Minneapolis to Narita i had a row to myself. No, I did not luck out. I stalked my seat for a week. Changing it to the less crowded areas of the plane. I put myself in the WAY back (row 62, to be exact) and grabbed my coveted window seat. When I reserved my seat for the final time, there were many more seats around me. Just hoping for an extra seat next to me for some extra space... I got that plus an extra one! '

Napped, watched two movies, part of season one of Weeds, read a book, napped some more, ate 3 full meals and drank about a gallon of red wine by myself. Fabulous trip.

Got to the airport and sped through customs. Didn't have any issues navigating the airport. Everything had instructions in english as well as Japanese, very nice.Walked through the post-customs door and saw the boyfriend. YAY! He managed to finagle me onto the military bus going back to Atsugi. Got there, got the car and started to drive home.

I got my first taste of Japan last night. Ramen. Like legit Ramen. I cannot describe how amazing the broth was.... oh my God, I'm having flashbacks. The Ramen place was set up just like a Waffle House in the States. So weird. Cost-wise it was great! 2 meals and two apps for like 13 dollars (and we don't tip). We paid and left. 

Getting to the house was fun, you feel like you're driving on a one-way street because it's so narrow... but you aren't. The two American-sized parking spaces is great. I'll post tons of pics of the house and yard areas soon, but it's basically a mansion in comparison to other places. One master bedroom, 2 guestrooms/offices, 3 bathrooms, living room, dining area, kitchen, laundry room, huge shower room, tatami room, deck area, porch, and foyer... and I'm pretty sure I've missed something.



Basically, it's all so amazing and I feel like I've hit the jackpot. I start training at work on Tuesday, But until then I will be stuffing my face with delicious cuisine, hugging on the boyfriend, organizing the house, and settling in to my new life here. 

Pass the word on that I got here safe and sound. I'm sending hugs to everyone! 

Megs

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

AHHHH!

3 days until I get on a flight going to Japan!
  • Tallahassee to Atlanta - 1hr
  • Atlanta to Minneapolis - 2.75hrs
  • Minneapolis to Tokyo- 12.5hrs
It's going to be one long day of flying. 16ish hours of flight time. Hopefully I can get some major sleeping/reading done. However, there is another option because according to  Delta's website:

"A selection of beer is available for $5, while wine, spirits and cocktails are available for $7 on Delta and Delta Connection® carrier flights. On international flights of approximately six hours or longer, beer and wine are complimentary."

On that note... my day has been made. :) 

Friday, January 21, 2011

Thank You For Being A Friend...

Have I mentioned how much I love my people?

You guys are all so wonderful to me. Thank you so much. I've been getting dozens of supportive emails/texts/calls/messages and they all mean so much to me. Moving to Japan is huge, but having all these well-wishes makes it way more exciting! Two of these messages are below, they make me so happy!

xoxox Megs

_______________________

"As you start a new chapter in your life, we want you to know we wish you all the best.  This sounds like a GREAT opportunity, and we couldn't be happier for you.  I'm sure there won't be a hurdle you can't get over, through or around.  The possibilities are endless.  I admire your spirit and your willingness to step outside your comfort zone to experience life to it's fullest.  Hell, I'm a little jealous to tell you the truth."

_______________________
"I know we see each other infrequently, but just knowing you're going all the way to Japan makes me miss you! I guess we will still see each other on facebook so it won't really change things much for us. I am excited and nervous for you all at the same time, but mostly excited! I can only imagine what YOU must be feeling. Thank you for keeping us all updated on what you're up to through your blog. We wish you the best of luck, I know this is a once in a lifetime experience for you and I think it will be life-changing (in a good way) for you. I think its wonderful that you are so brave and taking a risk like this."

_______________________

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Do Something Crazy...

Have I mentioned that my move to Japan is officially official? It's so flipping exciting!!! I start February 1st. My ticket to Narita Airport has me leaving out of Tally, through Atlanta, and into Japan next Friday and Saturday! That leaves me about a week of getting things done and shipped.

AND I'M NOT EVEN BACK IN TALLY YET!

Ajax's mom called it. She said that I'd be in San Diego and get the confirmation email from the college with all of my questions answered. I had my doubts. But as soon as I walked into the hotel room I got the email. Then I proceeded to jump around like a fool on the elevator and hit the boyfriend a few times (out of excitement of course) and kept grinning the rest of the long weekend in California.

Speaking of Cali, the weather was wonderful, the food was absolutely delicious (thanks to our awesome tour guide, future food critic Loco), and the company was great! The people drive like crap, but I supposed some concessions have to be made. We ate a ton... and then we ate some more.

I got to meet Ajax's dad and got to see his mom again, which was something I really wanted to do before going to Japan. Seeing the boyfriend again made me so happy. It's just so easy to be around him. Missed that a lot.

I've got a flight to catch. :) Promise that there will be more updates to come!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Don't Forget to Remember Me...

It's official... I'm starting work in Zama, Japan on February 1st!

BRING IT ON! I'll be posting more later.

xoxoxoxo Megs

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing...

I am not a patient person.

Yeah, I know it's a virtue and all but patience is definitely not a strong suit of mine. Since Sunday night I have received seven emails from the college at Camp Zama. All of them were apology emails for not having any information to give me re: my job over there. It's frustrating. They thank me for my "patience" (ha! Yeah, because I just have loads of that right?) and for my understanding. Apparently the head honchos in Korea are in the process of getting so much ready for the current semester for all the campuses in the Pacific Far East. I just need to know when they want me there and if I need to do anything special to get my military civilian SOFA status before I leave the states.  GRRRRRR!

That's pretty much it for now.

Hugs,

Meg


Tuesday, January 4, 2011

I'm Movin' Out...

Moving is hell...

Well that's what everyone keeps telling me. Packing is apparently miserable, picking up your entire life to move it to some other place is absolutely horrible. My response has been "Meh, it wont take that long, I don't have that much stuff." The typical comeback is "You have more than you think."

I really don't.

Typically when people move (from what I've heard) they have to pack up their entire lives. It involves a U-haul truck and many exhausting hours of packing and stressing. That hasn't been the case with me. For one thing, there's no furniture involved! I was lucky/blessed enough to move from one fully furnished house (Mom's) to another (Cakkie's). The only big items I have, other than Ajax's surfboard and kite for his kitesurfing which I was trying to sell for him, are my hope chest and a mirror. There are 8 medium sized boxes of clothes and shoes and miscellaneous items that I can't leave behind. There're another 3 suitcases filled with more clothes and jewelry and pictures. I'm 25 years old and that's what I own.

My favorite things are things that don't take up space at all. My big kid sapphire cocktail ring from my mom. My MacBook and external drive which hold all my essays and school work along with tens of thousands of pictures and about the same amount of my music. My diplomas and awards don't take up much space. Heartfelt letters and cards that people have written me are easy to pack. Memories go with you anywhere! (Remind me to post later about leaving houses but keeping the memories) :)

No pets/kids (yes, I lump those two groups together). No huge pieces of furniture. Not even any plants to throw out of give to people (Ajax please promise me we don't have to take care of plants in Zama!). No house to sell. No rent to get out of. Already cancelled my membership at the Y. The biggest things needing to be dealt with are the Durango (which I may keep making payments on because I would love to have that vehicle when I come back) and the cell phone.

Right now is probably the best time to try something new. My friend Della posted a quote online today that I thought was phenomenal. It says "Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new." - Brian Tracy, self-help guru and Chairman of Brian Tracy International, a human resource company.  

I am so ready for this! Like Billy Joel says... "I'm Movin' Out!"

Megs