Maybe there's a chance

So we found out from my husband's professor that nobody from UNR (our college) has gotten into the JET program in several years. He told us to not get our hopes up, or to put all our eggs in one basket. I think this just made my hubby more determined. He has decided to set up a resume on Gaijinpot.com and will probably apply for other positions if he doesn't get an interview with JET. He's also thinking of substitute teaching in the US if the Japan thing doesn't pan out at first.

I'm kind of mixed, I'm trying to psyche myself up for moving to another country without setting myself up for disappointment if we don't get to go. Our plan is to put all our things into storage while we are gone, so I figure this is my opportunity to cull a lot of the crap we have accumulated.

My family are also really mixed about our desire to leave the country for a year or more. Some of them are very supportive of our desire to experience amazing things while we are still able to, and others are apprehensive that we are taking our son out of the country and away from his family. I think this is actually the best time for us to do this, Saru-chan is too young to have much of an issue with pulling up his roots or culture shock. The Japanese love children and I am pretty sure that he will be adored. And more than likely we will be back before he starts school and really needs to adjust to where he is living.

Either way we are going ahead with the application process, so only time will tell.

Here and back again?

This week the JET Program posted their application online. My husband and my original plan, before getting our BA, doing the study abroad program and having a child, was for both of us to apply and live in Japan for at least a year. When I first returned from my study abroad program, I wanted nothing to do with this plan. I was very tired and shell shocked and needing to be home for a while. But as time has passed I find myself missing many of the day to day aspects of Japan. So recently we have decided to go ahead with a modified version of our original plan.

So my husband is applying for the JET Program this month, he is working on all the parts of the application process and the craziness is beginning. It isn't really an option for me to apply with him since there are a lot of factors involved, the possibility that we wouldn't be placed together, the need to find childcare for O (which I'm not sure I would want to do anyway), and the fact that I still haven't resolved my degree so that I can graduate. I am hoping that the degree problem will be resolved before we go (if we go) so that there is a possibility I could get a part time job outside of JET.

In the meantime I am doing a lot of research about JET and living in Japan, but it is actually a bit hard to find information about bringing a family. I think that is because most JETs are young and single. There are also a lot of varying factors, such as not knowing where exactly where we would end up if he is accepted. It would be really nice if we can end up near Nagasaki since we already have friends and familiarity there, but we won't know until it happens. So I figure that I will share my experiences so that others will know what we go through.

New Musings

It's been quite a while since the last time I posted. I never realized just how much my life would change after having a child. I guess I should let you know just what has been happening in the last year.

I returned home from Japan after a very long flight and a horrible airport experience in which we almost got stuck in LA. Being pregnant, sick and tired made this experience all the more trying. But in the ensuing months I was able to readjust to life in the US again just as my body started to expand. Coming into the holiday season also helped a lot, as I am a sucker for all the Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities.

In February I had my lovely little boy, I'll probably refer to him as O or Saru-chan (means little monkey in Japanese) and my life changed yet again. I am just now adjusting to the ups and downs of new motherhood, sleeplessness, sustaining someone that isn't myself, and all the smiles and giggles that I love so much. I am no longer working so I have been able to devote my attention to him and some other projects around the house. It's difficult to do without my income but I think that the time I am spending with him has really been worth it.

So I have a lot going on, and some exciting things coming up which I will be writing about in future posts. Not only have I been doing some great creative projects but we have some major life changes in the works. So keep an eye out for new posts!