Part I- How to Succeed when Getting Stationed Overseas

I love living overseas, but it doesn't come without its challenges.  It's all about how you handle it.

First- you gather all the information you can.  Start joining those Facebook groups to see what people are asking for, selling and complaining about.  That'll help you decide what to bring.  A LOT of places overseas are smaller, so if you've thought about purging, now is the time to do it.  Really THINK about what you put in storage because you'll end up adding to your stuff once you get to your new location.  My advice- only put in storage the big, heavy, sentimental stuff.  Because if you could live without it for 3 years, you probably don't need to see it again in 3 years.  I do advise to bring a fake Christmas tree and holiday decorations.  Sure, you can buy some here, but it's not always easy.  And sometimes Amazon won't ship it here.  

Second- think SMALL.  The smaller the better.  Space is a premium here.  You may end up in an apartment.  I'm finding our American goods are just a bit too big so nothing fits right.  Frustrating, but  hey- we are in Japan!  Gotta just roll with it.

Third- Understand the Law of Murphy.  So, if it can go wrong, it will go wrong.  For example, we did an express and a household good shipment.  Well, the household goods arrived before the express.  Hey- just had to roll with it.  What else can you do?  Just have to go with the flow.  

Fourth- Be OK with change.  Sometimes I think people forget that they live overseas.  So, no, you won't have ALL of the conveniences of living stateside.  You're in a different country, Duh!  They try to have the commissary and exchange stocked, but hey- if you're looking for it, chances are, others are as well.  Things don't poof!  So, you learn to rely on Amazon, live without it, find a substitute or go out in town and try and look for it.  If your response is to post on Facebook, bitching about not having blueberry oreos, or whatever, you're going to have a hard 3 years.  So maybe, go out in town, try a similar looking cookie.  You might find you like the local Japanese ones better!  

Like my mom used to say- attitude, not aptitude will get you altitude.  And remember- really, the brutal truth is: the government doesn't care if you're here or not.  only if the AD service member is.  So, if you're that miserable- go back to the states!! Your crappy attitude is infectious and just brings the rest of us down. :)

Japanese yogurt

talk about a cute car!

Expressway Driving in Japan

Ok.  Blogging isn't my forte.  I will try to be better at it!  We're back in Japan... this time with a toddler in tow.

A lot of people want to know the in's and out's of Japan.  Sometimes, you find what you need in the least expected places.  For example, I want to figure out the cost of tolls.  That lead me to the website. Once I found that out, the links at the top were VERY helpful. Who knew there were ostomy sinks in Japan??!!

Turns out spitting out food at the table is also poor manners.  Guess my kid violates that one on a daily basis.

Anyway, take a look at the links above for more information about rest stops, how to get gas, and of course- tolls!

Lastly, I found this link.  It allows you to plug in where you are and where you want to go.  It shows you the different routes and prices!  And it's all in English!