I've never watched the show, but I think I understand how the participants of "Survivor" must feel when their torch is extinguished.
Suddenly I'm harboring some hostility towards Jeff Probst.
This begs an explanation, I know.
Our family will soon be leaving Japan for a very short trip. It will happen either this week or next, however, I hesitate to call it a vacation due to the circumstances surrounding it.
Apparently a workers visa is more important than a non-workers visa. If you work, your visa will go through quickly, if you don't, things move slowly. Very slowly. Frustratingly slow, almost maddening with its' sloth-like movements.
Have you figured out where I'm going with this?
Don't worry if you haven't. I'm going to continue.
Because he is here for his job, Husband's visa went through in a very short amount of time. Ours, on the other hand~mine and the children~still haven't been processed. In fact, as of last week we learned that due to a piece of paper that was turned in a little late, they will more than likely not be approved before our 90 day temporary status is up.
This means-yes, you've probably guessed it-we've been voted off the Island.
Literally.
We paid a little visit to Immigration Services last week with our lawyer, hoping to make some progress if not get some answers. Best case scenario, we'd either leave with 3 shiny, new visa's, or at least a new 90 day extension.
Neither happened. The only option we were given was to start a new 90 day temporary stay by leaving Japan, then returning.
Our lawyer told us to enjoy the time out of the country. Take a nice vacation. Explore another country with our children and drink in the experience.
She was a wonderfully sweet woman, and no doubt a great Immigration Lawyer. And if it were any other time of year, I think we would have welcomed this opportunity with open arms. The inconvenience would have been viewed as minimal, and that would be that. We would be taking an unexpected, but enjoyable last-minute vacation in a neighboring country.
Unfortunately, the timing couldn't be worse. Eldest starts school this week. It's a time where she's acclimating to her new school, new expectations, getting to know her peers and teachers. It was a point we emphasized to the people at Immigration, a point that our lawyer was vehement about (putting great emphasis on the well-being and adjustment our young children faced).
This didn't really happen, but I imagined the immigration officer standing aside so Mr. Probst could hold up a card to say, "Mrs. Quon, the tribe has spoken. It's time for you and your children to go." He then promptly extinguished our torches.
It all sounds very dramatic though there was-and is-very little actual drama involved. All of this emotion is coming from my end due to the inconvenience and frustration from the entire situation. It's not an uncommon or serious issue either, just a very annoying one that could have been avoided.
We're still holding onto the possibility that our visa's will be approved by next week. It could happen.
Realistically, though, we just can't take that chance. What is a family to do in such a situation? Well, friends, we're taking those darned lemons and making the most delicious, in-your-face-lemonade.
We're taking a quick trip out of the country and will live up every moment.
Our three destination possibilities are:
Hong Kong
Seoul
or Guam.
Each is pretty different from the other, but as our main objective is to simply leave the country for as few days as possible, they'll do in a pinch.
There will be tons to see and enjoy, and at the end of this experience we'll have taken our first trip outside of Japan. Did I mention creating new and priceless memroies?
Lemonade, friends. I am making an ocean-full of lemonade.
And I will do it smiling, as happy as can be, even while I'm being voted off my Island.
PS-Jeff Probst,
try not to take it personally, but you're now on my list. Consider yourself warned.
I do not own any of these pictures
With the beginning of Eldest's school year almost here, it's not too surprising that our thoughts have been filled with memories of home.
~Last year was the first time we were all in attendance for Eldest's first day of school. Ever. It's sad and ridiculous and I still harbor a grudge against Husband's firm for having him out of town every year at that time. We knew fourth grade would be our last year State-side, however, so we made it a priority to make sure everyone was in attendance.
~I'm happy to say Husband will be here for Eldest's first day of fifth grade. He'll walk with us to her bus stop by the Russian Embassy. Just one more week of summer vacation friends...
~I miss the heavily tree-lined roads in Dilworth. The wee one and I would spend every school day afternoon running around them. Even on the hottest of days, the shade kept things bearable.
~Eldest's friends began fifth grade yesterday. It's incredible to me that my oldest child is old enough to be in fifth grade. Please, sweet girl, let us slow this year down so we can savor it.
You're growing up so fast!
~Because St. Patrick's began yesterday, I thought back to our final gathering with friends.
It was very nice and very fun. We were very blessed to know some of the most kind and generous people while living in Charlotte. We miss them dearly. Thank you all for making every moment so special!
~It was decided about three weeks ago that Eldest needed an entire new wardrobe for school. Oh happy day! We finally placed that order yesterday. Soon, sweet girl will have her new clothes to play with as she prepares for school each day.
PS-They are finally making appropriate looking clothes for young girls who are still in their tomboy stage. All that's needed still is a stylish Longchamp's tote and some cute loafers. Preppy tomboy chic. Eldest is going to start fifth grade in style!
~The wee one needs a haircut in the worst way. We tried our hand at a home-cutting, but the results were...less than desirable. Think bowl hair gone wild and seriously bad. Throw in a few strands that we couldn't cut and you may have an idea of how the wee one has been looking these days.
We've been styling it like crazy as it's grown out. Poor little guy. He just doesn't like anyone messing with the hair on his head.
~I love haricot verts with sauteed shallots. It is, in a word, divine.
Not to mention super easy to prepare!
~I've been dreaming of Fall clothes, too. Such as these lovely morsels:
I love Ann Taylor. Feminine, sophisticated, chic. Each of these ensembles would be so easy to wear out and about in Tokyo.
~We're off to the immigration office this morning to get things settled with our Visas. Friends, it's going to be a three cups of coffee kind of day.
~I'm thankful said coffee has already been made and waiting to be enjoyed while the wee one eats his oatmeal.
A wonderful Thursday morning (or Wednesday night) to you all!
Reflecting upon our time here, I've come to see that the Japanese are very similar to Southerners. Manners are key, they're always gracious and big on hospitality. Family comes first, friends are extensions of said family, and they're always happy to find an excuse to throw a party to gather those friends and family together.
This weekend is a great example.
Azabu-Juban, a neighboring hood, is having a three day festival of food, sales, and music. We're still not sure why, but we didn't waste time figuring it out!
We were right in the thick of it,
enjoying the fun and festivities.
And let me tell you, the food was plenty,
drinks flowed hand to hand,
sales of numerous kinds had people in a frenzy.
There were games for children,
and music played on the Juban Square-all of which were very boy and girl-band inspired.
As always, the people watching was so fun. It's infinitely enjoyable and I'm sure you can see why.
We even managed to find the scallywag's Japanese doppelganger!
They looked so similar it was unnerving.
See Husband being unnerved?
It was funny! Also funny is the fact that the Japanese have real penchant for sweets. They eat their rice, they love their fish and fresh fruits and veggies. But they're just as bad as the rest of us when it comes to sugary foods!
See this? They had numerous stands with sweet candies and fruits, all dipped in molten sugar, then placed atop blocks of ice to cool.
They created the perfect craters for the next sugar-dipped treats to rest.
Sometimes the sweets were topped with sprinkles, and I know several people with a serious sprinkle weakness.
Eldest loved her marshmallow treat!
We had a wonderful, wonderful time. But the crowds were thick, the time was growing late, and the bebe was growing tired.
We left sleepy and happy, anticipating a possible return.
Now I don't know about you, but growing up festivals like this were always a precursor to Fall. I've thrown the name of this season around a few times already, but the cooler days have been on my mind alot. This festival only cemented those thoughts.
Fall, whenever you're ready, we're waiting for you!
Do you have any memories or times associated with the approach of Fall?
