The End of an Era

I would like to preface this post by saying this: I honestly don't know how we got so lucky as to have such an amazing family all around. I personally could not feel more loved and supported by anyone in my family as well as Brad's family. And that is probably the most difficult thing about living abroad--not being close to family.

My Uncle Pug and Aunt Doyn at our wedding. 

Brad's Uncle Ron

Over the past year we have lost my Great Uncle Pug who was like a grandfather to me and most recently Brad's Uncle Ron to cancer. Being over here in Japan, I feel so disconnected from everything that is going on in the rest of the world. Yes, we talk on Skype and read the news but despite all that, there is an ere of isolation (that I feel, anyway). It is hard not to be with family in the good times and the bad and I apologize to people that we know if you feel like we've neglected or ignored you. I personally have not dealt with the death of a family member for a long time and in my world I am much better at giving hugs than writing. I never quite know what to say...

With that said though...Brad and I are coming home! Our contracts will be finished March 25th. Brad's dad, Terry will be coming to Japan around March 20th for business and then Brad's step-mom Randi and step-sister Lauren will be coming out on March 27th for a little vacation before we all fly back to the U.S. on April 2nd.

I know that Japan will always have a special place in our hearts and we will miss it a lot at times but I am so excited to be coming home! Brad and I are already making a list of things we want to eat and places we want to go when we get back home. At the top of the list: Chipotle!

As for long term plans go, I have applied to take a couple of classes at CU Denver in preparation for applying to PT school in the fall. Hopefully, I will be starting PT school in either summer or fall of 2012. Brad still isn't sure what his plans are but seems to be leaning towards going back to school in order to teach English to high school students. He still loves Japanese and would love to find a way to incorporate the language into his life in some way when he gets home though.

In the mean time Brad and I will be slowly be getting ready to leave Japan, and start our lives up in the U.S. again. Who knew there were so many things that had to happen for us to do that? Health insurance, car insurance, jobs, apartments, phones, etc. Not to mention how we're going to get everything we have here back to the U.S. And if you know of any good job openings let us know! :)