Getting There and Settling In

We are in Japan!

It seems inconceivable that we are actually here after all the months of talking and planning about it. I'm also particularly proud of how empty the cupboard was before we left too. 

Talk about good meal planning to use it all up, and thanks to our neighbours and family for taking the few miscellaneous things that we didn't quite manage to finish. 

Our flight was a standard affair (long) and we were happy to get off the plane at the other end. We were the last people to be processed through customs, since the Digital Nomad Visa needed special checking and things before we went through. After waiting around for an hour, we at last went through to find the Japanese guy at the baggage claim had taken our bags off for us and lined them all up ready to go. So efficient. 

I had been really worried about taking the train with all our luggage, but it turned out to be straightforward. The girls managed a suitcase each as well as their back packs and Steve and I juggled the rest between us. We had one change from the AirPort Express (Skyliner) and then we were on a fairly empty local train to Yotsugi. 

We had written down the wrong house number, so after looking around for a key to get in at someone else's house, we double checked and then quickly relocated to our actual house. Good thing the girls didn't press the doorbell. :P

After the very long day, it was a relief to fall into futons and sleep, but honestly, so much played on my mind. Was this really happening? Was it going to be ok, or all turn out to be a disaster? Would we really be able to enrol the girls into school? What if, what if, what if... Yes, adventure time was here and while we were full of excitement and elation that we'd pulled off the first part, there was a also a huge amount of tumultuous doubt and apprehension for what else needed to be done and whether or not we'd be able to survive it all. 

Still, the next day dawned bright and we set off to get the girls enrolled into school. This was possibly the thing that worried us most of all, because the jury was out on whether or not the Digital Nomad Visa would be enough, or even recognised by the necessary people. 

I can't explain just how relieved we were when the process turned out to be so straightforward, and at no stage did anyone question whether or not the girls would be allowed to enrol. What a total blessing. The people at the city office Education Department just filled out the forms, asked some clarifying questions and then told us what to do next (complete with writing me a script of what to say). 

We were unable to phone ahead to the school, so we just rocked up. Amazingly, the guy from the city office had called ahead to let them know we would likely be coming and so they were pretty ready to go. Again, we were into a room with some forms to fill out, but at no point did they hesitate. The girls were officially enrolled in less than a day. Inconceivable!

It was so hard to believe that hurdle was already off our plates - on day one too! Honestly, praise God for his provision. The next day (Wednesday, for those who are counting) we tripped out together to get the school gear we needed. 

In the lead up to coming to Japan, I had joined a Facebook group of international parents who send their kids to Japanese schools. On that group, I'd met someone who was from Australia with two kids going to the school we were hoping for (and got into), similar age to ours. She offered to answer any questions and gave us some amazing pro tips on where to get all the school stuff. We had the girls all sorted before lunch. An amazing blessing - God is good! 

There have been other things to do, mostly sorting out Steve's work gear, but day by day we've been getting it done. I'm still finding myself on an emotional rollercoaster at times, wondering what we've missed, or how to sort the next thing, but reminding myself of the way God has prepared ahead for us gives me a lot of peace. 

The day that we went to get the girls school things, we started with a trip to Ueno to have a wander around the park and enjoy some springtime festivities. 

Lots of street food, some cherry blossoms (it's still early in the season), and just beautiful weather all round. 

It was great to sprinkle in that little morning out in between all the organising. 

Anyway, that's enough of an update for now. Today is Saturday and the weather has turned rainy and cold, so I think we will be inside for a bit, hopefully not getting on each other's nerves too much in the lead up to school starting.