Phase 1- Research

SO what is the first thing you would do if you found out that you were being sent to a new country for three years? Research it right? Yea that's what we started doing. We started researching Okinawa's culture, the language, and what we need to do in order to get "prepared." I made certain that we both started learning a bit about the language because 1. the Okinawa website says not to expect the locals to speak any English due to harsh feelings between them and the military whose presence on the island. and 2 because in my opinion its kinda rude to go to a foreign country and expect them to speak your language. And with thanks to My pastor and his wife, and a co-worker whose background is Japanese as well as the Japanese/English dictionary from the library, I have now learned the Japanese translation for Good Morning, Good Afternoon, and Good evening.
As far as learning about the Culture.. We are going to see more of that once we get there. However I have learned to just always remain respectful, And never to show them the bottom of our feet cause that would be letting them think that we think they are beneath us.
Now as for what all we have to do.. we are still learning. The first thing we have learned is about Athena. As I said in the last post she can come with us. We had to get her second rabies shot and get some blood work to test the rabies antibodies in her blood. Then once the blood work is started she has to go under a quaranteen/isolation for 180 days (6 months) where she is only allowed outside to go potty and to go for walks and she is not allowed any contact with any other animals. Which if you know our dog, she is a VERY social animal, and still being a 11 month old puppy she is still very curious. I.E. she likes to run after birds and squirrls.
Other than that we need to both get our passports, sell one of our vehicles (cause Japanese Law prohibits any American vehicles made from 1974 to now.) and decide what we want to take to Japan and what gets put into storage.
Needless to say we are waiting on Jason's orders to school, and then once he finishes school then we will get the official orders to Japan. Until then, research and planning.