Fewer checkboxes.

Turns out, after some discussion, that we are not taking the dog. It's too big of a bureaucratic nightmare, it seriously limits our housing prospects, it's expensive, and he's old, dammit. How can we uproot him at his age, to a small place in a foreign country, with no yard? We need to find him a good home, with nice people who will pay more attention to him than we do, give him lots of outside time, and make his last years comfortable. It's sad, he's always been with us, but it's better. Funny how finding him a new home looks like a much easier task after wading thru the paperwork and projected cost to import him.

Speaking of projected cost, there is some good news. The school we have chosen for the boys recently expanded, so there is no waiting list. I don't see any reason why they wouldn't be accepted. It's hugely expensive to get them in, but it'll be worth it. They'll get a great education, surrounded by kids of multicultural backgrounds (60 students from 17 countries), and the school has a heavy emphasis on learning japanese language and culture. Exactly what we were looking for in this grand relocation of our family. I wish I could go to the japanese classes, too.



Look at the uniforms! I dunno about my kids in polos, but I like the sweaters.