Welcome to our blog!
We are hoping to use this site for a variety of reasons - mostly to keep family and friends updated on our travels/adventures, as well as to create something tangible for us to look back and see where we have been and what we have done during the next 2-3 years.
We aren't in Japan yet, but there have already been plenty of changes around the Raynes household. I have finished up with work, and for the time being have no plans for regular employment in Japan. I'm lucky enough to be able to keep a contract at my current hospital and will be traveling back to the States every few months to keep up my credentials. I get mixed reactions from people when they hear this, but all I know is that for me it has been a great way to keep myself sane in a career that at times I have found frustrating and disappointing. Don't get me wrong, it's not as bad as I will sometimes let on, but to be able to take a break from a career that is known for high rates of burn-out is to me an amazing way to hopefully re-connect with medicine and I feel incredibly lucky to have this opportunity.
The other biggest change so far is..... IT'S MOVING DAY!!
You would think that having movers come to do all the heavy lifting and packing would make moving more bearable, but I think it may actually be more stressful. Trying to decide what belongings you want to have with you on the plane, which ones you want shipped via the Post Office to have when you get there and which ones you can live 2 months without has been a headache. We spent 1.5 hours in the post office yesterday sending 7 large packages this way. I'm sure the 20 people in line behind us really loved us.
The stress of moving and not being able to pack things how I like may be because I am a complete control freak and also that I am having a hard time separating from my beloved clothing and shoes! :) I am consoled by the fact that my Louboutin's are safely in my suitcase and that Tokyo is one of the fashion capitals of the world (Kenny - you can just pretend I didn't say that, lol). Overall though, the experience has been a good one and nothing has gone wrong....yet. I guess we will just have to wait and see what our stuff looks like when it gets there.
We have 2 weeks left in the States, and will be traveling around to Chicago, Philadelphia and New York to see some great friends before boarding the plane with a one way ticket! :) Will post more about our journey then!
