New Year, New Attitude

Hello from New Year's Eve 2012. I haven't posted much lately, mostly because I have been in a big ole funk. I think that the honeymoon period of moving to such an exciting place is over, and the holiday blues set in big time around Thanksgiving. I've been sort of sulking and angry about not being able to attend family weddings, not being home for my mom's Christmas Eve pork roast, and generally feeling estranged and out of sorts here.

Cause here is the thing: Japan is definitely off the charts in terms of an exciting adventure, and we all know I love a good adventure. And I have always dreamed of traveling as a way of life. Since I can remember I envisioned seeing the world in the way the Navy allows us to do. (If you look up the term "wanderlust" you will probably see my picture next to the definition.)

BUT.

But...

At the end of the day, no matter where you live, you still have to go to the grocery store, do the dishes, make your kids go to bed, and wonder when your husband might work normal hours ever again. I don't know if I am just tired from dealing with 2 toddlers, or completely over the Navy's idea of what normal working hours are, or if I'm just getting older. Whatever it is, I am starting to see that settling down might be in my future for the first time in my life.

Don't get me wrong - I am loving giving the boys the opportunity to experience another culture, and I think the coping skills they are (hopefully) learning will be invaluable later. I am just realizing (slowly, of course) that life is so short, it's important to be around family - the ones you were born with as well as the ones you create along the way. On the other hand, we are here in Japan now, so I am going to start the new year off right and vow to make the very most of our time here.

SO, I am ringing in the new year with a new attitude. I am planning on taking advantage of every opportunity, and I am going to stop sulking about the ones I have missed, for whatever reason.

On that note, HAPPY 2013. I will be posting soon about a few day trips we are taking in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, enjoy the new year, wherever you are.