Saitama or Bust › Create New Post — WordPress

Saitama or Bust › Create New Post — WordPress

T-Minus 36 hours….

I have to be at the airport in 36 hours, and I’m trying really hard to get away from my desk so that I can start doing some little things like laundry and packing to get ready for this amazing adventure.  I am really excited that Barry set this blog up, and I appreciate the fact that he’s sharing it with all of us.  I will do my best to post so that I can keep my friends and family up to date with what’s crackin’ in Japan.  Until we land….

Bags packed, finally

Well my bags are finally packed, mandolin strings changed, flight clothes set out for tomorrow.  I think I’m ready for the 5 a.m. wake up…  I had planned on using my iphone to access the internet using wifi while abroad, but I am not going to be able to because if someone were to call my phone I would be charged an outlandish $.27 a minute, on top of what I already pay.  So instead of dealing with that hassle, I am taking my wife’s ipod, and she will be using my phone.  Unfortunately by not having my phone it once again limits my ability to communicate with those not with me.  My family’s home computer does use Skype, so maybe if someone has it while abroad I can call home and check in with the girls.  I am excited for tomorrow, I have a 2.5 hr flight to Chicago, then a much longer flight to Japan.  I will let you know about it from the other side of the world, 13 hours into the future of where I am sitting right now! 

…And counting 3,2,1

Hey all!!!   At 9:06 am on 4/2/08, we take flight!! Check out our site for updates! 

Pre-Flight

So… my flight leaves for Japan April, 2nd.  That is just over a week away, and I am starting to stress a bit.  The process to be a member of this trip began this past fall, with an application submitted to my local Rotary Board in October.  Shortly thereafter I was notified of an interview at the beginning of November.   A couple of days after that interview I was invited to join the Group Study Exchange to Saitama, Japan.  Some e-mail communiqués later a meeting was set for us all to meet in Louisville at the beginning of January.  At the meeting I met the other members: Greg Fuchs, team leader, Stamping Ground, Kentucky; Erin White, Louisville, Kentucky; Amanda Murphy, Louisville, Kentucky; Todd Shomo, Bowling Green, Kentucky; and myself.  The group was given a timetable when projects needed to be accomplished.  As a group we have accomplished our tasks and are in the final sprint to the airport.So, if all sounds rosy what am I concerned about?  The exchange rate between Japanese Yen and thee Greenback has already fallen $.15 over the past week.  Will I be able to post to this blog while in Japan?  What will my access to the internet be?  How will my limited (putting it nicely) Japanese be received?   But my biggest concern is being away from my family for that long.  My wife, Manda, and I were married this past November.  How will I cope without her and our girls Caitlen, Courtney and Cara?  Manda’s birthday is in April, what can I do to make her day special? And more… these are just a few of the concerns I am having.