「あっという間に★」In the blink of an eye....
Happy Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas of 2022. Happy New Year, Happy Three Kings day and Happy Valentines day. Really, 4 months isn't long, but I feel like I've been away for ages. Ryu is gone for the weekend at a wedding in Sendai and Reo is sitting in front of the TV watching the Mickey Mouse Club in Spanish. My original plan of speaking only Spanish to Reo was unrealistic, so we've opted for 20 minutes a day of some Spanish kid's show.
What have I been up to? We went to America at the start of the year to visit my family, we all got COVID and ended up having to take Reo to emergency care. Thank goodness we had decided to get travelers health insurance for him. Hopefully settling the bill from overseas isn't overly difficult. Since returning to Japan, we also received Reo's hoikuen results. We got in to our 12th out of 20 choices. He'll be going to school about 10 minutes on foot from where I work, which is extremely convenient in many ways, though I have to admit I'm not just yet sure how we'll manage the 1 hour commute. The Prime Minister has finally openly said that Japan is in a population crisis, and the government is starting to make many changes to increase child birth and help child care. By the time Reo reaches kinder, school will be free. I'm hoping they offer more assistance or measures so that we can re-visit the idea of having another baby.
Ryu traded in his hybrid car to get a more baby-safe N-box (which unfortunately, guzzles more gas) and a mama-chari for me to use when he isn't around to take us places. It was not something he entirely wanted to do, and I can tell despite how many times he tells me he likes the new car. So, I've decided to finally apply for permanent residency, which is something I hadn't entirely wanted to do (simply because I'm lazy and like having work renew my spousal visa every some years instead of having to go to immigration myself). The acceptance rate last year was 50% -- I do not have high hopes, but I will at least try.
I've been practicing riding the mama-chari. It's reminded me what it's like being a kid again. Gripping the handle-bars, wavering this way and that unsteadily with each turn, wondering if this is the turn that causes me to lose balance. Reo has yet to ride with me, and will not for at least a few months -- not until I have more confidence and have become accustomed.
We've rearranged our entire flat to minimize waste, promote re-use, and help us re-evaluate and re-prioritize our necessities. We funded our trip to America with my American credit card to take advantage of the exchange rate, but had expected the yen to bounce back relatively quickly as it usually has, in time for repayment. Instead, it's only dropped further, costing us about $1,000 more than we had planned. It's led to a lot of financial thinking. I have the money to pay in full. In fact, I have the money to pay off literally all debt we have save for the new car, and while things might be a little tight for a few months after, I'd still have money to not be struggling. Being completely debt free would be amazing, but is that something I should do just as we're getting ready to start the little one's schooling? It was never something I had considered doing, but with interest rates rising everywhere, I can't help but think we'd be able to save up much faster if not dealing with interest fees but....
April, Reo begins nursery. He has narashi-hoiku for two weeks and starts full days in May. I return to work part-time in May and start full time in June. My work environment has changed drastically. I'm less than a little enthusiastic about going back. However, because Reo was already accepted in to a nursery, I cant extend childcare leave any longer. It wasn't without it's problems or drama before, but the atmosphere has become heavy and I can smell the toxicity the minute I step in to the hall. This is why I'm already contemplating finding another job. Now, I am not one to quit something just because it's difficult -- this is why I endured seven years at my previous place of employment. It's not just me and Ryu anymore though, and I now have a bigger emotional and physical responsibility. Decisions, decisions.
