We’re Moving Across the World!
Our visas are in hand, the flights are booked and our bags are (almost) packed! We are all set to fly out on Wednesday! I am in absolute disbelief that this is finally happening. We have been waiting for more than 5 months to move internationally, but the visa process has been a bit slow. Actually, that’s an understatement. We thought we would be moving back in January! And we’ve been trying for more than 3 years now to be expats.
And finally, yesterday morning, our Australian visas were approved! For most of yesterday, I was packing and looking at apartments in Sydney, Australia. And just before that picture at the top of the post was taken of my husband and me, we received an email that there was a change of plans…we’re actually going to be moving to Tokyo, Japan for the summer! Then, we’ll be moving to Melbourne, Australia.
So, holy smokes! We will be spending the summer in Tokyo and then moving for an unknown amount of time to Melbourne (we’re thinking around a year in Melbourne – but you see how quickly things can change). We do have a conference in Chicago that we will be returning for in August for about a week. So, we won’t get too much time to miss the United States. 😉 And we’re planning on coming back for the holidays.
(My husband kindly asked I tell my readers that he has spent a bit too much time on his computer and not enough time on his appearance for the photo at the top of the post. He’s studying for a massive work-related exam he has to take the day before we fly out. He has literally been studying from morning until night. It’s crazy – and I still think he looks cute!)
I honestly don’t know what else to say right now! I’m kind of in shock, haha. A big thank you to my mom & stepdad for taking us in during this incredibly long period of limbo! And my husband’s grandparents for letting us store our extra clothes at their place (as we aren’t going to be needing our winter clothes anytime soon!). And our family and friends who have been very supportive of our weird life! I don’t know what we would do without awesome family and friends like you guys!
I really didn’t think I was going to be going anywhere anytime soon. After we hit the 4-month mark, I gave up all hope. We were looking at moving to Ohio for a project instead. And now – boom! All kinds of international travel! Oh, and I’m only bringing 2 suitcases with me…surprisingly, I’m doing ok. Haha. I am struggling with what shoes to bring, though. (They’re just so darn bulky!)
And I have done pretty much zero research on Tokyo…so, this should be exciting! Haha. If anyone has any tips or things to see in Tokyo, kindly let me know in the comments. I’ve already done some research on Melbourne, as we thought we were going to be living there when we started our visas…but then it changed to Sydney, and now back to Melbourne. Haha. But I’m open to tips and suggestions on Melbourne too!
Ok, I’m done babbling in my shock-like state now. I will continue blogging as per my usual schedule (Monday, Wednesday & Friday). I have an outfit post centered around this announcement for Monday, and I’m standing up in my cousin’s wedding this weekend (her wedding is going to be so gorgeous!), and I have some NEW Zoo photos to share…so, there will be posts to be posted! 🙂
I’m off to pack and prepare for a wedding, now! I hope everyone has a lovely weekend! I’ll be discussing this all a bit more on Monday! And if you haven’t read my “Getting Personal” post yet, click here to better understand why we’re moving around so much and how it all works.
After seeing your post on Instagram, I had to check this out! That is crazy and exciting that you are moving so far away! I have never been to Australia but I went to Tokyo last summer and it’s a super cool city! I was there for two days and the Robot Restaurant was amazing! I would definitely recommend that, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Senso-ji temple and the Imperial Palace. I never got to see Mt.Fuji but you definitely should! For shopping go to Harajuku! So many adorable clothes and accessories there! If you have time, I would definitely recommend spending a couple of days or even a week in Kyoto! It is more traditional but this is where you will see the geishas and the temples and gardens there are absolutely breathtaking. I actually ended up loving Kyoto more than Tokyo! Also definitely buy a Japanese/English guidebook since the majority of the people there do not speak much English and it is very hard to get around Japan due to the language barrier. I wish you all the best on your new move! You’re going to have a blast and experience so many amazing things! Enjoy girl!
Thank you so much for all the information, Jordan! Haha, I actually walked by the Robot Restaurant a couple days ago and was wondering if it was worth it. (The ticket prices are pretty expensive!) I’ll have to make sure to check it out. And all of the above have also been added to my list of things to see! I am particularly excited to visit Kyoto, as I’ve always been fascinated by the geisha lifestyle. The language barrier has been a little hard, but we’ve been getting by. Thank you so much, again!
Congrats! My hubby went to Japan last summer and really enjoyed it, so I’m sure you will too! And Australia too, how wonderful! Good luck! 🙂
Aw, thank you, Laurie! 🙂
Oh gosh! This is so exciting Lindsey!
Tokyo!!! And Melbourne!! Amazing! I wish the two of you all the best! I can’t wait to see your posts from your new homes!
Much love,
Mona
Aw, thank you so much, Mona! Much love to you too! 🙂
Congrats! I’m so jealous. You’ll love living in Tokyo for a bit. There’s so much to do there! Make sure to get a subway pass because you can literally get just about everywhere around there with one. Go and get some ramen as well as sushi because it is to die for. As for Australia congrats on that as well! I remember touring over there and hearing how hard it was to get a visa. You’ll love it but be prepared for things costing a lot more!
Single Vegas Girl
http://singlevegasgirl.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much! The subway has been wonderful! We just got our subway passes yesterday! They are definitely the way to go. 🙂 I have been eating so much ramen haha – so good! My goal for tonight will be sushi. 🙂 And oh yes, I have heard how expensive Australia is compared to the US…it will take some adjusting. Thank you so much, again, for all the great advice! 🙂
Oh my goodness Lindsey! What a shock!!!! Really didn’t expect that!!! Your husband looks a bit like Matt Smith (AKA Doctor Who) and tell him he looks GOOD!
Haha, it was a shock for me too! 🙂 I told my husband about the Matt Smith comment – he enjoyed that! This is actually the third Doctor Who he’s been told he looks like, haha. I think he missed his calling. 😉
Congratulations…I’m so exited for you guys! It’s finally happening! 🙂
I’m totally jealous that you will be in Tokyo for the summer. It is on my list of places to visit, if I ever think I can manage a flight that long (I tend to get anxiety on flights over 3 hours, lol). 2 suitcases doesn’t seem like a lot, but I’m sure you’ll manage, and probably go shopping in Tokyo and Melbourne. I can’t wait to read about your adventures!
~Jen
dressingwithclass.wordpress.com
Thank you so much, Jen! I hope you make it here one day! The flight was a long one.(we flew direct from Chicago, and it was about 14 hours) but so worth it!)
Congratulations on your dream coming true! I live in Tokyo and I didn’t expect my city to pop up on your blog so that was a nice surprise.
There are a lot of foreign expats living in Tokyo so I’m sure you’ll make friends and get advice from them. We have some nice parks you can relax in, tons of great restaurants, you can get to the seaside too in like half an hour or so by train… and then also there’s the really touristy stuff. I would be more than happy to give you some recommendations so if you feel really lost, shoot me a message! I hope you have a wonderful summer in Tokyo.
Thank you so much! I am loving Tokyo so far! So many wonderful restaurants and the people are wonderful, everyone is so kind. 🙂 I will have to take you up on some advice soon, I’m thinking…I’m trying to plan out our weekends while we are here to make the most of them, and I don’t want to miss anything. 🙂 Thank you so much for offering!
oh my gosh I am SO EXCITED for you!!! I can’t believe you get to live in Tokyo and Australia!!! Wow, that is just too cool! I cannot wait to see your blog posts about all the places you’re going to travel! I’m dying to be an expat sometime soon… we’ll see if it ever happens!
Lee – leethrifts.com
Oh gosh, thank you so much, Lee! I hope you get to be an expat soon! The visa process is by far the worst part of the whole ordeal, haha. Thank you so much, again! 🙂
Whoa, this is incredible!! I wish you safe travels and plenty of fun in Tokyo and Melbourne! I don’t know how far you’d be from Liana of Finding Femme, but it would be so cool if you two could collaborate one day! Anyway, I’m really looking forward to following your journey!
Aw, thank you, Devinne! It turns out I’m not going to be too far from Liana! We’ll definitely have to try and meet up! Thank you, again! 🙂
LOVE THIS! I’m so happy for you two! What an experience. Oh geez, I don’t know which I’m more excited for you two to be in Japan or Australia?? I love the Japanese culture, but have always wanted to visit Australia.
When we were in Tokyo we had so much fun just visiting all the little areas with their different themes. Akihabara is the district that is known for the anime and electronics, so I’m sure you will definitely want to check that out. We also visited a ton of shrines. There is this big Buddha out in Kamakura to go see, easy train ride from Tokyo, beautiful grounds to walk around. If you are at all Disney fans you need to visit their park outside of Tokyo, they have Disney Seas which is a totally different park then anything Disney has (they also have a regular Disney park). Now that Disney owns Star Wars and Marvel you have to have some sort of love for them. Oh and of course, Pokémon center 🙂
I have only been to Japan once, but my husband was there for a bit while in the Navy so I’ll see if he could think of anything else to recommend. When we went he had the main tourist highlights set out to cover us for the 10 days, where when he was there for months he found weird out of the way places which I didn’t get a chance to visit.
We are thinking of going back to Japan to hike Mount Fuji, not sure if you are into that or not but that would be amazing. The other thing on my to-do list for going back is heading out to Nagano to see the Snow Monkeys, it’s this thermal spa where they all just are hanging out. There is a more official name to this place but if you google Snow Monkeys Nagano you’ll get hits to the site. Lastly on my to-do list would be going to a taping of Japanese game show.
Best of luck in your move!!!! I can’t wait to hear about your experience in Japan and look forward to hearing about Australia.
Oh gosh, thank you, Nicole! This is all such wonderful advice! We drove by the Disney park on our way into the city – it looked awesome! We are all about the Akihabara district too! And I am really looking forward to seeing some of the beautiful shrines as well. I would also love to hike Mount Fuji! (I honestly don’t know if I’m in shape enough at the moment – but I’d love to try, haha.) Oh gosh! I had read about Nagano but had completely forgotten about it! That is something I REALLY would like to see as well! Thank you so much, again, for all the recommendations! I’m going to get to work on planning our weekends right now! 🙂