Feelin' Antsy!

Remember, in August, I posted a blog about receiving a list of the locations for Mr. Devil Dog and I can request to move to?  In there, I mentioned we were most likely going to find out in December what the big answer is. --Nope....still waiting! And I gotta say, it is driving me up the wall!!! I can't stop fidgeting or thinking about it because the more time that passes means the less time we have to prepare our move. The hubster spoke with his monitor (the gentleman who decides our fate, pretty much!) a couple days ago and he was told we will find out in two weeks.  Now, me being the over-analyzer, does that mean that since this conversation took place at the beginning of the week that this week counts as one? Or does that mean we wait next week, the week after, then out?  (I told hubby last night that I hope the monitor's answer is like Victoria's Secret saying shipping will be anywhere between 7-10 business days...and then I see the package on my front porch at the 3 or 4 day mark...a girl can hope, right???) 


What are our location options? Good question. Originally we put in for San Diego because, well it's San Diego (God's Country) and who wouldn't want to live there?! There was also a great position The Mr. had his eye on, but the guy he hoped to replace didn't leave after all. So, while San Diego is an amazing option, at this point in Matt's career we have to go with the best job versus the best location.  After his promotion is due to make Major in a few years, then I think we can make our decisions based on where we want to live versus what the best career move is (a Marine cannot retire as a Captain but he can as a Major. So this future promotion is very important).  Okay, back to making this short story long (lol) our two best career-smart options are between North Carolina (Camp L) and Japan. Yes, Japan (Okinawa).

I have to say, when Matt told me this information a month or so ago, I was so so torn as to what we should do.  The job he really wants is in Japan. So, what kind of wife would I be if I didn't support that? He told me the six or so positions he could potentially get (between NC and Japan) he would be happy with any of those. All of those are a great move..but if he really wants this one, then I feel he should get it. So, I start preparing myself on the possible move across the world. Scary stuff!! I know we could easily get NC and that move will be a piece of cake. Obviously the pro's to that would be:

 1) closer to family,  2) closer to childhood friends,  3) still a warmer climate than where we grew up,   4) next to a beach,  and 5) very close to where 2 very very dear friends of mine live, a husband and wife, and I would jump for joy to be able to see them more often.  
Cons? : it's not taking advantage of an opportunity to see the world.

Japan, well, I have a mixture of emotions with that.  I start with cons so I can get those sad/scared feelings out in the open, then finish with the pros to pump me back up for it.
Cons: 1) we would be moving away (across the world) from all the family and friends we know, 2)  when we get pregnant, I will feel very alone. Who wouldn't want their mom and dad and siblings and friends around?,  3)  finding great girlfriends are like finding great boyfriends/husbands..very hard to come by and it could be a long process...sure, I will make friends..but are friends being made because it's a necessity for all of us to feel connected and we are going through the same thing? I don't like to force friendships. 4) throw in the no friends and family into being preg or having a baby and Matt deploys.... All these are things I think of, I am trying to prepare myself for, but it does not mean it is easy.  Marrying Matt and signing that marriage certificate signed me up for the military life. If that's what it takes to be with Matt, I'll do anything.  But I really hope I never hear from anyone "well you knew what you were signing up for, why is this coming as a shock to you?"...because that is not supportive and that is obviously being said by someone who does not get it.
pros: 1) Petrie's quarantine is only up to 12 hours (yay!), 2) it's Japan, it's exploring the world. What better than now to experience it?!  3) on top of seeing Japan, The Mr. told me he would take me to see Thailand, Australia, and more. Sign me up, please!  4) I'm hopeful it will be easier for me to find a job there than here in horrible-economy-California (I'm allowed to say that since it has taken me almost 9 months and counting to find an internship...that's free work, people!)   5) I'm excited for base living,  6) it's only 2 years, give or take.  
I am digging the pros! So, our fingers are crossed for Japan. It'd be a hard move, but I know we would kick ourselves if we didn't at least try for it.

So now the waiting continues. And it is killing me.  If we get Japan, we move sometime in June (that's what we know as of now). There are a few things I want to do before making that big leap. I want to go to Disney World one more time (our wedding planners gave us annual passes...we'd be idiots not to make good use of them!) and I want to go to Vegas.  We would have to plan a trip back home (hopefully we can afford it!) to see family and friends and so I can sort out the final stuff of mine left at my parent's house. Say we find out Feb., that doesn't give me a lot of time to plan all these things!!  On the other hand, if we get NC then obviously I won't be in so much of a rush to do and see so many things before summer.

Alrighty, that was probably more like a short novel than a blog, but hey, I had to get it out.  I'll keep you posted!