- Gather all of my medical records, K's too. Sounds easy enough, but I have 5 doctors and one dentist to get records from and 1 doctor for K. I also have to get my EFM (Exceptional Family Member) paperwork because the military requires all dependents with asthma to register in this program. It's their way of keeping tabs on people with special health considerations.
- Go to Naval medical screening to see if I will be given the ok to go. We've heard that family members aren't allowed to go to Japan if they have asthma due to the high incidence of mold in the military housing (pretty much everyone lives on base) as well as the high humidity in the summer months. I've also been told that having asthma is no problem and the Navy will (happily) send me.
- Continue the course to get Addy ok'd to go over there. So far she's had her annual exam and shots plus a rabies vaccine ($184). Then this week she got the second rabies vaccine ($22). In two weeks she goes back for FVN (don't ask what that acronym is-- I have no clue) titer ($87) to make sure she has an insane amonut of the rabies vaccine flowing through her. Apparently, Okinawa is a rabies-free island and they really like to make sure it stays that way. Once the FVN comes back at an acceptable level she begins her 'quarantine' which is the military's way of saying she's under a vet's care for 6 months. I always thought being quarantined meant she had to sit in a crate, but she gets to stay home with us.
- I need to apply for a no-fee passport for me & K. It's done on base, so I'm hoping it will be done on time, but I know passports take a while. We'll have to get K a tourist passport, too, because no-fee passports are only good on official orders; which means, basically, they'll get us to Japan then we can't leave. :)
Things we will have to do in the near future:
- Arrange a trip back home to say goodbye. That is going to be the hardest thing I have ever done.
- Sell cars-- no use in storing them for 3 years and we can't take them with us.
- Sell furniture? Is it really worth it to store (paid for by the military) couches and beds for 3 years? From what I understand we don't want to take too much furniture because the homes out there are really tiny. Also, if TMO (another military acronym for the people that move stuff) damages our stuff they have to reimburse us, but I've also been told that they pay the current market price of that item, which means we would get little to no money for our 4 yr old tv if they damaged it.
- Change insurance companies. State Farm says they can't cover us. I also need to find out who insures our things as we move. Where do I get coverage for our camera? How do I find renters and car insurance in Japan?
- Change banks? Do they have Wells Fargo in Okinawa?
- Change cell phone companies? Makes me sad because I've had that cell number since I was 16.
This made me tear up. I think it will be an amazing adventure for you, but I also know how hard it will be. :) Let me know if you need any help, even if all I can manage is emotional support!
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