A 3rd year

We recently learned that we are staying in Japan for, knock wood, at least 1 more school year, which is very good news for our family.

Now we'll have more time to enjoy the schools, the great restaurants, our car-free existence, the Tokyo American Club swimming pool, Saturday date night, the city's clean streets, the obsessive trash sorting, no children's television commercials, and the amazing French pastry shops.

Because of severe job cuts, lots of expats here, including many families with a Japanese parent and/or deep roots in Japan, are suddenly packing their suitcases. We're feeling very fortunate.