I never had a moment's doubt that you two would have your priorities in the proper order!

I know this is exciting and scary at the same time. Keep us all posted!

Looks like we are headed to Tokyo!!!! :lct:

Wow!!!! Marc,
What a great adventure for you and Arlene!!!
Congratulations and good luck. I'm very happy for you!!!

Have you thought about renting out your house? You can depreciate it that way and get some tax breaks and then you always have a place to call home?

CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES, ARLENE AND MARC!! Alan and I are so happy to hear the fantastic news!

If anyone is up for a grand adventure, it's both of you!

How exciting! I'll keep my fingers crossed for the quick and lucrative sale of your house!

Marc & Arlene.... :app: :ch:

Congratulations Marc and Arlene!! We're so happy for your new adventures....how exciting this must be for you!!

Verrrry exciting news! Congratulations!! We are so happy for you, Marc & Arlene!! You'll be there before you know it!! Editing to add: This has been quite a year for you two! Hope to see you on FJORDS & ROAR 2! All the best, Michele & Don

I am so excited for both of you - an adventure!!! Joanna

Marc and Arlene, SO glad to hear you have this adventure in front of you! I'm sure you will consider everything, the housing, the job, the travel in the future, and come up with just the right formula to have it work for you. Okay, like Kathy, I, too, say rent your house and depreciate. Not that you have to listen! You are smarter than all the rest of us, and will work everything out for the best!

Marc & Arlene, I am so happy for you!! You are embarking on what I am sure will be an incredible experience. If I had the opportunity I would go too (here's hoping Jerel gets through grad school quickly and we might have the promise of living in a different country).

I am concerned about ROAR 2 - please say you'll still be going!!

Marc and Arlene - congratulations! Hope it all falls into place and you enjoy an indepth visit to Japan.

Looking forward to hearing all about it. Cheers, Anne

I'm really excited for you both! I know you'll be SO busy but try to stay in touch!

Marc and Arlene, so happy for you. As a recently returning ex pat, the experience will be life changing.

I looked into an ex pat position in Tokyo this year, but decided against it as I didn't want to leave Doug again so soon after returning for 2 years. You will be well compensated and the cost differential will be made up for you. I will be glad to give you some tips about moving, taxes, etc., if you privately email me.

There is an ex pat community for Arlene, so she will be fine.

What will you be doing there? Do tell all.

Congratulations, Marc and Arlene. What a wonderful adventure. Way to go! I'll be interested to hear about all of your experiences. Perhaps your own thread...Tokyo mail? :app:

Congrats Marc and Arlene! What a wonderful opportunity for the two of you!!!

Tom goes to Tokyo for work one or two times each year and has been for the past 16 years. I have yet to make it over there myself when he has a trip there. His next scheduled trip is in September, so don't worry he won't be knocking on your door (this year)! ;)

Congratulations! You both have an adventure ahead of you and it is wonderful that you decided to make the decision to take the leap. We'll all look forward to hearing about it!

Congrats my good friends and Kampai! :banana:

When you need a quick get-away, don't forget SFO! I will keep your room ready!

Congrats Marc!! How exciting!

Masaki

I feel like I am losing a friend with you both moving so far away but I'm sure we will travel again on Regent together. What a wonderful chance for you.

Congratulations on such an exciting move!

Congratulations Marc and Arlene....What a fabulous adventure you are about to begin.

Well I totally missed this whole thing until Andrea directed me to it.

WOW!! what an adventure! CONGRATULATIONS Hope it will be a wonderful one and you will have memories for a lifetime!

Hope to see you on MUSH before you go!

Marc and Arlene...CONGRATULATIONS!!! Don't know where I've been but just noticed this thread.

Am so thrilled for you both! Jack and I lived for 2 years in Brasil and 2 years in Saudi in the late 70's. Such an incredibly enriching wonderful experience!!

As I'm certain you've already learned, there are lots of opportunities (volunteer and paid) for Arlene (check out ASIJ..American School in Japan).

The ex pat community is very special, the travel opportunities are mind boggeling, and the friendships, experiences and memories will last you a life time! Please PM me for more details.

Again, congratulations....we're so excited for you!!!

Congratulations on getting the job in Tokyo. Marc and Arlenne this is really exciting news.
Have fun packing!
Jan

WOW! Congrats on the job and the move, M & A!

Marc and Arlene....how exciting! Congratulation and best wishes - you're in for some interesting times and we'll have your insight into the Janpanese lifestyle! Gosh, what fun.

Mark and Arlene

Just found this thread after tripping around the world and cruising the Baltics.

Although my son Michael isn't American and is single, he worked five years in Tokyo a couple of years ago after working the USA for five years and is now back in working in New York. He couldn't (and still can't) speak Japanese (which I think is a terrible waste) but managed without too much hassle. I visited twice and loved all I saw but there are huge cultural differences. If you think he could advise you in anyway, please don't hesitate to send me a private email and I will give you his email address.

Have a fabulous time. Lee

How exciting!!! I for one believe you will just love it. Enjoy your adventure.

Thanks for the continued good wishes. Just found out that formal confirmation will come tomorrow. We are excited...we are scared.

House, I mean apartment, guests are always welcome. Just don't expect too much space.

Jan, looking forward to meeting you and Carole in DC on 30 September. We have air booked and will line up hotel this week.

Marc, knowing you and Arlene during ROAR, and knowing you from many years on this board and cc, you guys are going to make your "mark" wherever you go!

I, too, want to meet everyone but Jan you are at top of my list :3smile: :3smile: :3smile: :3smile:

I don't know how I missed this thread until today. This is really exciting.

I lived in Japan for four years as a child though of course that was in 1852. We lived outside Tokyo and I recall mainly what a beautiful place it is. Even as a kid I was mesmerized by the sights and smells. As a pale, blue-eyed child with lots of curly hair I was a bit of a curiosity but now with world travel so common I am sure no one would look twice at the same kid.

I wish you a wonderful new chapter in your lives.

I haven't been around much lately and just got here as well - congratulations!

There are so many jokes I could make, Marsha, but for the sake of our friendship, I won't. :D

Masaki

Marc,
I still can't believe that you and Arlene are flying up to DC. Shall have my camera ready for all the photos to be taken. :)

Now, on to the time difference of Toyko to us. What are we going to do about that??

I do have to say this to Marc, are you moving away to get away from the frogs on the front porch during huricannes?? Yes, I have a good memory. I thought that was a cute story.

have a great day.
Jan