About 8 years ago I was bumming around Fark.com and I found an article "Memo to Japan: AMAZING NEW TECHNOLOGIES!" by Jamie Patterson (@Jamie_Patterson). The Article was about how in Japan they do not have many modern conveniences like central air, smoke detectors, and ovens to name a few. i liked his writing style and started following his blog Avoidinglife. Turns out he was in Japan under the JET program. A year-by-year state sponsored program that hires English speaking gaijin (foreigners) to teach their native language.
Many Japanese learn english as a second language as part of their general education. JET's are brought in to refine their english. So early in April after having done a interview at the Japanese consulate in Chicago, Kelly was shortlisted for the JET program this year Starting in late July 2013. Kelly and I are both excited and scared at the same time. There are many arrangements we have to make between now and then; cars, house, job for me in japan, etc.