Welcome to General Chat - GAW Community Area
This General Chat area started off as a place for people to talk about things that are off topic, however it has quickly evolved into a community and has become an integral part of the GAW experience for many of us.
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Rules for General Chat
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Be respectful to each other. This is of utmost importance, and comments may be removed if deemed not respectful.
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Curious why you moved to Japan (with out giving away privacy info). Was it a job, school, love? Just wanted to get away from (I believe) America? Sometimes I’m envious of people that pick up and move out of the country. In the long run I’m glad I stayed where I was raised because I got an extra 30 years with my grandparents who were more like parents.
A bit of yes to all the questions. I worked in Japan right after college for 2 years and enjoyed it. I married a J-girl and we're about to celebrate our 23rd wedding anniversary next month. I've just always felt happier in Japan and my wife did not care for living in America. The "American dream" has been murdered by the Uniparty, so after nearly 10 years of a tumultuous life in America, we moved back to Japan where although I'm not making as much, work is consistent each year and we aren't plummeting into debt. Rent is far cheaper here than Arizona currently.
I'll tell you that it took a LOT of courage to move to Japan both times, and especially the second time because by then we had a toddler. When I moved back to Arizona after 2 years in Japan and was then a newlywed, I suffered from what I suppose you could call a "dysphoria." Reverse culture shock hit me hard. We'd visit her family each year in Japan and every time we came back, I felt as though I was reunited with a version of myself who had stayed in Japan. I don't know how else to say it, but I am certain that God gave me a heart for Japan in my late teen years and has a purpose for me being here.
If you wanna know more, send me a private message on here.
Hi just getting around to replying. (Don’t think I replied if I did excuse my duplication) You have made a great life for yourself and family. I admire someone that chooses out of the norm for themselves. If I hadn’t of had such great grandparents and not net my husband I believe I could have moved out of NC and even out the country. I’ve always loved adventure and travel. I couldn’t now because I’m close to my daughter and have a granddaughter. I get having culture shock. America isn’t the place it was forty years ago. Heck twenty five years ago wasn’t as good as the 70s but so much better than today. I’m praying we make a comeback! I say live where you are happy, comfortable and most of all feel safe. If I could I’d leave my location and go to the coast. If my daughter ever moves there we would follow. She’s an only child and lives next door. Grateful that she wants us around. By the way you can live out of country and still have a love for home even it it’s not “home” anymore.
Indeed! That's why I am here. Plus if America falls, the rest of the world falls. I'd rather not ever live in America again and I am even more incompatible with American society than I was 24 years ago, but I still love America and if America cannot stand up against evil, the rest of the world will not.
I agree with this. I think that’s why so many people from other countries are pulling for Trump back in office. Since 2020 I’ve seen comments from other countries praising trump. Even people from the Muslims in the Middle East. You have to translate and I’m just nosy enough to take the time. Sometimes I get worried what if we do fall. Clearly I’ve watched too much Walking Dead and Apocalypse shows. I have faith in God and believe we were protected by him for most of the time since we became a nation. I don’t think he’s given up on us but he can be an angry God and rightly so. You can love someone unconditionally but still be angry. Oh yeah we have gone down hill in the past 25 years. I have changed so much. I’m an out going people person, never met a stranger and love to help people. I don’t even want to be around the stupid people sleep walking with mask on. Also crime has increased so much I don’t go anywhere alone except a just a few local stores. They are killing, robbing and stealing like crazy. But that’s what happens when there’s no consequences for your actions. You take care and enjoy yourself in your “new” home country. It doesn’t matter where you lay your head. Home is where you are loved and happy. Enjoyed learning about your life and experiences.
God bless you. It's nice hearing you were able to spend time with your grandparents. I noticed many who moved to foreign countries when they were younger often feel lonely and in their later years have big regrets over the lost times they could have spent with their parents and grandparents.
Sorry it’s been a while. I’ve had a lot going on. God did bless me! I had maternal grandparents next door, maternal great grandmother next door till I was 16, maternal great grandfather died when I was 3 1/2 and I remember him. My grandma always said he died happy because I was the last person he saw before he left. Strangely I remember that day. Maybe because others told me I ran from one house to his and was the last to see him. But, I remember the events like it’s a movie. I wasn’t as close to my paternal grandparents but do remember very good times. My paternal grandfather died when I was 9 & grandmother died when I was 41, she was 94. Because of my experiences that’s why I will do anything for my grandchild. I’m very thankful for the good life my parents provided and do love them. It was very tough at times emotionally and I have never gotten along with my mom. My daddy can be a SOB 90% of the time but I have always got along better with him & I’m just like him in personality. I’m not complaining at all. There’s was problems but I didn’t let it get me down and I raised my daughter in a different way.
I can see having emotional problems with out family support. I do believe a lot of people move away because they don’t have a bond. I’m so proud of my daughter as a new mom. I don’t over step and sometimes she asks me for advice. That’s a wonderful reward.
Thank you for sharing your story. Yeah I have the same issue with my mother. Idk why or perhaps that's how most mom and daughter rship are but I was really close to my grandma for some unknown reason. To this day i can still feel my grandma with me or start crying when I think about her. She left at 93 y.o in 2021 during covid but thank God she never took the shot or went to hospital. She was healthy and mentally sharp and even read the Bible and did her hair before bed before Jesus took her home peacefully that night. It was something i will always be grateful for and all glory to God for He is kind and loving always.
God did bless me! I had maternal grandparents next door, maternal great grandmother next door till I was 16, maternal great grandfather died when I was 3 1/2 and I remember him. My grandma always said he died happy because I was the last person he saw before he left. Strangely I remember that day. Maybe because others told me I ran from one house to his and was the last to see him. But, I remember the events like it’s a movie. I wasn’t as close to my paternal grandparents but do remember very good times. My paternal grandfather died when I was 9 & grandmother died when I was 41, she was 94. Because of my experiences that’s why I will do anything for my grandchild. I’m very thankful for the good life my parents provided and do love them. It was very tough at times emotionally and I have never gotten along with my mom. My daddy can be a SOB 90% of the time but I have always got along better with him & I’m just like him in personality. I’m not complaining at all. There’s was problems but I didn’t let it get me down and I raised my daughter in a different way.
I can see having emotional problems with out family support. I do believe a lot of people move away because they don’t have a bond. I’m so proud of my daughter as a new mom. I don’t over step and sometimes she asks me for advice. That’s a wonderful reward.