S & NSS - Work trip to Tokyo

[MrGreg]

In April I went to Tokyo for 3 weeks for work, and it was a lot of fun. By the middle of the second week, though, I was ready to come home. I can only eat so much noodles and rice, and I don't drink alcohol or tea, so it was pretty much exclusively water.

Well I just found out they were so happy with my work the last time, now they want me to go back for 3-4 months. I'm not sure how I feel about that. Oh yeah, they want me to leave soon, like early October.

I'm single, so there's no issue there, but I'm not sure what I'd do with my cat. I've had neighbors look after her before, but only for like a week at a time. 4 months is a little long. I'm also not super excited about possibly being away for Thanksgiving and Xmas/New Years. I know it's somewhat of a once in a lifetime experience, but I don't know if I can just "walk away" from my life for 4 months on such short notice.

Anyone got ideas or suggestions? Wanna house sit in Oregon for the fall?

[chrissy]

No, but if you bring your cat down to LV, we will watch the cat :)

Have fun! Enjoy Japan through the holidays and see what it's like to be there.

[uncledaddy]

I'll go in your place. :D

It's been my dream for a long time to go to Japan. My Great Grandfather is from Osaka.

[Napoleon54]

Wow, what an opportunity... but wow, 4 months is a good chunk of time. If you think you can make it work then I'd say go for it! But if it really is too much to ask of you, then I think you should stick up for yourself and be honest about it with them. It wouldn't be in anyone's best interest to make you stressed and miserable, your work would probably suffer. Will they allow you to come home for the holidays? If they really liked you that much, perhaps you can bargain for a few conditions.

[cruelpupet]

opportunities like this dont knock often to many, but if your going to be miserable then you should let opportunity pass by.

Than again, do you think youll ever regret not going?

Also its really cheap to fly to other areas to check them out while youre there. Bali, Phuket, Shanghai, Sydney, etc...

[MrGreg]

I'm pretty sure I could come back for a week or so for each holiday if I push for it, and a quick search on craigslist shows there is no shortage of people looking to house sit. Maybe this will work.

[Markel]

I'm pretty sure I could come back for a week or so for each holiday if I push for it....
Just remember that there is no such thing as a "quick trip" between the USA and Japan. 13 hour flight there for me (from Chicago), a bit less on the return due to the jet stream.

I've had two trips there (8 to 10 days each) for my job.

[guiseppewv]

Hey, I am going to come and visit, ok? I have been wanting to go to Tokyo. :P

This is a great opportunity!! Congrats on the recognition!! :cheers:

[MrGreg]

Followup:

I just got my ticket. I'm leaving mid October and not coming back until mid December. 9 weeks. I could have come home for Thanksgiving, but instead I'm going to take a vacation to Thailand (Bangkok and Phuket) that week.

I think the daughter of a co-worker is going to cat sit for me while I'm gone. I should find out for sure tonight. Even if that falls through, I've got a couple more options.

I told my Japanese counterpart that in addition to a corporate apartment while I'm there, they need to requisition me a girlfriend. We'll see how well that goes :naughty: