Twenty years ago, I moved to Japan from Boston, Massachusetts, USA. My Japanese wife is bilingual and a retired Director of Nurses who last worked part time as an assistant in state rehabilitation services. We had a plan which has now reached a good stage: our condo remodeling for barrier-free life, is DONE. I've found it best, FOR MY OWN SAKE, as well as the sake of my family & friends, to try to be upbeat and cheerful - which is my normal temperament anyway. Friends call me an optimist. I like to think that I'm also a realist. Time will tell.