So, I like to write little poems here and there...
Here is one for all my blogs, linking them together!
Showing posts with label hawgood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hawgood. Show all posts
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
A break from blogging?
Today is June 13th.
There is a busy month ahead of things such as dogs, friends - leaving &and visiting, another trip up north, various writing projects and even, (resumed today and so far feeling good about it!) studying Japanese!
I may be slow on the blogging front, although, it seems when I say things like that, or that it will be a short post, it is quite the opposite. We shall see.
Recent blogs have helped me get some sort of routine and good practice for my own writing projects. I am still in great danger of starting so many, what we can call 'good ideas; and then letting them lie on the waste side.
This shall not be happening any more. I have just (with the help of my dearest and bestest friend) finished my novella, which was 16 months in the making, simply because I didn't have the energy to just re-read a basic chapter. The editing and the review is the hardest part, but if you add that to the completion of a task, then we are looking at rather challenging missions!
So, I am pleased to say that things are rolling, but I should probably turn my attention back to the study, the writing.
I still need to finish the kalaweit blog too, and hopefully add some more poems to the 'Leonora Sophie' blog, so, actually, I shall not be going very far! besides, I think I am secretly very hooked to this blog page, and I have a feeling I will be updating the latest frog and dog pics very soon!!
Lee
^_^
Just for the record...
There is a busy month ahead of things such as dogs, friends - leaving &and visiting, another trip up north, various writing projects and even, (resumed today and so far feeling good about it!) studying Japanese!
I may be slow on the blogging front, although, it seems when I say things like that, or that it will be a short post, it is quite the opposite. We shall see.
Recent blogs have helped me get some sort of routine and good practice for my own writing projects. I am still in great danger of starting so many, what we can call 'good ideas; and then letting them lie on the waste side.
This shall not be happening any more. I have just (with the help of my dearest and bestest friend) finished my novella, which was 16 months in the making, simply because I didn't have the energy to just re-read a basic chapter. The editing and the review is the hardest part, but if you add that to the completion of a task, then we are looking at rather challenging missions!
So, I am pleased to say that things are rolling, but I should probably turn my attention back to the study, the writing.
I still need to finish the kalaweit blog too, and hopefully add some more poems to the 'Leonora Sophie' blog, so, actually, I shall not be going very far! besides, I think I am secretly very hooked to this blog page, and I have a feeling I will be updating the latest frog and dog pics very soon!!
Lee
^_^
Just for the record...
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Susie
I have never fostered before.
They say that fostering is harder than adoption because you cannot keep the animal(s). I can see this to be very true indeed.
One week on from Susie arriving and I love her immensely already. We have had set backs this week from various outside factors, but that has not stopped us having fun with her. I would easily say that this will be a difficult goodbye and not without tears.
This morning was hectic, I walked Susie, then tried to walk Elbi, but each time (total of three!), Susie was barking in the garden. I had to return as it was before 7am and I worried about the neighbours.
I decided to take them both out, a job that should be reserved for the after work part of the day. By half past 8, I reached the train station to begin my working day and I was shattered, not to mention starving!
But, coming home to Susie and her hugs...well, it was all worth it! She jumped in my lap and I tickled her curly-haired neck for ages. She just loves the love.
Even Elbi behaved, well, for a short while.
The thing with Susie is that she needs to know you are there. So, even now, as she must stay outside (thankfully no typhoons!), I am sat by the back door, so she knows I am near.
She whimpers when she can't see you and that whimper can easily become a bark, nay, a howl at one point!
I find it hard to leave animals when they make noses, make eyes, anything. I can't stand the separation. It breaks my heart even to know that, right now, poor Susie is sat alone in the kennel. I am thankful there is no rain and no winds to add to the lonely trauma of outside life.
Elbi suddenly loves the kennel!
I still cannot understand why you would have a pet but not actually interact with it. Animals left in kennels, it is too lonely.
Anyway, Susie is a grand dog, full of love, full of strength and desire to run the open road. I love her! She is so much fun to walk. She follows her nose, something that Elbi is copying! She runs through hedges, puddles, she doesn't care where! She just loves being outside and on the move.
Elbi and her get along to a point. He is still to genki but he just wants to play. She doesn't mind him so much, but gets a little miffed when he over sniffs her crotch!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
They say that fostering is harder than adoption because you cannot keep the animal(s). I can see this to be very true indeed.
One week on from Susie arriving and I love her immensely already. We have had set backs this week from various outside factors, but that has not stopped us having fun with her. I would easily say that this will be a difficult goodbye and not without tears.
This morning was hectic, I walked Susie, then tried to walk Elbi, but each time (total of three!), Susie was barking in the garden. I had to return as it was before 7am and I worried about the neighbours.
I decided to take them both out, a job that should be reserved for the after work part of the day. By half past 8, I reached the train station to begin my working day and I was shattered, not to mention starving!
But, coming home to Susie and her hugs...well, it was all worth it! She jumped in my lap and I tickled her curly-haired neck for ages. She just loves the love.
Even Elbi behaved, well, for a short while.
The thing with Susie is that she needs to know you are there. So, even now, as she must stay outside (thankfully no typhoons!), I am sat by the back door, so she knows I am near.
She whimpers when she can't see you and that whimper can easily become a bark, nay, a howl at one point!
I find it hard to leave animals when they make noses, make eyes, anything. I can't stand the separation. It breaks my heart even to know that, right now, poor Susie is sat alone in the kennel. I am thankful there is no rain and no winds to add to the lonely trauma of outside life.
Elbi suddenly loves the kennel!
I still cannot understand why you would have a pet but not actually interact with it. Animals left in kennels, it is too lonely.
Anyway, Susie is a grand dog, full of love, full of strength and desire to run the open road. I love her! She is so much fun to walk. She follows her nose, something that Elbi is copying! She runs through hedges, puddles, she doesn't care where! She just loves being outside and on the move.
Elbi and her get along to a point. He is still to genki but he just wants to play. She doesn't mind him so much, but gets a little miffed when he over sniffs her crotch!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Kasukabe,Japan
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Sendai, the JEARS mission.
I'm in Sendai on a mission. A seemingly impossible mission, but one which we will see through to completion no matter what.
Jears needs more bases. We can't keep transporting people from Niigata to Fukushima, from Niigata to Iwate and back again day in day out.
With all my friends as contacts in Sendai, I knew I could reply on them to help out.
However, we must remember what we are dealing with here and how many other people are likely to have rented out accommodation more inland to where their houses were or barely are. We must also remember that the ground has not stopped shaking.
This was a trip due to happen last week, but as I wrote, got postponed because of another big shake that knocked out electricity one more time for the residents of Tohoku.
It didn't stop us searching, mind. But, the search was tough. At any mention of an animal, let alone a few (hundred) , the answer was a a flat 'No'.
My friend Fumiko had sent me details of one house and I was prepared to show a picture of Elbi stating quite firmly that he would be the pet living there, but I knew that somehow, the owners would cotton on. Surely the miaowing sounds and sheer number of dogs and cats passing through the front doors would blow our secret.
No, this was something that needed to be handled properly. The animals and the volunteers need a good base. The highway needs to be near and amenities should be convenient.
So, when I read Fumiko's mail last night about her mother's house, I got very excited.
My persistent ''nande mo ii''s (anything is ok) must be paying off. I really wanted to see anything that was available, but even empty warehouses were saying a flat 'No'.
So, that settled it. We finally had a house to look at, where the restrictions were minimal and we could have what we wanted.
So, that is why, I woke up at 0605 with a slight crook in my neck to the announcement of 'Izumi Chuo no tochiyaku desu'.
Welcome to my Japanese home town.
It was a beautiful warm and sunny morning and I waited for Fumiko to come and get me. There were few signs of damage where I was standing, just some concrete slabs uprooted on the pavement, that was all.
We went for a wee morning drive to towards the port. But, we were nowhere near the port when she pointed at the crossroads we were at, telling me that the tsunami had reached as far as where we were. And then, as we drove on, the destruction could be spotted everywhere. It wasn't just the odd building, it was every building, warehouse and vehicle.
There were so many cars in one spot crushed up in a pile together, houses were just dirt and rubble save the few still standing.
Did you see the picture video from the JEARS entry I did? You would have seen the two storey house with just the second storey sat in the middle of a rice field. Well, this morning, I saw a similar sight under a bridge away from any possible foundations. Where had it come from?
Many roads were still blocked, but repairs were apparent everywhere. There was a big repair patch on the highway from where it must have collapsed down to the street below.
The sights were not too dissimilar from the ones in north Fukushima and south Miyagi, but the damage was much more extensive, going much further inland.
Jears needs more bases. We can't keep transporting people from Niigata to Fukushima, from Niigata to Iwate and back again day in day out.
With all my friends as contacts in Sendai, I knew I could reply on them to help out.
However, we must remember what we are dealing with here and how many other people are likely to have rented out accommodation more inland to where their houses were or barely are. We must also remember that the ground has not stopped shaking.
This was a trip due to happen last week, but as I wrote, got postponed because of another big shake that knocked out electricity one more time for the residents of Tohoku.
It didn't stop us searching, mind. But, the search was tough. At any mention of an animal, let alone a few (hundred) , the answer was a a flat 'No'.
My friend Fumiko had sent me details of one house and I was prepared to show a picture of Elbi stating quite firmly that he would be the pet living there, but I knew that somehow, the owners would cotton on. Surely the miaowing sounds and sheer number of dogs and cats passing through the front doors would blow our secret.
No, this was something that needed to be handled properly. The animals and the volunteers need a good base. The highway needs to be near and amenities should be convenient.
So, when I read Fumiko's mail last night about her mother's house, I got very excited.
My persistent ''nande mo ii''s (anything is ok) must be paying off. I really wanted to see anything that was available, but even empty warehouses were saying a flat 'No'.
So, that settled it. We finally had a house to look at, where the restrictions were minimal and we could have what we wanted.
So, that is why, I woke up at 0605 with a slight crook in my neck to the announcement of 'Izumi Chuo no tochiyaku desu'.
Welcome to my Japanese home town.
It was a beautiful warm and sunny morning and I waited for Fumiko to come and get me. There were few signs of damage where I was standing, just some concrete slabs uprooted on the pavement, that was all.
We went for a wee morning drive to towards the port. But, we were nowhere near the port when she pointed at the crossroads we were at, telling me that the tsunami had reached as far as where we were. And then, as we drove on, the destruction could be spotted everywhere. It wasn't just the odd building, it was every building, warehouse and vehicle.
There were so many cars in one spot crushed up in a pile together, houses were just dirt and rubble save the few still standing.
Did you see the picture video from the JEARS entry I did? You would have seen the two storey house with just the second storey sat in the middle of a rice field. Well, this morning, I saw a similar sight under a bridge away from any possible foundations. Where had it come from?
Many roads were still blocked, but repairs were apparent everywhere. There was a big repair patch on the highway from where it must have collapsed down to the street below.
The sights were not too dissimilar from the ones in north Fukushima and south Miyagi, but the damage was much more extensive, going much further inland.
You can see some of the pictures here -
We headed back to Fumiko's house and grabbed breakfast along the way, ready to start the day.
Fumiko lives outside Sendai shi itself, a short drive from Izumi chuo. In the area, there are two big DIY stores linking the area to Sendai shi and these convenient stores, along with a big Jusco shopping mall just happen to be near the house.
More details on the bases for JEARS later.
As soon as we stepped out the house and into the car, my phone rang. Ian was trying, not for the first time to get through to me.
It was around 1130 and there had been a big earthquake in the Kanto region. Saitama ken experienced and shindo 5, later lowered to a shindo 4, but, Ian was on his own, with Elbi and Mimi, trying to save computer upstairs from smashing (again) and TV from smashing as well as CD racks toppling on Mimi (again), I knew I couldn't stay in Sendai any longer this weekend.
I had done what I had come to do, at least in terms of the animals. My other friends would have to wait, as would I to give them their hugs.
On friend did surprise me at lunch and bring her kids with her too. When I hugged them I cried, so tired and emotional from all this, but it was lovely to see them.
It was lovely to see Fumiko too, who has been so unbelievably helpful at this time, as have all my friends in Sendai.
So, it was all I could do to buy as much Zunda as I could to satisfy my tummy and contribute a small bit to Sendai's economy,but now I am on a bus home.
24 hours devoted to hopefully a successful mission.
The road is somewhat bumpy on the way back, I was lucky to have slept through this last night. Might try resting the eyes one more time.
Sendai, I shall be back very soon! XXX
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Fumiko lives outside Sendai shi itself, a short drive from Izumi chuo. In the area, there are two big DIY stores linking the area to Sendai shi and these convenient stores, along with a big Jusco shopping mall just happen to be near the house.
More details on the bases for JEARS later.
As soon as we stepped out the house and into the car, my phone rang. Ian was trying, not for the first time to get through to me.
It was around 1130 and there had been a big earthquake in the Kanto region. Saitama ken experienced and shindo 5, later lowered to a shindo 4, but, Ian was on his own, with Elbi and Mimi, trying to save computer upstairs from smashing (again) and TV from smashing as well as CD racks toppling on Mimi (again), I knew I couldn't stay in Sendai any longer this weekend.
I had done what I had come to do, at least in terms of the animals. My other friends would have to wait, as would I to give them their hugs.
On friend did surprise me at lunch and bring her kids with her too. When I hugged them I cried, so tired and emotional from all this, but it was lovely to see them.
It was lovely to see Fumiko too, who has been so unbelievably helpful at this time, as have all my friends in Sendai.
So, it was all I could do to buy as much Zunda as I could to satisfy my tummy and contribute a small bit to Sendai's economy,but now I am on a bus home.
24 hours devoted to hopefully a successful mission.
The road is somewhat bumpy on the way back, I was lucky to have slept through this last night. Might try resting the eyes one more time.
Sendai, I shall be back very soon! XXX
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Sendai, Japan.
Bus Terminal
Is it me or is it Shinjuku????
I have a nightmare every time and today was no exception.
Why should it be?
Shinjuku is a maze of buildings, taller than you can imagine, especially when you are standing beneath them. It is these buildings that somehow conceal my departure spot for the night. Sure, I had a map, a nicely presented map too, but for some reason, I didn't spot where it was I should be.
Of course, with hindsight, it is clear, and a big red star marks the spot, but I still cannot understand why there is a big line taking me from the station to a location behind the Keio Plaza hotel.
So, having caught up with some long time no see friends for a really quick hot choco, we went on a mini tour of the west wide of Shinjuku, making it miraculously back to near the station where my bus would leave from.
And thus begins my journey to the north.
My bus is busy and I find comfort in this. I have enough leg room to kick out and my seat leans back. Oh, and I have a blanket, although in these spring temperatures, I realise that I have definitely overdone it on the layers.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
3/11
The floor pounds,
Smashing sounds,
One big thud.
Hit the floor hard.
Bruises, shock and pain.
Sirens blare,
People stare.
Disbelief and fear.
One big wave.
Early grave.
Doesn't stop.
Fills the shops,
Forces cars away.
Run, fast run.
Water comes.
Heart beats racing,
Wave still chasing.
Find the highest place.
Crack and crumble.
House is rubble.
Nothing here
But screams and fear.
Lost my wife,
Lost my daughter.
Where is my son?
Pray they are safe,
Pray they are alive.
Pray they knew to run.
Cities gone.
Heartbreak is long.
Never ending pain.
Big shakes rock.
Big waves shock.
Death and despair.
Water won't stop.
Temperature drops.
Cold, alone and scared.
© Leonora Sophie
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Nasty People...
Uggh...
I woke up this morning to a mail, a reply to a post I had answered on You tube.
Now, I rarely even use my stupid You Tube account, but when Ian had been asked to help with an ad for Chrysler, we were happy when it came on-line as we couldn't see it aired in the states.
It's a lovely ad, very peaceful, very calming, which is apparently unlike some of their other adverts.
Some people seemed to hate this digression fro the norm, some welcomed it.
So, when people were asking just where the music came from, Ian and I felt a natural urge to respond, simple, because we knew the answer.
The track is an older one but not released on any format, so, when you search the internet, you will not find anything.
But, these imbeciles searching on-line do not appreciate our answers.
Ian has had some silly reponses, basically calling him a liat. And, this morning, I woke up to''@leonorasophie that song does not exist asshole'' , charming.
Why do idiots roam the internet out to cause trouble?
Had I the energy, I would reply, but why should I when the same guys keep asking over and over? I don't understand their mentality.
People with too much time on their hands, need to occupy themselves. It is tiring. Reminds me of those idiots who make dumb comments at the end of articles on-line, uggh. But I shall leave that rant for another day.
Happy Wednesday.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sieverts
Doing my research, it seems that there are some very interesting facts to be learnt.
Right now, the radiation levels in Saitama, where we live are a mere 0.107μSv. This is microsieverts, which is less than milli (mSv) and much less than a whole sievert.(Sv)
Basically, the levels of radiation at the plant that the workers were exposed to were 100mSv, which, is half their limit for being plant workers. This is just double of regular background radiation in parts of Europe....
I am not saying this is good in any way at all.
(Actually, I just saw that regular workers should have 20 mSv..)
I think that their work is still high risk and the plant has admitted to not having checked the radiation levels regularly enough. The other day, the workers were wearing suits to protect them, but they were standing in highly radioactive water and that water was seeping through their clothing.
But, to put it all into some perspective -
A flight to New York from Tokyo is 9mSv (so the ''fly-jins'' exposed themselves to more than they were actually fearing in the first place..)(This is the figure for flight crew. Passengers would have 0.2 mSv, for a round trip)
Sleeping next to a human for a minimum of 8 hours a night, for one year is 0.02 mSv
(I would dread to think of the statistics if one was sleeping next to Elbi and his farts...!!)
Just one banana has as much as 0.0001 mSv, so think about that!!
Smoking a packet a day exposes you to 3 mSv - 60 mSv
And, finally, and perhaps this is where I should worry, for I have been exposed to more radiation at the hospital this year alone than in my whole life.
A brain CT scan is 0.8 mSv - 5 mSv
A chest CT scan is 8mSv - 18mSv
Anything above 250 mSv doesn't bear thinking about, but if treated early, some patients can recover.
As a precautionary measure, some of the embassies are issuing potassium iodide tablets.
Should there be an exposure to a high does of radioactivity, we will take these tables to counteract the radioactive iodine.
We are very positive this will not happen, but, it does help to be prepared. As you can see, Kitty is guarding them for us.
I think that's enough about sieverts from me. My head is in a spin from it all. God bless the nuclear experts who have to deal with these figures all the time.
Things are still unstable in Fukushima. All we can do is pray and pray and pray. xxx
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Blubby day...
It has hit home or maybe it hasn't because it does feel like a hazy dream come nightmare. Surely this is not real and we will wake up with none of this having happened? No.
Seeing all the wreckage on TV knocked me. Seeing dogs who had survived made me bawl and then just with the reality of it all, I lost it. Reading more stories of woe, even wonderful resilience, all made me blub. It is hard to hear, to see, let alone to experience.
Groups of students gathered outside SMBC banks ( i believe the red cross have a bank account here...) and some department stores collecting money. Their efforts and words made me cry.
I feel lost and stranded and want to go home. Seeing Elbi made me cry and made me miss our lovely home vibe even more.
Walking around Nagoya with red, puffy eyes was no fun, I tell you!
We have bought some face masks and tonight will relax. We need our strength to help ourselves, so that we in turn can help all our friends.
We have more ideas coming to our frazzled brains. I hope they keep coming.
For now, we shall stay put, but in the light of everything, as much as it pains me to say it, we might be more use back in England raising awareness and raising money.
My ideal situation would be that this is all resolved and then we head to UK for a week to collect cash. I don't want to have to go as an 'evacuee', which apparently, we already are...
But,we might have to vacate quickly, who knows...
It's a shame the airlines are trying to cash in on this...the bastards...
Today's news hasn't been great at all. The Telegraph are reporting that we have 48 hours before a type Chernobyl disaster. But, according to nuclear experts, that is impossible, given the way the plants are resigned, so what are we to believe?
One of my friends in the north was telling me a story about a lady at work in a department store on the coast. She managed to run to the third floor at the time of the tsunami. She survived, but the floors below were destroyed. And, as she walked home, she had to tread over many dead bodies.
Tomorrow, we will see our friends here. I think talking with them and being with them will help a lot. So far it has been phone covert ions only and I miss the physical presence of my dear friends here.
Am still sure things will be fine.
We need to say prayers for the Fukushima fifty, for the astounding efforts and their remarkable strength. We must respect their work and understand that they are truly honourable people, putting their lives at risk for a nation I turmoil. To those who have died during the explosions,words honestly fail me and my tears are not enough. Sorry.
Here are some donation links. Please consider sending some money.
Web site
http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/index.html
Japan／Earthquake Donation
http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002070.html
Thank you. Xxxxx
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Seeing all the wreckage on TV knocked me. Seeing dogs who had survived made me bawl and then just with the reality of it all, I lost it. Reading more stories of woe, even wonderful resilience, all made me blub. It is hard to hear, to see, let alone to experience.
Groups of students gathered outside SMBC banks ( i believe the red cross have a bank account here...) and some department stores collecting money. Their efforts and words made me cry.
I feel lost and stranded and want to go home. Seeing Elbi made me cry and made me miss our lovely home vibe even more.
Walking around Nagoya with red, puffy eyes was no fun, I tell you!
We have bought some face masks and tonight will relax. We need our strength to help ourselves, so that we in turn can help all our friends.
We have more ideas coming to our frazzled brains. I hope they keep coming.
For now, we shall stay put, but in the light of everything, as much as it pains me to say it, we might be more use back in England raising awareness and raising money.
My ideal situation would be that this is all resolved and then we head to UK for a week to collect cash. I don't want to have to go as an 'evacuee', which apparently, we already are...
But,we might have to vacate quickly, who knows...
It's a shame the airlines are trying to cash in on this...the bastards...
Today's news hasn't been great at all. The Telegraph are reporting that we have 48 hours before a type Chernobyl disaster. But, according to nuclear experts, that is impossible, given the way the plants are resigned, so what are we to believe?
One of my friends in the north was telling me a story about a lady at work in a department store on the coast. She managed to run to the third floor at the time of the tsunami. She survived, but the floors below were destroyed. And, as she walked home, she had to tread over many dead bodies.
Tomorrow, we will see our friends here. I think talking with them and being with them will help a lot. So far it has been phone covert ions only and I miss the physical presence of my dear friends here.
Am still sure things will be fine.
We need to say prayers for the Fukushima fifty, for the astounding efforts and their remarkable strength. We must respect their work and understand that they are truly honourable people, putting their lives at risk for a nation I turmoil. To those who have died during the explosions,words honestly fail me and my tears are not enough. Sorry.
Here are some donation links. Please consider sending some money.
Web site
http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/index.html
Japan／Earthquake Donation
http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002070.html
Thank you. Xxxxx
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Ok, I will be sure to save this post so that even if it doesn't upload, I have the words down to copy.
My last post began with the point the the British Embassy have advised its people to leave Tokyo. This is sound advice and not at all rash like some other embassies. Our embassy is looking after the British people up north and keeping an eye on the potential dangers down south. They are supporting Japan and it has not gone unnoticed.
The main advice is to be beyond 80km away from the plant. Our house is over 200km, and now we are further away.
On NHK this morning, they were showing you how to make nappies out of towels and plastic bags and toilets out of cardboard boxes and bin bags. Yet amongst all this battle for survival, I still witness an older lady wiping and keeping clean the mat her family is sitting on.
And it this these older people who are becoming a concern too. Tohoku has heavy snow right now and it is very cold. If people can't stay warm, they will get sick.
Why is this happening?
News has just come in of the Mizuho banks nationwide being unable to dispense cash at ATMs. What will this mean?
The jma site has shocking reports to read...
http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html
So far, we are alright although, I am worried. So much is unsure right now...
We have faith and we have had great news that more friends have been seen in rescue centres. They are alive and well!!!
More later xxx
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
My last post began with the point the the British Embassy have advised its people to leave Tokyo. This is sound advice and not at all rash like some other embassies. Our embassy is looking after the British people up north and keeping an eye on the potential dangers down south. They are supporting Japan and it has not gone unnoticed.
The main advice is to be beyond 80km away from the plant. Our house is over 200km, and now we are further away.
On NHK this morning, they were showing you how to make nappies out of towels and plastic bags and toilets out of cardboard boxes and bin bags. Yet amongst all this battle for survival, I still witness an older lady wiping and keeping clean the mat her family is sitting on.
And it this these older people who are becoming a concern too. Tohoku has heavy snow right now and it is very cold. If people can't stay warm, they will get sick.
Why is this happening?
News has just come in of the Mizuho banks nationwide being unable to dispense cash at ATMs. What will this mean?
The jma site has shocking reports to read...
http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html
So far, we are alright although, I am worried. So much is unsure right now...
We have faith and we have had great news that more friends have been seen in rescue centres. They are alive and well!!!
More later xxx
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The Japanese spirit is AMAZING
We have turned on the television for the first time since the massive quake and I am reduced to tears. Not just tears produced by exaggeration, but tears of genuine strength and love.
The news has shown pictures of a battered town, Ishinomaki (from whence we have spent days waiting to hear news..but it had come and it is good!,).
There was nothing there. By the hills, where there were some shops and, some houses, there was rubble. It has finally sunk home what has happened.
And, what makes it worse, is that we are here. Not being at home is like saying to people abroad that they are right; Japan is in trouble and beyond help.
THIS IS NOT TRUE.
Japan is nowhere near danger. So many countries have been too quick to criticise, to scold and to blame, but actually, never have I seen a country be more prepared and organised and thoughtful in such a tragedy.
The news gave some relatives the chance to send a message to family members lost in the chaos. An 8 year old girl cries ' otosan', while her mother explains how the father got lost in the quake. It is all done in a realistic way that makes you only admire the Japanese spirit even more.
My mother has been at least twenty times as hysterical, yet, had she read the media properly (and not the sun and bullshit.com), she would know that we are fine.
The British embassy even told me we weren't priority when I followed strict instructions to email them I was Ok. They got my information and then told me, quite understandably, that, not being near the epicentre, I was not top of the list. Also, (and you can read a previous post for this), no one in Britain, believes there is a threat.....the experts that is.
We know, here in Japan, that we have access to all medias, so, to hear that we are being fed false media is hard to believe.
For the first time in my life, I trust the government profusely. I cannot begin to praise the work being done for us here, especially by the workers at the plant. I cannot believe that there are such amazing people out there. God bless them, again and again. Words fail me.
I wish we hadn't left, but I know that there was little choice. We were far in the countryside and we don't have a car yet (although the day of the big earthquake we translated my licence and are almost there!).
Had circumstances been different, we would have stayed, but with very few few trains and many many nagging headaches, we left. I miss our home already and already feel like I am not there. There was a quake tonight, similar in strength to last night, but we felt nothing here. That is weird....
On a plus note, ideas have been forming for some decent ways to help. More, as and when they develop.
For now, I beg the media to back off. Japan is taking a battering from Mother Nature, it does not need a battering from the rest of the world. And please, please, please can someone sort out the news reports....BBC and CNN need to sort out their stories...biased...oh yes...selfish...oh yes' sensationalism...oooooooh yes.... That is NOT news. Get it right.
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The news has shown pictures of a battered town, Ishinomaki (from whence we have spent days waiting to hear news..but it had come and it is good!,).
There was nothing there. By the hills, where there were some shops and, some houses, there was rubble. It has finally sunk home what has happened.
And, what makes it worse, is that we are here. Not being at home is like saying to people abroad that they are right; Japan is in trouble and beyond help.
THIS IS NOT TRUE.
Japan is nowhere near danger. So many countries have been too quick to criticise, to scold and to blame, but actually, never have I seen a country be more prepared and organised and thoughtful in such a tragedy.
The news gave some relatives the chance to send a message to family members lost in the chaos. An 8 year old girl cries ' otosan', while her mother explains how the father got lost in the quake. It is all done in a realistic way that makes you only admire the Japanese spirit even more.
My mother has been at least twenty times as hysterical, yet, had she read the media properly (and not the sun and bullshit.com), she would know that we are fine.
The British embassy even told me we weren't priority when I followed strict instructions to email them I was Ok. They got my information and then told me, quite understandably, that, not being near the epicentre, I was not top of the list. Also, (and you can read a previous post for this), no one in Britain, believes there is a threat.....the experts that is.
We know, here in Japan, that we have access to all medias, so, to hear that we are being fed false media is hard to believe.
For the first time in my life, I trust the government profusely. I cannot begin to praise the work being done for us here, especially by the workers at the plant. I cannot believe that there are such amazing people out there. God bless them, again and again. Words fail me.
I wish we hadn't left, but I know that there was little choice. We were far in the countryside and we don't have a car yet (although the day of the big earthquake we translated my licence and are almost there!).
Had circumstances been different, we would have stayed, but with very few few trains and many many nagging headaches, we left. I miss our home already and already feel like I am not there. There was a quake tonight, similar in strength to last night, but we felt nothing here. That is weird....
On a plus note, ideas have been forming for some decent ways to help. More, as and when they develop.
For now, I beg the media to back off. Japan is taking a battering from Mother Nature, it does not need a battering from the rest of the world. And please, please, please can someone sort out the news reports....BBC and CNN need to sort out their stories...biased...oh yes...selfish...oh yes' sensationalism...oooooooh yes.... That is NOT news. Get it right.
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Location:Nagoya, Japan
Awesome, but mental...one big bag of cash?!?!
God bless her and those who her money will help xxx
The Yomiuri Shimbun
OSAKA--An Osaka woman in her 70s has made a 10 million yen donation to help victims of last week's catastrophic Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, city officials said.
The woman came to city hall at about 10 a.m. Monday and handed over a paper bag containing the cash. "I hope this can be used to help the victims," the officials quoted the woman as saying.
Osaka Mayor Kunio Hiramatsu said to reporters he would make sure the "generous gesture would be used to uplift people in the affected region."
(Mar. 16, 2011)
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God bless her and those who her money will help xxx
The Yomiuri Shimbun
OSAKA--An Osaka woman in her 70s has made a 10 million yen donation to help victims of last week's catastrophic Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, city officials said.
The woman came to city hall at about 10 a.m. Monday and handed over a paper bag containing the cash. "I hope this can be used to help the victims," the officials quoted the woman as saying.
Osaka Mayor Kunio Hiramatsu said to reporters he would make sure the "generous gesture would be used to uplift people in the affected region."
(Mar. 16, 2011)
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Location:Nagoya,Japan
Well, I haven't really spent that much time down south, so I guess this is a great chance.
Having woken up to a whole heap of negativity, all of which has come from abroad, might I add, we have, against our better judgement, decided to leave Saitama.
We are sure of things being fine, if not now, then, in the long run, but there is so much worry, fear and stress that it is starting to spread to us.
As soon as we left the house, we could see the normality around us; trains were delayed, but were running, people were still going about their daily business.
The more normality we saw, the more annoyed we were with what we were doing. If no one else seems to be bothered, then why should we?
We still aren't, but, I will be glad to reach Nagoya and then we can decide where to head from there.
Hitting Tokyo station was disturbing, mind. As we got off the yamanote train, some stupid lady decided to tell me that my dog bag was inappropriate for travel on public transport. You see, usually, the dog's face must be covered, but Elbi hates that and so do we.
Her timing was inconsiderately impeccable. I could have got so angry with her, but I felt the urgency in the air as more people with suitcases emerged. It seems that there many people heeding the rash advice of scaremongers. Either way, it put me on edge, especially with what the lady said.
I checked with the guard that I could buy a dog ticket on the train, but he misunderstood me-!: He told me the tickets were sold out and I lost it. Thankfully, he was talking about the people tickets! Having just forked out 30 000 for comfy seats, you don't want to hear that you can't have them!
We are almost in Nagoya. I can't wait to just relax and get my head into gear. We were supposed to be on holiday at this time anyway, which at least affords us this time of contemplation.
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Having woken up to a whole heap of negativity, all of which has come from abroad, might I add, we have, against our better judgement, decided to leave Saitama.
We are sure of things being fine, if not now, then, in the long run, but there is so much worry, fear and stress that it is starting to spread to us.
As soon as we left the house, we could see the normality around us; trains were delayed, but were running, people were still going about their daily business.
The more normality we saw, the more annoyed we were with what we were doing. If no one else seems to be bothered, then why should we?
We still aren't, but, I will be glad to reach Nagoya and then we can decide where to head from there.
Hitting Tokyo station was disturbing, mind. As we got off the yamanote train, some stupid lady decided to tell me that my dog bag was inappropriate for travel on public transport. You see, usually, the dog's face must be covered, but Elbi hates that and so do we.
Her timing was inconsiderately impeccable. I could have got so angry with her, but I felt the urgency in the air as more people with suitcases emerged. It seems that there many people heeding the rash advice of scaremongers. Either way, it put me on edge, especially with what the lady said.
I checked with the guard that I could buy a dog ticket on the train, but he misunderstood me-!: He told me the tickets were sold out and I lost it. Thankfully, he was talking about the people tickets! Having just forked out 30 000 for comfy seats, you don't want to hear that you can't have them!
We are almost in Nagoya. I can't wait to just relax and get my head into gear. We were supposed to be on holiday at this time anyway, which at least affords us this time of contemplation.
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Location:On the train to Nagoya
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
..
Due to public pressure, and slight radiation exposure fears, but mostly, due to the fact that we are on holiday, not having a holiday, we are leaving.
As soon as I wolf down this natto, we must leave.
The dog hotel is full is Tokyo, so Elbs shall come with. Making a booking now. Getting there could be interesting.
More later. Xxx
On a lighter note, I have shed the kilos I wanted to lose before the wedding. Oh, the irony.
More later.
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As soon as I wolf down this natto, we must leave.
The dog hotel is full is Tokyo, so Elbs shall come with. Making a booking now. Getting there could be interesting.
More later. Xxx
On a lighter note, I have shed the kilos I wanted to lose before the wedding. Oh, the irony.
More later.
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Location:Kasukabe,Japan
Happy anniversary!!!
Today begins my sixth year here in Japan.
And what way to celebrate, but with a story of survival...
DailyYomiuri A man escaped the tsunami by backing his car into a very narrow alley. The waters lifted his car up 2 floors like an elevator and placed it safely back down on the ground again. The man's 8yo son and friend were also in the car and all 3 got through unhurt.
The news is still good here, apparently abroad, is otherwise.
People are worried, but it is not so bad. I have read some positive words from the British embassy reps and former co workers. I will post it here, so that you may read it too and feel equally as reassured.
"I have just returned from a conference call held at the British Embassy in Tokyo. The call was concerning the nuclear issue in Japan. The chief spokesman was Sir. John Beddington, Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government, and he was joined by a number of qualified nuclear experts based in the UK. Their assessment of the current situation in Japan is as follows:
* In case of a 'reasonable worst case scenario' (defined as total meltdown of one reactor with subsequent radioactive explosion) an exclusion zone of 30 miles (50km) would be the maximum required to avoid affecting peoples' health. Even in a worse situation (loss of two or more reactors) it is unlikely that the damage would be significantly more than that caused by the loss of a single reactor.
* The current 20km exclusion zone is appropriate for the levels of radiation/risk currently experienced, and if the pouring of sea water can be maintained to cool the reactors, the likelihood of a major incident should be avoided. A further large quake with tsunami could lead to the suspension of the current cooling operations, leading to the above scenario.
* The bottom line is that these experts do not see there being a possibility of a health problem for residents in Tokyo. The radiation levels would need to be hundreds of times higher than current to cause the possibility for health issues, and that, in their opinion, is not going to happen (they were talking minimum levels affecting pregnant women and children - for normal adults the levels would need to be much higher still).
* The experts do not consider the wind direction to be material. They say Tokyo is too far away to be materially affected.
* If the pouring of water can be maintained the situation should be much improved after ten days, as the reactors' cores cool down.
* Information being provided by Japanese authorities is being independently monitored by a number of organizations and is deemed to be accurate, as far as measures of radioactivity levels are concerned.
* This is a very different situation from Chernobyl, where the reactor went into meltdown and the encasement, which exploded, was left to burn for weeks without any control. Even with Chernobyl, an exclusion zone of 30 miles would have been adequate to protect human health. The problem was that most people became sick from eating contaminated food, crops, milk and water in the region for years afterward, as no attempt was made to measure radioactivity levels in the food supply at that time or warn people of the dangers. The secrecy over the Chernobyl explosion is in contrast to the very public coverage of the Fukushima crisis.
* The Head of the British School asked if the school should remain closed. The answer was there is no need to close the school due to fears of radiation. There may well be other reasons - structural damage or possible new quakes - but the radiation fear is not supported by scientific measures, even for children.
* Regarding Iodine supplementation, the experts said this was only necessary for those who had inhaled quantities of radiation (those in the exclusion zone or workers on the site) or through consumption of contaminated food/water supplies. Long term consumption of iodine is, in any case, not healthy.
The discussion was surprisingly frank and to the point. The conclusion of the experts is that the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami, as well as the subsequent aftershocks, was much more of an issue than the fear of radiation sickness from the nuclear plants.
Let's hope the experts are right!"
I hope that will put a few minds at rest.
Today is a sunny day. My friend down the road will go walking with her dogs later. Perhaps, we will do the same!
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And what way to celebrate, but with a story of survival...
DailyYomiuri A man escaped the tsunami by backing his car into a very narrow alley. The waters lifted his car up 2 floors like an elevator and placed it safely back down on the ground again. The man's 8yo son and friend were also in the car and all 3 got through unhurt.
The news is still good here, apparently abroad, is otherwise.
People are worried, but it is not so bad. I have read some positive words from the British embassy reps and former co workers. I will post it here, so that you may read it too and feel equally as reassured.
"I have just returned from a conference call held at the British Embassy in Tokyo. The call was concerning the nuclear issue in Japan. The chief spokesman was Sir. John Beddington, Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government, and he was joined by a number of qualified nuclear experts based in the UK. Their assessment of the current situation in Japan is as follows:
* In case of a 'reasonable worst case scenario' (defined as total meltdown of one reactor with subsequent radioactive explosion) an exclusion zone of 30 miles (50km) would be the maximum required to avoid affecting peoples' health. Even in a worse situation (loss of two or more reactors) it is unlikely that the damage would be significantly more than that caused by the loss of a single reactor.
* The current 20km exclusion zone is appropriate for the levels of radiation/risk currently experienced, and if the pouring of sea water can be maintained to cool the reactors, the likelihood of a major incident should be avoided. A further large quake with tsunami could lead to the suspension of the current cooling operations, leading to the above scenario.
* The bottom line is that these experts do not see there being a possibility of a health problem for residents in Tokyo. The radiation levels would need to be hundreds of times higher than current to cause the possibility for health issues, and that, in their opinion, is not going to happen (they were talking minimum levels affecting pregnant women and children - for normal adults the levels would need to be much higher still).
* The experts do not consider the wind direction to be material. They say Tokyo is too far away to be materially affected.
* If the pouring of water can be maintained the situation should be much improved after ten days, as the reactors' cores cool down.
* Information being provided by Japanese authorities is being independently monitored by a number of organizations and is deemed to be accurate, as far as measures of radioactivity levels are concerned.
* This is a very different situation from Chernobyl, where the reactor went into meltdown and the encasement, which exploded, was left to burn for weeks without any control. Even with Chernobyl, an exclusion zone of 30 miles would have been adequate to protect human health. The problem was that most people became sick from eating contaminated food, crops, milk and water in the region for years afterward, as no attempt was made to measure radioactivity levels in the food supply at that time or warn people of the dangers. The secrecy over the Chernobyl explosion is in contrast to the very public coverage of the Fukushima crisis.
* The Head of the British School asked if the school should remain closed. The answer was there is no need to close the school due to fears of radiation. There may well be other reasons - structural damage or possible new quakes - but the radiation fear is not supported by scientific measures, even for children.
* Regarding Iodine supplementation, the experts said this was only necessary for those who had inhaled quantities of radiation (those in the exclusion zone or workers on the site) or through consumption of contaminated food/water supplies. Long term consumption of iodine is, in any case, not healthy.
The discussion was surprisingly frank and to the point. The conclusion of the experts is that the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami, as well as the subsequent aftershocks, was much more of an issue than the fear of radiation sickness from the nuclear plants.
Let's hope the experts are right!"
I hope that will put a few minds at rest.
Today is a sunny day. My friend down the road will go walking with her dogs later. Perhaps, we will do the same!
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Day five....
Since Friday, my head has been a twisted mess. I had so many plans to do so much over the past few weeks, but with the move, it was this week and the next few that were crucial to my own progress in the writing world. For the first time, I was going to have the time to focus on organising the many ideas etc that I have.
You would think that, with all this 'free' time, I would have achieved so much, but, no. My mind has been blocked.
For the first two days, I was stunned, shocked beyond belief. I knew earthquakes could happen, but the tsunami and it's devastation had caused damage beyond belief. With so many people missing at this time, it was hard to know what to think.
Sendai is my Japanese home town and I love it. The beauty in the north is astounding and the area is very famous for one of Japan's top three sights, Matsushima Bay. The people in Sendai are wonderful, and I was shown a wonderful, memorable time and made many, many friends.
Thankfully,at this time, most of the people we know are all well, if stranded and cold. We are still waiting for a couple more. Today I called one person we know and her phone went to voicemail, which is a good sign. I called another friend of a friend and the phone couldn't connect. I cried. Thankfully my friend was positive, and it is true, lots of power is still down. We have hope.
After pulling myself away from the computer on Sunday, we decided to enjoy life for what it was. The people around us are inspirational. The people of Japan are being praised and admired for their resilience and it is truly powerful. Going out and about talking to people, seeing people getting back into the swing of things made me (us) feel so much better.
This has been a dreadful atrocity yet, we need to pull through this. One of my friends in Sendai stated quite frankly that 'we will get through this' and she is right. Her attitude is admirable and she is not alone in this thinking.
Then, bless her cotton socks, her first thing was to apologise for probably not being able to come to Tokyo for our wedding celebration!!! She told me how the ceiling in Sendai station had collapsed. Of course, there is no wedding. We can't. How could we?
One thing that is weird is that her boss has given her until Thursday to get back to work.....that is this Thursday 17th, less than a week after the biggest earthquake ever to hit Japan. Maybe a bit too much resilience, right?!
Taking a leaf out of this book, we are going to get back on it tomorrow. So long as the radiation levels are good and we don't have to leave, then we are getting back on it. We couldn't finish unpacking for fear of another earthquake and the same with all the work we have to do.
Well, no more excuses. We are so lucky to be alive and we are here to make music, to write and, hopefully very soon, to help our friends in the north. So, please don't mistake my rants above for complaining. I am just tying to show how much this can absorb you. It is easy to get too into it, but it is also difficult to balance the news inputs and move away from the screen.
We all just pray for a swift resolution to it all, but with a magnitude 6 earthquake in Shizuoka earlier (felt by most of Honshu), it is hard to know what is the best thing to do next.
Tonight, we are watching Friends, really easy television to lighten the mood and it's working.
More tomorrow, guys. Love xxx
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You would think that, with all this 'free' time, I would have achieved so much, but, no. My mind has been blocked.
For the first two days, I was stunned, shocked beyond belief. I knew earthquakes could happen, but the tsunami and it's devastation had caused damage beyond belief. With so many people missing at this time, it was hard to know what to think.
Sendai is my Japanese home town and I love it. The beauty in the north is astounding and the area is very famous for one of Japan's top three sights, Matsushima Bay. The people in Sendai are wonderful, and I was shown a wonderful, memorable time and made many, many friends.
Thankfully,at this time, most of the people we know are all well, if stranded and cold. We are still waiting for a couple more. Today I called one person we know and her phone went to voicemail, which is a good sign. I called another friend of a friend and the phone couldn't connect. I cried. Thankfully my friend was positive, and it is true, lots of power is still down. We have hope.
After pulling myself away from the computer on Sunday, we decided to enjoy life for what it was. The people around us are inspirational. The people of Japan are being praised and admired for their resilience and it is truly powerful. Going out and about talking to people, seeing people getting back into the swing of things made me (us) feel so much better.
This has been a dreadful atrocity yet, we need to pull through this. One of my friends in Sendai stated quite frankly that 'we will get through this' and she is right. Her attitude is admirable and she is not alone in this thinking.
Then, bless her cotton socks, her first thing was to apologise for probably not being able to come to Tokyo for our wedding celebration!!! She told me how the ceiling in Sendai station had collapsed. Of course, there is no wedding. We can't. How could we?
One thing that is weird is that her boss has given her until Thursday to get back to work.....that is this Thursday 17th, less than a week after the biggest earthquake ever to hit Japan. Maybe a bit too much resilience, right?!
Taking a leaf out of this book, we are going to get back on it tomorrow. So long as the radiation levels are good and we don't have to leave, then we are getting back on it. We couldn't finish unpacking for fear of another earthquake and the same with all the work we have to do.
Well, no more excuses. We are so lucky to be alive and we are here to make music, to write and, hopefully very soon, to help our friends in the north. So, please don't mistake my rants above for complaining. I am just tying to show how much this can absorb you. It is easy to get too into it, but it is also difficult to balance the news inputs and move away from the screen.
We all just pray for a swift resolution to it all, but with a magnitude 6 earthquake in Shizuoka earlier (felt by most of Honshu), it is hard to know what is the best thing to do next.
Tonight, we are watching Friends, really easy television to lighten the mood and it's working.
More tomorrow, guys. Love xxx
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Location:Kasukabe,Japan
Monday, March 14, 2011
Tuesday 15th March - 1515
Suddenly, it is rather late in the day. We haven't been up that long, to be honest and soon it will be dark.
News of power outages are changing regularly, so we have no idea if there will
be a switch off tonight at 6pm or not.
The PM of Japan, has advised people to stay indoors. So, we went out to quickly walk Elbi and then to stock up on necessities.
We wore masks, out, which probably didn't do anything for us anyway apart from make us look silly and steam up our glasses.
I might look scared, but it was just because there were very few people out and I freaked, thinking we should hurry back.
We emptied the conbeeny of water, and some of the vending machines too and stocked up with extra nori (seaweed) so that we would have iodine. We also happen to have multi vits here with extra iodine, so , for now, we will be fine.
There is no point panicking and running our as that will only put us in the thick of it. The levels that are here are minimal and 200km from the plant means that we are safer than a lot of people realise.
My mother is stupidly hysterical, thinking I am in the most dangerous zone. It is a shame people cannot get their facts straight.
We have two fridges packed with food, drinks, not to mention the cupboards as well. The convenience store was empty in terms of breads etc...
But we got liquids, so we were all good.
We have bottles filled with water and we are heeding all the advice coming our way.
More later....xxx
Oh, and we have locked the doors, windows, even the shutters on the windows...
News just in of more friends in Ishinomaki, a Coastal town. They are safe, although one has lost their home.
In light of all this, we have decided to cancel our wedding celebration.
It would definitely be wrong to go ahead, spending money. We will use the funds to help Miyagi and Iwate in whatever way they need.
I hope those already with tickets to Japan will not mind.
Better message them now.
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In light of all this, we have decided to cancel our wedding celebration.
It would definitely be wrong to go ahead, spending money. We will use the funds to help Miyagi and Iwate in whatever way they need.
I hope those already with tickets to Japan will not mind.
Better message them now.
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I slept through quite a big earthquake this morning.
Must be getting used to them? Must be tired!
Am riddled with all sorts of menacing thoughts. Frantic friends, relatives, who knows what is best.
Japan is my home, and had been for five years. I want it to continue to be. Everything I have is here, so how can I up and leave?
I am worried for my family here, my friends all over Japan, especially in the north. I worry for my family outside of Japan, but if I cannot ration with them about the situation, then it does me no good to even talk to them.
We need to be calm and sensible.
We are talking about possibly leaving the area, even though here in Saitama we are relatively SAFE and the ground is SOLID. It is the plants in Fukushima that are posing big threats.
It has got to the point where I don't know what to believe, don't know what to do and don't know how to feel.
We are keeping up to date with the news etc, and making an informed decision soon.
I am worried for little Elbi. He seems to be very scared of the wooden flooring, especially. He was really scared this morning, Ian said,clinging tightly to him. Poor little bugger, he will be scarred forever from this.
We are going to get up now and talk to the neighbours, get their perspective on everything.
I will write more later.
God bless Japan.
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Must be getting used to them? Must be tired!
Am riddled with all sorts of menacing thoughts. Frantic friends, relatives, who knows what is best.
Japan is my home, and had been for five years. I want it to continue to be. Everything I have is here, so how can I up and leave?
I am worried for my family here, my friends all over Japan, especially in the north. I worry for my family outside of Japan, but if I cannot ration with them about the situation, then it does me no good to even talk to them.
We need to be calm and sensible.
We are talking about possibly leaving the area, even though here in Saitama we are relatively SAFE and the ground is SOLID. It is the plants in Fukushima that are posing big threats.
It has got to the point where I don't know what to believe, don't know what to do and don't know how to feel.
We are keeping up to date with the news etc, and making an informed decision soon.
I am worried for little Elbi. He seems to be very scared of the wooden flooring, especially. He was really scared this morning, Ian said,clinging tightly to him. Poor little bugger, he will be scarred forever from this.
We are going to get up now and talk to the neighbours, get their perspective on everything.
I will write more later.
God bless Japan.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Kasukabe,Japan
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