Well, we have reached a milestone: almost one week has passed since the catastrophic earthquake that shook Japan last Friday. It's been a rough one, too, with one thing striking after another on top of repeated tremors, but I think things are finally settling down. Television seems to have returned, for the most part, to general broadcasting, stores (at least in this area) are open at regular hours, people are going about their usual business, going to work and school, grocery shopping, etc.
The only lasting effect has been something of a food panic similar to what you find in Florida before and after a hurricane; all non-perishables are really difficult to find. I went to the store today to restock, particularly on bread and cereal, but both of those things were almost completely sold out except for the more expensive kinds. So I had to settle for paying 40 yen more than I usually do for bread (130 instead of 90) and buying the really junky (but cheap) cereal at the shady supermarket instead of the good (but expensive) cereal at Max Value. Also sold out were ramen and prepackaged bread snacks. I suppose people may also be concerned about the power outages, but it's only for two three hour periods at a time, so it's not need to get to panicky. In any case, I expect things to improve as time goes by, and maybe by next week I can get my cheap bread and decent cereal again. :)
I myself have calmed down a lot. For a while I was at my limit and ready to go home, but seeing life go on around me reassured me that I can stay here. Many things would be complicated if I were to go home, and I wanted to stay here for a year anyway, so I'm fairly certain I will stay. I just hope they don't really postpone the start of classes, because I will go a little bit crazy. haha.
That's it for now. Keep a lookout for future updates! I'm hoping I can still do that trip to Kyoto at the end of this month. :)
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Nuclear Radiation Levels
So I kept a positive attitude and believed we were safe from nuclear meltdown, I was for the most part correct. I didn't think much about the escape a radiation.
There was another explosion at the Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant in Fukushima, which apparently released some radiation into the air. That radiation has been blown towards Tokyo, which now has about 20-30 times the normal radiation levels in the air. Authorities say this is not life threatening, though, which something of a relief.
It hasn't reached this area yet but we aren't safe yet, I'd think; I would assume we'll get some radiation here as well, since we are only a few hours west of Tokyo. However, I am hoping that it will be so dissipated by the time it gets here that it won't be a problem.
I won't say I'm not tired that I don't want to go home. I definitely do. From what it seems tickets out of the country are difficult to get by and it's difficult to get to an airport, but I will do my best to stick out the next couple of days and hope things get better, and then I will seriously begin to consider going home.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
There was another explosion at the Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant in Fukushima, which apparently released some radiation into the air. That radiation has been blown towards Tokyo, which now has about 20-30 times the normal radiation levels in the air. Authorities say this is not life threatening, though, which something of a relief.
It hasn't reached this area yet but we aren't safe yet, I'd think; I would assume we'll get some radiation here as well, since we are only a few hours west of Tokyo. However, I am hoping that it will be so dissipated by the time it gets here that it won't be a problem.
I won't say I'm not tired that I don't want to go home. I definitely do. From what it seems tickets out of the country are difficult to get by and it's difficult to get to an airport, but I will do my best to stick out the next couple of days and hope things get better, and then I will seriously begin to consider going home.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Monday, March 14, 2011
How Disasters Bring People Together
As I regularly scroll through my Facebook wall page, I keep finding things that comfort me and bring me joy. Natural disasters have a way of bringing people together in a way no one would ever think people. People helping other people out of the pure kindness of their hearts, without any regard to what it would cost them. It's absolutely amazing. On the day of the event, even though the cell phone lines were down and the cellphone mail servers were completely congested and it was difficult to send and receive mails, people were desperately trying to call or all of their family and friends to make sure everyone was okay. I received multiple mails from many people in Japan asking if I was alright, and I was glad to feel everyone's concern. When morning came in America, I received tons of e-mails and Facebook wallposts asking if I was alright. I am extremely touched and grateful for everyone's concern and love for me. Thank you.
To see how disasters bring the best out of people, please read this link provided by a friend on Facebook. In particular I want to point out this particular tweet from a Japanese person:
If you are interested in joining the assistance movement, here are a list of reputable donation sites for the Japan cause:
Courtesy of Huffington Post
To see how disasters bring the best out of people, please read this link provided by a friend on Facebook. In particular I want to point out this particular tweet from a Japanese person:
The information sharing efforts on Twitter or USTREAM, together with the quality of coverage and crucial updates provided by the mass media this time around is incomparable to what we got during the Kobe earthquake. I am deeply impressed by Japan’s successful efforts and ability to put to practice lessons learnt from past tragedies.I believe this is so true. Except for the coverage of the nuclear power plants, the media, at least in Japan, has done a fantastic job covering the disaster, and the use of social networking sites has been completely effective in locating and contacting people, and ascertaining many people's safety. I am impressed.
If you are interested in joining the assistance movement, here are a list of reputable donation sites for the Japan cause:
Courtesy of Huffington Post
Sunday, March 13, 2011
About the Nuclear Powerplants
Hi everyone.
It seems the internet is still around--for now. I don't know what kind of situations will come but I will be sure to keep you updated.
In the meantime, I want to give you some information about the nuclear power plants that are currently a big scene among media reports everywhere.
In actual fact, there is little to be worried about, both here and abroad. By there is not going to be a nuclear explosion, or a hydrogen explosion, or an explosion of any kind, and it's likely that there is not going to be a nuclear meltdown either, as TEPCO seems to have the situation under control by using seawater to cool the cores.
I have so far read three reassuring articles about how we will not all die from radiation poisoning or a nuclear explosions, so please check out those three articles for more information and clear explanations:
One
Two
Three
As for other things, well it seems power is still insufficient but the schedules power outages have been postponed? Or changed? I don't know, we foreigners don't get updated too much. lol. But Facebook is being kind and has an information box for foreigners in Japan about the power outages and the stopping of trains. It would seem that lately it would be near impossible to travel anywhere for a while, which I fine because I'd rather be near my comfy apartment with my friend Keila so we don't get stranded somewhere random. x_x;
Anyway keep praying for us and for Japan as it continues to work its way through this crisis!!
It seems the internet is still around--for now. I don't know what kind of situations will come but I will be sure to keep you updated.
In the meantime, I want to give you some information about the nuclear power plants that are currently a big scene among media reports everywhere.
In actual fact, there is little to be worried about, both here and abroad. By there is not going to be a nuclear explosion, or a hydrogen explosion, or an explosion of any kind, and it's likely that there is not going to be a nuclear meltdown either, as TEPCO seems to have the situation under control by using seawater to cool the cores.
I have so far read three reassuring articles about how we will not all die from radiation poisoning or a nuclear explosions, so please check out those three articles for more information and clear explanations:
One
Two
Three
As for other things, well it seems power is still insufficient but the schedules power outages have been postponed? Or changed? I don't know, we foreigners don't get updated too much. lol. But Facebook is being kind and has an information box for foreigners in Japan about the power outages and the stopping of trains. It would seem that lately it would be near impossible to travel anywhere for a while, which I fine because I'd rather be near my comfy apartment with my friend Keila so we don't get stranded somewhere random. x_x;
Anyway keep praying for us and for Japan as it continues to work its way through this crisis!!
Continued Updates
I never thought I would use this blog as an emergency update tool. :( Makes me really sad.
Apparently Mishima will be having scheduled power downs because there is not enough electricity to go around the area. We will be out from 9:20 tomorrow morning until 1, and then 6pm until 10. Keila and I have to go out and buy candles or flashlights so we are sitting in the dark for four hours tomorrow night. Unfortunately, I also heard that there will be no internet connections, and I have no idea how long that will last. Keeping people updated on my status may be difficult. Hopefully cell phones will still work, and if we can't use phones, usually mailing works too. If anyone needs to contact me, feel free to send me an e-mail on my cellphone: daleinjapan@softbank.ne.jp. Hopefully the mail servers won't be horribly congested, but if something happens I will be sure to send everyone mails as best I can, but to be sure I get you, make sure you send me your e-mail address.
Here's to hoping things improve!!
Apparently Mishima will be having scheduled power downs because there is not enough electricity to go around the area. We will be out from 9:20 tomorrow morning until 1, and then 6pm until 10. Keila and I have to go out and buy candles or flashlights so we are sitting in the dark for four hours tomorrow night. Unfortunately, I also heard that there will be no internet connections, and I have no idea how long that will last. Keeping people updated on my status may be difficult. Hopefully cell phones will still work, and if we can't use phones, usually mailing works too. If anyone needs to contact me, feel free to send me an e-mail on my cellphone: daleinjapan@softbank.ne.jp. Hopefully the mail servers won't be horribly congested, but if something happens I will be sure to send everyone mails as best I can, but to be sure I get you, make sure you send me your e-mail address.
Here's to hoping things improve!!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Earthquake Followup
Well, so far things have been fine in my part of the country. There have been mild tremors once in a while, but nothing serious, thank goodness. We are far enough inland to avoid any tsunami damage, so at this point I feel relatively secure in Mishima. Apart from missing out on going to Tokyo for our bi-weekly dance practice, and every single television channel being devoted to tsunami coverage, my life has not been gravely interrupted, but I feel very sad to see the damage and suffering in Sendai.
So far it has been heartwarming the amount of support I and the country have received from people across the world. Friends and family members have posted on my facebook wall, skyped, and e-mailed me to make sure I was okay, and everyone seems to show respect for those who have been lost.
But there are some people who seem to think this is "retribution for Pearl Harbor." Thankfully, as far as I know, none of my friends have been a part of this, but you can check out this link to see what some ignorant people have been saying.
As I read this I could feel big bubbles of rage build up in my stomach. It was absolutely sickening to read this, but it was like a train wreck and I couldn't stop. I don't even know where to start on my commentary, but first I want to say I am ashamed of these disgusting Americans, and consequently almost ashamed to call myself American with this lot. It is these type of people who put America in a bad light, making us seem like a society that is ignorant of the world, which is not entirely true, because there are many people who do not think this way.
Now I'm sorry, but Pearl Harbor happened nearly seventy years ago. Isn't it time to let go? Most of the people who were involved in Pearl Harbor are gone, and whose to say that all of those people in Sendai and the Touhoku region were even remotely related to Pearl Harbor? And in any case, weren't the two atomic bombs dropped by the U.S. more than enough "retribution" for Pearl Harbor? People were playing the numbers game, but in Pearl Harbor, only about 3,000 people were killed (roughly adding from Wikipedia), while in the atomic bombings may have killed more than 200,000 people, and half of them instantly. I don't think we have any right to hold onto our grudge of Pearl Harbor after that.
And obviously they have forgotten than Japan is not just a home for Japanese people. There are international students like us, foreign language teachers, athletes, tourists, business men, and all sorts of foreign people in Japan. What about those people? What do our ignorant American people think about losing those people to earthquakes and tsunamis? Are they just more necessary sacrifices for "retribution"? And what about SOLDIERS? Mention soldiers to any American and they get all protective and defensive. I don't know what those stupid Americans were thinking, but I know that there are thousands of American soldiers here in Japan, and I'm sure some of them were as affected by this as the Japanese people were.
As for the US sending money to help Japan, well that's only natural. If you put aside that asinine, prejudiced reasoning, there is little reason not to send help. If we shouldn't send money to Japan, then we shouldn't send money to other countries either. Why should we have helped Haiti when it was hit was a devastating hurricane? Why should we help anyone but ourselves? I'll tell you why. First, it's to build good relationships around the world. We don't want friendly relations with Japan, which is a major commercial country, to break off because we didn't send them assistance after their most devastating earthquake in history. And what would happen if other countries, seeing us spurn Japan's pleas for help, decide partnering up with us is not worth their while? Then who would send us aid if we were hit by disaster? We would want to receive aid, wouldn't we? We can't just take and not give. Second, it's not just the Japanese people who were affected; there are also foreigners living, working, and traveling in Japan. It's not just about money. It's about being compassionate, upholding strong moral values and good international opinion as a country, and maintaining good relations with other countries.
I apologize for ranting on, but this sort of ignorant, hateful behavior is simply inexcusable. I hope nobody says this to me in person, because if they do they will get a great mouthful from me. And I hope that if you should hear such terrible words come out of someone's meath you will use this information to teach them otherwise, because this type of behavior is unacceptable in this global world; we need to learn to respect each other lest everything turns into war.
Please keep praying and thinking of the people badly affected by the earthquake and tsunami; especially those in the Touhoku area (Fukushima prefecture), but also in areas less affected but fairly beaten up like Tokyo. I will continue to pray for the recovery of missing people and the reunion of families, the safety of people at risk, the sealing of the damage nuclear power plant, and the restoration of the grave damage sustained, and I will also continue to be incredibly thankful to be safe and sound in my little town of Mishima.
So far it has been heartwarming the amount of support I and the country have received from people across the world. Friends and family members have posted on my facebook wall, skyped, and e-mailed me to make sure I was okay, and everyone seems to show respect for those who have been lost.
But there are some people who seem to think this is "retribution for Pearl Harbor." Thankfully, as far as I know, none of my friends have been a part of this, but you can check out this link to see what some ignorant people have been saying.
As I read this I could feel big bubbles of rage build up in my stomach. It was absolutely sickening to read this, but it was like a train wreck and I couldn't stop. I don't even know where to start on my commentary, but first I want to say I am ashamed of these disgusting Americans, and consequently almost ashamed to call myself American with this lot. It is these type of people who put America in a bad light, making us seem like a society that is ignorant of the world, which is not entirely true, because there are many people who do not think this way.
Now I'm sorry, but Pearl Harbor happened nearly seventy years ago. Isn't it time to let go? Most of the people who were involved in Pearl Harbor are gone, and whose to say that all of those people in Sendai and the Touhoku region were even remotely related to Pearl Harbor? And in any case, weren't the two atomic bombs dropped by the U.S. more than enough "retribution" for Pearl Harbor? People were playing the numbers game, but in Pearl Harbor, only about 3,000 people were killed (roughly adding from Wikipedia), while in the atomic bombings may have killed more than 200,000 people, and half of them instantly. I don't think we have any right to hold onto our grudge of Pearl Harbor after that.
And obviously they have forgotten than Japan is not just a home for Japanese people. There are international students like us, foreign language teachers, athletes, tourists, business men, and all sorts of foreign people in Japan. What about those people? What do our ignorant American people think about losing those people to earthquakes and tsunamis? Are they just more necessary sacrifices for "retribution"? And what about SOLDIERS? Mention soldiers to any American and they get all protective and defensive. I don't know what those stupid Americans were thinking, but I know that there are thousands of American soldiers here in Japan, and I'm sure some of them were as affected by this as the Japanese people were.
As for the US sending money to help Japan, well that's only natural. If you put aside that asinine, prejudiced reasoning, there is little reason not to send help. If we shouldn't send money to Japan, then we shouldn't send money to other countries either. Why should we have helped Haiti when it was hit was a devastating hurricane? Why should we help anyone but ourselves? I'll tell you why. First, it's to build good relationships around the world. We don't want friendly relations with Japan, which is a major commercial country, to break off because we didn't send them assistance after their most devastating earthquake in history. And what would happen if other countries, seeing us spurn Japan's pleas for help, decide partnering up with us is not worth their while? Then who would send us aid if we were hit by disaster? We would want to receive aid, wouldn't we? We can't just take and not give. Second, it's not just the Japanese people who were affected; there are also foreigners living, working, and traveling in Japan. It's not just about money. It's about being compassionate, upholding strong moral values and good international opinion as a country, and maintaining good relations with other countries.
I apologize for ranting on, but this sort of ignorant, hateful behavior is simply inexcusable. I hope nobody says this to me in person, because if they do they will get a great mouthful from me. And I hope that if you should hear such terrible words come out of someone's meath you will use this information to teach them otherwise, because this type of behavior is unacceptable in this global world; we need to learn to respect each other lest everything turns into war.
Please keep praying and thinking of the people badly affected by the earthquake and tsunami; especially those in the Touhoku area (Fukushima prefecture), but also in areas less affected but fairly beaten up like Tokyo. I will continue to pray for the recovery of missing people and the reunion of families, the safety of people at risk, the sealing of the damage nuclear power plant, and the restoration of the grave damage sustained, and I will also continue to be incredibly thankful to be safe and sound in my little town of Mishima.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
My First Earthquake Experience
Today at 2:46 PM there was an earthquake of 8.9 magnitude just off the coast of Sendai, in Northeastern Japan. Tremors were felt all across Japan to even the west end, in Kansai.
Click here for pictures and details.
During the hour after the initial earthquake, there were many extra tremors and little earthquakes ranging from 5 to 6 on the scale.
It was really scary! I didn't like it at all. When the first one hit I was cleaning out my microwave, and I realized that it and the fridge (which it sits on top of) were moving way too much for the amount of cleaning I was doing. So I stopped, and it was still moving, and I realized the floor was moving too. It was so strange! So as my geology teacher last year taught me, I quickly put on my shoes and ran outside, and stood out there with the landlady and few other residents waiting for it to stop. It heaved for a good couple of minutes before it stopped.
For some reason I had this impression that earthquakes make loud groaning noises when they happen, but that is not the case. It's just the floor shuddering silently with varying degrees of movement; from little shakes back and forth like an amusement park ride, to larger shifts like a swing. It's so strange. And it's not the floor moving, especially when you're outside. It's like the whole world is moving and taking you with it. It's the weirdest feeling ever.
I didn't feel particularly in danger of dying or anything in this case, but I was really uncomfortable. If that is just a 5 or a 6, then I don't want to know what more can do. And the fact that there were repeated tremors for the hour afterward was cause for anxiety. I think I have a little bit of vertigo now because I'm paranoid it'll happen again. It's just a strange feeling.
Obviously it doesn't happen that often if this is the first time I have experienced it since being here, but this could be one of my least favorite natural disasters, second maybe to tornadoes. It could seriously deter me from living in a place like this where they happen frequently. x_x;
Click here for pictures and details.
During the hour after the initial earthquake, there were many extra tremors and little earthquakes ranging from 5 to 6 on the scale.
It was really scary! I didn't like it at all. When the first one hit I was cleaning out my microwave, and I realized that it and the fridge (which it sits on top of) were moving way too much for the amount of cleaning I was doing. So I stopped, and it was still moving, and I realized the floor was moving too. It was so strange! So as my geology teacher last year taught me, I quickly put on my shoes and ran outside, and stood out there with the landlady and few other residents waiting for it to stop. It heaved for a good couple of minutes before it stopped.
For some reason I had this impression that earthquakes make loud groaning noises when they happen, but that is not the case. It's just the floor shuddering silently with varying degrees of movement; from little shakes back and forth like an amusement park ride, to larger shifts like a swing. It's so strange. And it's not the floor moving, especially when you're outside. It's like the whole world is moving and taking you with it. It's the weirdest feeling ever.
I didn't feel particularly in danger of dying or anything in this case, but I was really uncomfortable. If that is just a 5 or a 6, then I don't want to know what more can do. And the fact that there were repeated tremors for the hour afterward was cause for anxiety. I think I have a little bit of vertigo now because I'm paranoid it'll happen again. It's just a strange feeling.
Obviously it doesn't happen that often if this is the first time I have experienced it since being here, but this could be one of my least favorite natural disasters, second maybe to tornadoes. It could seriously deter me from living in a place like this where they happen frequently. x_x;
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