Slightly Darkened Streets of Tokyo

I saw this video on the web today. I thought you might enjoy it. I think it's beautiful, but it makes me sad as well.

Fukushima Power Plant Info

I meant to post this a few days ago, but since the departurees will be returning soon, I thought it was still relevant.

Questions and answers: Japan, Chernobyl disasters

The Associated Press
Published: Today Japan raised the assessment of its nuclear crisis to the most severe rating Tuesday, on the same level as the Chernobyl disaster, the world's worst to date. Some answers to questions about the assessment and health and safety concerns:

Q. Has the situation at the Japanese nuclear power plant worsened?

A. No. The heaviest radiation leaks at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear complex occurred in the first days after the March 11 earthquake-triggered tsunami crippled the plant's cooling systems. Workers are trying to lower temperatures in the overheated nuclear reactors, but still don't have full control. Problems persist, like the leak into the ocean plugged last week, but authorities say the radiation leaks are declining.

Q. If the situation's not getting worse, why did Japan raise its assessment of the crisis?

A. The decision was based on new assessments of radiation leaks since the crisis began, rather than on deteriorating conditions. The new data showed emissions exceeding the threshold for a "major accident," level 7 on a 1-to-7 scale set by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Only one accident has previously rated 7, the 1986 meltdown at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

Q. So is Japan's crisis as bad as Chernobyl's?

A. Not yet. Chernobyl was a fast-moving crisis. A routine shutdown went awry, causing a reactor to overheat, explode and burn. For 10 days, the reactor spewed high levels of radiation into the air and only cooled after helicopters dropped sand, clay, lead and other materials on it. By contrast, Fukushima crisis has been a slow cascade of problems over a month. Explosions occurred at three of Fukushima's reactors and one may be leaking. But the two plants' reactor designs are different. Unlike Chernobyl's reactors, Fukushima's have pressure vessels of steel six inches (15 centimeters) thick that may have helped contain the damage.

Q. Then why the same severity level rating?

A. The IAEA defines a level-7 accident as one in which a large amount of radiation is released into the atmosphere, likely harming human health and damaging the environment over the long-term. That threshold is set at several tens of thousands of terabecquerels - a unit of radiation - of iodine-131, a radioactive element commonly released in nuclear accidents. Leaks at both plants have exceeded that limit, but the Japanese government says Fukushima's are still one-tenth of those released by Chernobyl. The possibility Fukushima's emissions could surpass Chernobyl's is considered small, but still a risk until Fukushima's cooling systems are restored.

Q. What are the health risks?

A. Radiation normally occurs in the environment, and at low levels cause no health problems for people. In higher doses, radiation may cause types of cancer. Limiting exposure is key. Because radioactive elements are heavy, they tend to concentrate closest to the source, in this case the nuclear plant. The Japanese government has evacuated people living near the plant and advised people a bit farther out to stay indoors.

Q. Are only people close to the plant at risk?

A. Winds have been blowing to the northwest of the plant, rather than out to sea, carrying radioactive elements farther inland. The government has banned the sale of vegetables and milk from certain areas after they showed contamination. The government on Monday also ordered people in five communities outside the evacuation zone to leave to avoid long-term radiation exposure.

Q. What about people outside Japan?

A. Weather patterns are already carrying traces of radiation from Fukushima to South Korea and China. Airborne radioactive particles have also reached the United States. In all cases, the governments say the amounts detected aren't dangerous.

Q. Didn't people die at Chernobyl?

A. Thirty-one men died mostly from being exposed to very high levels of radiation trying to contain the accident. About 5 million people were exposed to radiation. Higher rates of thyroid cancer have been found among people 18 or younger at the time of the accident. An IAEA study said about 4,000 people would ultimately die from cancer, though a U.N. study estimated cancer deaths at more than twice that number and other groups put the fatalities many times higher.

Q. Is the same thing happening at Fukushima?

A. At Fukushima, 21 workers have been exposed to radiation doses the equivalent of 100 millisieverts. Two were treated for burns after walking in heavily contaminated water in a plant building. But no deaths from radiation exposure have occurred so far. Cancers often take years or decades to develop.

Q. What radioactive elements have been found so far?

A. Most measurements have focused on two, iodine and cesium. Radiation from iodine-131 dissipates quickly, falling by half every eight days and nearly disappearing after 80 days. If inhaled or swallowed, it can concentrate in the thyroid and cause cancer. Cesium-137 lingers far longer, 30 years to decay by half and 300 to disappear. Cesium too can build up in the body and is linked to cancers, though studies after Chernobyl did not find an increase in cancers linked to cesium.

Good News?

I'm sure some people are not so happy about this, but I hope it means that Glenn can come home soon!

The important part being "The Department of State has lifted Voluntary Authorized Departure, allowing dependents of the U.S. government employees to return to Japan."

Japan

April 14, 2011
This Travel Alert replaces the Travel Warning for Japan dated March 31, 2011.  This Travel Alert expires on June 15, 2011.

The assessment of technical and subject matter experts across United States Government agencies is that while the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi plant remains serious and dynamic, the health and safety risks to areas beyond the 50 mile evacuation zone, and particularly to Tokyo, Nagoya (Aichi Prefecture), Yokohama (Kanagawa Prefecture) nearby U.S. military facilities and the prefectures of  Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Gunma, Iwate, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizuoka, Tochigi, and Yamanashi, and those portions of Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures which are outside a 50 mile radius of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant are low and do not pose significant risks to U.S. citizens.  

This analysis takes into consideration both various age groups and the classification of the severity of the situation at Fukushima Daiichi as a Level 7 event by the Government of Japan, which reflects what has transpired since the initial incident and the potential long-term effects in the area surrounding the plant.

This assessment reflects inputs from our national laboratories as well as the unanimous opinion of the U.S. scientific experts on the ground in Japan.  Furthermore, they are consistent with practices that would be taken in the United States in such a situation.  Based on the much reduced rate of heat generation in the reactor fuel after one month of cooling and the corresponding decay of short-lived radioactive isotopes, even in the event of an unexpected disruption at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, harmful exposures to people beyond the 50 mile evacuation zone are highly unlikely, and there would be a significant amount of time to best assess any steps that might have to be taken.
The situation at the plant is dramatically different today than it was on March 16, when we saw significant ongoing releases of radioactivity, the loss of effective means to cool the reactor cores and spent fuel, the absence of outside power or fresh water supply for emergency management, and considerable uncertainty about the condition of the site.  Today, while the situation remains serious, and there is still a possibility of unanticipated developments, cooling efforts are ongoing and successful, power, water supply, and back-up services have been partially or fully restored, and planning has begun to control radioactive contamination and mitigate future dangers.  Our coordination with the Japanese is regular and productive, and we have a greatly increased capacity to measure and analyze risks. 

The Department of State has lifted Voluntary Authorized Departure, allowing dependents of the U.S. government employees to return to Japan.

We continue to recommend that U.S. citizens avoid travel within the 50-mile radius of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant. U.S. citizens who are still within this radius should evacuate or shelter in place. 
Japan is one of the most seismically active places in the world.  Tokyo and areas to the Northeast continue to experience strong aftershocks related to the March 11 earthquake.  Aftershocks following an earthquake of this magnitude can be expected to continue for more than a year.  Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake.  See the Embassy Website for detailed information on earthquake safety:
http://japan.usembassy.gov.

Jewelry organizer

I've been wanting to do this for awhile after seeing similar ideas on many blogs. Actually, I wanted to do something that was framed and would be easier to move, but large corkboards are not something that is easy to find around here. So I used cork board tiles instead.

They are hidden behind my bedroom door so 90% of the time it is out of sight, but when I'm looking for something, it is easy to find! Like my two new headbands that I bought with a Christmas giftcard (Thanks Adam & Laura!).

I wore the one with the yellow flower today with my blue scarf and go lots of compliments! Thanks Sunshine and Carousels!

Sorry for the slow posting this week. I'm still licking my wounds from a nasty comment I got over the weekend (don't bother looking, it's been deleted). I'm contemplating taking my blog private because of it. We'll see. I guess that is what happens when you put yourself out there with a blog, but people have to remember, that it is just my thoughts. I'm not writing a book, I'm not publishing things on paper. I'm just documenting my life and thoughts as they come to me. Just me.

Japan's Killer Quake

I just watched this PBS video and it was a great look at the geology behind the earthquake and tsunami. If you have 53 minutes to spare, I suggest you take a look.

Watch the full episode. See more NOVA.

You can find more information at the original website.

Thank you Delta Airlines

For finally updating your policy: Events in Japan

Now my parents can get a full refund and reschedule their trip! Now if the Navy would figure out what they have planned for my husband... all would be good!

Bitter

So I'm finding myself getting a little bitter (or a lot). It's lonely here and there is no end to Glenn being gone, in sight. When I get frustrated and bitter, I get mean. I hate to admit it, but I've been a little mean lately. I've said things that are less than polite about decisions that other people have made. It's none of my business of course, I'm just getting frustrated. Gomen nasai.

Now, time to occupy myself with non-evacuation/Navy/earthquake related matters!

The pantry game continues! Today I made macaroons with the half full bag of almonds we've had for over a year. Apparently the recipe said "blanched" almonds which I overlooked. Hence the brown rather than pretty white color. Oh well. They taste good!

Also on the menu for the JMSDF Food Drive: pumpkin bars. I had a random can of pumpkin leftover from the fall. I also seem still have an excess of eggs in my fridge. This recipe called for 4! Success!

Also need this evening to combat my bitterness, a lovely margarita. I knew I was saving that bottle of strawberry margarita mix for a special day.

When there was a sale for a 2-year BH&G subscription for $12 back in January, I jumped on it! It finally arrived this week. I remember growing up reading my mom's subscription and now I have a copy of my own. Now if only I had a real house to better... or garden...

Stella bear! She is healing nicely. And looking as cute as ever. What more can I ask for.

This is going to cost SO much money.

Here's an interesting article from Starts and Stripes I agree with this article. This is one of the reasons I chose to stay. Just think how much good the U.S. Government could have done with that money. How about we help the actual victims in this crisis? Those families living in Fukushima and the northern part of Japan. It is safe in Atsugi. We are not victims. 

Voluntary departure program: A safe haven or a free vacation?
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — U.S. family members who left Japan under the military’s “voluntary departure” program stand to pocket a considerable amount of money, depending on whether they flew home to stay with family in North Dakota or chose to lie on the beaches of Waikiki.

Some 7,000 family members from five U.S. military bases have departed mainland Japan so far amid fears of radiation leaking from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, left crippled by the March 11 earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

But the departures are generating a measure of controversy, with some military community members blasting their neighbors for taking “paid vacations.” Others defend the decision, saying fears of a nuclear crisis, repeated earthquake aftershocks and concerns for their children’s safety made heading back to the United States the only real option.

Each family member who leaves Japan under the voluntary departure program is entitled to lodging, meals, a daily stipend for incidentals and a $25 daily family travel allowance.

The amount they’re allowed to spend depends on the location the family picked as its so-called “safe haven,” and whether family members are staying with relatives or in a hotel. Children 12 or older are eligible for 100 percent of the local per diem rate, while children under 12 are eligible for 50 percent.
In a low-cost area, such as Grand Forks, N.D., a military family of three — mom, a teen and a child under 12 — would receive a maximum of $9,795 for the first month. That same family, however, would receive as much as $21,975 for the first month if they picked Honolulu, with its much higher cost of living, as the place they wanted to stay until they were authorized to return to Japan.
Those figures are based on the maximum allowed for lodging; families will only be reimbursed for the exact cost of their lodging up to that amount. But families also receive the maximum food allowance regardless of how much they actually spend on meals. That allowance would be $3,075 for families staying in North Dakota and $5,375 for those in Honolulu.

Maj. Corey Gibbs, commander of the 35th Comptroller Squadron at Misawa Air Base, confirmed the rates. He said many of the family members had questions about their entitlements, and his office created hand-outs detailing allowances based on guidance from the Air Force Accounting and Finance Office.

A spokesman for the Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki said the hotel has seen an influx of military families from Japan.

“Just landed in Hawaii with my family,” one commenter wrote on a stripes.com message board, where tensions over the voluntary departure program have erupted in recent days. “I am not a state resident here, but they offered us the flight with lodging at the Hale Koa. ... Thanks for all the brave men and women who have stayed behind for our sakes. We will drink one to you on Friday. Mahalo and stay safe!”

Wrote another commenter: “This is the best thing I have even seen in my 18 years in the military. I told my family to enjoy Orlando and check out Disney.”

Others have been more sober in their assessments.
Lynn Spratt, a family member from Misawa, said in an email that her decision to return to the United States was difficult, and that she understands she might end up away from her husband and dog for months.

“And while things have stabilized a bit, personally I was having a very hard time dealing with the daily quakes,” she said. “I felt like I was on constant guard and my nerves were frazzled wondering if ‘this one was another big one.’ I wasn’t sleeping well and that also added stress for my husband.”
That sentiment was echoed by a commenter on the message board.

“I cannot wait to get back to Yokosuka to my home, my husband, and the life we have here,” she wrote. “I feel so guilty that I haven’t enjoyed one day home in Virginia yet.”

Trina Jackson, one of a sparse crowd of lunchtime diners in the Yokota base exchange food court late last week, said she’s staying in Japan so as not to use up vacation she plans to spend with her deployed husband when he returns in six months and because she doesn’t want to disrupt her teenage children’s education.

“The part that frustrates me the most is that people are saying ‘This is a paid vacation,’” Jackson said. “It’s frustrating for me, [having] decided to stay, to hear that. It’s wrong. It’s not a vacation because it’s what our government has decided to do. I’ve heard people say, ‘I felt completely safe but I left because it was a paid vacation.’”

The full per diem rates won’t last forever: The allowances drop after the 31st day. From Day 31 to Day 180, the allowance drops to 60 percent of the authorized rate for those 12 and older and 30 percent of the rate for those under 12. And officials use different regulations and criteria for calculating expenses for families of civilian employees.

Estimates on how much the entire operation might cost weren’t immediately available Tuesday, according to members of the task force overseeing the movement of the family members.

Monday

The last NEO flight from base left yesterday so hopefully that means things are getting back to normal today. Yesterday morning I was able to call the clinic on base and get a teeth cleaning at the dentist and a medical appointment for allergy pills (the plants in Japan give me the worst allergies every year!) all before lunch!

When I got back, I was able to make an appointment for Stella at the vet to check on her wounds and ask questions about the seizure she had last week. Yes, when it rains it pours around here apparently. Only 2 hours after I called they saw her! There are definitely a few benefits to having the base population so low!

All three of those appointments would have had to been made at least 3 weeks out. Amazing. Both the dental hygienist and the doctor said I was the first dependent they had seen in two weeks. It was nice to chat with a doctor, a medical professional, about how the radiation levels are low and safe. He (and I!) wished that he would have been able to speak to calm a few people down. Maybe not so many would have left? I doubt it though. People were in a hysteria when they left.

I'm teaching my English classes today and continuing on as normal which now includes washing and treating Stella's wounds. He said it would be another 2 weeks before she starts healing. Poor girl. Then we have to do blood tests to rule out what caused the seizure. No point in doing them now when she's on medication.

It's a beautiful day today though. Maybe spring is just around the corner. I can't wait for the cherry blossoms to start blooming!

What's going on around here?

 Lots of cooking. To keep myself busy, I've been cooking a lot of food for the sailors around base. On Thursday, I delivered this load of food to the Hangar where they are sending all the people who are evacuating. The best part- the only thing I actually donated was about 1/4 cup of salsa and some green onions. The rest was all food that would have gone bad in someone else's fridge. Thanks for the donations and letting me rummage through your fridge!

 Here is the Hangar with one of the last flights heading back to the States. It was so cold and noisy in there. I don't envy those people one bit.

I currently have 3 dozen eggs in my fridge so it's a lot of brinner/dinfast around here. I had to take a picture of my omelet for Glenn. He is usually the omelet maker, but I made a pretty good one myself!

Today we had a picnic at the park with all of the families left around base. About 200 people showed up! I was surprised how many there were- and so much food!

It's definitely been a week of ups and downs, but it was nice to enjoy the sunshine and get out to see a few people. We also had a party at the O'Club on Friday and dinner at a friend's house on Saturday. I'm trying to keep my life normal, but it's hard with very few around. At least those that are left are good friends or I probably would have left by now!

The last NEO flight from Atsugi leaves on Monday. I hope not too many more people leave!

Still Here

The last NEO flights went out yesterday and it is officially a ghost town around here. The last flight had 48 people and 42 pets. Obviously the pet situation was the critical factor in getting people out of here in a timely manner.

I stayed busy yesterday making food for the people working and then I had a few friends over for dinner before we went to the O'Club to meet up with the remaining few, which includes the base commander and his family. It was nice to see a few people that remained as well. We joked that they shipped all the crazy people off and the mostly rational people are still here! :)

The weekend is pretty normal. Feeling slightly hung over this morning, getting together with friends tonight and a family picnic at the park tomorrow for those still on base.

I was talking to the base commander last night and he said the elementary school had an 80% absence rate. The high school was around 40% to give you an idea of how many people are here. Not so many.

Now if my husband would just come home, life would return to normal...

Safe Food and Water

I'm sure this will be one of the top stories on the news for the next several days, but this is what the Navy has to say about it:

While U.S. service members continue to provide humanitarian and disaster
relief support to the people and Government of Japan, we have enhanced our
measures to safeguard food and water supplies on all our military
installations in Japan.

The food and water on U.S. military installations are safe and in accordance
with U.S. FDA standards. The food sold and consumed on our installations
comes from a variety of sources, inside and outside Japan. We are working
closely with food suppliers to ensure the health and safety of our DoD
personnel and their families and to date, there has been no interruption to
our supply chain.

Also, the drinking water on all U.S. installations is within U.S. drinking
standards. As we routinely do, we will continue testing the water supply.
In fact, as an extra precaution, we have increased the frequency of water
tests to daily to ensure the safety of our personnel and their families.

The safety and security of our service members and their families are our
top priority. We take extreme care to ensure our personnel are protected
and will continue to monitor the situation.

We will keep DoD personnel and their families updated through command
information channels.

Isn't it ironic?

The current radiation levels at NAF Atsugi: minimum detectable by instruments, .01 mr/hr

Check out this chart from xkcd: Radiation Dose Chart

So those people who left Japan and flew on a commercial airliner to America, you just received 400x the radiation levels you would if you lived within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant for a year!

Don't you think?

Quake Map

To date from March 11 at 2:46 pm until now, we've had 725 earthquakes in Japan! Yowzer! I've felt many including one yesterday and I guess there was a pretty strong one this morning, but it didn't wake me up like most people.

Make sure you press the 'faster' button or this takes awhile: Quake Map

We are somewhere between the Shizouka dot and the Tokyo dot to give you an idea.

Wednesday

Ann and I spent much of the day today together. A regular Wednesday for the most part. I subbed a class this morning, had lunch with Ann's Japanese friends and then we went "shopping". I came home with probably close to a hundred dollars in fruits, vegetables, cheese and dairy products. I had 4 dozen eggs at one point.

A few organizations and the Red Cross on base organized to have a pot luck for the Marines tonight who were shipped in to help with the voluntary evacuation and relief efforts. Ann and I made 2 dozen deviled eggs and a huge batch of guacamole with homemade tortilla chips (Thanks Michelle, Erinn and Ansley!). The only ingredients that were from my house were the mayo and spices. I'm not going to lie, I kind of felt like I was looting peoples house...and it was kind of fun. It was nice knowing that I don't have to buy and veggies for awhile and we were helping out the people working hard on base. Also a bonus of everyone being gone- you can actually buy things at the commissary! Like the good flavors of coffee creamer? No problem! The greek yogurt that is ALWAYS sold out? Buy two! The veggies that are usually picked over after 11 am on Tuesday morning (they are closed on Mondays to restock and open at 10 am...)? They look good!

I'm teaching my regular Thursday classes tomorrow. Life is normal here. I wonder if the people who left feel silly for leaving? I know you can't joke around with your health, but there is no radiation risk here at Atsugi. In fact, Admiral Willard is already talking about how they are going to get families back to Japan since he thinks a mandatory evacuation is unlikely.

There are 4 planes leaving tomorrow with enough seats for 690 people. That kind of movement is what people were expecting 6 days ago! Now I think more and more people are choosing to stay. I don't think they will even have enough people to fill those planes (especially with a 10 pet carrier limit per plane).  My apartment building is now empty except for me. I was walking Stella last night when taps starting playing at 10:00 pm. The base was eerily quiet.

I reread my post from last night and it was pretty downer. No wonder my friend Hillary called me this morning to make sure I was ok. I'm fine, just lonely. I wish Glenn were home. Still no update on that front. BF Ann is doing a good job filling in. Too bad her hubby is home so I have to give her back in the evenings. :)

At least I can eat my greek yogurt and look at my veggie drawer cornucopia.

Nonevacuation Update

Life is continuing on around here for the most part, just with less friends. More and more people continue to leave on the military evacuation flights as well as commercial flights. The department in charge of booking the commercial flights called me today and asked what I would like to do and I said, "Nothing. I'm staying until it is mandatory that we leave."

It's feeling pretty lonely around here, but there are a few of us sticking it out. I taught two of my classes today and am subbing a class tomorrow for a girl that just up and left and abandoned her responsibilities. Then I'm going "shopping" at a few friends' houses. In other words, they left their keys for their fridges to be "used" by those of us remaining. I think we should just donate what they left behind to the relief efforts. :)

Glenn is still gone. I have little information as to what they are doing and when they will be back (as do they I think), but at least he's in a place where he can call easily.

Stella is healing well and acting more like herself. My hand is turning more purple, but I guess that means the bruises are healing.

I hope things continue to get back to normal, but that would include Glenn coming home. I wasn't, I'm not, quite ready for deployment to start already. This situation would feel much different if he were home to talk to and discuss (and keep me company).

The rolling blackouts on base have been postponed while the evacuation is going on so at least I don't have to worry about that. Now I just hope the trains are running so I can make it to my class on Thursday. Mom and Dad are going to cancel their trip for April. Things are just too frustrating right now, it wouldn't be the trip they want. Hopefully we can reschedule for the summer some time. Hopefully Delta extends their refund window a few more days so that they can get their money back.

I just found a cute, make myself feel better present and the stupid Visa gift card wouldn't work. These things drive me bonkers. And...now I'm starting to ramble. I think that means it's time for bed!

Evacuation Update II

The evacuation is proceeding on base very very slowly. The first flight went out today and it looks like only about 150 people or so are getting out each day. They've now started booking flights on commercial planes via Tokyo's airport for the upcoming days.

I haven't gone in yet with my paperwork to push that process through, not sure if/when I will. Sounds like most of our squadron is gone or leaving in the upcoming days. There are just a few of us singletons left. I'm hesitating leaving for several reasons. 1. I don't want to leave Stella in the States. Since her FAVN blood test only lasts 2 years, it is expired and I would have to go through the whole month long process again or more likely, have to leave her behind. 2. I'm not ready to leave Japan yet. 3. I don't want to leave Japan on these terms and abandon all my friends and students.

I know that if I leave, I would most likely return in a month or less. I'm hoping at least, I'm not sure if I would be back at all. Our orders are only being written for 30 days currently. I've been bored for the last week and a half with no classes though. What am I suppose to do in America for a month? :) More projects I suppose. I got good at finding projects when I lived with my parents before moving to Japan.

I'm teaching two of my classes tomorrow, thank goodness, despite the two scheduled power outages. We are suppose to loose power from 9:20-13:10 and from 16:50-20:40. I should probably be thinking about what I'm going to cook for dinner tomorrow. Or serve my students. No coffee maker...

The last few days have been slow and uneventful. Checking facebook and email every 30 minutes seeing what the latest and greatest update is on the current situation.

Today's update:

110321@1810 - Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan directed that Potassium Iodide (KI) be available for pick-up today for all DoD personnel and dependents currently located at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Ikego Housing Detachment, Negishi Housing Detachment, and Naval Air Facility Atsugi.
- Do not take until notified!
- There is enough Potassium Iodide in Japan for all SOFA personnel.
- There will be mass public notification if you need to take Potassium Iodide.
- If notified to take Potassium Iodide, take recommended dosage only!
DoD personnel and their families are asked to proceed in an orderly manner to one of four distribution points to receive their individual allotment in case a need was identified.

I've got my 5 KI pills ready to go.


I finished the book I'm reading, "Collabortive Consumption", and got the chance to talk with Cheryl and my friend Ali. The only benefit to all the earthquake drama and Stella attack was that I've heard from more family and friends in the last two weeks than in the last 6 months.

I guess I'll see what tomorrow brings and if my category is ever called. I guess I'll finally have to make a decision at that point if I will stay or go. Until then, life continues. The schools on base are even open tomorrow.

Time for bed. Good night.

This is what we're dealing with around here...

I realize that a MAVDD (Military Assisted Voluntary Departure of Dependents) is an unprecedented event. They have never done this before. And we are talking about evacuating tens of thousands of people. I understand that, but still. This is what we are dealing with. These are Facebook messages (which has been the most up to date information) posted this morning:

Naf Atsugi

ATTENTION - NAF Atsugi Category 1, with last names starting from A to M report to Cinema 77. Bring all your luggage, pets, children and report to Cinema 77..

about an hour ago
which was at 10:18 am

Then 15 minutes later, we see this.. 

110319 @ 10:37 - ATTENTION - THERE HAS BEEN A HALT IN THE PROCESS FOR THE VOLUNTRARY DEPARTURE OF DEPENDENTS FROM NAF ATSUGI. PLEASE DO NOT GO TO CINEMA 77. WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVIENE. THINGS ARE VERY FLUID RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. THIS IS A VOLUNTARY MOVE. THE CATEGORIES ARE LISTED BELOW.

Military Assisted Voluntary Departure of Dependents Categories
#1 - Expectant mothers, families with infants to two years old and special needs
#2 - Families with children three to six years old
#3 - Families with children seven to 12 years old
#4 - Families with children 13 years old and above or no children
*** The only pets allowed for travel are dogs and cats ***

As you can see, I am in Category 4. I'm kinda glad. Maybe this mess will be over by then. Maybe we won't have to go anywhere.

A Nuclear Reactor Explained by Poop and Farts

Still Waiting

So after all the madness yesterday today was....uneventful. We had a meeting about the evacuation this morning that provided very little information in fact. They don't know where we are going, when we are leaving, what happens when we get to the states, when we are coming back, nothing.

They answered a few questions, but beyond that, it was not really useful except for telling me that I am in Category 4, the last category since we don't have any children.

So I came home and organized a few things and packed up a box to mail to my parents. I went to the post office and then to one of the hangars where they vet set up shop to give out health certificates for pets which are needed by commercial airlines to fly with your pet. Thank goodness I went when I did because I waited for 10 minutes and people 2 hours later waited for over 3 hours, ugh!

I came home and took a nap and then got sushi with some friends. Glenn called this evening from Guam and they are settled in for a bit. I bet he wishes he had taken his scuba gear! I guess he can rent some too. :) Not sure when he'll be back or I'll see him again.

The lists of names and flights for evacuation are not available yet. There aren't even any planes in Atsugi yet! I'm honestly starting to doubt that a full evacuation will even take place. As nice as a free trip to the states would be, I'm not sure now is the time to go. One of my students sent me an email today that said, "Let's pray for the people who has been really suffering now and endure whatever we face. It's the most important to help each other and share the pain.  take care. I also think of your husband working hard for us."

How about we help our Japanese friends? I'm not ready to leave this country yet and as the Fukushima plant is starting to be controlled, I'm not sure I'll need to! More time will tell what is to happen. I'll keep you posted! It's a roller coaster around here.