Moving

It's officially unofficial that we will be moving to Georgia this summer.  We haven't gotten all the paperwork, yet, but Husband is expected to be at his new job by August 22nd.  And since Jude's school starts on August 1st, we hope to be there and settled before school starts. We hope to leave Japan the first week of July or so.

Keep in mind, these dates could change.

So we have about 5 months left in the Land of the Rising Sun!  I  can't believe it.  I wish time would pass a little slower, so I can take it all in just a little more!

4 EARTHQUAKES BACK TO BACK

Within the span of about 20 minutes, we have had 4 FUCKING EARTHQUAKES this morning--the largest was a 5.5 magnitude in Yamanashi prefecture.  What the fuck?!  I'm seriously on edge right now!  Our building swayed and our glass cabinets rattled and shook, nothing broke.  We are fine, but I think I'll be spending the day outside!  WHAT THE FUCK?!

1st one of the morning at 7:44 AM Tokyo time.  Our windows shook and cabinets rattled!

Four minutes later, another one!  A 5.5 magnitude, but we felt it as a 2 here.  Our building seriously swayed!

Six minutes later, another one!  I nearly shit my pants!

And another one!  

SHIT!

Imminent

"TOKYO (AP) — A new study is warning that Tokyo has a 70 percent chance of being hit by a powerful magnitude-7 earthquake within four years.

The study published Monday by University of Tokyo seismologist based the warning on an increase in  seismic activity in the region since last year's March 11 disaster, when a magnitude-9 quake and subsequent tsunami along Japan's northern coast left nearly 20,000 people dead or missing.

The group said the number of moderate earthquakes in Tokyo increased sevenfold in the six-month period after March 11 compared with the previous six months, leading to the prediction.

Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries. Tokyo's last major quake was the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake that killed 140,000 people."

The article can be found here.

Cover up

I read this article today about Japan and its nuclear disaster.  You can read it here.

I'm trying not to focus on the fact that my family could have possibly been contaiminated by radiation following the massive March 11th quake.  I try not to think about what that radiation could possibly be doing to my body or my son's body.  I try not to focus on the fact that the situation at the Fukushima-Dai-ichi plant is still dangerous.  I try not to worry about the Japanese food we eat and whether or not it will be discovered to contain radiation.  I try to ignore the reports of future radiation possibly becoming air born in pollen this spring.  I try not to worry about any of it.  I just try to keep thinking about effing unicorns and effing rainbows, praying we are fine.  That's right.   Rainbows and unicorns.

Just breathe

24 hours

Husband will be back in my arms in 24 hours, but who's counting?  Oh, did I forget to tell you?  Husband has been gone for about a week.  We was on a business trip and will be returning tomorrow.

Even after almost 9 years of marriage, I still miss him when he's gone.  Even though I have a 7 year old, spastic monkey sleeping in my bed, it's not the same.  I miss the warmth and comfort only his daddy can provide.

Thankfully, I only have 24 more hours to go.

Go with the flow

Recently I've been feeling overwhelmed with all that's about to change.  But I'm trying to stay positive--for Jude's sake.  I'm trying to focus on all the great things and not dwell on the negative.  I know that no matter what happens, everything will work out for the best, because that's what always happens.

Saturday Sushi

Yesterday Jude and I had lunch at our favorite sushi restaurant (Husband is out of town for work).  We couldn't help but take advantage of the photo op.

(Photos taken with my iPhone.)

Drowning

With the upcoming move back to the U.S., I'll be faced with tons of daunting choices to make: where to live, to work or not to work, where to send Jude to school, what kind of car to buy, what kind of washer and dryer do we need, what new furniture do we need, what can we do without, what church to join, what activities will Jude continue, etc.

All of these choices are overwhelming me, and I feel like I've been thrown into the deep end, unable to swim.

The journey back to me

I used to be wild and crazy, full of passion and curiosity, but most of all, just so completely full of passion.  But it seems lately I've taken on the role of mother and wife, forgetting who I am--forgetting what I need and want.  

I haven't thought about who I am in a long time.  I usually don't have the time to sit around and think about myself, but a recent conversation with a friend brought me back into focus-- into perspective.  It seems I have been lost, hidden under those labels I have created for myself.  I've pushed aside all my needs and desires, never taking the time to consider what I need or want.  I guess as mothers and wives we often do this-- placing all the emphasis on the external (our children, our husbands, our jobs), and we neglect the internal, until it erupts and grabs hold of us by the throat, refusing to let go until we examine it closely.  Then we realize just how far we've fallen and wonder if we can ever return to who we were, wondering if we are too far gone to make that journey back, wondering if the journey is even still worth it anymore-- to become who we used to be, wondering if it's even possible to find what once existed.   

Instagram pics

Empty train in Tokyo.

Traditional Japanese New Year's food prepared for me by my friend on New Year's day.

My family and I on New Year's day visiting a shrine in Ome, Tokyo, Japan. 

I drive over this bridge every Friday on my way to teach in Hino, Tokyo, Japan.

Here is a glimpse of my world in Japan.

Our new home...maybe

This week we were notified that we MIGHT be moving to a small town in central Georgia.  The paperwork hasn't gone through, yet, but Husband is convinced we will be moving there.  Let's just say I am less than excited.  In fact, I would rather stay here and endure earthquakes, tsunamis, radiation, typhoons, volcanoes, and floods than move to a small town in the middle of nowhere.

I was hoping Husband would be transferred somewhere in Texas, where we could be closer to our friends and family members, but it seems we will have to spend another 2-3 years away from our peeps.

I know.  I know.  I should be thankful I'm moving back to America, but I ain't.  I know Japan.  I know this area of Japan, and I love it.  I have everything I need here, and I'm happy here.  I've spent the last 4 1/2 years getting to know this wonderful country and its people.  I've gotten used to life here in Japan.  Jude doesn't even remember living in America.  We moved here one month after Jude's 3rd birthday, and he's forgotten about his home in Texas.  To him, Japan is his home.  He, too, doesn't want to leave this extraordinary land.

I'm not saying Georgia, USA is bad.  I'm just saying that I don't care for small town living.  I prefer big cities.  Remember, I'm from Houston, Texas--the most awesomest place in Texas.  I like big cities because they provided you with so many options, and I like options.

But I know I don't have a choice in the matter.  That's how my life works.  I gave up everything to marry my husband and follow him around the world, and it's a choice I don't regret; however, I wish Georgia wasn't on my mind.

How Japan has changed me

When I moved to Japan, over 4 years ago, I was pretty set in my ways.  I didn't like change, and I was naive about how the world worked.

In the last 4 years, I've seen amazing things and met amazing people.

But living in Japan has made me more aware of the world around me.

1.  I'm not so quick to judge.
2.  I'm so thankful for everything I have because I know it can all be taken away in an instant.  I've seen those in the Tohoku area of Japan lose it all in the tsunami on 3/11/11.
3.  I've learned that all mothers in the world are similar:  we all want the best for our kids.
4.  I don't take certain things for granted anymore, especially space.  Here in Japan space is so hard to come by.  Everything is miniature, including apartments, streets, drinks, cars, parking spaces, etc.
5.  I'll never complain about prices in the U.S. again!  I just paid almost 8 dollars for 6 apples!  One mango was almost 5 dollars!  Everything in Japan is so freaking expensive!
6.  I've learned how to recycle just about everything and re-purpose things.
7.  I'll never take the stable ground of Texas for granted again!  (Once I leave Japan, I hope to never feel an earthquake again...for as long as I live!)
8.  I've become a very adventurous eater.  Raw or cooked, it doesn't really matter anymore.
9.  I know how difficult it can be when you are illiterate and don't speak the language!
10.  I don't sweat the small things because I know I can't control very much.  I've learned to just go with the flow and take whatever comes my way.
11.  I'll never complain about traffic in the U.S. again!  Nothing is worse than an 8 hour traffic jam!
12.  I'll never need a navigation system.  If I can navigate through the confusing streets of Japan, I can navigate anywhere unassisted!
13.  I consider any flight under 7 hours to be a short flight!
14.  I carry my own cloth grocery bags with me.
15.  In regards to fashion, anything goes!
16.  I like using public transportation, especially trains!
17.  I carry my own personal hand towel with me because most restrooms don't have paper towels.
18.  I've learned to not make trash, because chances are there won't be any trash cans to through your trash away, so you have to carry it with you until you get home.
19.  I've become an expert at using chopsticks.
20.  Free parking!  There ain't none in Japan!

Realization

1.  The next time I see my Christmas decorations I'll be living in another country.

2.  This is my last winter, Christmas and New Years that I will spend in Japan.

3.  My next birthday will be celebrated in America!

4.  Jude's next birthday will be celebrated is America!

5.  Husband's next birthday will be celebrated in America!

6.  Next New Years I will not be going to a Japanese Shrine with a million other Japanese, nor will I be eating traditional Japanese New Year's food.

Change is coming!

Again

We just had another earthquake.  A 7.0 about 300 miles off the coast of Japan.  Our apartment rocked and rumbled for about 40 seconds.  The cabinets rattled and shook but nothing fell.  We experienced it here at a 4.0 magnitude.

I tell you, there is never a dull moment here.  NEVER!  I'm so over earthquakes.  SERIOUSLY!

Now we are waiting for aftershocks.  No tsunami warning has been issued.

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/20120101143715391-011428.html

2012

Happy New Year!

I'm happy to say goodbye to 2011 and to bring in 2012 with great friends, food and fun.

2011 was a crazy year to say the least, especially with the earthquake, tsunami, typhoon, and BOMB!

2011 was wild ride that kept me on my toes.  I hope 2012 is boring and uneventful.  I've had enough excitement.  Really!  Enough!

2012 will bring change...lots of change.  In case you didn't know, my family and I will be relocating back to the states sometime in July.  Husband's job here is almost done.  We aren't sure where Husband's job will send us next, but we do know it's somewhere stateside.

And as much as I love it here in Japan, I'm ready to go back.  I'm ready to join the real world again and be close to family and friends.  I'm really, really ready to shop at Target and go eat at Luby's Cafeteria whenever I want.  It's the simple things in life that most people take for granted that I miss most.

So let the countdown begin: 6 months left in the land of the rising sun!