Nuclear Power-Plants Don't Scare Me: C'mon Bro I Got Tiger Blood

Well it’s been a day since the earthquake hit, but Japan, as most of you already know, is not even close to getting out of the dangerous situation.  I woke and talked to my mother and sister for a while.  I ate breakfast and was relieved to hear my girlfriend made it home safely last night.  Today has been rather normal.  I watched the news with my host family.  We still have a tsunami warning, but it’s very minor, plus as I have already mentioned, tsunami would not really affect my immediate safety all too much since I am rather far from the coast. 

This afternoon, there was an explosion at the nuclear power-plant in Fukushima.  You may recall that is where I was skiing.  Thank god that trip happened many weeks ago and not now =).  Right now, we don’t know what to think in Saitama.  We are on alert and ready for the worst, but rather calm.  I helped my host grandfather change the tires on the van, if we need to leave, we’ll have a brand new set of tires to ride on.  I went for a jog today…I felt productive.  Other than that, I have been on the computer reassuring all of you at home and checking up on friends.  I have ¥47,124 (a little more than $500) in my wallet now in case we lose power and access to ATMs. 

Despite this new turn of events, I am still unnerved by it all and please ask you all at home to act the same.  God forbid something bad happens, I am in good hands with my host family.  The three adults are very knowledgeable and wise people.  I have full confidence in their ability to keep me safe, and believe you should too.  In addition, I am rather resourceful, strong, and brave.  I welcome your prayers and concerns.  They have kept me calm and strong in these rather scary times.  Please continue to direct prayers to the people of Japan.   We need them, and thank you.  (BTW, they really appreciate the American support thus far--keep it coming!)

**I also want to say something about Michael Congiusta.  This somber weekend started with his death Thursday night (morning in the States) .  He was the nicest kid I have ever met.  Life handed him a lot of challenges, and he responded to them with a challenge.  Despite all of his hardships, he never acted remotely malicious towards anybody.   The world lost a valuable citizen and role-model.  To the family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.  You raised an ideal human being.  RIP Juice.

I Really Hope my Bicycle Accident Yesterday Morning did not Cause the Earthquake

This is rather late, but I have been busy lately.  I also said it would be about things Japan has that America needs.  Well today’s events have changed that.  Let me start with the story of my day.

Well the day started off on an odd foot.  I crashed my bike in pole.  I was fine and walked right to the station.  Then I went to class like I normally do.  It was boring as it usually was.  Now usually I go out with my friends at around 2pm for lunch.  However, Airi wouldn’t stop laughing at my hair (I bleached it) and all I wanted to do was go home and dye my hair. I got on the train at 1pm and headed back to Koshigaya.  I bought some hair dye at the train station and biked home.  I arrived home at around 2:30pm.  I went on the computer to check facebook and other good stuff.

I started feeling tremors at 2:42pm.  I thought it was nothing at first.  The earthquake bells rang.  They sound like something out of a sci-fi film.  “Ring. Ring. Ring.”, but in some kind of alien bell sound.  The only reason I headed downstairs was to appease my host-mom and keep her from worrying.  Once I was downstairs, however, things changed.  At this point, you could really feel the tremors.  Items on shelves made a unique rattling sound.  Dolls fell down, cars shook left to right, and electrical wires swayed back and forth.  I squatted on the ground next to Megumisan.  Both of us were by the open door in case we had to leave immediately.  I saw in her eyes that she was scared.  This was no normal Japanese quake.  The earthquake lasted about 4 minutes. 

I enjoyed it.  It was fun.  Not once was I really all that scared.  Once it ended, I looked around, nothing was damaged.  Things fell and were a mess, and that was about it.  (Yay another tremors happening right now!)  We turned on the television to see that the earthquake hit the entire country.  It hit 7 on the Richter scale up north according to NHK.  I cleaned up a little, but I quickly learned my mistake.  Another tremor followed.  It was not as bad as the original, but still significant.  These tremors easily erased my traces of cleaning.  After this tremor, Megumisan started to worry about her children because it was about time for them to walk home from school.  She went to get them.  A few minor tremors followed.  I was fine. 

Then I checked to see if any American news networks would report this.  I didn’t think they would.  It was a big earthquake, but these happen often in Japan.  It didn’t seem that bad in Saitama.  I didn’t know how bad the rest of the country was hit.  My good friends at Foxnews were the first to mention it on their website.  At the time it was a breaking news bar that said “Earthquake hits Japan, 7.9 magnitude”.  I did not believe that.  7.9?  It was a little rough, but no 7.9.  Then I learned via the Japanese news stations that that number was not true…it was an 8.8. The pictures involving the damage to the north were limited.  I wish it stayed that way.

By the time Megumisan returned home safely with the children, the news swept across American news networks as the major headline.  As a family, we all sat in front of the television to get the latest news on the warnings.  We were prepared for evacuation…and still are.  Throughout the night, we continued to feel small tremors of aftershock.  A few woke me up. 

I know it’s hard to ask this of some of you, especially close family, but please don’t worry about me.  I appreciate it, but I will be fine.  I’m far from the tsunami, and far from the nuclear power plant.  God forbid a tsunami does hit in my area, water would have to engulf the entire city of Tokyo and 2 other cities in Saitama to even get my toes wet.  Keep praying for those in the north.  I have heard that my friends are ok.  If you wanna skype to see how fine I am, skype me at scotty-_-k.  Your prayers and support have helped me stay strong, and for that I thank you.