Still Here…

I believe I have been born under a lucky star, so to speak. Everything has always worked out in my life—doesn’t mean it was perfect, but it always fell into place somehow in a great way.

The past 12 days, more specifically, the past 6 days, have been one of the major trials in my life, mostly emotionally.  I will try not complain, but I have been quite overwhelmed with decisions and thoughts lately. I am simply not sure how to cope with this uncertainty. I don’t believe leaving at this moment is necessary but I also don’t know how to go back to my normal life. I have packed some of my bare necessities into the suitcase, just in case our “voluntary departure” becomes mandatory. That makes me feel better like I am prepared. My household inventory is done, pictures are with my documents on a CD, all documents are in order and ready to go. I have a printed out a list of things I need to grab if I have an hour to pack. And now I just need to give myself a self talk that I will not panic and stay cool IF the time comes to leave.

Things have definitely changed in Misawa. Still “CONSERVE, CONSERVE, CONSERVE”.  We’ve got to keep our house rather cold (although we do turn the heat on for nights in the kids’ rooms). My showers are no more than 5 minutes, and no more using a hairdryer (good thing my hair is rather cooperative these days).  We are supposed to do only one load of laundry per day and not during peak hours in the mornings and evening. Cooking is encouraged to be done in a microwave (I have no idea how to do that well!). 

The reason why we need to conserve our electricity is because as a base, we are allotted a certain amount for our use. Right now we are given 70% of what we normally get, I believe. If we go over that, we’ll be taking power from the rest of Misawa residents, who are also trying very hard to conserve electric power, kerosene and gas. Voluntary evacuation is also a way for the base to save power. With a thousand dependants gone (especially with lots of kids) not as much cooking, cleaning, bathing and laundry will have to be done.

The saddest part for us is cancelling of so many events. Ski trips—cancelled, kids’ events—cancelled, youth sports—cancelled. I am looking to find out if Japan Day is cancelled—it was supposed to happen on April 2nd. Some church activities have also been cancelled—like our Relief Society Birthday dinner (a big dinner event for the ladies). Basically, there is very little to look forward to at this point.

Alex has been very-very sad that his basketball season got cancelled. Poor thing doesn’t understand why his weekly practices and games stopped. Playing basketball was his new thing that he really got into this winter! It’s hard to tell the kids that we cannot go to the library, or bowling, or Weasel’s Den (an indoor playground with slides), or to the movies because there is no electricity in those buildings. Everything looks so normal on base after the earthquake, yet so many things are not the same.

Schools are doing a good job with keeping things normal. No computer use and no hot lunches—but that doesn’t bother the kids. Katya’s class has about 10 kids right now after 6 left. Very few high schoolers are leaving to the states. It’s mostly people with little kids who are not in school that opt to go on a “vacation” for 30 days.  I made up my mind that the reason WHY people choose to leave is none of my business and it’s not going to bother me. If it is because they are scared, because they were planning to take a trip in a month anyway, because they hate Misawa and are trying to get out, or because they just want to have a free trip—I am not judging them. Everyone has their own situation to deal with.

Well, this sounded like long-long vent on my part. Sorry:(

I just wanted to give you an update  on how things are going, but everything came out so negatively. It’s not that bad. REALLY. I bought some fresh strawberries off base today. Mark went to his Japanese preschool again. I filled up with gas today, although only 10 gallons are allowed to buy at a time, my gas tank is full.

 (This is what it looked like 10 days ago at the gas station)

We are having our friends over for dinner tomorrow night—they are moving next week. Kids play outside after school for hours. 

(It snowed a week ago, but now it’s all melted. Still very cold during the day though.)

And we should go find a movie to watch with Robert (who wants to be known as Rob now). Life is trying to be normal:)

(Mark still takes occasional baths:))

Mata ne,

Lyana