Getting Back.

[kikuko_kamimura]

We're still having multiple earthquakes every day, but only one or two of them are enough to really bother. I haven't really been sleeping, though, because of the fact that at least one of them always seems to be in the middle of the night

Comments

[hazeltea]

Ugh, what a rough time you're having over there. Best wishes to you and the poor kids <3

[kikuko_kamimura]

Thanks. I don't feel bad for the graduating class, they get to stay home! It's the poor first and second years that have to drag their butts to school every day without even lunch to look forward to like I do XD

[macguillicutty]

You know, it never even occurred to me that you would choose to leave. I had wondered if the US or Japanese governments might at some point evacuate foreigners. Hopefully NOT.

The graduation ceremony sounds sort of sweet; flowers are good, even if you're just one in a group to get them. I hope the translating helps! I'll look forward to when I get to read it.

[kikuko_kamimura]

The US embassy is now apparently offering chartered flights to safe havens for US citizens, but I'm inclined to believe that a lot of that is because of media fearmongering. And, who knows, maybe I already decided that I was going to die here, one way or another.

I think it's pretty useless for me to be that scared...I mean, I already decided that unless things get really scary, I wasn't going anywhere. Besides, other people are relying on me to carry on my normal life, too, and I can't abandon them, especially considering those in other situations who aren't allowed to give up; somehow it feels disrespectful to them.

[kmakms]

I like how you're speaking about your situation.
I often hear about foreigners panicking and trying to flee the country,
Its great that there is some normality to the lives of people there, i think its somewhat important to maintain that, as not to necessarily freak people out.

Stay strong, and keep yourself safe.

I saw some pictures from the magazine they are really nice, I look forward to reading your translation.

Take care.

[kikuko_kamimura]

I think I should be speaking; there are a lot of voices that aren't being heard because it's the human condition to focus on the most horrible things that are happening. A disaster movie, after all, is more entertaining than one where everyone is just fine.

A lot of foreigners most certainly are panicking; I can understand why, but at the same time I can't. Certainly, I'm American, and am staying abreast of the press releases from the Embassy and things like that...but what about those for whom leaving is not an option?

Besides, I think that if I did leave here, I'd go to Kansai--I always did want to go to Hirakata, birthplace of Janne Da Arc, before I left...and if something happened after I went there, well...somehow it would be fitting. I suppose there's a point where someone just has to accept that it's their time, and whatever god there is might just have it out for you.

[kaiamira]

I'm glad to hear you're still doing okay. In the States the news media seems to be flocking to the idea that foreigners (and Japanese alike, actually) are leaving Japan in panic in some kind of mass exodus. In fact, most of the news outlets don't even make allowance for the fact that many residents of Japan are in fact doing normal things (like your kids graduating).

Considering that I'll be making decisions about coming to Japan within the next few weeks, it's made me quite nervous. I have a other friends who live/work/etc. in Japan, and most describe it like you said; things are rough, but slowly picking up. Incredibly damaged areas like Sendai will take longer, but people are attempting to help one another in this time of need. Many people I know here are scoffing at the idea that I still plan on going to Japan, but in my opinion it still seems feasible.

Anyway. I'm glad you're ok, and thank for updating. Information like this is slowly informing my decision. ^^;

[kikuko_kamimura]

Oh, absolutely--to be fair, a lot of foreigners are leaving, or at least heading to other parts of Japan--but one must always remember, at least as far as the media is concerned, that it's less about informing and more about getting viewers--more people are going to tune in to something that looks like it's out of a horror movie than a piece about how everything is mostly going on as usual. One has to remember as well that interviewers are often looking for the perfect 'sound byte'--the ones where people ARE scared, they're going home, it's "apocalyptic". I had a power outage for a few hours today, but my friend was still able to go to a store and get me something to eat and drink since I was home sick

[kaiamira]

Actually, I worded that incorrectly. Within the next few weeks I am making the decision as to whether or not I will go to Japan on a grant/to work; I would start that in late August or early September. Due to the visa process, etc., I would make a commitment within the next few weeks.

Thank you very much for your reply. I'm glad to know that someone else shares the opinion that the media are in fact creating more issues and spreading a lot of fear rather than providing information.

[kikuko_kamimura]

Oh, I see!

In that case there is a little bit more leeway isn't there.
Honestly right now I think that very few people actually know what's going on, and thanks to some blatant fearmongering there are a lot of people who are running scared.

[prushrush]

I'm glad you're staying :)

[kikuko_kamimura]

Thanks. Hopefully it's not a decision I'll end up regretting in the end.