Going home

I am going back to Japan!  I am very excited, but I still don't have tickets in my hot little hands.  Until I get those tickets I will be anxious.  Shoot!  I will still be anxious because I have to get Brownie's health certificate so the nation of Japan will let me doggie in!  And let me tell, when there is no military vet nearby, it is a PAIN IN THE BUTT!  


Basically I will be relying on a couple of overnight packages and paying lots of money out the nose.  I really was hoping to leave Brownie here with the in-laws, but they don't have dogs anymore and I think Brownie would be lonely without us. *sad face* 


 Taking a pet to Japan is no easy task!  Even though we have only been gone one month- we have to jump through all of these hoops.  Luckily, she already had her FAVN test (test for Rabies antibodies), and it is still valid (they expire after 2 years).  She has all of her shots, microchip, and FAVN test.  Now the vet must examine her, fill out the paperwork to be faxed to the USDA office for pre-approval.  Once they get that, we have to overnight the paperwork to USDA, and include a pre-paid overnight envelope to send the certificate back.  I just hope USDA works quickly.  I would have done all of this already- but.  But the certificate is good for 10 days.  Make that 9 days seeing that we will lose a day traveling to Japanland. Oh- I have to let Japan know I am bringing a dog to the country.  It is supposed to 40 days notice, but we are exempted this time around. :)


 I am not looking forward to the actual flight.  But I AM looking forward to seeing my honey again!!  It will all be worth it when I am in his arms again...


Cross your fingers I receive my itinerary tonight (morning for Japan)!!

Can I go home now?

We are on week three in Safe Haven land.  Now that the jet lag is gone and we got to see family, I am ready to go back.  Unfortunately, things don't seem much better in Nipponland.  They aren't WORSE, but not much better either.  I think things ARE better in Tokyo as they don't have so many rolling blackouts to put a stand still on everything.  But as far as the Nuclear reactor problem, they have made baby steps so far.  I know things will get better, I just need to be patient (take a cue from the Japanese.)
My in-law's pad is gorgeous- better than a hotel.  In area it is bigger than the 4-plex we live in on base.  But it is not my HOME.  Know what I mean?  I miss my bed, my things.  I miss being able to make a mess and being able to pick up after myself at my own leisure.  I miss running my own household.  Here I feel like I have worn out my welcome.  I know I haven't really, but you know how it is when you feel like you are "in the way?"  I have interrupted the "flow" here and I hate that.
So after feeling sorry for myself- I see this.  My heart is still breaking for Japan.  I want things to get better so I can return.  But more importantly- I want things to get better for the Japanese people who are suffering.  I am sure they aren't whining like me.  I am so grateful my family is well and safe.

missed my blogiversary

I just realized that on April 1st, I had been blogging for 2 years.  Geez, it feels LONGER than that.  Happy belated blogiversary to me.

Looking back:
2 years ago I was trying to get TO Japan.  The No-Fee ASSport Passport people were making me jump through hoops to prove I wasn't born in Mexico.

2 WEEKS ago I was trying to get OUT of Japan.

2 years ago I was missing my sailor terribly- knowing I wouldn't see him for another 5 months.

Today I am missing my sailor, not knowing WHEN or WHERE I will see him next.


2 years ago my kids were both in elementary school.

Today my son started middle school. (He was still in elementary school when we were in Japan.  Here in Colorado 6th grade is MIDDLE SCHOOL).


2 years ago I thought GETTING TO JAPAN was the hard part.

Today my heart aches because I had to leave.


2 years ago I was determined to learn Japanese.

Today all I can do is order food.


2 years ago the only foreign countries I have been to were Mexico and Canada.

2 years later I have added Japan and Singapore to that list.  I was hoping for more than that- but I am grateful nevertheless.


2 years ago I didn't think I will be able to keep up a blog.

Well, here I still am!  I haven't been the most consistent blogger.  I know some of what I post is pure dribble and a snoozefest.  But I do have some good memories here.  If nothing else- I have my Food Fun Friday posts to look back on.


One of my favorite pictures as of late:

This isn't really related to my blog post.  But this picture just tears me up.  It is a Japanese man hugging one of the Helo guys (I believe it is HS-4) who came out with relief supplies for the tsunami victims.


I hope that on my next blogiversary I will be able to report that all is well in Japan again.  Ganbate Kudasai!

Missing Japan...

It's a stormy and dreary day here in Colorado.  The kids and I arrived safely a little over a week ago after traveling over 48 hours.  I think the jet lag has finally worn off and we feel rested.  And now that I am here I want nothing more than to go back.  I miss Japan, I miss my friends, and I miss my husband.

There have been people who stayed behind that accused those of who evacuated of "abandoning" Japan and its people.  That really upset me at first, and I felt like I had been put on the defensive.  But now, in spite of a sham of an article in the "Farse and Lies" (ie Stars and Stripes)- that said that everyone who evacuated only did so for a "free vacation", I am at peace with my decision.

There will always be haters out there, who want nothing more than to make everyone as miserable as they are.  I am a good person, I will not justify my decisions to anyone.  My family and my country come first.  Call me selfish, I don't care.  That isn't to say that my heart isn't broken and I don't grieve for Japan and her people.  At last count, according to NHK World, over 27,600 people are dead or missing.  My brain can't process that number.

Eventually we will return.  When that is, I don't know.  Until then we remain in limbo, while trying to have some sense of normalcy for the kids' sake.  They are enrolled in school here and are enjoying seeing their cousins again after 2 years.  While we wait, I am trying not to break down and cry.  I am afraid I won't be able to stop.

Mata Ne (See you later)

I am leaving Japan tomorrow.  I am almost all packed, just need to unplug a few things and put them in my bags.  The kids have been ready since last Thursday.  Things are actually looking better as far the threat of radiation, I really would rather stay at this point.  But we are going tomorrow and the kids are EXCITED.  I think if I didn't take them back stateside my mother-in-law would fly out here and get them herself.


I feel like I am giving up on Japan.  At least, I am afraid that is what my Japanese friends think.  My students all understand, at the same time they tell me that everything will be ok here.  One of my students is very concerned and ready to head south if the sky starts to fall.  She said she would have gone to her parents by now if her husband didn't have to work.


I met one of my students- Chizuko, for lunch today.  When I dropped her off at the front gate and hugged her goodbye- she started sobbing.  My heart just broke!  I reassured I will be back, while choking back my own tears.  I do believe that in my heart.  I will be back, Japan.  I love you too much not to.


If you don't hear from me soon, it is because I am either traveling, or having a hard time getting online.


Mata ne!

Only in Japan...

Only in Japan would you see an explanation of the Fukushima power plants crisis explained this way.  This has been going around Facebook- maybe you have seen it already.  If not- check it out:



Who doesn't understand "poos and farts"?  It is a very simple explanation for a very serious and complex problem.  It's not Chernobyl- but there is potential for much harm.  Let's hope and pray it doesn't come to that...

Got Iodide?

Today the Navy started handing Potassium Iodide (KI) pills out to personnel and family members.  It is purely precautionary and erring on the conservative side as seems to be the theme with the Navy lately.  No big deal, I went down with a friend to go pick up pills for myself and the kidlets.


Guess what?  I cannot take the pills.  Apparently, if you are allergic to shellfish or have a thyroid disorder, you cannot take the KI pills.  Well- if you have only a slight allergy to shellfish- you may be ok and it might be worth the risk.  But me?  I have a thyroid disorder- can't take the pills.  My doc was there to confirm.  He said I will just have to "shelter indoors".  Soooo, if we are trying to evacuate should the sh-- hit the fan (which I don't think it will), I would either have to stay behind and send my kids off with someone else (and their pills), or risk exposure and go out with them.


But after doing a little research, I feel reassured I will be ok.  And I understand why I can't take the pills.  The KI pills saturate the thyroid with potassium iodide- which prevents radioactive iodine from being absorbed in the thyroid.  Basically it is like filling all the hotel rooms with clean guests before the radioactive guests get there.  Oops, sorry no room for you!  People exposed to radioactive iodine (what is released in the event of a nuclear plant explosion)- are at serious risk for developing thyroid cancer.  As I understand it- it is 90% treatable (though it would require a lifetime of care- I do know someone who had it.)  The reason I can't take the KI pills is because one of the side effects is hypothyroidism, which I already have.  So for me it would make it much worse and could cause serious health problems (think heart.)  In my doc's words- "it would cause more harm than good".


I confess- after a day filled with defeats, this tipped me over to the panic side- but only for a little bit.  I did a little research, and then I felt better.  This is all hypothetical, right?  We are not in immediate danger, it is all ok.  I am ok, and so is my family.  My friend tried to convince me to put myself on the "people with medical conditions" list (ie priority and first to go).  Women and children go first- the youngest children and those pregnant are at the top of the list- along with people who have special needs/medical conditions.  It didn't feel right to me to try and get out sooner.  Children are at the biggest risk in the event of radiation exposure- the younger, the higher the risk.  I don't want to bump someone with young children.  Also, from what I read, those who are 40 and older are at the least risk.  Well I am three years from 40, close enough!  I talked to my hubby's boss today- who chided me and told me not to be the "hero" and get out of here.  I am still not going to put myself on that "must evacuate" list.  But I am going to try and get a flight out of Narita if possible.  At the rate they are getting people out of here, I would probably make it home before them anyway!


Crazy huh?  I wish someone could just wave a magic wand over the power plants and put them all back to together in perfect working condition.  Japan has suffered enough.  What we are going through here is 100, no- 1000 times worse in Sendai and the areas surrounding the power plants.  So instead of KI pills, I'll take another dose of perspective- Vitamin "P".


Praying for good news and relief for those who are suffering.