Hello Friends! I just wanted to update you on the situation here almost a month and a half since the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disruption. Things have gotten as back to normal as purple rain, but I feel pretty good about it. We have had over 1,000 earthquakes since March 11th, and many of them have been significant (above 4.5). They still take my breath away and cause me to panic, just slightly. The worst ones come at the times where I feel most vulnerable; just as I'm falling asleep, in the shower, changing clothes, alone at home. I can honestly say that I have started to sleep through many of the larger ones which happen between midnight and 4am.
TEPCO has informed the public that the blackouts are cancelled for now, but may be reinstated in the future. Transportation has gotten back to normal. Gas rations have been lifted and the shelves in grocery stores remain fully stocked. There is still a concern of radiation, but they did hand out iodine tablets in the event that we need should need them. The military is constantly monitoring the radiation in the ground, the air, and the water to ensure that it is safe for us. While I was on spring break, the Japanese government did raise the rating of the nuclear situation from a 5 to a 7, which is the same as Chernobyl. They claim that this is because the situation still hasn't been solved after all this time, not because it is any more dangerous than before.
After the initial bombardment of emails and messages making sure I was alright, and after assuring everyone that I actually was, I found myself getting blue. It was odd, I was overwhelmed with responding to everyone, but then once that stopped, I was sad that I didn't have the communication. Thankfully, my mother gently reminded everyone that while they have each other and may miss me (1 person), I am here missing everyone. I know that it's my choice, but it doesn't make it easier. So, thank you so very much to everyone who helped to cheer me up and set me on the right path!
In the past month, our school has closed down, told teachers to pack up and get ready for evacuation, rescinded that message, authorized eligible family members to depart to a "safe haven", had a student population fall from 1200 to 350, and generally changed our working conditions on a daily basis. The worst part of all of this was the back and forth from the military and then from my employer DoDEA. We get directions from one, the other doesn't agree...it goes back and forth. School has been an adventure. Since the 5th grade teacher whom I was collaborating with was eligible for the departure, I took over her class. Well, the remaining students 12 from the original 26. I LOVE teaching them each morning. Especially since this is the first year that I haven't actually been teaching subject areas. I rearranged the schedules of the students in small groups that I serve and meet with them in the afternoon, followed by my READ 180 class for the remainder of the day. Other specialists have taken on responsibilities such as lunch and recess duty, front office work, work in supply, and various other tasks that are necessary due to the teachers and other staff who were eligible to depart.
Last week, the eligible family members were given the green light to start coming back to Japan if they wished. Some have decided to stay in the States until the start of next school year. Mainly because they have enrolled their kiddos in a school Stateside. Others are already back and ready to get back in business and very few have decided to leave Japan for good. It will be an interesting dynamic as those folks return, because those of us who remained have bonded and are at a completely different emotional level because of it. Of course, things at school are different for the kids, because they have had to make new friends and try new things. Some have even been consolidated into other classrooms with different teachers and flexible schedules. Life continues to change daily, and I am becoming a pro at going with the flow!
