On Facebook, I'm learning that today marks 100 days since the great quake. We've had a couple major aftershocks that rattled me a little bit today. The first one happened when I was slipping on my flip flops as I was heading out to pick up the Koriyama kids from my station. The second one happened this evening when I was sitting on my bed, using my computer. The room shook for a lengthy time, that I crouched in my genkan and held onto the door frame. (Earthquake literature tells me I should crouch under a table, but I don't have anything big and sturdy. So, I prefer cowering in my front entrance, just in case I have to make a quick exit.
Things are getting back to normal. I spent last night painting the town red with the Kenpoku girls. We had a girls' night, where everyone got dolled up for an evening in Fukushima. The white wine and umeshu was flowing all night. We ate at a fancy izakaya, where we talked about girly things and convinced our waitress to find us more cheap white wine despite being sold out. The 2jikai involved some karaoke with limited song selection, where we tried to sing Lady Gaga's latest tune but failed. The night continued with a really slow walk over to yatai-mura, an outdoor space filled with food stalls serving snacks and alcohol. The mama-san, who always wears a wide headband over her frizzy updo, continuously "shushed" us quiet. She would later come over, clasp my hand and warmly invite us back any time. Loves it.
I also spent the afternoon driving around Inawashiro, with three Koriyama friends in tow, looking for our friend's birthday party. Without the aid of an iPhone, only the confusing directions given to us over the phone, we were able to make it to the birthday BBQ. Good times.
It's nice to enjoy these last few weekends with friends. It's very selfish on my part, but it's helping me cope with living in uncertainty. It's not easy feeling aftershocks on a daily basis. You get used to them after a while, but they always serve as a reminder that we experienced a big 9.0-magnitude earthquake just a few months ago.
I am starting to quietly inform some people that I'll be gone come August. My conbini lady asked how long I'd stick around; so, I was compelled to tell her I'm leaving. My eyes got a little watery when I told some of my elementary school students that I'd be moving back. I haven't had the heart to tell my JHS kiddos just yet. It'll be really difficult to leave them. I'm glad my kids are at least able to live somewhat normal lives. They are allowed to do club activities outside now, but outdoor swimming lessons are still cancelled. They are able to eat hamburgers and sing karaoke. A sense of concern looms over everyone's headss, but the kids are all right for now. Motomiya is extremely blessed to be picking up the pieces.
Despite things moving forward for my kids, I do wonder about everyone going through this. The people that are still out there, still missing. The people who are still living in cardboard boxes. The adults who have sent their families out of Fukushima, but have remained for work obligations.
Here are some photos to show how the rebuilding process is unfolding. It makes you wonder if other nations could recover just as well as we do.
Posts
