期待

The planned power outages are being postponed now. So we are all waiting to see what's going to happen. On top of those victims who are struggling to stay alive in this disaster, everyone's trying to figure out how to deal with this crisis. Corporations scrambling to ensure some kind of normalcy in their business operations, mothers trying to keep their children calm and well-fed with a steady supply of food, people going to work although the transport system is more or less half-shut down. I'm off work today and it's making me feel rather jumpy because I can't do stuff without thinking of the larger picture.

I was feeling downright terrified a while ago after watching more CNN news on the Telly in the lounge with some of my housemates. Suddenly I felt so alone and helpless here. My family is asking me to return home and I'm somewhat tempted because the nuclear situation is nowhere near resolution and the incoming news only appear to be more serious. I don't want people to get worried about me, because worrying resolves nothing. On the other hand, I really don't want to leave because I can't just ditch my work, ditch my friends and these people here who have helped me settle into Tokyo. I suppose if I could I got just go AWOL but I doubt I'll ever have the face or the permission (my work visa will definitely be withdrawn) to come back to Japan anymore, given that I fled at the first sight of misfortune...

Although Tokyo is far off from Miyagi prefecture and there has hardly been any serious damage here, everyone's preparing for the M7 quake aftershock which has a likelihood of 70% occurrence over the next couple of days. Fingers crossed that our buildings are still able to withstand further impact. I think the greater worry is regarding the nuclear power plants emergencies. Everyone's afraid of the dreaded Nuclear meltdown and causing widespread radiation exposure to the people of Japan. We're currently 200km away from the Fukushima plant, but I suppose in the event that the meltdown occurs, all of us won't be able to escape the radioactive fumes from the incident.

There's a quiet and orderly sense of panic in Tokyo. Everyone's taking it into their stride as well as they can. Nobody is in hysteria, but the shelves of the supermarts and konbinis are getting stripped bare because incoming supplies are slow. I would think that most supplies are headed north to help with the resecue efforts. This is further compounded by the fact that some people are stocking up on essentials JUST IN CASE. I know of some people who are preparing to leave either Tokyo or Japan. This is another tricky situation because while I want to ride this out as far as possible. What if it comes down to a terrible situation where I really want to go home to seek shelter, it's probably too late. Yet I don't want to leave prematurely like a coward.

There are 2 men working on the newly built apartments next to our house. The sight of them working gives me courage. They must believe that everything will be back to normal soon. Fight-on everyone. Happy White Day! (If you're celebrating it!) x