Experiences not earthquake related

With 5 kids and a hard working hubby, I've realized updating this blog will be slow go for a while.  I have hope, however, of being SuperMom some day.  Until then, I'll work sporadically and efficiently as I can ; )  I promised some background on what living in Japan has been.  So here goes in no particular order except which pix are easiest to find :)

July 2008, our first summer festival and we are officially WOWED!!  Festivals are not just a BIG deal in Japan, but a serious production for each town in their own way.

 This is Hachinohe's Sansha Taisai festival or the Three Shrines.  The city of "Hach" as it is known on the base, is just a quick 30 min drive via the Tohoko express way.  Admittedly not going the incredibly slow Japanese speed limit of 60kph or ~38mph.

 Not exactly sure, but we think Sansha Taisai has something to do with shrines, demons, and traditional garb.

Oh, and music!  Plenty of drums, flutes, chanting something in Japanese (of course!), and lots of seemingly endless energy.

 Eva and Micheil learned quickly the Japanese art of gracious hospitality and how much they adore children.

 Did I mention the demons?

Earthquake Expert

Okay, I'm not an expert on earthquakes, but I feel like one after the hundreds and HUNDREDS of aftershocks we've had since 11 Mar 11.  I'm embarrassed to say I've only been really bothered by just a few.  Monday's 6 point something didn't even get me out of bed.  And my neighbor said she kept right on applying her mascara - crazy!

The thing that really bothers me is the uncertainty of life in Japan.  The nuclear reactors, although far from us, hang over our head like a cloud of radiation dust :(  The suffering of so many people here makes me SO sad.  I cry for them and pray for them often.

BUT, I can't let myself think this way for too long - it's paralyzing.  So I have to DO something.  My good friend Emily (and awesome blogger) posed a question this morning.  I decided to DO something by answering it and posting it.  Here's the question and my response:

Em:  Hi ladies,

So, my brother-in-law in the states is a Stake President and he keeps bugging me for MORE info about how we handled the disaster and what we wish we had had, and more more MORE information.  (He sent out the blog post I wrote right after the quake to his family and friends and it seems to have gone a little viral in Mormon circles.)  But I feel like I've pretty much exhausted that subject in the last 352 posts I've written in the last two weeks.  So I thought I'd informally poll you guys and ask

1.  What did you wish you had had on 3/11 when the power went out?  How could you have been more prepared?

2.  What things did you have (or do) that you were happy/grateful for??

3.  What am I forgetting...?  Anything you want to add?

Me:

I pride myself on being a planner (did I say proud?  yes, that's probably my main problem!).  When I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of later-Day Saints 11 years ago, I was all over the food storage and emergency preparedness bit.  We moved here almost 3 years ago without the food storage :( but with the kits loaded up and ready to handle ANY emergency.  Last summer I noticed in the shed outside where we stored the kits... RAT droppings >(  Urgh!!!  After the rats were caught and disposed of (that's a story of it's own), I decided to tackle the cleaning of the storage unit.  What a mess!!  Those rats got into everything that wasn't in a plastic container.  Including our 72 kits - even the clothes and bags themselves!  

First lesson learned: keep the kits inside and protected from critters.  

The next general conference we attempted the reassembly of new kits.  That can be an expensive endeavor with 5 kids, so we did not complete them.  Little by little I bought items they were lacking.  Then 11 Mar 11 came: no power, no way to communicate.  Once we stumbled around finding all our family members and came inside due to the tsunami, we analyzed what we had and didn't have.  Turns out we didn't even touch our incomplete 72 hour kits, but we were glad we had plenty of candles, flashlights, bottled water, food, and blankets in our house.  3 days later we had minimal power, so we took the kits out to complete them.  

Lesson 2: finish the kits right away, just adjust the budget to do so.  

Yes, I said we didn't even touch the kits, but if we had to evacuate like our neighbors just 30 min south of us, we would have been in a world of hurt.  4 days after the quake/tsunami I shopped for the rest of the items for the kits and I took my good neighbor (a Catholic) with me.  My neighbors took pleasure, at times, to make fun of our kits prior to 11 Mar.  They don't do that anymore :)  They are GOOD people, don't get me wrong.  

Lesson 3: encourage friends, family and neighbors to assemble kits and help them do so, it can be an overwhelming task.  

I mentioned that my family was scattered and locating them proved difficult.  What we lacked was a plan (gasp!  I know, what kind of a planner am I?!)  Last night we spent family home evening with a map of our town, highlighting all the places each member of the family is during a typical day.  We discussed a good meeting point and good phone numbers to call.  We discussed other methods of getting messages of whereabouts to each other using a central point.  We tracked the routes of everyone so we can all know who is walking/riding where.  We are placing more complete contact info inside each of the kids backpacks with their info and numbers to call (even alternate numbers like family out of state or the Command Post for those of us on a military installation).  We are also training the kids to call the numbers.

Lesson 4:  have a plan and a backup plan-- and make sure everyone understands the plan as best they can.

Watching the news of the aftermath and survivors in shelters, we have been able to analyze other items that would be handy.  This time we can see extra emergency blankets would help with the cold many are enduring.

Lesson 5: learn from others' experiences.    

In addition to that, we saw how quickly those people had to run for higher ground.  

Lesson 6: kits need to be in an easily accessible area - safe from critters.  

Our kits are now in the front coat closet on top of the cases of bottled water with a list of other things to grab.  We've also realized that the brain is in flight mode in an emergency and will NOT be able to recall many things including, "grab the passports and external hard drive."

TODAY we all know where the kits are, what's in them, where to locate important information, where everyone is during a typical day, and how to move quickly in an emergency.  We are so grateful for many things, but mostly that our Lord prepares a way.  We are prepared more now than we've ever been and feel at peace for doing so!

I feel better today after writing this and realizing I am actively engaged in DOing something everyday!

How long has it been?

Okay - its been a while, and a LOT has happened...

I'll start (or restart) this blog today by talking about service. Then I'll back track through our many experiences that brought us here. Last Thursday night, after deciding to stick it out in Japan while a couple thousand people clear out of Misawa Air Base, a friend approached me with this:

Friend: "I want to do something for the USAID team that will be coming through the base on their way back home.
Me: "Okay"
Friend: "I need it done quick, next couple of days. I need it done well. I don't have time to do it."
Me: "Okay"
Friend: "I want you to (and your church friends) to take it on"

Me: "Consider it done"

I got home from that little get together and shot an email out to our branch's Relief Society president. We chatted for 20 min and had a skeleton of a plan. It's now 10:15 and I head to bed. The next morning I call a gal in the branch that happens to be an event planner. We hashed out (okay she instructed me on what and how to get it done) and between her, the RS pres, and me - threw a shlew of of emails- we worked out all the details...so we thought.

It's now 4:30 Friday afternoon. I'm about to take a shower (conserve is the word of the week!) to host Mark's office spouses for some light hors-d'oeuvres and virgin drinks, when my friend walks in my door and says,

"The USAID team will be here tonight and will be leaving back to the states tomorrow night. Can you get the bags ready by tomorrow afternoon?"

My response?..."Yes, we can do it." Okay, I admit my stomach did a couple of flips and I thought, "there goes my shower." Which proved to be true...peeeew!  :(

A couple of phone calls and emails later we had $600 worth of donations (c/o our Commissary - base grocery store), plenty of supplies, and mothers who had a desire to help but were limited with young children. The following morning (Sat) 9 mothers of young children are busy making no-bake cookies. By noon 20 extra kids have arrived at my house plus 5 responsible youth to care for them. I hop in the van to pick up the cookies and deliver them to 9 other moms who are assembling 200 goody bags for the rescue team.

Around 2:30 the bags are delivered and the rescue team are grateful. They mentioned that they don't receive such hospitality because in their line of work there usually aren't any means to give it. I'm humbled. We are even more grateful for the help they provided to our gracious Japanese hosts.

Way to go moms and USAID!!!

Shopping in Japan

What's my size?  Shopping for clothes in Japan requires a lot of patience if you're like me...curvy.  The Japanese women don't have a lot of curves.  I quickly found I could possibly fit into the larger sizes, sometimes.  Japanese malls and shopping districts are full of cute clothes, but the days of walking into a store and choosing what's on the rack are no more.  It took me having Q baby and losing the weight for me to be okay with this.  Before that, shopping for clothes not so fun.

As expected, Tokyo has the best and wildest choices of clothes and accessories.  And as expected, Tokyo has some of the most outrageous prices.  For me, shopping can be therapeutic - even if I don't buy anything. So shopping in Tokyo is a great time even if I only come home with a belt or a hair clip.

Shopping for other items in Japan can be a hoot!  The Japanese version of the Dollar store, called 100Yen store, can be a fun date, motivation for good behavior, or a mini escape from overwhelming daily demands.  From gift boxes to purses, or chopsticks to underwear you can find practically everything you didn't know you didn't have.  My favorite items are the things with Engrish phrases on them.  The best we've seen so far was a T-shirt that said, "Body Strong, Willing Heart, The Sky is Sleeping!"  Wish I had a picture of that one and the cute little Japanese boy who was wearing it.

Driving in Japan

No street signs? You've got to be kidding me!  Getting around in this unbelievably ordered country is an adventure to say the least.  The order, however, does not transfer to street names and addresses.  No seriously, there are NO street names and addresses.  Directions to anywhere include passing or turning at a Lawson's convenient store.  The trick is knowing which Lawson's, as the streets are littered with them.  In addition: narrow streets, nonexistent sidewalks in many areas, and - oh yes - driving is done on the left side of the road.  Once you've got that down you HAVE to be on guard at all times as the car in front of you will stop without warning.  Usually to talk on the cell phone.  You could simply be selecting your favorite tune on your Ipod, then you look up to see hazards flashing and break lights lighting up on the car ahead.  Cat-like reactions are needed to avoid a collision!

Hard to believe?  The country is strict with many rules.  Yet, they allow TVs to play on a car's dashboard while driving...baffling!

Approaching a road construction site...

My FAVORITE construction warning robot worker with a hard hat!!

Week 4 - No crisis or surprises

Now that we have time to breath, Roxanna realizes her brain has stopped functioning properly.

Mark said...

Hmmm... Not sure about that! As presiding and conducting authority for our Sacrament meeting in Church, I was a bit unsettled having literally every aspect of the meeting appearing to fall through as Church began: no organist, no songs, no prayers, no bread, no speakers. Thankfully, it did all work out. My new motto in Church (with apologies to the animated movie, "Madagascar"): "Just smile and wave boys; just smile and wave."

Mark forgot to mention how he deals with a crisis virtually everyday at work. If it's not his short staffed office trying to make due with whom they have. Then he's dealing with a law enforcement relations with the host nation. Never a dull moment.

Week 3 Earthquake

So we're settling in. Feels good, then why do we feel like we're on a ship in choppy waters? Oh, I guess that would be the 6.8 EARTHQUAKE!!! Actually, the center was about 60 miles south, so what we felt was a 5.2 for 40 seconds. More than anything I'd like to experience again. You might wonder how we handled it all. Well, the kids would have slept right through it if it wasn't for all the screaming Roxanna was doing and the efforts Mark was making to calm her down. They might have slept threw that too, maybe, if they hadn't been yanked out of bed and out onto the sidewalk by their hysterical mother and their accommodating father. After the kids were settled in bed again, Roxanna researched emergency preparedness tactics suggested by the American Red Cross. What she discovered were similar to Mark's seemingly useless suggestions: "stay calm, stay inside, and take cover." Her favorite was, "if you're in bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow." What it boils down to is that there is not a whole lot you can do to save yourself from an earthquake. We've decided to pray more ;-)

Week 2 - ER visit

Keeps getting interesting. Luckily the hospital is just a block away, since Roxanna couldn't find her keys to take Campbell to the emergency room. Poor guy had to walk as he struggled to be brave despite the immense pain he could feel in his whole body - thanks to the broken middle finger of his right hand. Yes, he is right handed - but he overcame that hurdle. Just days later he managed to master the art of riding his bike without training wheels. One week post the stitches and splint were removed. The finger is healing fine thanks to cautious Campbell's diligent protection of it.

Week 1 - What jet lag?

Hold your breath, things get interesting. Thursday our first hours in Misawa - we decide the best thing to do is eat and sleep. Day two, we enjoy some 4th of July day time festivities on base, then join friends at a BBQ. Day 3, Mark is called into work as a crime committed the night before threatens relations with our host nation. Roxanna and kids are shouffered to a horse park with some wicked slides and yes, horses. That night we get a phone call that the stake president wanted to meet with Mark in the morning. A leader picks Mark up early for church, Roxanna gets the kids ready and a friend drives them to church where Roxanna learns Mark has been asked to serve as the first counselor in the new branch presidency (basically like the 2nd in charge of the congregation and all church dealings in the branch). He didn't even know who the new branch president was. The announcement is made in sacrament and the congregation is slightly confused when very few recognized the name, "Mark Patterson."

The next few days consists of a boat load of information about what the base offers, local customs, warnings, and a driving course. The course taughts us some road symbols, driving laws, and common sense stuff. One of Japan's driving laws is NO cell phone use while driving. So most Japanese will pull over the side of the shoulder less road with almost no notice, to talk on the phone. Which means if you are behind one of these drivers, you must hit the brakes and go around the car when it's safe to do so. This sounds very dangerous, but the average speed in the area is around 25 miles an hour. Have things slowed down for us, you may wonder? Well, at least in the car they have ;-)

Arrive in Misawa

After a shuttle ride to the international airport, charter bus to the domestic airport (1 hour), and over an hour flight to Misawa, we arrived. Smaller airport, but bigger attention to our crew. Almost the entire legal office were there to greet us, provide us a ride to the base hotel, and help us with bags all the way to our room stocked with basic essentials (food, drinks, and a goody bag for the kids).

Tokyo in an hour

Breakfast was traditional and nontraditional. Miso soup, steamed rice, sliced veggies, eggs, bacon , and fruit were just some of the menu items. There was something for everyone. We just caught the bus to a nearby mall, to see what we could see - only little time before our trip to our final destination of Misawa. Lots of shops and a stop at McDonald's and Baskin Robbins for lunch and treat. You might think McDonald's isn't very adventurous, but Mark and Eva agreed the fried shrimp burger was and tasty. Baskin Robbins turned out to be just familiar ground, despite trying the army green colored ice cream that may have been seaweed or green tea...oops! Back on the bus, but this time it's so crowded that our entire clan only fit on the steps next to the door. Yes, we prayed the doors wouldn't come open or we wouldn't get in an accident.

13hrs in the air

The whole gang did very well for 13 hours. Lots of leapster lmax playing, some reading, some sleeping, a little picking at the food, minimal outburst, and no obviously annoyed passengers. In fact, some even thought Micheil to be pretty cute. It was musical seats for most of the way, with Mark and Roxanna holding on to their own for the whole flight. Roxanna felt like She-Ra the Warrior Princess compared to her Japanese counterparts. Janelle was happy she felt tall for once.

Other than getting by with VERY little Japanese ("hello" and "thank you"), Roxanna had to suck it up and accept the uncomfortable Japanese cultural lack of personal space as some rubbed her very pregnant belly for good measure (she normally loathes that). Mark was disappointed when he realized he forgot to request vegetarian dishes before boarding. He got by with all the bread, veggies, and dessert no one else would.

We landed in Tokyo and discovered only one of our 9 bags was lost. The language barrier slowed the processes of retrieving it only slightly. It arrived at the hotel only 3 days later. Customs was not a problem, except for the confiscation of children's scissors from Eva's backpack. They were very apologetic for having to take it. Of course we were a bit embarrassed and a lot of head bowing took place from both parties. As Mark noticed one of the bizarre Japanese signs (two chicks sitting down drinking tea - what the heck did that mean??), he instructed the rest about the frequency of such unexplainable signs we'll encounter in the country.

We arrive at the Hilton by shuttle. Too tired to eat, we decide to shower up and turn in - local time 6:30pm; EST 5:30am. However, the little ones bounced on the bed (only a foot off the floor) for hours before passing out. Roxanna begins rousing around 3:30am local time when the sun starts shinning its pretty little head. She manages to toss and turn till 6:30am when she and Mark can hit the gym.

Japan, here we come!

Here we go...

On our way to Baltimore - after more than a 2 week stint in a bed and breakfast, two hotels, and dear friends' houses - we were feeling pretty peaceful before our long haul to Japan. We arrive at BWI unscathed despite suffering serious axle damage to our recently purchased 2008 Toyota Sienna. There was nothing we could do to remedy the van since we had to put it in storage for the next 3 years - we'll deal with it then. No need to go into how the damage occurred, suffice it to day no one was hurt.

First stop, Detroit. Everyone did well with the exception of the older gentleman sitting in front of a 3 1/2 year old chipmunk, aka Micheil. He didn't appreciate the kicks to his seat. Roxanna's encouragement to him was a reminder that he was the adult and it was a short flight. Micheil was content and clueless to the man's annoyance. Unbeknown to Mark what was happening, he publicly praised Micheil for his good behavior during the whole flight as everyone prepared to exit the plane. That caused a chuckle from Roxanna and possible embarrassment from the impatient stranger. Word to the sympathetically annoyed...buy 1st class.

Next stop, Tokyo.