My goodness me - I feel exhausted.
Before I went out tonight to you know where (and if you don't, then check my FB wall ;-)), I went on a mad, mammoth cleaning mission.
My bathroom is so spotless, it makes me grin.
I didn't even get around to finishing up my room - another mammoth task that is gonna have to wait for another day.
I got in a little while ago and even though I was feeling knackered, I had to study before my class tomorrow. I have so much catching up to do because I haven't studied since the quake struck a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't as difficult as I thought, though, to pick up exactly where I left off. I just need to get back into the whole studying mentality.
So much that I need to do - I could use a whole week off work just to get everything on my to do list done. Unfortunately, given all the time off that I've had, next month's pay check is gonna be a real stinker so I can't afford to take any more time off this month - even though I so desperately need to.
Am I gonna talk about what happened tonight?
No!
xoxo
Sunday 27 March 2011
Friday 25 March 2011
:D :D :D
Seriously.
YOU HAVE JUST MADE MY DAY!!!
There are simply no words to express how excited I am for April.
None.
;-)
xoxo
YOU HAVE JUST MADE MY DAY!!!
There are simply no words to express how excited I am for April.
None.
;-)
xoxo
Thursday 24 March 2011
On The Mend!!
LOL - my girl is such a joker.
You know how she knows I'm on the mend?
Because I'm really ******* *****!!!!!
LMAO!!
And naturally of course I want what I can't have....or maybe I can have it but it's too much effort to get it...actually no, I don't even think it's too much effort - it just involves a lot of game playing or a "yes" when the real answer is a "no" or some other crap like that. I just can't be arsed to deal with it, that's all.
So many people are out of town - hurry up and come back!!!
xoxo
You know how she knows I'm on the mend?
Because I'm really ******* *****!!!!!
LMAO!!
And naturally of course I want what I can't have....or maybe I can have it but it's too much effort to get it...actually no, I don't even think it's too much effort - it just involves a lot of game playing or a "yes" when the real answer is a "no" or some other crap like that. I just can't be arsed to deal with it, that's all.
So many people are out of town - hurry up and come back!!!
xoxo
Diagnosis Please!
What a month this is turning out to be!
I ended up going ot hospital last night. It got to 6pm and I was STILL throwing up...or trying to - I couldn't eat or drink anything, so I was just bringing up bile - and I know you all know how painful that is!! I gave up - there was no way in hell I could ride out that pain, so I went to the hopsital. When I got there, the first thing they did was test me for radiation poisioning.
The level of radiation in my blood is WAAAAYYYYYY under the average - even though I had drunk 2 litres of tap water yesterday. Good to know I guess.
Not pregnant, no IBS and the fact that I wasn't running a temperature ruled out any kind of viral disease. My friend seems to think I have a norovirus - even if it's that, there is no treatment. Just IV and ride it out for a couple of days.
They put me on a drip for a couple of hours with 2 different kinds of fluids. I did feel a little better when I left - just still really uncomfortable. I haven't thrown up since but judging from the noises that are coming from my stomach, it's still really angry and I'm worried about problems starting from the other end! Apologies for the imagery!! Luckily, that hasn't happened...yet!
Still managing to keep my breakfast down, so that can only be a good sign. It's just the constant pain from the stomach cramps and this horrible uncomfortable feeling that has kept me away from work today. I just don't think I can sit through a lesson constantly worrying if I'm going to have to leg it to the bathroom. Just gonna ride this out at home and hope for the best.
A Tokyo update for you all:
You've probably already heard the news about contaminated water, food and milk. People are panic buying bottled water like crazy and now the shelves are empty. Radiation levels in the water supply are elevated but they are no way near dangerous. I probably wouldn't have believe that myself either but after going to the hospital yesterday and seeing that my levels were below average, EVEN THOUGH I had drunk 2 litres of tap water, has defintely put my mind at rest a little. Still not taking any chances though - I've filled up loads of bottles of water so that at least if the radiation levels do rise, I can drink safer water.
There were 4 really crazy aftershocks in quick succession yesterday morning and another big one this morning. Dunno what it is about the mornings, btu the biggest quakes always seem to hit then. I wonder when they are going to stop - more than anything, they are just becoming really annoying!
Please keep checking the news for regular updates.
I'm fine - I may be sick but I'll get through it. The timing just sucks, that's all.
xoxo
I ended up going ot hospital last night. It got to 6pm and I was STILL throwing up...or trying to - I couldn't eat or drink anything, so I was just bringing up bile - and I know you all know how painful that is!! I gave up - there was no way in hell I could ride out that pain, so I went to the hopsital. When I got there, the first thing they did was test me for radiation poisioning.
The level of radiation in my blood is WAAAAYYYYYY under the average - even though I had drunk 2 litres of tap water yesterday. Good to know I guess.
Not pregnant, no IBS and the fact that I wasn't running a temperature ruled out any kind of viral disease. My friend seems to think I have a norovirus - even if it's that, there is no treatment. Just IV and ride it out for a couple of days.
They put me on a drip for a couple of hours with 2 different kinds of fluids. I did feel a little better when I left - just still really uncomfortable. I haven't thrown up since but judging from the noises that are coming from my stomach, it's still really angry and I'm worried about problems starting from the other end! Apologies for the imagery!! Luckily, that hasn't happened...yet!
Still managing to keep my breakfast down, so that can only be a good sign. It's just the constant pain from the stomach cramps and this horrible uncomfortable feeling that has kept me away from work today. I just don't think I can sit through a lesson constantly worrying if I'm going to have to leg it to the bathroom. Just gonna ride this out at home and hope for the best.
A Tokyo update for you all:
You've probably already heard the news about contaminated water, food and milk. People are panic buying bottled water like crazy and now the shelves are empty. Radiation levels in the water supply are elevated but they are no way near dangerous. I probably wouldn't have believe that myself either but after going to the hospital yesterday and seeing that my levels were below average, EVEN THOUGH I had drunk 2 litres of tap water, has defintely put my mind at rest a little. Still not taking any chances though - I've filled up loads of bottles of water so that at least if the radiation levels do rise, I can drink safer water.
There were 4 really crazy aftershocks in quick succession yesterday morning and another big one this morning. Dunno what it is about the mornings, btu the biggest quakes always seem to hit then. I wonder when they are going to stop - more than anything, they are just becoming really annoying!
Please keep checking the news for regular updates.
I'm fine - I may be sick but I'll get through it. The timing just sucks, that's all.
xoxo
Wednesday 23 March 2011
=(
I am soooo disappointed.
I was really looking forward to hitting up the gym this morning, but I woke up at like 7am and had to leg it to the toilet to throw up.....and have been throwing up ever since. It's now gone 11.30!
I feel absolutely terrible - I haven't been violently ill like this for a while. I'm trying to put my finger on what caused in and everything seems to point to the udon that I had last night.....it's the last thing I ate before I went to bed.
Had to cancel my Japanese lesson as well - because of the short notice I won't be able to reschedule that one either. Nearly 7000yen down the drain. Can't do anything about it though - I really can't be too far away from a toilet right now!! Lovely.....
Hoping that it's gonna get better soon otherwise I'm gonna have to cancel my shift at work and I really need the money!! I'm just not sure how things are gonna play out because I really don't wanna be cancelling on people at the very last minute, so it might be better to cancel sooner rather than later....
=(
I feel so shit.
I was really looking forward to hitting up the gym this morning, but I woke up at like 7am and had to leg it to the toilet to throw up.....and have been throwing up ever since. It's now gone 11.30!
I feel absolutely terrible - I haven't been violently ill like this for a while. I'm trying to put my finger on what caused in and everything seems to point to the udon that I had last night.....it's the last thing I ate before I went to bed.
Had to cancel my Japanese lesson as well - because of the short notice I won't be able to reschedule that one either. Nearly 7000yen down the drain. Can't do anything about it though - I really can't be too far away from a toilet right now!! Lovely.....
Hoping that it's gonna get better soon otherwise I'm gonna have to cancel my shift at work and I really need the money!! I'm just not sure how things are gonna play out because I really don't wanna be cancelling on people at the very last minute, so it might be better to cancel sooner rather than later....
=(
I feel so shit.
F*************************K!!!!
AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
I can't even write about what happened because it's a secret.
How annoyed am I at myself?!?!?!
SERIOUSLY - when the hell am I ever gonna learn?!
They always say a leopard never changes its spots. I really need to accept that that REALLY IS THE TRUTH.
The even crappier thing about this awful realization is....
....it's not just his spots that never change....
....mine don't seem to either!!! ;-)
xoxo
I can't even write about what happened because it's a secret.
How annoyed am I at myself?!?!?!
SERIOUSLY - when the hell am I ever gonna learn?!
They always say a leopard never changes its spots. I really need to accept that that REALLY IS THE TRUTH.
The even crappier thing about this awful realization is....
....it's not just his spots that never change....
....mine don't seem to either!!! ;-)
xoxo
Tuesday 22 March 2011
FFS!!!
Man, it feels like I haven't written for ages and I don't know where to start!
Firstly, I'm back in Tokyo. Apart from 2 small aftershocks and still a few empty shelves in the supermarket, it seems like things have been getting back to normal. I started back at work yesterday - to be honest it feels like I've done it a little too soon. Every conversation that I have with a client mentions SOMETHING about the earthquake and I just find myself not listening and thinking about my friends up north. I've been spending time with friends in the evening but it's crappy - I HATE having to admit that I do need emotional support. I don't care that I'm always offering it to other people - it's hard for me to accept it myself.
And I love my friends for giving it to me. =)
I'm just feeling seriously pissed off at myself for doing something fantabulous but utterly stupid. I don't have to spell it out - it's pretty obvious what I'm talking about. I just don't get what it is that keeps making me do it!!! Seriously. But sometimes the ease of something makes everything worthwhile. And that was definitely worthwhile. LOL!!
Now I just need to find someone more worthy and regular!!!!!
xoxo
Firstly, I'm back in Tokyo. Apart from 2 small aftershocks and still a few empty shelves in the supermarket, it seems like things have been getting back to normal. I started back at work yesterday - to be honest it feels like I've done it a little too soon. Every conversation that I have with a client mentions SOMETHING about the earthquake and I just find myself not listening and thinking about my friends up north. I've been spending time with friends in the evening but it's crappy - I HATE having to admit that I do need emotional support. I don't care that I'm always offering it to other people - it's hard for me to accept it myself.
And I love my friends for giving it to me. =)
I'm just feeling seriously pissed off at myself for doing something fantabulous but utterly stupid. I don't have to spell it out - it's pretty obvious what I'm talking about. I just don't get what it is that keeps making me do it!!! Seriously. But sometimes the ease of something makes everything worthwhile. And that was definitely worthwhile. LOL!!
Now I just need to find someone more worthy and regular!!!!!
xoxo
Friday 18 March 2011
*Determination*
Another day in the inaka and I'm feeling....LAZY!!!!
I know that there's stuff I wanted to do in town, but it seems to be taken a long time for me to get my stuff together and head outta the house. I got up early again today and never went back to sleep. And then of course I was checking the news, catching up with friends and to be honest I just can't be arsed to move!
I have decided to bring nothing but positive vibes back to Tokyo with me. When I go back, it'll be weird because so many of my friends have left for a couple of weeks. I still don't feel it's necessary and will be trying to inject positivity in those people who have decided to stay behind and ride it out. I'll be there soon to join you guys!
Right, I'm off for a drive and to the shop to buy batteries and lights and stuff that has sold out in the stores in Tokyo. Hit me up if you need anything brought back for you!!
xoxo
I know that there's stuff I wanted to do in town, but it seems to be taken a long time for me to get my stuff together and head outta the house. I got up early again today and never went back to sleep. And then of course I was checking the news, catching up with friends and to be honest I just can't be arsed to move!
I have decided to bring nothing but positive vibes back to Tokyo with me. When I go back, it'll be weird because so many of my friends have left for a couple of weeks. I still don't feel it's necessary and will be trying to inject positivity in those people who have decided to stay behind and ride it out. I'll be there soon to join you guys!
Right, I'm off for a drive and to the shop to buy batteries and lights and stuff that has sold out in the stores in Tokyo. Hit me up if you need anything brought back for you!!
xoxo
Emotional Rollercoaster
God, it's 1am and after what was a wonderful day, I am suddenly finding myself in a lot of pain.
No, not pain. Agony.
I've been holding it together all day. My friends aren't affected by what is going on in the same way and I dunno...I feel like I have to keep strong because I don't think they would know how to handle me if I fell apart.
As my friend snores away in his room (:D), I've finally been able to let myself FEEL and it's really hurting. I guess I just didn't wanna be an emotional burden on anyone so I managed to convince myself that I was doing OK. And I genuinely think I was while I was driving around these beautiful country roads. But... I dunno. I'm just not feeling OK now.
To tell you the truth, I'm really missing someone back in Tokyo. I've never talked about it before and I'm not gonna start now. In short, I've really developed deep feelings for someone which I can't tell him about because....we're good as we are and I truly believe that it's better this way. It was only today that I realised just how deep those feelings are.
Bugger.
Gonna try and get some sleep now.
Tokyoites - I'm thinking about you.
xoxo
No, not pain. Agony.
I've been holding it together all day. My friends aren't affected by what is going on in the same way and I dunno...I feel like I have to keep strong because I don't think they would know how to handle me if I fell apart.
As my friend snores away in his room (:D), I've finally been able to let myself FEEL and it's really hurting. I guess I just didn't wanna be an emotional burden on anyone so I managed to convince myself that I was doing OK. And I genuinely think I was while I was driving around these beautiful country roads. But... I dunno. I'm just not feeling OK now.
To tell you the truth, I'm really missing someone back in Tokyo. I've never talked about it before and I'm not gonna start now. In short, I've really developed deep feelings for someone which I can't tell him about because....we're good as we are and I truly believe that it's better this way. It was only today that I realised just how deep those feelings are.
Bugger.
Gonna try and get some sleep now.
Tokyoites - I'm thinking about you.
xoxo
I Wish...
...I could do more.
I'm here now and I'm actually feeling guilty about having a good day. I know I need it and I know that I shouldn't be thinking like this, but when I get online and see how sad other people are about now being able to leave, I feel terrible.
It's the best and worst I've felt since last Friday.
My friend came back at lunchtime, I went to see one of the teachers at his school that we used to go drinking with and then I took the car and went for a drive. I hung out for a bit with a friend in Karatsu before going to get an awesome Karatsu burger and heading to Hamasaki beach.
It was freezing, but absolutely beautiful. As I was driving, I pumped the music up, wound down the windows and tried to take as many pictures as I could without crashing! I don't know why it feels so important for me to show you where I used to live, but it does.
Driving around, I was just surrounded by memories which came flooding back as I looked around at the familiar sights. They made me smile and laugh to myself as I remember the good times that I had here. It also made me feel sad when I thought about how many people had come and gone. It's definitely a different place now - but I guess that's just the nature of being a foreigner in Japan.
I went to pick up my friend from school and headed back to his place in Genkai, waited for some friends and then went out to dinner. Back at my friend's house we had a few drinks and it dawned on me as a listened to the conversations (which had taken a really weird turn) just how much people had changed. My mind was wandering and I was thinking about Tokyo, about the plant, about the North, about my friends....I suppressed the tears and try to lose myself in the conversation we were having and empty my mind. But at the end of the day, it's too soon for me. I can't be here and pretend that nothing has happened. It's hard when everything is so normal here, but it's very easy to forget my pain....but when my mind does wander to what's happening at the other end of the country, I feel this horrible pain in my heart....and sick to my stomach.
It really hurts me also to see other people hurting too. I want to do more. I want to help. They are only allowing trained people up to the North to volunteer, but I don't feel like chucking money at the situation is enough. I feel helpless and I don't know what to do.
Every day, I read how more and more people are fleeing. It made me wonder if I was planning on going back to Tokyo too soon. I haven't booked my flight because I want to keep an eye on the situation but I honestly don't feel that Tokyo is in any SERIOUS danger from the radiation right now, so I don't see any need to stay away. It's just when I was there, I found the constant aftershocks so....I dunno...they're just a constant reminder of what's happen and put me on edge.
So many friends who live anywhere near me have gone. I don't wanna go back and be completely alone - I know I'm not, but Tokyo is a big place and to get to a friend's house needs time. And with the trains the way they are right now - well - who knows.
That's the first tear I've shed since I've been here.
xoxo
I'm here now and I'm actually feeling guilty about having a good day. I know I need it and I know that I shouldn't be thinking like this, but when I get online and see how sad other people are about now being able to leave, I feel terrible.
It's the best and worst I've felt since last Friday.
My friend came back at lunchtime, I went to see one of the teachers at his school that we used to go drinking with and then I took the car and went for a drive. I hung out for a bit with a friend in Karatsu before going to get an awesome Karatsu burger and heading to Hamasaki beach.
It was freezing, but absolutely beautiful. As I was driving, I pumped the music up, wound down the windows and tried to take as many pictures as I could without crashing! I don't know why it feels so important for me to show you where I used to live, but it does.
Driving around, I was just surrounded by memories which came flooding back as I looked around at the familiar sights. They made me smile and laugh to myself as I remember the good times that I had here. It also made me feel sad when I thought about how many people had come and gone. It's definitely a different place now - but I guess that's just the nature of being a foreigner in Japan.
I went to pick up my friend from school and headed back to his place in Genkai, waited for some friends and then went out to dinner. Back at my friend's house we had a few drinks and it dawned on me as a listened to the conversations (which had taken a really weird turn) just how much people had changed. My mind was wandering and I was thinking about Tokyo, about the plant, about the North, about my friends....I suppressed the tears and try to lose myself in the conversation we were having and empty my mind. But at the end of the day, it's too soon for me. I can't be here and pretend that nothing has happened. It's hard when everything is so normal here, but it's very easy to forget my pain....but when my mind does wander to what's happening at the other end of the country, I feel this horrible pain in my heart....and sick to my stomach.
It really hurts me also to see other people hurting too. I want to do more. I want to help. They are only allowing trained people up to the North to volunteer, but I don't feel like chucking money at the situation is enough. I feel helpless and I don't know what to do.
Every day, I read how more and more people are fleeing. It made me wonder if I was planning on going back to Tokyo too soon. I haven't booked my flight because I want to keep an eye on the situation but I honestly don't feel that Tokyo is in any SERIOUS danger from the radiation right now, so I don't see any need to stay away. It's just when I was there, I found the constant aftershocks so....I dunno...they're just a constant reminder of what's happen and put me on edge.
So many friends who live anywhere near me have gone. I don't wanna go back and be completely alone - I know I'm not, but Tokyo is a big place and to get to a friend's house needs time. And with the trains the way they are right now - well - who knows.
That's the first tear I've shed since I've been here.
xoxo
Thursday 17 March 2011
ただいま！
To my friends and family:
I AM SAFE. Please do not worry about me and focus your attention to those in the north who need your help the most. =)
I am back in my Japanese hometown of Karatsu in Saga-ken, Kyushu.
Where?!!??!
EXACTLY!! This prefecture if driven through and never stopped in by most Japanese people. It's pure inaka - there is nothing here and as a city girl through and through, it never fails to amaze me how I managed to live here for 2 years.
It's a beautiful place - I've decided to take a load of photos and upload them onto Facebook to show Tokyoites what the REAL Japanese countryside is like. I haven't even been here for 24 hours and I'm already feeling SO MUCH stronger and recuperating well. Everything is so NORMAL here and you really would never believe what was going on at the other end of the country.
So quiet. So calm. So normal. So THERAPEUTIC. It's weird not having constant aftershocks and seeing empty shelves and crowded subways. It's a stunning morning here - the sun is shining, there are only a few clouds in the sky and when I look at the window, I just see a massive green mountain. It's gorgeous and it's making me smile.
One problem?
I'm bored already! HAHAHA! My friend is coming back during his lunch break so I can steal his car. Gonna go for a drive and get some snaps for you. I have some amazing friends, I really do. Even though it was so late by the time I touched down, he had already set up a room for me and prepared everything for a kimchi nabe! So welcoming - and it was awesomely delicious.
Still checking the news and checking up on my friends. I feel a million miles away from Tokyo and even though this is good for me and exactly what I need right now, I still can't help but feel guilty about just upping and leaving my clients at work like that. I know it's not important in light of everything that's going on but I'm not an abandoner. In fact, if I didn't have to deal with the loss of my friends on top of everything else that is going on, I wouldn't have left. Plus this way, my parents get peace of mind and I don't have to hear them panic and worry about me.
Like I said - I am far, far away from any danger. Please focus your efforts on the north. As someone who has people stranded there in evacuation centres, I am appealing to all of you to make a donation. ANYTHING that you can give - money, blankets, medical supplies, anything at all. I myself have made a mammoth donation of 100,000yen, which won't go far but if everyone did that bit, we can help bring this country back to some kind of normality - no matter how long it takes.
Please.
xoxo
I AM SAFE. Please do not worry about me and focus your attention to those in the north who need your help the most. =)
I am back in my Japanese hometown of Karatsu in Saga-ken, Kyushu.
Where?!!??!
EXACTLY!! This prefecture if driven through and never stopped in by most Japanese people. It's pure inaka - there is nothing here and as a city girl through and through, it never fails to amaze me how I managed to live here for 2 years.
It's a beautiful place - I've decided to take a load of photos and upload them onto Facebook to show Tokyoites what the REAL Japanese countryside is like. I haven't even been here for 24 hours and I'm already feeling SO MUCH stronger and recuperating well. Everything is so NORMAL here and you really would never believe what was going on at the other end of the country.
So quiet. So calm. So normal. So THERAPEUTIC. It's weird not having constant aftershocks and seeing empty shelves and crowded subways. It's a stunning morning here - the sun is shining, there are only a few clouds in the sky and when I look at the window, I just see a massive green mountain. It's gorgeous and it's making me smile.
One problem?
I'm bored already! HAHAHA! My friend is coming back during his lunch break so I can steal his car. Gonna go for a drive and get some snaps for you. I have some amazing friends, I really do. Even though it was so late by the time I touched down, he had already set up a room for me and prepared everything for a kimchi nabe! So welcoming - and it was awesomely delicious.
Still checking the news and checking up on my friends. I feel a million miles away from Tokyo and even though this is good for me and exactly what I need right now, I still can't help but feel guilty about just upping and leaving my clients at work like that. I know it's not important in light of everything that's going on but I'm not an abandoner. In fact, if I didn't have to deal with the loss of my friends on top of everything else that is going on, I wouldn't have left. Plus this way, my parents get peace of mind and I don't have to hear them panic and worry about me.
Like I said - I am far, far away from any danger. Please focus your efforts on the north. As someone who has people stranded there in evacuation centres, I am appealing to all of you to make a donation. ANYTHING that you can give - money, blankets, medical supplies, anything at all. I myself have made a mammoth donation of 100,000yen, which won't go far but if everyone did that bit, we can help bring this country back to some kind of normality - no matter how long it takes.
Please.
xoxo
Wednesday 16 March 2011
Go.
I woke up to so much shitty news this morning. Again at 7.30am despite going to bed after 2am.
First piece of news I received was about my five remaining missing friends.
They are all confirmed dead.
I joined every single SNS site and Twitter yesterday. I didn't set up profiles and am planning to delete them all now - I just used them as a way to try and find information about my friends up north. I managed to track them down on MIXI (tough work since they didn't use their real names) and then I sent out messages to every single one of their friends.
I had between 80-90 replies.
None of them were good news.
I didn't feel like broadcasting it this morning and decided to wait until I had decided what to do. The emotional agony that I'm feeling made me yearn for country air. So I have booked a flight and will be going back to Kyushu tonight. For no other reason that I'm exhausted and wanna clear my head away from the chaos of the trains, the empty shelves in the supermarkets, the constant aftershocks.
Last night's one was the biggest I've felt since the big quake on Friday. A 6.4 in Shizuoka-ken - right next door to Tokyo. Way too close for comfort. It was crap because I was feeling pretty safe about earthquakes after making my bag and confident that I had the knowledge of what to do. But last night was just a reminder that no matter how prepared you are, they are as SCARY AS HELL.
I need to get away and surround myself with friends. I've been stuck at home on my own for 2 days and I don't think it's doing me any good. I need to be around people.
So I'm off. Extortinate flight prices but hey - no price on safety. The queues for the shinkansen were shocking and I didn't wanna wait there only to be told that there were no more tickets. And buses would take at least 7 hours - I wasn't ready to leave RIGHT THEN when I decided to and I decided that I didn't wanna be arriving at stupid time in the morning. Kyushu isn't Tokyo - the trains stop EARLY.
So yah, that's the latest. I feel so sad leaving my house though. If I didn't have to deal with this situation with my friends, I would be staying put and fighting it out.
xoxo
First piece of news I received was about my five remaining missing friends.
They are all confirmed dead.
I joined every single SNS site and Twitter yesterday. I didn't set up profiles and am planning to delete them all now - I just used them as a way to try and find information about my friends up north. I managed to track them down on MIXI (tough work since they didn't use their real names) and then I sent out messages to every single one of their friends.
I had between 80-90 replies.
None of them were good news.
I didn't feel like broadcasting it this morning and decided to wait until I had decided what to do. The emotional agony that I'm feeling made me yearn for country air. So I have booked a flight and will be going back to Kyushu tonight. For no other reason that I'm exhausted and wanna clear my head away from the chaos of the trains, the empty shelves in the supermarkets, the constant aftershocks.
Last night's one was the biggest I've felt since the big quake on Friday. A 6.4 in Shizuoka-ken - right next door to Tokyo. Way too close for comfort. It was crap because I was feeling pretty safe about earthquakes after making my bag and confident that I had the knowledge of what to do. But last night was just a reminder that no matter how prepared you are, they are as SCARY AS HELL.
I need to get away and surround myself with friends. I've been stuck at home on my own for 2 days and I don't think it's doing me any good. I need to be around people.
So I'm off. Extortinate flight prices but hey - no price on safety. The queues for the shinkansen were shocking and I didn't wanna wait there only to be told that there were no more tickets. And buses would take at least 7 hours - I wasn't ready to leave RIGHT THEN when I decided to and I decided that I didn't wanna be arriving at stupid time in the morning. Kyushu isn't Tokyo - the trains stop EARLY.
So yah, that's the latest. I feel so sad leaving my house though. If I didn't have to deal with this situation with my friends, I would be staying put and fighting it out.
xoxo
Tuesday 15 March 2011
Stay? Go? Stay? Go?
And when I say this, I don't mean evacuating.
I told you before in my last post that I am just shattered. Emotionally drained waiting for news about my friends that just isn't coming.
I haven't heard a SINGLE thing today about any of the 5 of my friends who are still missing. It's agonizing and it's looking less and less unlikely that they will be found alive. I did get a spark of hope after hearing that 2 survivors have been found in Miyagi-ken, but everytime I see the extent of that destruction....and it's been four days....it would me a miracle if they made it. And to be honest...I'm not sure how much I believe in miracles.
It doesn't help that Western News Sites aren't updated regularly enough with what's going on. So people are waking up in the UK, seeing HOURS old news and then plying with with messages telling me to leave asap.
I want to remind everyone that the radiation level is FALLING and was microscopic in the first place.
Please don't get me wrong - I'm not for a second assuming that we are all 100% safe, nor that this is all over. I'm NOT being complacent - but it really does no good to panic. I don't put as much trust in the government as the Japanese do but they have got it right and I feel a little proud to see them being so calm and orderly at a time like this. It's also so WEIRD. This really is an amazing country.
So I was telling you that I wanted to get out for a couple of days. I keep changing my mind. What's on my mind now?
The expense. I'm gonna be hit pretty hard in the pocket when I get paid next month because of all the cancellations and the days off I'm taking this week and getting back to Kyushu is gonna be pricey. I shouldn't care and it's terrible to be even thinking like that, but I still need to live and I'm still gonna have bills to pay next month. Add that on top of my GW trip - things are gonna be pretty tight.
I defintiely need the time off. I'm not planning on going back to work yet but I'm wondering if it's a good idea to fork out the cash. At the same time the pull of the countryside is getting me. 4 days with close friends who I miss dearly and fresh country air. Time to recuperate. Clear my head. See my friends. Do NOTHING. I've been working my arse off and am TIRED. The lessons that I have taught since everything unfolded on Friday have been shit. I've been so mad at people for actually showing up - not understanding how their English lesson can be a priority at a time like this. I'm not listening to what they're saying, I turn into a robot. I don't know how I managed to teach 10 lessons on Monday.
The trains are also a mess. Reduced services are causing havoc, the blackout is causing havoc....even without the earthquake and radiation threats, things really are just a bit too chaotic at the moment and it's hard to deal with on top of my emotional distress.
Think I just sold it to myself!
There are a few things I want to do tomorrow - I hope I can actually get off my arse and do them. I can't spend another day in front of the computer like this. Although it feels good informing people on what's going on. I feel like I've done a good deed today. :D
After I get the stuff that I WILL do done, then I'm gonna make a FINAL FINAL decision. But if I go to Kyushu, it looks like it will be tomorrow evening or Thursday morning. Or whenever I can get a seat on the shinkansen.
xoxo
I told you before in my last post that I am just shattered. Emotionally drained waiting for news about my friends that just isn't coming.
I haven't heard a SINGLE thing today about any of the 5 of my friends who are still missing. It's agonizing and it's looking less and less unlikely that they will be found alive. I did get a spark of hope after hearing that 2 survivors have been found in Miyagi-ken, but everytime I see the extent of that destruction....and it's been four days....it would me a miracle if they made it. And to be honest...I'm not sure how much I believe in miracles.
It doesn't help that Western News Sites aren't updated regularly enough with what's going on. So people are waking up in the UK, seeing HOURS old news and then plying with with messages telling me to leave asap.
I want to remind everyone that the radiation level is FALLING and was microscopic in the first place.
Please don't get me wrong - I'm not for a second assuming that we are all 100% safe, nor that this is all over. I'm NOT being complacent - but it really does no good to panic. I don't put as much trust in the government as the Japanese do but they have got it right and I feel a little proud to see them being so calm and orderly at a time like this. It's also so WEIRD. This really is an amazing country.
So I was telling you that I wanted to get out for a couple of days. I keep changing my mind. What's on my mind now?
The expense. I'm gonna be hit pretty hard in the pocket when I get paid next month because of all the cancellations and the days off I'm taking this week and getting back to Kyushu is gonna be pricey. I shouldn't care and it's terrible to be even thinking like that, but I still need to live and I'm still gonna have bills to pay next month. Add that on top of my GW trip - things are gonna be pretty tight.
I defintiely need the time off. I'm not planning on going back to work yet but I'm wondering if it's a good idea to fork out the cash. At the same time the pull of the countryside is getting me. 4 days with close friends who I miss dearly and fresh country air. Time to recuperate. Clear my head. See my friends. Do NOTHING. I've been working my arse off and am TIRED. The lessons that I have taught since everything unfolded on Friday have been shit. I've been so mad at people for actually showing up - not understanding how their English lesson can be a priority at a time like this. I'm not listening to what they're saying, I turn into a robot. I don't know how I managed to teach 10 lessons on Monday.
The trains are also a mess. Reduced services are causing havoc, the blackout is causing havoc....even without the earthquake and radiation threats, things really are just a bit too chaotic at the moment and it's hard to deal with on top of my emotional distress.
Think I just sold it to myself!
There are a few things I want to do tomorrow - I hope I can actually get off my arse and do them. I can't spend another day in front of the computer like this. Although it feels good informing people on what's going on. I feel like I've done a good deed today. :D
After I get the stuff that I WILL do done, then I'm gonna make a FINAL FINAL decision. But if I go to Kyushu, it looks like it will be tomorrow evening or Thursday morning. Or whenever I can get a seat on the shinkansen.
xoxo
Things Are Looking Up!
It really is amazing how fast news moves!
So much has happened since the last time I posted.
OK, so the latest is that radiation has been detected in Tokyo at a level of 0.89 MICRO sieverts. This is so INCREDIBLY LOW and is of absolutely ZERO danger to our wellbeing. People are panicking and fleeing Tokyo - the thing is it's hard to say what the reasons are. A few people are a little worried about the economy - something I haven't even thought about actually!
Regarding the nuclear plant, there was a press conference at 4.30pm today and this is the last from Edano:
That's definitely good news right?! It by now means means that nothing will take a turn for the worst but it's enough to settle some minds of those who were thinking about immediately evacuating. The downside to that mentality is that if something happens, people panic and all try to leave at the same time. I don't wanna get trapped so it might be worth thinking about anyway. You see it in those disaster movies all the time!
I called in to cancel my shift tomorrow - somehow that led to my shifts being cancelled for the rest of the week! Seeing as I now have the next 5 days off, I'm thinking about going back down to Kyushu anyway for a break. I certainly need it - so emotionally drained.
And of course - I still never packed that suitcase!!
xoxo
So much has happened since the last time I posted.
OK, so the latest is that radiation has been detected in Tokyo at a level of 0.89 MICRO sieverts. This is so INCREDIBLY LOW and is of absolutely ZERO danger to our wellbeing. People are panicking and fleeing Tokyo - the thing is it's hard to say what the reasons are. A few people are a little worried about the economy - something I haven't even thought about actually!
Regarding the nuclear plant, there was a press conference at 4.30pm today and this is the last from Edano:
That's definitely good news right?! It by now means means that nothing will take a turn for the worst but it's enough to settle some minds of those who were thinking about immediately evacuating. The downside to that mentality is that if something happens, people panic and all try to leave at the same time. I don't wanna get trapped so it might be worth thinking about anyway. You see it in those disaster movies all the time!
I called in to cancel my shift tomorrow - somehow that led to my shifts being cancelled for the rest of the week! Seeing as I now have the next 5 days off, I'm thinking about going back down to Kyushu anyway for a break. I certainly need it - so emotionally drained.
And of course - I still never packed that suitcase!!
xoxo
Up, Down, Up, Down!
My goodness me - what a day of rollercoaster emotions!
One moment I'm as calm as anything, the next I'm flapping about in a panic!
If you haven't already - check my facebook for links to interesting articles and very regular updates. I'm going to try and bring you up to speed on here now.
I woke up this morning at 7.30am. Pissed since it was the first day in a long time that I haven't had to wake up to an alarm. I jumped on the computer and haven't moved since - it's now 13.30!!
Shame on me! I just can't drag myself away from looking at different news sites in English and Japanes, trying to keep myself (and everyone else) up to date with what is happening.
I was gonna make it to the tax office, tidy up and pack. I haven't done any of those things. The only thing I did was jump in the shower - still haven't gotten around to putting any clothes on!
So when I woke up this morning, I seemed to have a whole load of strength that wasn't there before. I still feel emotionally drained, but more positive, more in control, more calm, STRONG. It's a good feeling.
But as news at the Fukushima nuclear plant started to unfold, I went from panicking, to getting scared, to relaxing, to feeling calm, to panicking, and now I'm back to feeling calm again. It's an emotional rollercoaster and really exhausting!
So there has been another explosion and radioactive material has been leaked. People within a 20km radius have been ordered to evacuate and people within a 30km radius have been advised to stay inside. Foreign media went crazy and before you knew it, there were rumours of radioactive material reaching Tokyo within 10 hours.
Radiation levels are 40 times higher in Saitama, but this is not enough to damage human health. Gunma is looking good and there has been iodine and cesium detected in Tokyo but the sievert levels are not rising and the levels are not dangerous. Tokyoites have been advised to go about their daily lives.
So many people are panicking and fleeing. I'm not gonna scorn them - I was thinking about doing exactly the same thing, and I still intend to if things get serious. But you know, I need something CONSOLIDATED before I just abandon everything here. It's really tough to just walk away like that - props to people who can just do it.
On a really greta note though, 9700 people in Miniamisanriku have been accounted for. They are still looking for about a thousand people, but given that the original number of missing people was over 10,000, this is EXCELLENT news! :D
I really need to get off my arse and do something!
xoxo
One moment I'm as calm as anything, the next I'm flapping about in a panic!
If you haven't already - check my facebook for links to interesting articles and very regular updates. I'm going to try and bring you up to speed on here now.
I woke up this morning at 7.30am. Pissed since it was the first day in a long time that I haven't had to wake up to an alarm. I jumped on the computer and haven't moved since - it's now 13.30!!
Shame on me! I just can't drag myself away from looking at different news sites in English and Japanes, trying to keep myself (and everyone else) up to date with what is happening.
I was gonna make it to the tax office, tidy up and pack. I haven't done any of those things. The only thing I did was jump in the shower - still haven't gotten around to putting any clothes on!
So when I woke up this morning, I seemed to have a whole load of strength that wasn't there before. I still feel emotionally drained, but more positive, more in control, more calm, STRONG. It's a good feeling.
But as news at the Fukushima nuclear plant started to unfold, I went from panicking, to getting scared, to relaxing, to feeling calm, to panicking, and now I'm back to feeling calm again. It's an emotional rollercoaster and really exhausting!
So there has been another explosion and radioactive material has been leaked. People within a 20km radius have been ordered to evacuate and people within a 30km radius have been advised to stay inside. Foreign media went crazy and before you knew it, there were rumours of radioactive material reaching Tokyo within 10 hours.
Radiation levels are 40 times higher in Saitama, but this is not enough to damage human health. Gunma is looking good and there has been iodine and cesium detected in Tokyo but the sievert levels are not rising and the levels are not dangerous. Tokyoites have been advised to go about their daily lives.
So many people are panicking and fleeing. I'm not gonna scorn them - I was thinking about doing exactly the same thing, and I still intend to if things get serious. But you know, I need something CONSOLIDATED before I just abandon everything here. It's really tough to just walk away like that - props to people who can just do it.
On a really greta note though, 9700 people in Miniamisanriku have been accounted for. They are still looking for about a thousand people, but given that the original number of missing people was over 10,000, this is EXCELLENT news! :D
I really need to get off my arse and do something!
xoxo
頑張れ日本！
Japan must have really pissed off Mother Nature.
Earthquake, tsunami, a possible nuclear meltdown...and now a volcanic eruption!
She is definitely not happy!
It's not yet known whether the eruption was triggered by the quake but it's good too see that people had been evacuated within a mile radius and there are no casualties as of yet.
The crap bit?
MAN! I just hope that no one I know in Kyushu was down there! I have any friends in Kagoshima so I'm praying that you are all safe.
OMG!! There was just the craziest, shortest aftershock. That one actually made me jump outta my chair! It lasted barely a second though. There's been over 300 aftershocks since the big quake on Friday - today alond I must have felt at least 10 or so. All throughout my working day, my heart leaps into my throat as soon as an aftershock hits and I think back to my evacuation pack sitting at home.
I've decided to take the next couple of days off. I'm actually not that worried about another big quake now. The percentages are dropping and dropping. I'm now becoming increasingly concerned about the nuclear meltdown. I'm gonna pack that suitcase tomorrow coz that it on a whole other level of seriousness. Radioactive poisioning is 100% a risk I will NEVER take. If there is another explosion, I am most definitely outta here!
xoxo
Earthquake, tsunami, a possible nuclear meltdown...and now a volcanic eruption!
She is definitely not happy!
It's not yet known whether the eruption was triggered by the quake but it's good too see that people had been evacuated within a mile radius and there are no casualties as of yet.
The crap bit?
MAN! I just hope that no one I know in Kyushu was down there! I have any friends in Kagoshima so I'm praying that you are all safe.
OMG!! There was just the craziest, shortest aftershock. That one actually made me jump outta my chair! It lasted barely a second though. There's been over 300 aftershocks since the big quake on Friday - today alond I must have felt at least 10 or so. All throughout my working day, my heart leaps into my throat as soon as an aftershock hits and I think back to my evacuation pack sitting at home.
I've decided to take the next couple of days off. I'm actually not that worried about another big quake now. The percentages are dropping and dropping. I'm now becoming increasingly concerned about the nuclear meltdown. I'm gonna pack that suitcase tomorrow coz that it on a whole other level of seriousness. Radioactive poisioning is 100% a risk I will NEVER take. If there is another explosion, I am most definitely outta here!
xoxo
Monday 14 March 2011
What Do We Think?
I told you that I had a seismologist come into my lesson yesterday?
Well, today I had one of the JR (Japan Rail) directors come in. His English was at a much higher level than the seismologist's, so I managed to get more coherent information out of him.
He told me that all of the buildings in Tokyo are earthquake certified and that along with the transport system, have been desgined to withstand a 7.0M quake. He also told me that the safest place to be - believe it or not - was the subway! I had the impression that being underground would be worse because you were nearer the centre of the earth - and earthquakes come from deep underground right?
So how does this work?
He justified it like this. If you stand on a table and the table shakes, then if you are moving in the opposite direction to the table, then you will fall over. This is how he explained buildings collapsed.
But if you are IN the table (please use your imaginations here!), then you move in the same direction that it is shaking, consequently feeling less effects and being less likely to fall over. I was worried about using my line on the day of the quake because it's the deepest line in Tokyo. However, the Oedo line is the NEWEST, the STRONGEST and the SAFEST line here! It's completely surrounded by concrete and this JR guy said that it would be the best place to be. I can't help thinking that you'd be a bit buggered if the entrance to the station caved in. It's one of my worst fears to be trapped underground.
Anyway, when he was giving me all this information, I started to feel a certain piece of mind. No one is panicking here. The worst I got is that a couple of people are feeling nervous, but at the end of the day, earthquakes are not new to Japan and so many people keep telling me that Tokyo is strong and will be able to deal with this wothout too much drama. I might feel better but you can't be certain about these things and now is not the time to be getting complacent. If there is a tsunami warning, then Tokyo most defintiely NOT survive - we are on such low ground here - the possible devastation doesn't even bear thinking about.
I haven't decided whether I'm going to evacuate for sure yet. I've warned my work and closed off my schedule so that it causes minimum disruption. Even though it would do absolutely nothing for nmy state of mind to leave (GOD, I would just be worrying 24/7), it would keep me safe, so I haven't ruled it out. And I have every intention of bringing my girl with me. She's been through enough this past 6 months.
My poor friends.
My heart is literally ACHING for them. Some of them may have survived but they have lost absolutely EVERYTHING - including members of their own families.
It's unbearable. The pain is unbearable.
Please help - there is a donation set up with the red cross and some other charities. Whatever you have - please.
Please help.
xoxo
Well, today I had one of the JR (Japan Rail) directors come in. His English was at a much higher level than the seismologist's, so I managed to get more coherent information out of him.
He told me that all of the buildings in Tokyo are earthquake certified and that along with the transport system, have been desgined to withstand a 7.0M quake. He also told me that the safest place to be - believe it or not - was the subway! I had the impression that being underground would be worse because you were nearer the centre of the earth - and earthquakes come from deep underground right?
So how does this work?
He justified it like this. If you stand on a table and the table shakes, then if you are moving in the opposite direction to the table, then you will fall over. This is how he explained buildings collapsed.
But if you are IN the table (please use your imaginations here!), then you move in the same direction that it is shaking, consequently feeling less effects and being less likely to fall over. I was worried about using my line on the day of the quake because it's the deepest line in Tokyo. However, the Oedo line is the NEWEST, the STRONGEST and the SAFEST line here! It's completely surrounded by concrete and this JR guy said that it would be the best place to be. I can't help thinking that you'd be a bit buggered if the entrance to the station caved in. It's one of my worst fears to be trapped underground.
Anyway, when he was giving me all this information, I started to feel a certain piece of mind. No one is panicking here. The worst I got is that a couple of people are feeling nervous, but at the end of the day, earthquakes are not new to Japan and so many people keep telling me that Tokyo is strong and will be able to deal with this wothout too much drama. I might feel better but you can't be certain about these things and now is not the time to be getting complacent. If there is a tsunami warning, then Tokyo most defintiely NOT survive - we are on such low ground here - the possible devastation doesn't even bear thinking about.
I haven't decided whether I'm going to evacuate for sure yet. I've warned my work and closed off my schedule so that it causes minimum disruption. Even though it would do absolutely nothing for nmy state of mind to leave (GOD, I would just be worrying 24/7), it would keep me safe, so I haven't ruled it out. And I have every intention of bringing my girl with me. She's been through enough this past 6 months.
My poor friends.
My heart is literally ACHING for them. Some of them may have survived but they have lost absolutely EVERYTHING - including members of their own families.
It's unbearable. The pain is unbearable.
Please help - there is a donation set up with the red cross and some other charities. Whatever you have - please.
Please help.
xoxo
Agony
I literally cannot describe the pure AGONY that I have in my heart now.
I told you that I had friends up north. This is the latest update.
3 have been killed in SENDAI
2 have reached evacuation centres in IWATE
4 are safe in FUKUSHIMA and IBARAKI...although they have no electricity or water in their homes
That leaves 5 that are still missing. 4 of these are in Miyagi-ken - the worst hit area. I'm getting more and more certain that they will not be found alive. The quake was on Friday - that's 3 days that has already passed. My phone has been glued to my side all day - I told all my clients I was waiting for news and explained that I would answer the phone if it rang. I got 2 phone calls and 3 messages today. Those three messages were great news. The phone calls sent me in a state of shock where I couldn't comprehend what was happening and just acted like nothing had happened.
When I got into the comfort of my own home, that's when I broke down.
And then I forgot that I had a private lesson! I felt awful when I saw my friend standing there on the doorstep. I don't even treat her like a "student" anymore - we've been friends since I first moved here and she's become so important to me!
There still hasn't been any more news on this upcoming quake. There was a pretty big aftershock this morning - I managed to sleep right through it! Mental exhaustion is taking it's toll.
xoxo
I told you that I had friends up north. This is the latest update.
3 have been killed in SENDAI
2 have reached evacuation centres in IWATE
4 are safe in FUKUSHIMA and IBARAKI...although they have no electricity or water in their homes
That leaves 5 that are still missing. 4 of these are in Miyagi-ken - the worst hit area. I'm getting more and more certain that they will not be found alive. The quake was on Friday - that's 3 days that has already passed. My phone has been glued to my side all day - I told all my clients I was waiting for news and explained that I would answer the phone if it rang. I got 2 phone calls and 3 messages today. Those three messages were great news. The phone calls sent me in a state of shock where I couldn't comprehend what was happening and just acted like nothing had happened.
When I got into the comfort of my own home, that's when I broke down.
And then I forgot that I had a private lesson! I felt awful when I saw my friend standing there on the doorstep. I don't even treat her like a "student" anymore - we've been friends since I first moved here and she's become so important to me!
There still hasn't been any more news on this upcoming quake. There was a pretty big aftershock this morning - I managed to sleep right through it! Mental exhaustion is taking it's toll.
xoxo
Sunday 13 March 2011
Evacuation Bag
Or maybe I should call it Jade's version of an evacuation bag.
I'm gonna have another bash tomorrow at trying to find a torch or some candles and batteries. I figured it's better to have something that I don't end up using than desperately needing something that I didn't end up buying.
Feeling pretty please with my bag actually. I've rammed it with all the medical supplies I have...which to be honest isn't THAT many but I think it's OK. I'm improvised by shoving in some packing tape and dental floss and random stuff that can double up as string and bandages and stuff.
When you look online about what they recommend you have prepared, it's so much stuff! In the event that you have to evacuate, there's no way you can run out carrying EVERYTHING that they say you should have.
The other thing I was thinking about, is that I've prepared this bag but if there was an earthquake while I'm at work, then it would do me absolutely no good at all being at home. But I can't possibly carry this around with me all the time - even though it IS incredibly tempting....I would have everything that I need RIGHT THERE. I really am tempted to take it into work with me....
Hmmmm...what would you do?
xoxo
I'm gonna have another bash tomorrow at trying to find a torch or some candles and batteries. I figured it's better to have something that I don't end up using than desperately needing something that I didn't end up buying.
Feeling pretty please with my bag actually. I've rammed it with all the medical supplies I have...which to be honest isn't THAT many but I think it's OK. I'm improvised by shoving in some packing tape and dental floss and random stuff that can double up as string and bandages and stuff.
When you look online about what they recommend you have prepared, it's so much stuff! In the event that you have to evacuate, there's no way you can run out carrying EVERYTHING that they say you should have.
The other thing I was thinking about, is that I've prepared this bag but if there was an earthquake while I'm at work, then it would do me absolutely no good at all being at home. But I can't possibly carry this around with me all the time - even though it IS incredibly tempting....I would have everything that I need RIGHT THERE. I really am tempted to take it into work with me....
Hmmmm...what would you do?
xoxo
9.0
The magnitude of Friday's earthquake has reported to be 9.0.
The largest earthquake ever was recorded in Chile at a whopping 9.5. Scary. Very, very scary.
I found out this morning that 13 people I know were missing. I contacted the FCO where I'm registered and gave them the names of 6 Brits I knew to be in that area and I got contacted this morning that 2 people in Iwate have made it to an evacuation centre. Their hourses have been destroyed but they are safe and apart from one broken arm, unharmed.
It actually gave me a bit more faith that the other 11 might, just might be OK.
I've been glued in front of the computer since I got home, watching events unfold. So much as happened, I dont' even know where to start giving you updates.
I'm gonna start from when I left work.
Yesterday, I realised that I had no food in my house - the conbini shelves were empty, the supermarket shelves were empty. I ended up going to Matsuya Department store in Ginza and paying an extortionate amount for bread and bagels. I then stopped at a little station store and cleared the shelves of their 16 boxes of Calorie Mate. It's been tempting to scoff it all now - I love that stuff!
When I got home I plonked my arse in front of the computer and haven't moved since. Japanese news sites in Japanese have way more information than the English pages of the same sites offer. I'm feeling very proud of my reading skills as I'm devouring the information. There is a 70% possibility of a 7.0M earthquake hitting in the next 3 days. The thing that's making me shit myself about this one? It's rumoured to be a METROPOLIS hit.
I spoke to a seismologist this morning - HOW random that one should come in for an English lesson?!?! He sat there and actually laughed at me when I told me that I was scared. He told me that Tokyo isn't safe, but it's strong enough to handle the earthquake. But, if a tsunami hits, then we're in big trouble. When I asked him why he wasn't worried, he said he firmly believed that we are safe.
A 7.0 earthquake is threatening to hit Tokyo and he feels safe?!?!? It has crossed my mind that I might be overreacting, but FUCK! Better safe than sorry is what I say! Honestly, the complacency of Japanese people is absolutely mind boggling! When I read the news I was toying with the idea of legging it. And now that there are more and more rumours about this second quake being a metroplis hit, I've contacted everyone I know in Kyushu and if the city goes on alert, then I'm evacuating and heading down there.
I have received over 300 messages and emails from people all over the world checking that I'm OK. I owe it to them to try and keep myself safe. I have something that a lot of people don't - somewhere to go. And even if I didn't, I would still seriously consider heading out to Kansai and getting a hotel there.
The PM has approved planned power outages from tomorrow. Lucky central Tokyo will not be affected. Another bit of luck on my part - when I went to the store today, there were no candles, torches or any kind of light to be seen.
I've packed an evacuation bag - just in case. I shoved some stuff into a little holdall last night but today I've pulled out my travellers backpack and put clothes, medicine, food and some other stuff in there. If I decide to leave for Kyushu, I'm gonna definitely be packing a suitcase.
This is so surreal.
If you are on Facebook, please check my page for regular updates about what's going on. I will always try and give you guys as many details on here as I can.
xoxo
The largest earthquake ever was recorded in Chile at a whopping 9.5. Scary. Very, very scary.
I found out this morning that 13 people I know were missing. I contacted the FCO where I'm registered and gave them the names of 6 Brits I knew to be in that area and I got contacted this morning that 2 people in Iwate have made it to an evacuation centre. Their hourses have been destroyed but they are safe and apart from one broken arm, unharmed.
It actually gave me a bit more faith that the other 11 might, just might be OK.
I've been glued in front of the computer since I got home, watching events unfold. So much as happened, I dont' even know where to start giving you updates.
I'm gonna start from when I left work.
Yesterday, I realised that I had no food in my house - the conbini shelves were empty, the supermarket shelves were empty. I ended up going to Matsuya Department store in Ginza and paying an extortionate amount for bread and bagels. I then stopped at a little station store and cleared the shelves of their 16 boxes of Calorie Mate. It's been tempting to scoff it all now - I love that stuff!
When I got home I plonked my arse in front of the computer and haven't moved since. Japanese news sites in Japanese have way more information than the English pages of the same sites offer. I'm feeling very proud of my reading skills as I'm devouring the information. There is a 70% possibility of a 7.0M earthquake hitting in the next 3 days. The thing that's making me shit myself about this one? It's rumoured to be a METROPOLIS hit.
I spoke to a seismologist this morning - HOW random that one should come in for an English lesson?!?! He sat there and actually laughed at me when I told me that I was scared. He told me that Tokyo isn't safe, but it's strong enough to handle the earthquake. But, if a tsunami hits, then we're in big trouble. When I asked him why he wasn't worried, he said he firmly believed that we are safe.
A 7.0 earthquake is threatening to hit Tokyo and he feels safe?!?!? It has crossed my mind that I might be overreacting, but FUCK! Better safe than sorry is what I say! Honestly, the complacency of Japanese people is absolutely mind boggling! When I read the news I was toying with the idea of legging it. And now that there are more and more rumours about this second quake being a metroplis hit, I've contacted everyone I know in Kyushu and if the city goes on alert, then I'm evacuating and heading down there.
I have received over 300 messages and emails from people all over the world checking that I'm OK. I owe it to them to try and keep myself safe. I have something that a lot of people don't - somewhere to go. And even if I didn't, I would still seriously consider heading out to Kansai and getting a hotel there.
The PM has approved planned power outages from tomorrow. Lucky central Tokyo will not be affected. Another bit of luck on my part - when I went to the store today, there were no candles, torches or any kind of light to be seen.
I've packed an evacuation bag - just in case. I shoved some stuff into a little holdall last night but today I've pulled out my travellers backpack and put clothes, medicine, food and some other stuff in there. If I decide to leave for Kyushu, I'm gonna definitely be packing a suitcase.
This is so surreal.
If you are on Facebook, please check my page for regular updates about what's going on. I will always try and give you guys as many details on here as I can.
xoxo
Saturday 12 March 2011
This Pain Is Too Much For Me To Bear
As I sit here, watching the news and seeing the soul crushing destruction going on up north, there is only one thing I'm thinking.
I am so fucking lucky.
I didn't sleep at all last night because the aftershocks were coming thick and fast. The worst I counted was 6 in the space of 15 minutes. All of them enough to rock my room and make me give up on trying to get to sleep.
I woke up at 10am and started to get ready to go to work. I was absolutely bricking it about getting on the train - I told you that I live on the Oedo line, which is the deepest line in Tokyo, so I was feeling so nervous and picked up the phone a million times to try and cancel my shift. I couldn't do it - I didn't wanna stay in my house by myself, so I figured that it would be better to keep my mind occupied.
Not long before I left, I received a call from my friend's girlfriend. They had gotten engaged exactly one week ago and he had left for Sendai to visit some elementary school friends and celebrate.
He never made it.
His friend's house that he was staying in was completely washed away by the tsunami. His girlfriend who is also a good friend of mine called me in absolute sobbing hysterics to tell me. The news stunned me to the point that I stood still, silent for at least a minute before my legs gave way and I found myself on the floor sobbing and gasping for breath.
I have no idea why I decided to go to work. I just didn't want to stay at home. I guess I never thought that people would show up for an English lesson. The truth is, this whole "back to business" attitude that Japanese people have deeply unsettles me. I took a big arse bottle of water on the train with me today because I was insanely paranoid about getting trapped. If anyone else was remotely worried, then they hid it perfectly because there wasn't a hint of concern on anyone's face. The train and station was dead. Even when I got to Ginza, there was hardly anyone around, but I could find myself breathing easier that I made it.
Being at work was harder than I thought. I did end up teaching a few lessons and the CALMNESS, the COMPLETE LACK OF ANY KIND OF SENSE OF DANGER confused the hell outta me.
Client number 1: "I couldn't get home because the trains stopped, so I decided to go drinking with my coworkers. I was so drunk I couldn't feel the aftershocks anymore so it was OK for me"
Me: "Aren't you still a bit worried?"
Client number 1: "No. We are safe now."
Me: *confused look*
Client number 2: "I was in the office typing a report when the earthquake happened"
Me: "What floor were you on?"
Client number 2: "11th floor"
Me: "OMG! So what did you do? Did you get under the desk, did you put on a hard hat?"
Client number 2: "No, I carried on typing"
Me: "What? So even though you were on the 11th floor, it wasn't shaking and things weren't falling off the shelves?"
Client number 2: "No, things were coming off the shelf and landing on my desk. It was very scary."
Me: "But you carried on typing?"
Client number 2: "Yes, my report was due"
Me: "?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!??!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!??! There was a big earthquake but you were more worried about your report? What about your life?"
Client number 2: *laughter*
Me: "Unbelievable"
Client number 3: "This was the worst earthquake that I have ever felt"
Me: "So what did you do? Did you put on a hard hat? Did you evacuate the office?"
Client number 3: "No, we stayed in the office. Some people put on a hard hat but I didn't"
Me: "Why are you so calm about this? I'm really scared."
Client number 3: "We cannot write a complaint to nature. I was very angry but there was nothing we can do. I'm not worried because I don't think that we are in danger now. We are safe."
Me: "I don't feel like it's over."
Client number 3: "I think you are worrying too much"
Me: "I think you're not worried because you haven't been seriously affected by it. I think if you had friends or family in Sendai, then you would feel differently"
Client number 3: I think so too.
I just can't get my head around the complacency of these people! If that epicentre had been off the coast of Chiba, then we wouldn't even be here right now. An earthquake of that magnitude would obliterate Tokyo. And the thing is, it's overdue. We know there was a big earthquake on the way - the question is - was that it?
I started to wonder if I was worrying too much and then the nuclear power plant in Fukushima exploded. No, I am defintiely not worrying to much as the city is put on a precautionary radioactive alert and we were advised to wear masks.
This whole thing is so surreal and crazy. Check out BBC News for devastating pictures of what's happening in the North. The pictures and videos of the destruction are enough to make your stomach churn and to put on even damn heartstring that you have.
i see those pictures and I wonder how much terror my friend must have suffered going through that. I received so many well wishes on Facebook and I want to thank you all enough for caring. I've passed them onto my friend's girlfriend and they overwhelmed her as much as they did me and brought us both to tears.
I've also posted a video on FB that my friend took of the quake as he was wating for a train. The shocking thing for me about it was the fact that even after the train doors opened, not everyone got off! An 8.9 magnitude earthquake and people aren't even getting off the train?!?! Being stuck on the subway like that would scare the hell outta me and they didn't even flinch.
This calmness freaks me out.
Just waiting for the power cut to happen now - it's supposed to be ab attempt by the Prime Minister to conserve energy. Not going to make a difference to me though - I'm emotionally drained and going to bed.
Thanks for all the support guys! We definitely need it over here!
Love you.
xoxo
I am so fucking lucky.
I didn't sleep at all last night because the aftershocks were coming thick and fast. The worst I counted was 6 in the space of 15 minutes. All of them enough to rock my room and make me give up on trying to get to sleep.
I woke up at 10am and started to get ready to go to work. I was absolutely bricking it about getting on the train - I told you that I live on the Oedo line, which is the deepest line in Tokyo, so I was feeling so nervous and picked up the phone a million times to try and cancel my shift. I couldn't do it - I didn't wanna stay in my house by myself, so I figured that it would be better to keep my mind occupied.
Not long before I left, I received a call from my friend's girlfriend. They had gotten engaged exactly one week ago and he had left for Sendai to visit some elementary school friends and celebrate.
He never made it.
His friend's house that he was staying in was completely washed away by the tsunami. His girlfriend who is also a good friend of mine called me in absolute sobbing hysterics to tell me. The news stunned me to the point that I stood still, silent for at least a minute before my legs gave way and I found myself on the floor sobbing and gasping for breath.
I have no idea why I decided to go to work. I just didn't want to stay at home. I guess I never thought that people would show up for an English lesson. The truth is, this whole "back to business" attitude that Japanese people have deeply unsettles me. I took a big arse bottle of water on the train with me today because I was insanely paranoid about getting trapped. If anyone else was remotely worried, then they hid it perfectly because there wasn't a hint of concern on anyone's face. The train and station was dead. Even when I got to Ginza, there was hardly anyone around, but I could find myself breathing easier that I made it.
Being at work was harder than I thought. I did end up teaching a few lessons and the CALMNESS, the COMPLETE LACK OF ANY KIND OF SENSE OF DANGER confused the hell outta me.
Client number 1: "I couldn't get home because the trains stopped, so I decided to go drinking with my coworkers. I was so drunk I couldn't feel the aftershocks anymore so it was OK for me"
Me: "Aren't you still a bit worried?"
Client number 1: "No. We are safe now."
Me: *confused look*
Client number 2: "I was in the office typing a report when the earthquake happened"
Me: "What floor were you on?"
Client number 2: "11th floor"
Me: "OMG! So what did you do? Did you get under the desk, did you put on a hard hat?"
Client number 2: "No, I carried on typing"
Me: "What? So even though you were on the 11th floor, it wasn't shaking and things weren't falling off the shelves?"
Client number 2: "No, things were coming off the shelf and landing on my desk. It was very scary."
Me: "But you carried on typing?"
Client number 2: "Yes, my report was due"
Me: "?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!??!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!??! There was a big earthquake but you were more worried about your report? What about your life?"
Client number 2: *laughter*
Me: "Unbelievable"
Client number 3: "This was the worst earthquake that I have ever felt"
Me: "So what did you do? Did you put on a hard hat? Did you evacuate the office?"
Client number 3: "No, we stayed in the office. Some people put on a hard hat but I didn't"
Me: "Why are you so calm about this? I'm really scared."
Client number 3: "We cannot write a complaint to nature. I was very angry but there was nothing we can do. I'm not worried because I don't think that we are in danger now. We are safe."
Me: "I don't feel like it's over."
Client number 3: "I think you are worrying too much"
Me: "I think you're not worried because you haven't been seriously affected by it. I think if you had friends or family in Sendai, then you would feel differently"
Client number 3: I think so too.
I just can't get my head around the complacency of these people! If that epicentre had been off the coast of Chiba, then we wouldn't even be here right now. An earthquake of that magnitude would obliterate Tokyo. And the thing is, it's overdue. We know there was a big earthquake on the way - the question is - was that it?
I started to wonder if I was worrying too much and then the nuclear power plant in Fukushima exploded. No, I am defintiely not worrying to much as the city is put on a precautionary radioactive alert and we were advised to wear masks.
This whole thing is so surreal and crazy. Check out BBC News for devastating pictures of what's happening in the North. The pictures and videos of the destruction are enough to make your stomach churn and to put on even damn heartstring that you have.
i see those pictures and I wonder how much terror my friend must have suffered going through that. I received so many well wishes on Facebook and I want to thank you all enough for caring. I've passed them onto my friend's girlfriend and they overwhelmed her as much as they did me and brought us both to tears.
I've also posted a video on FB that my friend took of the quake as he was wating for a train. The shocking thing for me about it was the fact that even after the train doors opened, not everyone got off! An 8.9 magnitude earthquake and people aren't even getting off the train?!?! Being stuck on the subway like that would scare the hell outta me and they didn't even flinch.
This calmness freaks me out.
Just waiting for the power cut to happen now - it's supposed to be ab attempt by the Prime Minister to conserve energy. Not going to make a difference to me though - I'm emotionally drained and going to bed.
Thanks for all the support guys! We definitely need it over here!
Love you.
xoxo
Hands Down...
...the scariest experience that I've been through here in Japan.
Unless you've been living on the moon, you'll know that Japan was hit by a 8.9 magnitude earthquake today. The 7th biggest recorded earthquake ever.
Firstly, I'd really love to thank EVERYONE who sent me messages and apologise to everyone who tried to call - my battery decided to die on me, so I'm really sorry to leave you worried and hanging.
But I'm safe.
I was teaching when it hit. We've felt them before, so when the building started shaking, it was easy to laugh and be like "Oh, an earthquake".
But then it turned into "Wow, that's a really big one" (PLEASE save the innuendos!!!), and then "OK, it's going on for quite a long time". As the trembling became stronger, I looked out of the window and saw the building opposite swaying violently from side to side. That's when it turned into...
...."Oh, F***!!!!"
It was kinda like something out of a movie. Although, I know that earthquakes are a common occurrence here, you still never expect to see it on that kind of scale yourself. It was at the point that you feel terror and fear and as we evacuated the building and were standing outside, you could see smoke coming from buildings and feel the ground moving and tembling beneath your feet. I kinda just felt stunned, and shocked and scared and didn't really know what to do.
After a little while we went back inside, but it wasn't long after that that we felt another one and had to evacuate again. It was at that point that the severity of what was really happening hit and you wonder if you're gonna be OK. People were clearing out the shops for food and other supplies and we weren't able to leave the office - the trains were running and we had to wait around for advice on what to do next.
When the school decided to close, it was such a mission to try and figure out how to get home. Dumbass here was just thinking that I could go outside and jump in a cab with another coworker who lives close to me. The roads were jammed - even if we managed to catch a taxi, we wouldn't have got anywhere and the fare would have been horrendous, so we decided to walk thinking that we would be able to catch a cab later on in the journey. That jouney ended up being 6 hours. I really thought I only lived a couple of hours away, since it only takes 35 minutes on the tube, but in fact, I was going from one end of Tokyo to the other.
It was such a surreal sight seeing the whole of Tokyo walking home. It really was like a movie - thousands of people traipsing along the streets - unless you wanted to stay in the office, it was the only way any of us were getting home. I'm just glad I decided to bring my flats today coz I never would have made it home in those heels. As we walked through Tokyo and Marunouchi, it was so crazy to see the damaged buildings - windows were all smashed up and big cracks in the wall. It was a long haul - even just to Shinjuku where we stopped for a coffee. Tired, frustrated, feeling ill and worried sick about my family who I knew would be trying to contact me - it was a whirlwind of emotions. After 5 hours, I spilt off from my coworker. The roads were still rammed but there was hardly anyone walking and I just felt so crap and tired and irritated. My feet were killing, my legs were (and still are) burning with pain and I was just pushing myself to go on, knowing that I needed to email and skype people to let them know I was OK.
I can't describe how it felt when I saw familiar landmarks and got the feeling that I was almost there. I walked in my house and then my jaw dropped when I saw the state of my room. I have a MASSIVE chestr of draws which had been knocked over. Clothes were everywhere. My laptop and TV were on the floor, but miraculously NOTHING was damaged or broken. The first thing I did was call home and then charge my phone to listen to the string of panciked messages and read my emails.
It hurts me deeply to hear how much people were worrying about me. I feel so sorry to have put you through that. I love you all for caring and I just feel so lucky that I wasn't caught up in anything more serious. Aching muscles, irritability, exhaustion and a 6 hour walk home are nothing compared to what people are having to deal with up in Sendai. Nothing at all, and I'm so thankful that I can come here and tell you all that I'm safe.
There is that moment where I wonder why I put myself in this kind of danger living here, but I remember after I left England, there was a massive earthquake in the North, so it just shows that it could happen anywhere.
The main thing is that I'm safe. I'm be lying if I said I wasn't shaken up. It was a really scary experience and I was at a point where I though "This is it". Everyone here knows that we were overdue a massive earthquake - I'm just hoping that that was it and there is nothing else to follow.
My heart goes out to those who were seriously affected and to the friends and family of lost ones.
Thank you all for your support!
Love you.
jade xoxo
Unless you've been living on the moon, you'll know that Japan was hit by a 8.9 magnitude earthquake today. The 7th biggest recorded earthquake ever.
Firstly, I'd really love to thank EVERYONE who sent me messages and apologise to everyone who tried to call - my battery decided to die on me, so I'm really sorry to leave you worried and hanging.
But I'm safe.
I was teaching when it hit. We've felt them before, so when the building started shaking, it was easy to laugh and be like "Oh, an earthquake".
But then it turned into "Wow, that's a really big one" (PLEASE save the innuendos!!!), and then "OK, it's going on for quite a long time". As the trembling became stronger, I looked out of the window and saw the building opposite swaying violently from side to side. That's when it turned into...
...."Oh, F***!!!!"
It was kinda like something out of a movie. Although, I know that earthquakes are a common occurrence here, you still never expect to see it on that kind of scale yourself. It was at the point that you feel terror and fear and as we evacuated the building and were standing outside, you could see smoke coming from buildings and feel the ground moving and tembling beneath your feet. I kinda just felt stunned, and shocked and scared and didn't really know what to do.
After a little while we went back inside, but it wasn't long after that that we felt another one and had to evacuate again. It was at that point that the severity of what was really happening hit and you wonder if you're gonna be OK. People were clearing out the shops for food and other supplies and we weren't able to leave the office - the trains were running and we had to wait around for advice on what to do next.
When the school decided to close, it was such a mission to try and figure out how to get home. Dumbass here was just thinking that I could go outside and jump in a cab with another coworker who lives close to me. The roads were jammed - even if we managed to catch a taxi, we wouldn't have got anywhere and the fare would have been horrendous, so we decided to walk thinking that we would be able to catch a cab later on in the journey. That jouney ended up being 6 hours. I really thought I only lived a couple of hours away, since it only takes 35 minutes on the tube, but in fact, I was going from one end of Tokyo to the other.
It was such a surreal sight seeing the whole of Tokyo walking home. It really was like a movie - thousands of people traipsing along the streets - unless you wanted to stay in the office, it was the only way any of us were getting home. I'm just glad I decided to bring my flats today coz I never would have made it home in those heels. As we walked through Tokyo and Marunouchi, it was so crazy to see the damaged buildings - windows were all smashed up and big cracks in the wall. It was a long haul - even just to Shinjuku where we stopped for a coffee. Tired, frustrated, feeling ill and worried sick about my family who I knew would be trying to contact me - it was a whirlwind of emotions. After 5 hours, I spilt off from my coworker. The roads were still rammed but there was hardly anyone walking and I just felt so crap and tired and irritated. My feet were killing, my legs were (and still are) burning with pain and I was just pushing myself to go on, knowing that I needed to email and skype people to let them know I was OK.
I can't describe how it felt when I saw familiar landmarks and got the feeling that I was almost there. I walked in my house and then my jaw dropped when I saw the state of my room. I have a MASSIVE chestr of draws which had been knocked over. Clothes were everywhere. My laptop and TV were on the floor, but miraculously NOTHING was damaged or broken. The first thing I did was call home and then charge my phone to listen to the string of panciked messages and read my emails.
It hurts me deeply to hear how much people were worrying about me. I feel so sorry to have put you through that. I love you all for caring and I just feel so lucky that I wasn't caught up in anything more serious. Aching muscles, irritability, exhaustion and a 6 hour walk home are nothing compared to what people are having to deal with up in Sendai. Nothing at all, and I'm so thankful that I can come here and tell you all that I'm safe.
There is that moment where I wonder why I put myself in this kind of danger living here, but I remember after I left England, there was a massive earthquake in the North, so it just shows that it could happen anywhere.
The main thing is that I'm safe. I'm be lying if I said I wasn't shaken up. It was a really scary experience and I was at a point where I though "This is it". Everyone here knows that we were overdue a massive earthquake - I'm just hoping that that was it and there is nothing else to follow.
My heart goes out to those who were seriously affected and to the friends and family of lost ones.
Thank you all for your support!
Love you.
jade xoxo
Tuesday 8 March 2011
I Need A Break!!
I slept for a whopping 10 hours last night. I don't even remember the last time I was able to do that.
And yet, I'm still tired. You know they say it's because you got too much sleep that you still feel tired? I don't think so - it's coz I didn't get ENOUGH sleep that I'm still feeling this way.
In short....
...I need a break!!
Yes, I know I went to Australia but that totally doesn't count. I was busy every day, drunk every night and hung over every morning. Hardly the relaxing break that my body is yearning for right now. Gonna nip down to Hakone for a couple of days at the end of the month, so I'm hoping that's gonna tide me over until GW.
Excited about the tan already!
xoxo
And yet, I'm still tired. You know they say it's because you got too much sleep that you still feel tired? I don't think so - it's coz I didn't get ENOUGH sleep that I'm still feeling this way.
In short....
...I need a break!!
Yes, I know I went to Australia but that totally doesn't count. I was busy every day, drunk every night and hung over every morning. Hardly the relaxing break that my body is yearning for right now. Gonna nip down to Hakone for a couple of days at the end of the month, so I'm hoping that's gonna tide me over until GW.
Excited about the tan already!
xoxo
Monday 7 March 2011
眠い！！！
Seriously - I feel so exhausted today.
It's weird coz I'm normally up at 5.15am on a Monday morning to go into work. I had a Japanese lesson and then a training session today, so I didn't have to be up until 7.30am but I still feel like I've been up since stupid o'clock.
I didn't realise how knackering it would be to have a lesson so early. I always wonder how I manage to teach the 7am lessons at work, but being on the other side - it's hard! New found respect for those 7am clients who come in for a lesson and then go to work until like 10pm or midnight or some other ghastly hour like that.
I felt like my brain just wasn't cooperating with me. The snow certainly didn't help my mood and I just couldn't think of anything to say - my imagination completely let me down and by the end, I wasn't sure I'd make it through a whole day of cert.
A very interesting one on socail styles today. No huge surprises when I read the surveys other people had filled out for me. It didn't even matter whether there were discrepancies, or whether I agreed with impression people had of me, I was only ever gonna end up in one box.
Expressive.
Thing is though, if you look at how people interact in different situations, then the results would vary a lot more. I was thinking about it earlier and I worked out that in a day to day situation at work, where I'm interacting with coworkers, then sure, expressive fits the bill.
If I think of myself as an instructor, I would definitely lean way more towards driving. Although I'd still be a driving expressive.
However, if I think about a social situation - say a massive party where I was surrounded by a whole load of people that I didn't know, I would definitely define myself as an expressive/amiable. I'm actually super shy in social situations where I'm surrounded by strangers - especially if it's like a big group. It's something that surprises a lot of people but people that know me well have seen it. It's weird though coz if you put me in a work situation surrounded by people I don't know, I don't feel like that. Certainly a little more cautious and more likely to hold back until I've tested the water and felt everyone out, but after that, my expressiveness comes out in full force.
Interesting ne?
There's a few traits of the expressive social style that I have been working on. Naturally, everything doesn't fit the bill - it's not subjective. In fact, I think there are many things that I don't identify with at all.
If you haven't tried a social styles test before, I'd definitely recommend one. The results may surprise you!
xoxo
It's weird coz I'm normally up at 5.15am on a Monday morning to go into work. I had a Japanese lesson and then a training session today, so I didn't have to be up until 7.30am but I still feel like I've been up since stupid o'clock.
I didn't realise how knackering it would be to have a lesson so early. I always wonder how I manage to teach the 7am lessons at work, but being on the other side - it's hard! New found respect for those 7am clients who come in for a lesson and then go to work until like 10pm or midnight or some other ghastly hour like that.
I felt like my brain just wasn't cooperating with me. The snow certainly didn't help my mood and I just couldn't think of anything to say - my imagination completely let me down and by the end, I wasn't sure I'd make it through a whole day of cert.
A very interesting one on socail styles today. No huge surprises when I read the surveys other people had filled out for me. It didn't even matter whether there were discrepancies, or whether I agreed with impression people had of me, I was only ever gonna end up in one box.
Expressive.
Thing is though, if you look at how people interact in different situations, then the results would vary a lot more. I was thinking about it earlier and I worked out that in a day to day situation at work, where I'm interacting with coworkers, then sure, expressive fits the bill.
If I think of myself as an instructor, I would definitely lean way more towards driving. Although I'd still be a driving expressive.
However, if I think about a social situation - say a massive party where I was surrounded by a whole load of people that I didn't know, I would definitely define myself as an expressive/amiable. I'm actually super shy in social situations where I'm surrounded by strangers - especially if it's like a big group. It's something that surprises a lot of people but people that know me well have seen it. It's weird though coz if you put me in a work situation surrounded by people I don't know, I don't feel like that. Certainly a little more cautious and more likely to hold back until I've tested the water and felt everyone out, but after that, my expressiveness comes out in full force.
Interesting ne?
There's a few traits of the expressive social style that I have been working on. Naturally, everything doesn't fit the bill - it's not subjective. In fact, I think there are many things that I don't identify with at all.
If you haven't tried a social styles test before, I'd definitely recommend one. The results may surprise you!
xoxo
Sunday 6 March 2011
I Did It!!
I can't believe I did it!
I finally bit the bullet and went for laser hair removal.
I've been putting it off for ages because I just kept hearing again and again about how painful it is. A billion times worse than waxing, people were telling me. But, after going to OZ and seeing the results on my friend, I decided that I just HAD to try it and so I went for my first treatment session today.
I thought I'd start with my armpits and then if all went well, I'd go for it DOWN THERE.
Seriously reconsidering that now!!! OMG!!! It hurts SO MUCH! I mean, it's not like the pain is INTOLERABLE but it really effing stings like hell - especially when the laser hits the deepest point. When the woman started, I was lying there wondering what all the fuss was about because it just felt like someone was pricking me with a sharp pin over and over again. But then she got to those deep points and it was so uncomfortable! I was biting my tongue throughout the whole thing.
The plus side is that it was all over in under five minutes and then they leave you for like 3-4 minutes with cold pads under your arms. It's not so bad after that - it's just this constant stinging which feels like really bad sunburn I guess. Not regretting it for a second - it's only the first session and the difference is amazing! The skin is so smooth and there's no hint of the follicle, whcih you can still see after shaving. It's gonna take a few sessions to go away completely, so I ended up purchasing a year pass which works out nearly 60% cheaper than paying session by session.
Just think - in a year I'm not going to have to worry about armpit hair ever again!! YAY!!
It might be an expensive and painful method of hair removal but it's worth every damn penny and every second of pain!! Although I think I'm good sticking to the Brazilian waxing for the southern parts!!! Very, very tempting though...I'll have to give it a bit more thought!!
xoxo
I finally bit the bullet and went for laser hair removal.
I've been putting it off for ages because I just kept hearing again and again about how painful it is. A billion times worse than waxing, people were telling me. But, after going to OZ and seeing the results on my friend, I decided that I just HAD to try it and so I went for my first treatment session today.
I thought I'd start with my armpits and then if all went well, I'd go for it DOWN THERE.
Seriously reconsidering that now!!! OMG!!! It hurts SO MUCH! I mean, it's not like the pain is INTOLERABLE but it really effing stings like hell - especially when the laser hits the deepest point. When the woman started, I was lying there wondering what all the fuss was about because it just felt like someone was pricking me with a sharp pin over and over again. But then she got to those deep points and it was so uncomfortable! I was biting my tongue throughout the whole thing.
The plus side is that it was all over in under five minutes and then they leave you for like 3-4 minutes with cold pads under your arms. It's not so bad after that - it's just this constant stinging which feels like really bad sunburn I guess. Not regretting it for a second - it's only the first session and the difference is amazing! The skin is so smooth and there's no hint of the follicle, whcih you can still see after shaving. It's gonna take a few sessions to go away completely, so I ended up purchasing a year pass which works out nearly 60% cheaper than paying session by session.
Just think - in a year I'm not going to have to worry about armpit hair ever again!! YAY!!
It might be an expensive and painful method of hair removal but it's worth every damn penny and every second of pain!! Although I think I'm good sticking to the Brazilian waxing for the southern parts!!! Very, very tempting though...I'll have to give it a bit more thought!!
xoxo
Friday 4 March 2011
The Shopaholic Series
Since I got my kindle a couple of weeks ago, I've already read 8 books.
I've just finished the Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella. It's 5 books centred around a girl who just can't stop spending and is constantly getting herself into a whole load of debt.
5 trashy, girly novels...but I LOVED them! Not only were they super easy to read, but they were absolutely hilarious! I found myself laughing out loud on the train on more than one occasion! It's good just to have a light, non -serious read every now and again.
Next on the list is Murakami. Even though I've already read most of his novels, I'm gonna re-read them all and then make a start on the short stories. Definitely starting with Norwegian Wood so that I can refamiliarize myself with the story before watching the movie.
xoxo
I've just finished the Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella. It's 5 books centred around a girl who just can't stop spending and is constantly getting herself into a whole load of debt.
5 trashy, girly novels...but I LOVED them! Not only were they super easy to read, but they were absolutely hilarious! I found myself laughing out loud on the train on more than one occasion! It's good just to have a light, non -serious read every now and again.
Next on the list is Murakami. Even though I've already read most of his novels, I'm gonna re-read them all and then make a start on the short stories. Definitely starting with Norwegian Wood so that I can refamiliarize myself with the story before watching the movie.
xoxo
YYYAAAAAYYYYY!!!
Have you seen the latest episode of Gossip Girl?!
AT LAST Dan and Blair have got it on!!
So cute.
xoxo
AT LAST Dan and Blair have got it on!!
So cute.
xoxo
New Toy!
Kinda!
So I'm always telling my clients that they should record their lessons so that they can work on improving their listening, intonation and pronunciation.
Yesterday, I decided to take my own advice and bought an IC Recorder. How often I'll actualyl use it is a whole other matter but at least I've taken the first step! I absolutely detest my voice on recordings - I'm always shocked at how ENGLISH I sound! I never realised that my accent was so strong, but at the same time at least it confirmed that I haven't been overly Americanized as I feared. I know I use a few American words but at least their coming out in a British accent!! HAHA!
OF COURSE it's pink!! Haha!! To add to my pink phone, ipod, dictionary case, kindle case, balance ball, pencil case, scarf, lipstick, mirror...and some other stuff I'm sure! Can't get enough of the colour!
xoxo
So I'm always telling my clients that they should record their lessons so that they can work on improving their listening, intonation and pronunciation.
Yesterday, I decided to take my own advice and bought an IC Recorder. How often I'll actualyl use it is a whole other matter but at least I've taken the first step! I absolutely detest my voice on recordings - I'm always shocked at how ENGLISH I sound! I never realised that my accent was so strong, but at the same time at least it confirmed that I haven't been overly Americanized as I feared. I know I use a few American words but at least their coming out in a British accent!! HAHA!
OF COURSE it's pink!! Haha!! To add to my pink phone, ipod, dictionary case, kindle case, balance ball, pencil case, scarf, lipstick, mirror...and some other stuff I'm sure! Can't get enough of the colour!
xoxo
Tuesday 1 March 2011
Norwegian Wood
OMG I am so excited!
I just discovered that my favourite book by Haruki Murakami has been made into a film!!
Not only that, but I booked my flight to Bali today too!
YAY!
Super excited to see the film - I'm always seriously wary of films which are based on books, but after the amazing depiction of the Green Mile and the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, my faith has been restored in films having the ability to stay true to the story.
I must go and see it ASAP! Or at least as soon as I can find some kind of gap in my schedule!
Buzzing with excitement at the thought of going back to Bali. I had such a wicked time when I went there a couple of years ago and no doubt this is going to be any different - in fact, I'm certain it's gonna be even better! Gonna hit up some different spots and make it over to Lombok for sure this time. Not having the time to go there was one of my biggest regrets about my last trip to Indonesia. Plus, I'm really hoping that my girl will fly over from the UK again and meet me there. It was so awesome to see her and even though I went to visit her last year in the States, it would still be fantabulous for her to fly out again this spring.
Can't believe we're in March already. Where does all the time go?!?!?!
xoxo
I just discovered that my favourite book by Haruki Murakami has been made into a film!!
Not only that, but I booked my flight to Bali today too!
YAY!
Super excited to see the film - I'm always seriously wary of films which are based on books, but after the amazing depiction of the Green Mile and the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, my faith has been restored in films having the ability to stay true to the story.
I must go and see it ASAP! Or at least as soon as I can find some kind of gap in my schedule!
Buzzing with excitement at the thought of going back to Bali. I had such a wicked time when I went there a couple of years ago and no doubt this is going to be any different - in fact, I'm certain it's gonna be even better! Gonna hit up some different spots and make it over to Lombok for sure this time. Not having the time to go there was one of my biggest regrets about my last trip to Indonesia. Plus, I'm really hoping that my girl will fly over from the UK again and meet me there. It was so awesome to see her and even though I went to visit her last year in the States, it would still be fantabulous for her to fly out again this spring.
Can't believe we're in March already. Where does all the time go?!?!?!
xoxo
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