Last week I began writing about the March 11th earthquake. If you missed it, you can read it here.
Philip told me that the shaking had been strong at his office and that he realized how serious it was when his Japanese co-workers demonstrated intense fear. The office had been evacuated to a middle school, but the ironic thing was that the team had to walk through alley ways between shaking buildings to get to "safety." He heard that the trains would likely be shut down and that he might need to walk home. We discussed where I had gone during the quake and decided it had been a good choice, one I would make again if we had another major tremor. We exchanged "I love yous" as we always do when we say goodbye on the phone, but with the aftershocks, I knew I wouldn't really rest easy until he got home. I updated Facebook and emailed our families to let them know that we were both ok, in case they happened to be up and watching the news.
For the rest of the day, I kept Matthias within arm's reach at all times, usually strapped to me in his beloved Baby Bjorn. I removed all hard items from the tops of shelves and furniture and made sure all cabinets were closed. It's strange how benign-looking, beloved items can become dangerous in an emergency. As I read and watched the news, I began to realize how ill-prepared we had been had the earthquake had been worse in Tokyo. I pulled out the earthquake information we had received from our relocation consultants and gathered supplies that we had on hand, just in case Matthias and I needed to make a quick exit. I filled a bag with our backup disposable diapers and wipes, some non-perishable food, our important paperwork, blankets and clothes for M, and Nalgene bottles filled with water. I filled the remainder of our water bottles and sat them in different places around the apartment. I hoped that those affected by the quake and tsunami had been better prepared than we had been, that they had food and supplies for their babies. I kept thinking of and praying for the families that had been separated and held Matthias even closer. I wanted to talk to someone, but didn't want to wake up our families in the middle of the night.
We continued to have aftershocks, and each time, I wondered if they would get worse, whether I should go to our "safe spot," but I stayed calm. It is amazing how being a mom brings greater cause for anxiety on one hand, but more reasons to stay calm on the other. I tried to do mundane tasks like laundry and cleaning to stay busy as I waited to hear again from Philip. I was ravenously hungry, as I always seem to be after a stressful event.
Later in the evening, I received a text from Philip telling me he was walking home 31 km (over 19 miles) from Kamiooka. Later I was able to get a call through to him and found out he was with three of his co-workers, including Tanaka-san, his kind Japanese friend. I was glad to know he was with someone who spoke Japanese and knew his way around. Philip said that traffic was at a standstill and that the trains were suspended. Thousands, or more likely millions, of people were making their way home on foot. He told me they had tried to buy bikes, but there were none to be had. He continued to text me to tell me his progress and I would find each location on the map. I kept updating Facebook with news from Philip and with details about the quake and tsunami as I learned them. Dozens of friends and family members wrote, checked on us, and prayed for Philip's safe return. Finally it was late enough to call home, and I talked with my relieved mom and mom-in-law. Unfortunately, my mom found out about the quake (via a phone call from a friend) before she heard from me, but quickly found out that I was ok. My mom-in-law got my message before she heard the news. My dear friend and college roommate called and wonderfully distracted me for the remainder of the time until Philip got home.
Philip got home after midnight, and I was so happy to see him! He was exhausted and sore, but completely safe and I was very thankful. He had walked over 17 miles in his dress clothes and shoes before getting on one of the few trains back in service. He jokes now that he should do a testimonial commercial for his Bruno Magli shoes, fancy ones we snagged for a bargain at Nordstrom Rack back in VA. After lots of hugs, a little stress eating, sharing about our days, and updating loved ones, we slipped into bed for a restless night's sleep.
To be continued...
Friday, April 22, 2011
A Mommy Date!
On Wednesday, Matthias and I joined our friend Cat and her sweet baby S on a lunch date. It was my first mommy date since moving to Tokyo and I was very excited. We walked over the ridiculously steep pedestrian bridge to Shibuya (Tokyo is not very stroller/wheelchair friendly, but that's another post) and met our friends at Shibuya Mark City, a hotel, restaurant, and shopping complex.
I planned on taking pictures during lunch expressly for this blog post, but Matthias had other plans. He kept Mommy's hands VERY full. We chose to get Chinese food and can I just tell you how hard it is to eat with chopsticks while holding an octopus infant? Even though Cat is Chinese and I am proficient with chopsticks, we ended up asking for forks, because S was nursing and Matthias was wiggling, fussing, finger-painting with my food, and otherwise causing a ruckus. Thankfully, it was past peak lunch time and the restaurant was almost empty. Also, the host, server, and cooks loved babies, and kept distracting Matthias just when he was ready for a major meltdown. Overall, we only lost one sock and splashed one sweater in the fray, so I'd say it was a success!
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| The steep pedestrian stairway and ramp. It takes all my strength to maintain control on the stroller going down, and going up is quite the workout. You'd have to be a paralympian to control a wheelchair on such a grade! |
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| A glimpse of Shibuya's famous intersection, or "scramble crossing." When it's crowded, there are thousands of people crossing at the same time. |
I planned on taking pictures during lunch expressly for this blog post, but Matthias had other plans. He kept Mommy's hands VERY full. We chose to get Chinese food and can I just tell you how hard it is to eat with chopsticks while holding an octopus infant? Even though Cat is Chinese and I am proficient with chopsticks, we ended up asking for forks, because S was nursing and Matthias was wiggling, fussing, finger-painting with my food, and otherwise causing a ruckus. Thankfully, it was past peak lunch time and the restaurant was almost empty. Also, the host, server, and cooks loved babies, and kept distracting Matthias just when he was ready for a major meltdown. Overall, we only lost one sock and splashed one sweater in the fray, so I'd say it was a success!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Matthias This Monday
Matthias is getting so big! I am in shock that my baby is growing SO fast. Cliché, I know, but it seems only the other day he looked like this:
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| 4 days old - just over 7 pounds - newborn-sized sleeper - sleeping like an angel And now, he looks like this:
He is long and chubby and learning so many new things each day. For example, today he started saying the "d" sound during one of his babbling sessions and he pushed up on almost straight arms while on his tummy. He wants to propel himself so badly. I can just see his mind puzzling over how he can get from point A to point B as he "swims" in place on his tummy. It is such an amazing gift to have the opportunity to watch him grow day by day. |
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Sakura, Strolling, and Shopping
We have thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful cherry blossoms, or sakura, that have graced Japan this spring.
Like millions of other Tokyo residents, we have spent afternoons and evenings walking along streets and waterways lined with the ethereal blooms.
This Sunday, we decided to take a walk to Gotanda (about 2.5 miles away) and check out a baby store called Akachan Honpo. We could have taken the train, but the weather was comfortable, so we decided to walk there along the Meguro River where the cherry blossoms are past peak, but still gorgeous.
Like millions of other Tokyo residents, we have spent afternoons and evenings walking along streets and waterways lined with the ethereal blooms.
This Sunday, we decided to take a walk to Gotanda (about 2.5 miles away) and check out a baby store called Akachan Honpo. We could have taken the train, but the weather was comfortable, so we decided to walk there along the Meguro River where the cherry blossoms are past peak, but still gorgeous.
During sakura season, people enjoy eating under the cherry blossoms, a picnicking tradition called hanami. In this grass-starved city, we have seen groups of people feasting on blankets laid on sidewalks, closed streets and empty flower beds, having the time of their lives. Here are a couple hanami parties we witnessed on our walk:
When we arrived at Akachan Honpo, we were on a mission to find a "johnny jump-up" or "jumperoo" type toy for Matthias to burn up some of his incredible energy. I was hoping to find a simple one that would attach to the doorway or ceiling, and avoid getting anything huge and bright-colored that would take up lots of floor space. Unfortunately for my decorating and parenting tastes, this sensory overload-inducing, plastic monstrosity was the only thing we found.
And of course, Matthias absolutely loved it and went to town bouncing. We didn't buy it, because we would have to get such a large box delivered rather than carrying it all the way home, so there was no advantage to buying it on the spot. However, I think Philip was tempted to lug the thing home, just to see if it helped the little guy sleep. I'm still determined to find a better option online, but I keep remembering how much he laughed and bounced with glee, then stared and smiled at the ugly thing every time we passed by it on our search for new clothes for his ever growing body. My little M gets to me every time!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Saturday Scene - Tokyo Edition
I am so excited to link up with Katie at Loves of Life for our Saturday Morning Scene!
We woke up late this morning after an exhausting week and a late night with Matthias. Philip said those three little words I love to hear on a weekend morning..."I'm getting donuts." And since we live in the middle of a sprawling metropolis and don't own cars, Philip hopped on his trusty bike and headed off to get some deliciousness!
When Philip came home, I was just finishing giving Matthias his "breakfast." Philip put together a lovely meal highlighting delicious cinnamon donuts and we headed out to our balcony, because the weather was absolutely GORGEOUS.
Like so many moments these days, our blissful little time was suddenly interrupted by an aftershock. My chair started quivering and my coffee sloshed in my mug. This aftershock wasn't very big, but each one is a reminder of what happened in Tohoku and what could happen here in Tokyo. We have to cling to the words of Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV): Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
We woke up late this morning after an exhausting week and a late night with Matthias. Philip said those three little words I love to hear on a weekend morning..."I'm getting donuts." And since we live in the middle of a sprawling metropolis and don't own cars, Philip hopped on his trusty bike and headed off to get some deliciousness!
One of the things that surprised me about Tokyo was the number of French-themed bakeries and patisseries scattered around town. We get our bread (and sometimes our baked goods) at this little spot.
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| Chez Lui |
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| Mmm...donuts! Many baked goods in Japan are green because they are made with green tea. |
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| I'm sure it was difficult for Philip to stay focused with all the yumminess here! |
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| My hunky guy bringing home the bacon donuts! |
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| The breakfast and the baby are so NOM-able! |
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| Adoring my sweet boy. |
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| Come to Mama! |
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| Looks like he enjoyed his breakfast. |
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| Pretty soon he'll be wanting to share my donut. |
Friday, April 15, 2011
I'm alive, I promise!
Well, I've been a bad, bad blogger. But I have really good excuses, including:
Teething: Let's just say that if teething were a competitive sport, Matthias would be a world class athlete. Poor guy. Sleep has been elusive for all of us and I have lived in survival mode many days, feeling productive if I fit in eating and showering, let alone blogging. Except one week of bliss in mid-March, the little dude has been hurting. I just wish those little teeth would "come on down," Price is Right style...
Perfectionism: I am so perfectionistic and I have struggled with the following bogus thoughts: 1) Because I have such a large gap between posts, the blog is "ruined," 2) Each post has to be comprehensive or exhaustive, and 3) I need a really cool layout or design that requires significant time and training to create. I am learning to get past those feelings, and just share my thoughts and experiences a little at a time in this much needed creative outlet.
The 2011 Tohoku Earthquake: Our world was shaken, literally and figuratively, on March 11th. Even though the impact on us was miniscule in comparison to those suffering tremendous loss in the Northeast, the earthquake and its aftermath have had a major effect on our life. I kept trying to blog about it, but had such a hard time summarizing it during a naptime, that I just gave up. But I need to share about it. So, I will try to share a bit at a time each Friday, because I don't want to forget what I felt or what I learned.
Here's a bit of what I experienced five Fridays ago:
Part 1
I had just changed M's diaper, when I thought someone was banging very loudly on the door. Which was weird, because guests and delivery people have to be beeped in and I wasn't expecting anyone. It also sounded suddenly windy outside. As the noise continued, the apartment began to shake and rock. I thought, "an earthquake," scooped up Matthias, and tried to recall what I had read about how to react. Oh yes, we should get under a table. I looked as our dining room table, which has a center pedestal rather than legs. It was wobbling around and looked anything but secure. I looked around at all the objects that might fall over on us, including pieces of furniture, books, picture frames, and candlesticks. I thought about getting under couch cushions, another suggestion from our Japan guide, but then I thought about the fact that we have an emergency escape hatch (kind of like a fire escape) in the balcony off our bedroom and a fire retardant door that can be closed to protect against a spreading fire, which can be common after a quake. So I decided to make a move for the bedroom as the shaking kept getting worse. I had to work hard to stay steady on my feet. I walked/ran as fast as I could into the bedroom and huddled between the two walls in the entry way, hoping that I chose the right spot in case things got really bad. The shaking just kept going and my heart was racing, but Matthias just smiled and giggled in my arms. It was amazing to me how he could feel completely unconcerned in such a moment. I couldn't believe the furniture was still standing with such a forceful shaking.
After a few minutes that seemed like hours, the shaking stopped. I thanked God that we were ok and began to wonder how big of a quake it had been. I figured that it had felt much worse to me, a earthquake novice, than it had felt to my Japanese neighbors. It wasn't until I heard the magnitude later on that I knew how serious it had been. I looked around the apartment to see if we had any damage, and we had none besides several items that fell down and a few gashes in the floor caused by those items. Our building is new and has many features that minimize damage, from the way its foundation and walls are built, to the fact that we have special locks on the cabinets that engage during a tremor to prevent a rainstorm of dishes and plates. I wondered if it had been worse or better for Philip, who works closer to the coast. I tried to call his cell phone from mine, but the call failed. I tried his office line, but got no answer. I was really worried that things had been worse on his side of town. I kept trying with no avail, but did my best to stay calm for M's sake. The front desk staff at our apartment came over the intercom to tell us that the earthquake had been centered off the Miyagi prefecture and that the maintenance staff would begin checking our building for damage. We had a few aftershocks while I waited to hear from Philip, including one major one that caused our framed photos to sway violently on their hanging wires. I checked the news online and realized that the quake had indeed been massive and had caused a major tsunami. After about 45 minutes, I got a call on our Vonage phone from Philip, who was calling me via Skype on his co-worker's iPhone. Thank God for technology! I breathed so much easier knowing he was ok, but felt tremendous survivor's guilt knowing that thousands of people may never get that call.
Teething: Let's just say that if teething were a competitive sport, Matthias would be a world class athlete. Poor guy. Sleep has been elusive for all of us and I have lived in survival mode many days, feeling productive if I fit in eating and showering, let alone blogging. Except one week of bliss in mid-March, the little dude has been hurting. I just wish those little teeth would "come on down," Price is Right style...
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| His favorite teether...our fingers! |
Perfectionism: I am so perfectionistic and I have struggled with the following bogus thoughts: 1) Because I have such a large gap between posts, the blog is "ruined," 2) Each post has to be comprehensive or exhaustive, and 3) I need a really cool layout or design that requires significant time and training to create. I am learning to get past those feelings, and just share my thoughts and experiences a little at a time in this much needed creative outlet.
The 2011 Tohoku Earthquake: Our world was shaken, literally and figuratively, on March 11th. Even though the impact on us was miniscule in comparison to those suffering tremendous loss in the Northeast, the earthquake and its aftermath have had a major effect on our life. I kept trying to blog about it, but had such a hard time summarizing it during a naptime, that I just gave up. But I need to share about it. So, I will try to share a bit at a time each Friday, because I don't want to forget what I felt or what I learned.
Here's a bit of what I experienced five Fridays ago:
Part 1
I had just changed M's diaper, when I thought someone was banging very loudly on the door. Which was weird, because guests and delivery people have to be beeped in and I wasn't expecting anyone. It also sounded suddenly windy outside. As the noise continued, the apartment began to shake and rock. I thought, "an earthquake," scooped up Matthias, and tried to recall what I had read about how to react. Oh yes, we should get under a table. I looked as our dining room table, which has a center pedestal rather than legs. It was wobbling around and looked anything but secure. I looked around at all the objects that might fall over on us, including pieces of furniture, books, picture frames, and candlesticks. I thought about getting under couch cushions, another suggestion from our Japan guide, but then I thought about the fact that we have an emergency escape hatch (kind of like a fire escape) in the balcony off our bedroom and a fire retardant door that can be closed to protect against a spreading fire, which can be common after a quake. So I decided to make a move for the bedroom as the shaking kept getting worse. I had to work hard to stay steady on my feet. I walked/ran as fast as I could into the bedroom and huddled between the two walls in the entry way, hoping that I chose the right spot in case things got really bad. The shaking just kept going and my heart was racing, but Matthias just smiled and giggled in my arms. It was amazing to me how he could feel completely unconcerned in such a moment. I couldn't believe the furniture was still standing with such a forceful shaking.
After a few minutes that seemed like hours, the shaking stopped. I thanked God that we were ok and began to wonder how big of a quake it had been. I figured that it had felt much worse to me, a earthquake novice, than it had felt to my Japanese neighbors. It wasn't until I heard the magnitude later on that I knew how serious it had been. I looked around the apartment to see if we had any damage, and we had none besides several items that fell down and a few gashes in the floor caused by those items. Our building is new and has many features that minimize damage, from the way its foundation and walls are built, to the fact that we have special locks on the cabinets that engage during a tremor to prevent a rainstorm of dishes and plates. I wondered if it had been worse or better for Philip, who works closer to the coast. I tried to call his cell phone from mine, but the call failed. I tried his office line, but got no answer. I was really worried that things had been worse on his side of town. I kept trying with no avail, but did my best to stay calm for M's sake. The front desk staff at our apartment came over the intercom to tell us that the earthquake had been centered off the Miyagi prefecture and that the maintenance staff would begin checking our building for damage. We had a few aftershocks while I waited to hear from Philip, including one major one that caused our framed photos to sway violently on their hanging wires. I checked the news online and realized that the quake had indeed been massive and had caused a major tsunami. After about 45 minutes, I got a call on our Vonage phone from Philip, who was calling me via Skype on his co-worker's iPhone. Thank God for technology! I breathed so much easier knowing he was ok, but felt tremendous survivor's guilt knowing that thousands of people may never get that call.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Aliens, Divine Appointments, and Growing Pains
Last Friday, Matthias and I went to the Ward Office in Shibuya to register as aliens.
No, not those kind of aliens!
According to japan-guide.com, All foreigners, who stay in Japan for more than 90 days, need to apply for an alien registration card within the first 90 days of their stay. Applications are to be made at the local municipal office (e.g. city hall). The alien registration card is an important document required for opening a bank account, obtaining a cell phone and similar activities. Foreign residents are required to carry their alien registration card with them at all times.
Philip's company works with a relocation company to help with our transition to Japan. They scheduled a relocation specialist to accompany M and I to the ward office last Friday and translate for us. I had a really hard day last Thursday. Everything difficult about this transition seemed to be hitting me. Matthias was (and is) going through a fussy time, making it hard to predict when would be a good time to go out without a meltdown. I was really missing family, friends, English speakers, and familiar American things. Philip has been absolutely swamped at work, working about 11 hours a day plus commuting an hour each way. I knew that I had an appointment to go to the ward office the next morning and I was in tears walking Matthias to sleep that night, dreading having to get myself together in the morning and do a bunch of bureaucratic stuff. I kept thinking that I would be met by a single Japanese woman with impeccable clothes, hair, and makeup, who might feel uncomfortable with me needing to nurse Matthias in public. Little did I know that God had a divine appointment to encourage me...
He sent a German woman, married to a Japanese man (hence her Japanese last name), who was not only a mother of SIX, but also a follower of Christ who described English as the language of her heart (of the three languages she speaks). She was kind and compassionate, understood Matthias's needs, and talked freely about her experiences as a foreigner in Japan, as a mom, and as a believer. To top it off, she has a son who has some special needs and was eager to talk about occupational therapy! Resources for children with special needs are seemingly more difficult to obtain here in Japan, so not only was she a blessing to me, but I had the privilege to be a blessing to her by lending an understanding ear to her concerns and offering a few suggestions. It was such a refreshing time. She helped us get registered, showed me where to find a good pediatrician for Matthias, and introduced me to the paradise called Azabu National, the international grocery store.
On Monday, our sea shipment arrived!
It was so exciting to see our stuff arrive, and Matthias really enjoyed supervising the movers.
I hope to add some posts soon with pictures of our neighborhood, our furnished apartment, and our little cutie!
No, not those kind of aliens!
According to japan-guide.com, All foreigners, who stay in Japan for more than 90 days, need to apply for an alien registration card within the first 90 days of their stay. Applications are to be made at the local municipal office (e.g. city hall). The alien registration card is an important document required for opening a bank account, obtaining a cell phone and similar activities. Foreign residents are required to carry their alien registration card with them at all times.
Philip's company works with a relocation company to help with our transition to Japan. They scheduled a relocation specialist to accompany M and I to the ward office last Friday and translate for us. I had a really hard day last Thursday. Everything difficult about this transition seemed to be hitting me. Matthias was (and is) going through a fussy time, making it hard to predict when would be a good time to go out without a meltdown. I was really missing family, friends, English speakers, and familiar American things. Philip has been absolutely swamped at work, working about 11 hours a day plus commuting an hour each way. I knew that I had an appointment to go to the ward office the next morning and I was in tears walking Matthias to sleep that night, dreading having to get myself together in the morning and do a bunch of bureaucratic stuff. I kept thinking that I would be met by a single Japanese woman with impeccable clothes, hair, and makeup, who might feel uncomfortable with me needing to nurse Matthias in public. Little did I know that God had a divine appointment to encourage me...
He sent a German woman, married to a Japanese man (hence her Japanese last name), who was not only a mother of SIX, but also a follower of Christ who described English as the language of her heart (of the three languages she speaks). She was kind and compassionate, understood Matthias's needs, and talked freely about her experiences as a foreigner in Japan, as a mom, and as a believer. To top it off, she has a son who has some special needs and was eager to talk about occupational therapy! Resources for children with special needs are seemingly more difficult to obtain here in Japan, so not only was she a blessing to me, but I had the privilege to be a blessing to her by lending an understanding ear to her concerns and offering a few suggestions. It was such a refreshing time. She helped us get registered, showed me where to find a good pediatrician for Matthias, and introduced me to the paradise called Azabu National, the international grocery store.
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| Just a portion of our many boxes and wrapped furnishings |
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| Supervising with Mommy |
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| Supervising with Daddy |
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| Perched atop the boxes for a better view! |
On Tuesday, the movers continued helping us unpack the boxes and assemble furniture, leaving us with many piles around the apartment. I am hoping they will disappear soon, but a certain almost four-month-old has been keeping his mommy pretty busy and rather sleepy! He seems to be going through a growth spurt, eating frequently and prolifically, in addition to dealing with some teething pain/discomfort. It's been a tough week or two, but he's worth it! Seriously, who could resist this face?
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| Chewing on his favorite teether...Daddy's finger! |
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