Earthquake

Hi guys,

I am writing safely from under a bundle of blankets on my coworker's couch. I am shaken- literally- but still in one piece. I am sure by now you have heard about the earthquakes that hit Japan.

I was on the school bus taking some of my pre-school kids home when the first quake hit. In the bus it is hard to feel the earth moving. We thought originally that the bus had gotten a flat. As we saw stunned people run out of their houses, though, the bus driver and I began to realize something big wad happening. My first priority was to keep the children calm, which I managed to do while stealthily trying to get information on the quake from my phone.

One of the mothers of my girls got stuck in the elevator when the quake struck. Two other mothers couldn't get in contact with their elementary school aged children.

I soon realized that, while my Internet was working fine, all of the phone lines and SMS on my phone was not working.

Got back to my school safely to be met outside by my coworkers. We wait and wait and then finally we realize thar we are not going to be able to get home. It was a slow dawning of information.

Through countless aftershocks we ate grocery store bentos and tried to stay calm. Don Quixote was the only store open around the area. I totally gaijin-punched my way through to get food. Oops.

After hours of trying I finally got in touch with Keita. Aside from a broken toaster (which we just got!) and a few dishes, everything seems to be okay.

However the building across the street from my apartment is totally collapsed, apparently.

I will try to get home via bus tomorrow. We'll see how this turns out.

Can't get to sleep. So many aftershocks.

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