It's been an interesting start to our stay in Japan, to say the least. On the morning of Friday, March 11th, 2011, I was all packed up and ready to move into our new apartment. It was exciting because staying in the Navy Lodge gets old quickly. Annie Carroll, wife of one of David's shipmates lent herself and her car to help me get all of our stuff to the tower in one go, while my friend Shannon took Ashlyn for a walk in the stroller to meet me there. Once at the tower, we unloaded the car and I quickly made myself at home. The loaner furniture was set to be delivered that afternoon, so for a few hours, it was a waiting game.
After just two hours, the movers showed up and spent less than 10 minutes moving in the bare essentials we would need until our household goods arrived. I signed for the delivery and sat down to chat with Shannon and change Ashlyn's diaper. The day before, Shannon had mentioned that we would experience earthquakes quite often and it would feel like swaying. Well, it wasn't even five minutes after the deliverymen had left when Shannon stopped talking and said, "Do you feel that?" I nodded at her and we continued our conversation. After about 15 seconds, we realized it was still going on. Not only that, it was getting stronger! We stopped talking and paid attention to the shaking and after another 10 seconds, the doors and blinds began clattering and the shaking became violent. We looked at each other and said, "It's time to go!" I hadn't even put Ashlyn's pants back on from the diaper change, so I grabbed them and ran out of the door. I didn't grab a blanket or even my cell phone. Those that know me well realize that this is a big deal!
Our new place is on the 8th floor of the tower so I had to run down the stairs with the baby in my arms. It became a challenge because she was wiggling from all the excitement, and I am not the picture of health. The staircase became flooded with other people trying to get out of their homes quickly, but it was slow going because of the shaking. The stairs came up to my feet and jerked to the left while I was trying to run down and it was a challenge to keep my balance. It felt like the staircase that never ended. Once I was safely outside, I realized I had nothing to keep Ashlyn warm, so Shannon generously shed her coat and let me wrap her in it. We stayed outdoors for about 20 minutes, still feeling the ground moving beneath our feet. Finally, we were slightly cold so we made the trek back up the stairs because the elevator was out, and breathlessly, we each went to our own apartments.
Less than 10 minutes later, the shaking began again. This time I was ready! I donned the Moby Wrap, grabbed a baby blanket, and shoved my cell phone in my pocket. I wasn't going to be caught unaware again. Once again outside, all the neighbors were chatting while we continually felt the ground moving. This time we waited 45 minutes before going back into the building. Shannon invited me to hang out at her place, just in case something happened. Once we got back to her apartment, we couldn't relax because aftershocks were happening every 5-15 minutes. It was almost like the shaking never stopped!
Wanting to know what was happening, we turned on the news, and warnings of the tsunami began. It was scary to not know if we should stay high and avoid the water, or go down and not get stuck in an earthquake. Soon after, images of the tsunami in Sendai and the oil refinery fire in Tokyo began being shown, and the sadness we felt for the people of Japan became overwhelming. When we realized the darkness in the sky wasn't clouds, but smoke from the refinery fire, we started looking towards Tokyo. And not a moment too soon did we begin to see explosions. It was heartstopping and I knew I had to get the phone so I could share this with others.
There are no words to explain the emotions I experienced. It was fear, sadness, anxiety, and awe...all melded together. How could this be happening? It was all so overwhelming.
David had duty the night before and I had expected him home in just a couple hours, but those hours came and went, and that evening I received an email that he'd be home late. Then late that night I got one that said he wouldn't be coming home that night at all. That night, I stayed at Shannon's house because I did not want to be alone....just in case. This whole time I was counting my blessings that I had someone to lean on in such a tumultuous time.
That night, I slept little more than 3 hours and it was broken sleep at that. Talk about a miserable night. Everytime I would nod off, another aftershock hit. Well, they called them aftershocks, but in my opinion, anything above a 5.0 is a freakin' earthquake all it's own! Within 24 hours of the first 9.0 earthquake, we had encountered over 100 'aftershocks' that measured at least 5.0 on the Richter Scale. That morning, Ashlyn was awake by 5am, which is quite early for her. Barely being able to function due to being so exhausted, I resorted to the iPad. Thank GOD for technology and Toy Story. I held her on my lap and let her watch the movie, while I sat there in a daze, still swaying with the quakes.
Finally, a few hours later, I received a message from David that he would be coming home sometime that afternoon. I impatiently waited for him in my own apartment, and when he walked in that door, I nearly came apart at the seams. Finally, I could stop being strong Mommy, and I could be the scared woman I really was. It was ok, because he would make it better. Knowing that my time was limited, we spent that time together very wisely. His ship was going to head out to assist in the relief efforts the next morning. As proud of him as I was, I was sad to see him go, but I reminded myself that the people of Japan needed him more in this time of crisis than I did.
More than two weeks later, I'm hoping we will get to see him soon, even for just a short while. I could use more hands with the baby, and a shower that doesn't include an audience! It's exhausting entertaining a 4 1/2 month old with just a few toys. A big thank you to the wonderful ladies in the building that have lent me a couple things to make it easier until out stuff arrives. It is much appreciated and I plan to return the favor.
As for our experience of Japan so far, it's been interesting and memorable to say the least! I know that if David and I can make it through this, we can make it through anything!
