I'm sitting here in my room, TV off because I can't handle it anymore, contemplating plane tickets online. Should I book a plane ticket home for the end of my program, or tomorrow?
I can't tell if the news and government are down playing the seriousness of this or if they really have it under control. Friends and family have been sending me local news reports that all state different opinions, my own host mother doesn't know what to do, and my school/program coordinator hasn't gotten a hold of me (or any of the other students here).
It's so hard to judge because Fukushima is pretty far from Tokyo (about 160 miles or so which in retrospect isn't really that far away) and they've only evacuated people within a 12 miles radius of the plants (or at least as far as they've told us).We're still feeling after shocks (a couple hours ago a 7.0 hit a northern prefecture) and all the "officials" on TV looked just as scared as I'm starting to feel (though it's not so much that i'm scared but more unsure).
*Some related stories: http://www.katu.com/news/national/117868844.html <--what does partial meltdown even mean?!
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20110312/UPDATE/110312014 <-- even Oregon is worried!?!!?
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/12/explosion-at-japan-nuclear-plant-disaster-death-toll-rises/?icid=main|main|dl1|sec3_lnk1|205878
I don't want to expose myself to possible health issues (but I don't want to run away if it's really under control) and I don't want to leave my host family behind (will they all fit into my suitcase!?!)
I just don't know what to do but don't want to freak out unnecessarily. Anyone out there got any ideas? Should I wait it out? Should I run? Can I even get a plane ticket back home at this time?? My life has never been so complicated.
I can't tell if the news and government are down playing the seriousness of this or if they really have it under control. Friends and family have been sending me local news reports that all state different opinions, my own host mother doesn't know what to do, and my school/program coordinator hasn't gotten a hold of me (or any of the other students here).
It's so hard to judge because Fukushima is pretty far from Tokyo (about 160 miles or so which in retrospect isn't really that far away) and they've only evacuated people within a 12 miles radius of the plants (or at least as far as they've told us).We're still feeling after shocks (a couple hours ago a 7.0 hit a northern prefecture) and all the "officials" on TV looked just as scared as I'm starting to feel (though it's not so much that i'm scared but more unsure).
*Some related stories: http://www.katu.com/news/national/117868844.html <--what does partial meltdown even mean?!
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20110312/UPDATE/110312014 <-- even Oregon is worried!?!!?
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/12/explosion-at-japan-nuclear-plant-disaster-death-toll-rises/?icid=main|main|dl1|sec3_lnk1|205878
I don't want to expose myself to possible health issues (but I don't want to run away if it's really under control) and I don't want to leave my host family behind (will they all fit into my suitcase!?!)
I just don't know what to do but don't want to freak out unnecessarily. Anyone out there got any ideas? Should I wait it out? Should I run? Can I even get a plane ticket back home at this time?? My life has never been so complicated.
7 comments:
A meltdown is a catastrophic failure of the reactor core, with a potential for widespread radiation release So a partial melt down is anything short of a total failure. Which is of no help I know.
I know exactly how you feel :( On one hand I want to go home, but on the other hand I could never live with myself if I ran away and then something happened to Marco.
Please come home! Bring your family if you can. We have an extra basement room! :(
Tony's own opinion is that if you have no real "ties" (family, etc) to Japan, then you are more of a help by leaving. The less people they have to care for right now the better.
It is ONLY going to get worse. Just going to be a domino effect. ;_;
Come home to meeeee!
-Stef & Tony
baby, I'd get out of there
Even though I want you home right now, listen to what the your gut says and do it. Also, listen to what the people that know what is going on and keep trying to get a hold of your school counselor. What anonymous says is so true, the less your host family has to worry about is good for them and if it is best, please come home. Love you loads. My pastor's son is in Tokyo. He is a teacher. Will get is number in case you need to know someone else there. Love Grandma.
Wow....sounds scary. I live in California so I have been in a lot of earthquakes but NOTHING like that.
Take care and like your Grandma said go with your gut.
dshoover--> Well, that's good to know at least lol. I think they have it under control though??
Dorothy--> I know! I don't want to leave my host family! Lets all meet up and take as many Japanese people back with us as we can lol
Stef&Tony--> I really don't think there's any cause for me to run home (yet). Tokyo area is fine; if I was in Sendai or a Tsunami hit area then it would be a problem. I'll make sure to stay safe though and if I do have to leave then make sure that room is still open cuz I ain't going no where without my family!
G-ma: Thank you! I know you and everyone is so worried but I really think things will be okay. I mean, right now I really don't know what to feel so i'm just going through the daily routine along with my family. If I have to get out though, I will (even if I have to commandeer a ship or something lol).
Jenn of the Jungle--> I'm from Oregon and have never been in this situation before. It's really stressful but at the same time I'm thankful that I wasn't up north when this happened. Thank you for your advise! I really hope things start looking up soon.
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