shoeboxinfukuoka

Hey there!

So this has been one eventful day to say the least... Pretty unreal. Got started with the last day of school before the spring holiday. And with the big speech contest that we all have been sweating over the last few weeks. Something I didn't really look forward to, but yeah, you do what you have to do :P
Cleaned out the classrooms together with everyone else, and then went to the big hall for the anouncement of the winner, and the usual speech from the principal you can't seem to get away from no matter the country... :/
As it happened, I actually won this contest!! Got a bit surprised but of course happy that I could keep the swedish honour up hahah ;)

...So, went home, and left immediately for Daiso to get a few things. Well there my roommates mobile started ringing, putting on her worried dad on the line wondering if we're Ok. We had at that point no idea what was going on, but he explained that there had been an earthquake with following tsunamis here in Japan. With that we went home, and turned on our computers to get us some information. We havent felt anything down here in Fukuoka, although we couldn't get our internet to work for a while, that's all. So everything is safe here, and will probably continue to be so since we're on the west coast and not the east where the earthquake had its epicentrum. Been following everything live since the internet started to work, and will probably not be able to sleep for a while even though I'm tired as if I hadn't sleep for two days. It's pretty intense to know these things are happening close enough. I don't think there's any danger to us at all here, but we still have to be aware of aftershakes. We packed two emergency bags to have in worst case scenario (which you actually always should have prepared when you live in in this country. Had one prepared before, but it went away to make some more space a few months ago...)
but as I said, nothing at all is expected to happen here. Right now I'm just happy our Tokyo trip didn't happen... instead we planned to visit Beppu, a city famous for its many onsen-baths, but now that wont happen either. The city is located where tsunami warnings has been announced, so that is to forget. So this turned out to be a pretty shitty start of the spring holiday.. Just happy nothing happened us here, and really hope everyhting will go as good as it can for those affected, especially those the Sendai area and around. Right now the number is 300 dead, but last time I checked it was 63 so... It's a pretty apocalyptic feeling here now. We went to the grocerystore a while ago to get us some dinner, but all the bento boxes had been sold out, and most bread and stuff alike as well. Probably because people are cautious about using gas right now, in case of anything happening.

Ok, only wanted to let people at home know where safe and unaffected. Will get myself to bed now, and will leave for tomorrow what tomorrow will bring. A small comfort is that Japan is more than well prepared for these kind of events, and will handle this the best way possible. That's what I want to believe anyway! :)

Goodnight, and take care. See ya soon