Staying In

Because of the way the wind was blowing we were getting more radiation here yesterday than we were previously.  The base advised everyone not to go outside or to use the AC units (heaters).  This is when I started to get worried.  The worst of it was supposed to be between 7 and 9 last night which is when the wind was supposed to blow the most radiation over our area.  According to CNN Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano says he cannot rule out the possibility of a meltdown at all three of the plant's damaged reactors. He says radiation levels at the plant have increased to "levels that can impact human health", and warns anyone living within 20 and 30 kilometers of the plant to remain indoors. That is pretty scary, but we are much farther away than that and the Japanese citizens that live near us are not even being told to stay indoors.  Even so many people are considering going home or sending their families home.  Bob is extra worried because of the kids and because I am pregnant.  The trains were still closed yesterday and the stores don't have very much food in them.  Bob did go to the commissary and picked up a bunch of food for us. I think we have enough to last the whole month if we needed it to.  The commissary is not out of food and has plenty. 

For everyone out there who is still worried about us.  The shipyard sent out a letter of assurance. Saying that all of the people working on base in Yokosuka are safe and that they are actively monitoring the situation. The George Washington (where bob works) detected low levels of radioactivity but that these levels are low and do not present a danger. "there is no danger to you from the low levels of radioactivity from the damaged nuclear power plant 180 miles away." 

Today the radiation levels are much lower but it could always change.  We still have one more month here and I am not ready to go home yet.  I am planning on staying unless the shipyard starts advising people to go home or the church takes the missionaries out of here.  i really want to see the cherry blossoms and I have a ton more shopping to do.  With that being said I know that the stores still might not open even if we do stay the entire time.  But the trains are up and running right now just on a limited schedule.  I consider that a sign that things are moving in the right direction.  Of course the baby and the children are the most important thing right now so if things do get worse we will be going home.  I am just hoping and praying that it doesn't come to that.

Sorry I don't have any pictures or anything exciting that we did yesterday but that is because i literally did not leave the house all day.  It was pretty hard to do because there really isn't anything to do in our apartment.  We are also planing on staying inside today although i did get special permission from bob to take the garbage outside ;-).  I can stay inside all week if I have to, but i am really hoping that we can get out and do something this weekend.