For all those interested in what is going on in Japan, the Stars and Stripes has an up to the minute play by play of what is happening with this disaster. Please use this information in correlation with what you are receiving from your chain of command.
http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/earthquake-disaster-in-japan/up-to-the-minute-1.138447#
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
To Stay or Go
Its been five days since the massive earthquake and really in some ways it feels like it hasn't stopped since then. Just last night there was a 6.0 aftershock centered in Tokyo that gave us a really swift jolt. There is still steady shaking and conditions here are deteriorating, even if it is slower than up north. Radiation was detected by the USS George Washington yesterday (the carrier in Yokosuka) and we were advised to stay in doors and to close all windows and doors. They told us that the level was not high enough to cause us harm but enough to be cautious. It has been reported by many sources on the news and Internet that food and water are running low in the city and surrounding areas of Tokyo. Gas is sold out on the base and many gas stations out in town are as well.
Many families are sending their dependents home to the states. Although no evacuation has been ordered, many feel it is wise to leave before it gets to that point. Right now we are not in immediate danger, but we are living in fear of the unknown.
Ships have evacuation systems to protect those who serve upon them. If something was to happen they can easily pull out to sea and go to a safer area. Those of us on land would have to deal with the radiation, earthquake, tsunami or what not as best as we could and as best as they could help us. One good thing to keep in mind is that the base IS prepared for disasters. They can and will help you with what they can. If you or your family is coming here or already here I urge you to stock up on bottled water, non perishable food, first aid supplies and invest in a hand cranked radio and flashlights.
My husband, my family and I decided it would be best if I went home and stayed there until I delivered our twins in the summer. Radiation is most harmful to pregnant women and their unborn child. Hopefully conditions will improve here enough that I can return back in the fall. My heart breaks for Japan. I have really come to love this country and I am truly sad to be leaving.
Many families are sending their dependents home to the states. Although no evacuation has been ordered, many feel it is wise to leave before it gets to that point. Right now we are not in immediate danger, but we are living in fear of the unknown.
Ships have evacuation systems to protect those who serve upon them. If something was to happen they can easily pull out to sea and go to a safer area. Those of us on land would have to deal with the radiation, earthquake, tsunami or what not as best as we could and as best as they could help us. One good thing to keep in mind is that the base IS prepared for disasters. They can and will help you with what they can. If you or your family is coming here or already here I urge you to stock up on bottled water, non perishable food, first aid supplies and invest in a hand cranked radio and flashlights.
My husband, my family and I decided it would be best if I went home and stayed there until I delivered our twins in the summer. Radiation is most harmful to pregnant women and their unborn child. Hopefully conditions will improve here enough that I can return back in the fall. My heart breaks for Japan. I have really come to love this country and I am truly sad to be leaving.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Earthquake Q&A
I have had a lot of people ask me questions about this whole fiasco and although I really don't have many answers, here are the answers I do have. For any other questions you may have, you should look to CNN or other news outlets that you normally watch.
Q: How far away are you from the epicenter and the nuclear plant?
A: We live in a city outside of Yokohama Japan and we are about 160 miles from the plant and 200 miles from the epicenter.
Q: Could you really feel the earthquake even though it was so far away?
A: (the only annoying question) YES! If California was getting tsunami waves from this earthquake you better believe we felt it here 200 miles away. At the epicenter it was a 9.0, here it was a 7.5. That was followed by two other 7.0 range after shocks.
Q: Did your area receive much damage?
A: No, other than items falling down, there was no damage in my area. I have not been out in the city since the quake but from what I can tell everything is OK.
Q: Are there still aftershocks?
A: Yes. On the day of the earthquake we were almost constantly having aftershocks with about a dozen over the 6.0 magnitude. Many of the aftershocks we are now feeling are around a 3-4 range. I would guesstimate that we get one every 4-5 hours.
Q: Are we being evacuated?
A: No. Right now we are not in immediate danger from radiation, tsunami or the volcano (in southern Japan).
Q: Did the tsunami reach your area?
A: No. We are next to Tokyo bay which has zigzag barriers set up through out the harbor to help break up the wave. So although a tsunami could hit us, it is far less likely.
Q: Do you have food and water available to you and the people in your area?
A: Yes, our area has plenty of food and water. Being part of a military family has benefits of knowing that if a food shortage or water shortage was to happen, they could help us rather quickly. So far we have not had any need for help from an outside source.
Q: Will the radiation fumes come to your area?
A: Right now it looks unlikely. The winds have luckily been blowing out to sea.
Thank you everyone for your concern, thoughts and prayers that have been sent our way. We truly do appreciate it.
Q: How far away are you from the epicenter and the nuclear plant?
A: We live in a city outside of Yokohama Japan and we are about 160 miles from the plant and 200 miles from the epicenter.
Q: Could you really feel the earthquake even though it was so far away?
A: (the only annoying question) YES! If California was getting tsunami waves from this earthquake you better believe we felt it here 200 miles away. At the epicenter it was a 9.0, here it was a 7.5. That was followed by two other 7.0 range after shocks.
Q: Did your area receive much damage?
A: No, other than items falling down, there was no damage in my area. I have not been out in the city since the quake but from what I can tell everything is OK.
Q: Are there still aftershocks?
A: Yes. On the day of the earthquake we were almost constantly having aftershocks with about a dozen over the 6.0 magnitude. Many of the aftershocks we are now feeling are around a 3-4 range. I would guesstimate that we get one every 4-5 hours.
Q: Are we being evacuated?
A: No. Right now we are not in immediate danger from radiation, tsunami or the volcano (in southern Japan).
Q: Did the tsunami reach your area?
A: No. We are next to Tokyo bay which has zigzag barriers set up through out the harbor to help break up the wave. So although a tsunami could hit us, it is far less likely.
Q: Do you have food and water available to you and the people in your area?
A: Yes, our area has plenty of food and water. Being part of a military family has benefits of knowing that if a food shortage or water shortage was to happen, they could help us rather quickly. So far we have not had any need for help from an outside source.
Q: Will the radiation fumes come to your area?
A: Right now it looks unlikely. The winds have luckily been blowing out to sea.
Thank you everyone for your concern, thoughts and prayers that have been sent our way. We truly do appreciate it.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Japan's Worst Earthquake Ever
Yesterday my husband and I were here to witness history as Japan experienced what is being said as its worst earthquake in recorded history. This is thought to be even larger than the earthquake in 1717 that later caused Mount Fuji to erupt.
At 2:45 pm on Friday afternoon Brett and I were recovering from my night in the hospital. I had been hospitalized the day previously for severe abdominal pain in my right side that turned out to be kidney stone. Brett was allowed to stay home with me after I was released on Friday due to the large amounts of medications that I was on. After we got home around noon, Brett helped to get me comfortable and at the time of the earthquake we were laying down for a nap in our room. The shaking started and I woke immediately. I woke Brett up and both of us knew that this was a huge earthquake. We put our shoes and jackets on and headed down the stairs to the outdoor playground outside our building where others were gathering. During the next couple hours earthquakes were almost constant and the first major 8.9 earthquake was soon followed up by a two 7.0 range earthquakes. We decided to return to our apartment to collect our documentation and some supplies and decided to wait until word came for what we were to do. About an hour and a half later one of the military police came to us and told us that we were to expect many more earthquakes throughout the day but it was safe to return to our apartments. When we re-entered our apartment we found that many of our pictures had fallen and some other items had also been thrown about. We took as many precautions as we could in our powerless home. We took down the remaining pictures, filled the bathtub, and packed a better bag to take with us if the need arose. Then we waited. Earthquakes were literally every few minutes and although none we nearly as strong as the first three, they were nonetheless scary. As of now, we are still experiencing some shaking. As I type there is another earthquake.
Brett is off to work today and unsure what the day will hold for him. There is no word on what the plans are for us as Americans here in Japan. We are safe but shaken. I just pray that it does not get worse than it already is. Keep us and those who are experiencing so much worse than us in your thoughts and prayers.
At 2:45 pm on Friday afternoon Brett and I were recovering from my night in the hospital. I had been hospitalized the day previously for severe abdominal pain in my right side that turned out to be kidney stone. Brett was allowed to stay home with me after I was released on Friday due to the large amounts of medications that I was on. After we got home around noon, Brett helped to get me comfortable and at the time of the earthquake we were laying down for a nap in our room. The shaking started and I woke immediately. I woke Brett up and both of us knew that this was a huge earthquake. We put our shoes and jackets on and headed down the stairs to the outdoor playground outside our building where others were gathering. During the next couple hours earthquakes were almost constant and the first major 8.9 earthquake was soon followed up by a two 7.0 range earthquakes. We decided to return to our apartment to collect our documentation and some supplies and decided to wait until word came for what we were to do. About an hour and a half later one of the military police came to us and told us that we were to expect many more earthquakes throughout the day but it was safe to return to our apartments. When we re-entered our apartment we found that many of our pictures had fallen and some other items had also been thrown about. We took as many precautions as we could in our powerless home. We took down the remaining pictures, filled the bathtub, and packed a better bag to take with us if the need arose. Then we waited. Earthquakes were literally every few minutes and although none we nearly as strong as the first three, they were nonetheless scary. As of now, we are still experiencing some shaking. As I type there is another earthquake.
Brett is off to work today and unsure what the day will hold for him. There is no word on what the plans are for us as Americans here in Japan. We are safe but shaken. I just pray that it does not get worse than it already is. Keep us and those who are experiencing so much worse than us in your thoughts and prayers.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Japan Has Earthquakes
Click here for video about the March 9 quake in Japan
http://cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2011/03/08/bpr.lah.japan.earthquake.cnn
If you did not know, yes there is a very active fault line that effects Japan pretty regularly. Today I got the chance to experience my first earthquake here. It was small and mild here in the Ikego housing area but lasted around 30 seconds. At the epicenter it was a 7.2. That's big! I don't know about you, but I am not a fan. Growing up in Southern California I have dealt with my fair share of earthquakes and I know what damage they can do. In fact the Whittier earthquake in the late 80's actually got my house to slide down a hill. Are earthquakes scary...heck yes. But one good thing to know is that Japan, just like CA has done its preparation for the natural events. Hills are reinforced, buildings are retro fitted and they have a system in place to help those who need it. I would much rather live here in Japan or California, a place that works to be prepared, than somewhere else that is not.
So what can you do to prepare for a natural occurrence like this?
One of the best things you could do is pack a 72 hour kit for each person in your household. Click here for a link to a list of items you should consider including in your kit. One great thing about being a military family is that the military is prepared for these things to happen and will do their best to take care of you and your family. BUT keep in mind, if you leave it up to them to help you, you may be waiting a couple of days before they get to you. There are thousands of people on the base.
Know the Red Cross number and talk to them to find out what you can do. The Red Cross is how members of our families can get in touch with service members in times of emergency.
Think about having a food supply that can sustain your family until help is reached.
I know, all these tips are for the worse case scenario, but do you really want to be unprepared if that time ever does come? I know I don't, especially in a foreign land.
For any questions or comments please email me at navywifeinjapan@gmail.com
http://cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2011/03/08/bpr.lah.japan.earthquake.cnn
If you did not know, yes there is a very active fault line that effects Japan pretty regularly. Today I got the chance to experience my first earthquake here. It was small and mild here in the Ikego housing area but lasted around 30 seconds. At the epicenter it was a 7.2. That's big! I don't know about you, but I am not a fan. Growing up in Southern California I have dealt with my fair share of earthquakes and I know what damage they can do. In fact the Whittier earthquake in the late 80's actually got my house to slide down a hill. Are earthquakes scary...heck yes. But one good thing to know is that Japan, just like CA has done its preparation for the natural events. Hills are reinforced, buildings are retro fitted and they have a system in place to help those who need it. I would much rather live here in Japan or California, a place that works to be prepared, than somewhere else that is not.
So what can you do to prepare for a natural occurrence like this?
One of the best things you could do is pack a 72 hour kit for each person in your household. Click here for a link to a list of items you should consider including in your kit. One great thing about being a military family is that the military is prepared for these things to happen and will do their best to take care of you and your family. BUT keep in mind, if you leave it up to them to help you, you may be waiting a couple of days before they get to you. There are thousands of people on the base.
Know the Red Cross number and talk to them to find out what you can do. The Red Cross is how members of our families can get in touch with service members in times of emergency.
Think about having a food supply that can sustain your family until help is reached.
I know, all these tips are for the worse case scenario, but do you really want to be unprepared if that time ever does come? I know I don't, especially in a foreign land.
For any questions or comments please email me at navywifeinjapan@gmail.com
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Loose Lips Sink Ships
What information would that be exactly? It really doesn't take much. A simple "I am so sad my husband is leaving in a few days" or, " (Sailors name Here) can't wait to port in (location)" on Facebook defiantly indicates ships movement. You may also think that because when a ship is leaving is pretty well known around base that its ok...wrong. It may be common knowledge to you but it actuality it is not. Remember most people do not know all the people on their Facebook list and if by some miracle you do, there is a good chance you haven't been in real contact with that person in some time. The point is, you don't know who is getting that information.
Talking to Family and Friends
Everyone needs support when a deployment is coming up but one of the worse things you could do is start letting people know ahead of time, even family and friends. Obviously they have our best interest at heart but you don't know who they might innocently talk to and leak that information that you just gave out. Keep in mind as well, phone lines, the internet and the mail are not secure means of communication. You may think you are having a private conversation but you never really know.
The Do's and Don'ts
-Don't announce plans ahead of time. This includes when the ship is leaving, coming back, where it is going, or even what your spouses leave dates are.
-Don't give any information over unsecured means of communication...so basically never.
-Do let people know if you would like AFTER the event has occurred. Once the ship is gone let people know that your sailor is out to sea. By then it is public knowledge because anyone that can see the harbor knows that the ship is gone.
-Do master the phrase, "I don't know." Most of the time this will be true, you really won't know what is going on with your sailor but in the times that you do, answer "I don't know" anyway.
-Do remember that a little bit of information given by you can be added up with information gathered from other people to paint a full picture.
-Don't forget that even though it would be easier to be able to tell ahead of time and get the support you need and want from family and friends, your sailors life is more important.
If you have any questions or comments please contact me at navywifeinjapan@gmail.com
Thursday, January 20, 2011
A Few of the Extras in Your Paycheck
I know many people have concerns about money and moving to Japan, but if you have the right information it should make the transition much easier. Your money matters will change due to a PCS move here and for many it can be a really good thing. Here are somethings you and your family can look forward to coming into your bank account.
COLA
COLA, or Cost of Living Allowance, is a benefit to help offset the difference in living in a higher cost area. There are a few factors that determine what you are going to receive. Click here to find out what your COLA might be.
Here is a sample of what this worksheet looks like once all of your information is in.
PAY PERIOD: 1-16-2011 thru 1-31-2011
COLA Payment for Pay Period
Just type in your own information to see what you can expect. This money is added on to your base pay and can equal a pretty nice sum.
OHA
Similar to BAH (but with some differences), OHA is an allowance given to services members with families living outside of base housing. Here is a OHA calculator to help you determine what you can plan to revive here in Japan if you are not planning on staying in base housing. Here is an example with the same information that I used from the last one.
JAPAN Location: YOKOSUKA (KA) , Location Code: JA061 PAY PERIOD: 01-16-2011
For an E-5 with dependents, the Overseas Housings Allowances are as follows:
Wow, is that a lot of money? Heck ya it is, but keep in mind that the Navy isn't giving you all that money for nothing. Housing here out in town is very expensive. There are a lot more fees that you can expect to pay than you would in the states. Your utilities can really get up there too. Some people can really save a whole lot of money being smart with their OHA money. So if you choose wisely, you can too.
Beware of expecting too much of the money that you are getting. It is easy to think that there is no way you could run out of money each month with all that extra money on top of base pay. A lot of people leave here broke though and it is easy to do. Yen to dollar rates change everyday and the dollar is a lot weaker than the yen right now. Remember when you pull out 5000 yen, you are not pulling out $50.00. You are pulling out anywhere from $60-$70 depending on that moments exchange rate. If you were not a good saver in the states it can only get worse here when you are using currency that you are not familiar with so plan ahead! If you are great at saving, bravo. You will most likely be able to put away a lot of money while you are here.
If you set up a spending plan and workable budget before you get here based on what you think you will be getting, you will be better off and the transition will be a lot easier. If you have any questions or comments please email me at navywifeinjapan@gmail.com. Thanks for reading.
COLA
COLA, or Cost of Living Allowance, is a benefit to help offset the difference in living in a higher cost area. There are a few factors that determine what you are going to receive. Click here to find out what your COLA might be.
Here is a sample of what this worksheet looks like once all of your information is in.
OVERSEAS COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE
|
COLA Payment for Pay Period
1-16-2011 thru 1-31-2011
| COLA: | $ 721.78 |
| UNIQUE: | $ 0 |
| __________ | |
| TOTAL PAY PERIOD ALLOWANCE: | $ 721.78 |
Just type in your own information to see what you can expect. This money is added on to your base pay and can equal a pretty nice sum.
OHA
Similar to BAH (but with some differences), OHA is an allowance given to services members with families living outside of base housing. Here is a OHA calculator to help you determine what you can plan to revive here in Japan if you are not planning on staying in base housing. Here is an example with the same information that I used from the last one.
Overseas Housing Allowances
For an E-5 with dependents, the Overseas Housings Allowances are as follows:
Effective: 20101001 | Local Currency | US DOLLARS |
|---|---|---|
| OHA Rental Allowance | 210000.00 YEN | $ 2618.13 |
| Utility/Recurring Maintenance Allowance | 95000.00 YEN | $ 1184.39 |
| Move-In-Housing Allowance (MIHA) | 68322.00 YEN | $ 851.79 |
Wow, is that a lot of money? Heck ya it is, but keep in mind that the Navy isn't giving you all that money for nothing. Housing here out in town is very expensive. There are a lot more fees that you can expect to pay than you would in the states. Your utilities can really get up there too. Some people can really save a whole lot of money being smart with their OHA money. So if you choose wisely, you can too.
Beware of expecting too much of the money that you are getting. It is easy to think that there is no way you could run out of money each month with all that extra money on top of base pay. A lot of people leave here broke though and it is easy to do. Yen to dollar rates change everyday and the dollar is a lot weaker than the yen right now. Remember when you pull out 5000 yen, you are not pulling out $50.00. You are pulling out anywhere from $60-$70 depending on that moments exchange rate. If you were not a good saver in the states it can only get worse here when you are using currency that you are not familiar with so plan ahead! If you are great at saving, bravo. You will most likely be able to put away a lot of money while you are here.
If you set up a spending plan and workable budget before you get here based on what you think you will be getting, you will be better off and the transition will be a lot easier. If you have any questions or comments please email me at navywifeinjapan@gmail.com. Thanks for reading.
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