EDIT: Update, Apologies and Thank Yous

For those who don't know, my son has been living in Fukushima for 2 1/2 years now. With the recent earthquake and tsunami, there is a possible disaster going on in Fukushima with their nuclear power plants. I wasn't too concerned about it until they really started having some major problems starting on Monday morning, Japan time. As a result of wanting and needing to be kept updated, I've been following someone on Twitter who gives really good up-to-the minute information as she is translating the breaking news from NHK and TBS. NHK does have an English version but it's not necessarily as current as she is. Besides, I can get these updates when I am at work.

As you might guess these tweets are quite constant and as Japan's day time is my night time, I am not getting much sleep as well. He is far away from the nuclear power plant and isn't even in the recommended 30 km radius zone. He was getting concerned though because gas is practically nil and food supplies everywhere is running low. He is grateful that there is running electricity and water and that his cell phone service finally was restored. He managed to get 1/4 tank of gas yesterday, as they are being rationed to 1000 yen purchases only. He was in line for over 1 1/2 hours. He isn't able to see his fiancee, who lives about 40 minutes away, in order to save his gas. He was thinking about leaving but she doesn't see the need to evacuate yet so they are playing a wait and see game.

As of this morning the U.S. Embassy has issued a notice to all Americans to either completely evacuate Fukushima or evacuate to outside of 80 km radius and to stay indoors. It is said by an NEI report (Nuclear Energy Institute) that one of the reactors in Fukushima Daiichi Power plant has no water remaining in the fuel pool, radiation levels are very high which could affect whatever plans they have to take corrective measures. Unfortunately, on NHK news, which I believe to be quite accurate, it was reported that the NEI report is inaccurate. (I can't find that report now.) Whatever the case, I have no idea who to believe.

My son does live just barely outside 100 km radius. If a meltdown and worse should occur, he's been told that over 200 km is better. He's been offered shelter at a friend's place in Tokyo but he has decided to go to Niigata, Yamagata and even Hokkaido instead if and when he does leave. In the end, that is perhaps a wiser decision because the winds seem to be blowing towards Tokyo and out towards the sea. Also just discovered today, but not widely reported, in Chiba, 2 chickens were found to have the H5N1 virus, at different farms, so thousands of chickens in Chiba will be destroyed to prevent the spread of the disease. OMG! What more can poor Japan get hit with?!

This has gotten long so are you still with me? I apologize for not updating the blog, answering emails and questions, etc. I've been busy monitoring situation, trying to write to family member to update them as well as keeping in touch with my son. I know that I've already apologized to some others privately but I do want to publicly apologize that I haven't had a chance to pack up and mail out the prize packages yet, as well as a blog sale item or two.

Thank you to all for your understanding. You've been nothing but so kind when I've apologized for not sending out things as promised. Thank you also to everyone who has emailed me, messaged me, wrote on Facebook and Twitter. I will try to write back to everyone personally.

I also received a very lovely love package from Lisa of Makeup and Life yesterday. It really brightened up my day tremendously and gave me a much needed break from just concentrating on the doom and gloom news.

In the package are a couple of masks, a Jill Stewart eyelash curler, mini Clinique lipgloss, mini Shu Uemura Atelier Made for Face in 02 Silver Cord, 2 sample packets of Lunasol Makeup Base, Canmake Jewel Stars in 09, and a YSL Touche Blush! I have never had anything so luxurious! Thank you Lisa, you were far too generous!

As I finish typing this, they are showing water spraying operation going on at the #3 reactor Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant. Both #3 and #4 must be cooled or else melting fuel and/or hydrogen explosion. They are using helicoptors to drop water.

Sorry if this seemed like a very rambling post. Tried to do this very quickly and also while keeping abreast of the news.

*Kat*

EDIT: Talked on the phone to my son a little while ago and it seems that he is seriously thinking of leaving this evening after work. I'm not sure if his fiancee is planning on leaving with him or staying. I'm hoping that she's leaving too. I know that she's concerned about work and that 99.9% will not have a job to return to but safety is more important at the moment, in my opinion.

Also, I rushed through my original post and forgot to add something...A BIG SHOUTOUT TO YUMEKO AND BRIANNA. If I am exhausted over this incident for only a couple of days, I can't imagine how stressful, tiring and emotionally draining it must be for you in Tokyo. Living through the aftershocks is so scary and having to deal with limited transportation, food and water supplies running low and just basic living necessities are probably running low. You are both, as well as all of Japan, in my thoughts and prayers. I went to the market yesterday and had to leave for a while because I broke down. Here was an abundance of things that I could buy and choices of brands and I felt so helpless wanting to help out the people of Japan with supplies but knowing that I can't send hard goods over. All that I and we all can do is donate money for now.