<p>Second Spring—just watched CNN and they reported cell phone and internet communication are for the most part down in Tokyo. The Japanese people seem to be handling the situation quite well. That being said…you can’t help this YOU ARE A MOM!
When my D evacuated Katrina stricken New Orleans with a few friends, there were about 40 hours where I had no idea where she was or how she was. I feel your pain.
On the upside—nothing builds character, independence and maturity like living through an enormous natural disaster. But it sure wreaks havoc on mom’s nerves.</p>
<p>Second spring, cyberhugs to you.</p>
<p>BunsenBurner, no son is actually there on spring break. Fortunately he speaks fairly fluent Japanese and knows his way around Tokyo. He studied there last year and checked in with people from that university yesterday. He is with three other kids from his school, they were on a number of news reports yesterday and appeared very calm.
Much calmer than their moms.<br>
musicamusica-thanks for that info! Now we know why we haven’t heard from any of the kids since yesterday.
He is supposed to fly out of Tokyo tomorrow, but by all accounts transportation to the airport is near impossible, none of the trains or buses that go there are running.</p>
<p>Keep us posted! And in the meantime, pick your poison (chocolate or booze?)</p>
<p>All most of us can do is remain calm and pray. Glad to hear your S is OK and hope he finds a way to fly out of Japan and back where he needs to get to. Our family has a friend who is with a USC study abroad program–have not heard whether she has been contacted since these devastating events and pray that she and those who are studying with her are all safe as well.</p>
<p>second spring—I just heard that the main airport serving Tokyo is open and operating</p>
<p>Yea, but as she mentioned, GETTING to the airport seems tough, especially as many of the public transportation services to GET around Japan are not operating at this time. I’m sure her S will figure out something in the near future.</p>
<p>I know Himom, just trying to tweak a bit of marginally good news.</p>
<p>Yes, of course, it’s very good news that planes can get in & out of the main Tokyo airport, which will help with rescue and recovery and aid efforts.</p>
<p>second spring - “hugs to you and your family”</p>
<p>second spring, you KNOW in your mind he’s OK, which I realize is not the same as knowing it in your gut. But remember, he’s smart and resourceful and he’s with others who are smart and resourceful. His return might very well be delayed, but he WILL be home again, with quite a tale to tell. More hugs to you, and keep us posted.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your support. Still no word.
LasMa “you KNOW in your mind he’s OK, which I realize is not the same as knowing it in your gut” that is it in a nutshell. Is this a mom thing? DH is unflappable but all my mom friends get it. I’m not panicking, just sometimes need to vent that gut stuff…</p>
<p>SS
i’ve been checking in on you . please post when you gt news. Us moms understand</p>
<p>Ninety miles south of the reactor here. Living in its shadow for many years.</p>
<p>We got back water an hour ago - only a tickle from the tap - and none upstairs, but now we can make tea and rice - the sine qua non of a proper Japanese life. Plus the toilets are flushing - you have no idea!</p>
<p>Trains are running so my sister-in-law is back from her job in Tokyo.</p>
<p>People in Japan are very resilient and rarer phlegmatic. People take life as it comes and don’t worry much. They also trust their internment to take care of them. A very paternalistic society. </p>
<p>As for aid - well, not money so much, but feet on the ground - and helicopters, excavators, dogs, rescue teams, food, blankets, water - that sort of thing.</p>
<p>PM me if you need any help for your kids.</p>
<p>Uh, that is:</p>
<p>only a tickle –> trickle </p>
<p>rarer phlegmatic –> rather </p>
<p>also trust their internment –> government</p>
<p>^Tablet? Text recognition?</p>
<p>Could just be a mobile phone too. When I see that stuff, I just try to interpolate. That’s one reason why I don’t post on forums using my iPad.</p>
<p>I use a tablet, and I’m always thinking “arghh!” … when I read what I posted…</p>
<p>Anyway, moving on…</p>
<p>tama-Thanks for all the info in your post. As I sit glued to the news, I am so impressed with how calm people in Japan appear to be. Thanks for the offer for those of us with kids in Japan.
Still no word from my son today, but hoping he is working his way to the airport.</p>
<p>second spring, I won’t bore you with the details, but a year ago my D was in a situation where I was worried about her safety AND she could not reach me to let me know she was OK. Just … silence. It was maybe the worst night and day I’ve ever been through. When she was safely back with me, she said the hardest part was knowing how frantic I’d be. But like your son, she was with people who were making smart decisions and doing the best they could to get home. And even though they knew how worried the parents were, their decisions were not based on contacting us as quickly as possible, but on getting out as safely as possible. </p>
<p>I was more grateful than I can tell you that they did what was best for the situation, not on what was best for my emotional state. I’d bet you anything that your son is doing the same. But ohhhh, I know how hard it is waiting for word. You can’t take a deep breath until you hear their voice on the phone.</p>