new day

Oh my, here we are back in Japan again! You'd think from the void on this here blog that we'd gone off into the stratosphere. But no, we were in California for almost a month playing the role of friendly nomads. I could hardly keep up with us myself, let alone keep up virtually.

Once the nuclear issues began and we found out that Isaiah's buddy's family wasn't going to be able to visit the week after the earthquake, we decided it would be best to wait for things to settle down and take a breather ourselves. I felt like we were as much leaving the stress of the fear as we were avoiding actual danger. Now, although the situation has not fully stabilized, we feel like it's best to get back to our family routine. Steve is dedicated to his job and the kiddos can see the school year through.

And really, it's so good to be back. We flew on Japan Airlines and already felt we were back in Japan on the flight. The offered the kiddos milk and chocolate milk as soon as we sat down, they gave them coloring books and origami paper, they brought them gifts bags with flight attendant-made origami pikachu, and most important, they seemed genuinely happy to help us feel comfortable rather than the smiles that seem to veil contempt for the passengers on many other flights. Ahh, Japan, land of civilized people from whom I can learn so much!

I have much to share about our California adventures and the new normal here, but the toffee topping for my matzoh is cooking and we're going to do our seder tomorrow so that Steve can join in, so for now I'll just express my gratitude for my awesome bro and sis-in-law who graciously took us in for longer than any of us expected, for the Trips who coddled the kiddos and didn't mind our 3 am hot tubs as our spirits caught up with our bodies, for the Weiss's for the shabbos love and Caleb's room, for the Fratkin/Lerwill's who saw us through our rock-bottom night, and for all our family of friends in SF, Oakland, and Humboldt who took the time to share themselves with us. Whew...that was a lot of love, fueling us up so that hopefully, in some way, we can spread it to those in need. (Which I hope to be doing from the proceeds from our Miso Soup, but that's a story for another day.)

But, I will say one more thing. Since my tongue seems to be tied over this whole affair, please check out my friend Adam Clark's blog for eloquent and informed perspectives on what it's like to live in Yokohama right now.

 

Comments

[Adam]

Hi Rachel - It's great to have you back and we'll need to catch up soon. It's also wonderful that you are writing again. I could relate to feeling like you are back in Japan the minute you step on a JAL flight.

Thanks, too, for the mention :) Talk with you soon - Adam

[Kimmie]

Wow, Rachel. I'm sure you handled your nomadic adventures with grace while embracing all that Cali lovin!

Thoughts with you all in Japan.

xo
kt

[big daddy]

if you're going to say "this here", isn't it also nucular?