This blog is about to get real, real boring…

I know that you have come to expect the constant excitement from the quakes but it looks like those days are coming to an end.  We had one very small quake this weekend and I only knew that it was happening because they stopped the trains.  I know some of you are in total shock right now and it’s not from the quake.  Yes it’s true, I found public transit!  I acutally bought a pass, which means there are more trips in my future.  I often worry about Toronto’s cab industry and how it is surviving without me.  I picture empty cabs waiting outside my condo at 311 hoping I’ll return.          

So back to this public transit business, why, why, why?  This weekend I met up with some friends to experience my first Cherry Blossoms celebration.  I must say that they do a lot of things well in Japan and celebrating Cherry Blossoms is certainly one of them.  Everyone brings food and excessive amounts of booze.  One guy arrived carrying more than his weight in wine, as you can imagine we hit it off.  What was supposed to be lunch quickly turned into dinner, we spent hours underneath cherry blossom trees eating, drinking and depending on your intoxication level playing games.  

It looks like this could be a year of celebrations.  Japan has more national holidays than any other country.  A few of my favourites are Marine Day on July 18^th, Respect for the Aged Day on Sept 19^th and how could we not celebrate Greenery Day on May 4^th.  

As the weekend comes to and end, it’s hard to believe that I arrived in Japan 6 weeks ago, time flies…

 

 

3 quakes in 3 days…

It’s actually closer to 4 or 5 quakes...we just had another and I slept through one Sunday night.

 

The good news is that every quake in Tokyo has been less than a 4.  As my sister said, anything less than a 6 isn’t worth mentioning.  And since she wasn’t just referring to quakes, mentioning my date is completely off the table.

 

I was picking up some groceries last night when we were interrupted by an announcement.  I could tell from everyone’s reaction that it wasn’t good news.  Finally an English message “an earth quake will be arriving shortly”, they made it sound so pleasant I was almost looking forward to it.  Realizing that I was in the wrong section for a quake, I quickly headed over to produce, flying broccoli doesn’t scare me.

 

Since March 11^th, my office seems to have found its quake humour.   This afternoon a guy said that he was “heading out for a fresh dose of radiation and if I miss our 3:00pm I’m probably stuck in the elevator from a quake.”  Oh quake humour…gets ya every time.  

 

For now, I’ll keep shaking things up in Tokyo, while actively looking at flights to Bali.  

On the road again…

On Wednesday, March 31st I arrived in TO and things picked up right where we left off.   Since I had only been in Tokyo for a month, nobody could figure out if we were back on the farewell tour or kicking off the welcome back fiesta.  Whatever it was…it was 4 amazing days and nights.  Great seeing everyone!!  

After a whirlwind trip through TO, I kicked off a 5 city/5 days US tour.  Although this may sound glamorous, I can tell you that you didn’t miss much in Oklahoma City and don’t get me started on Kansas City…just kidding to my one and only reader in Kansas.  Quick plug for Kansas, I couldn’t get over how friendly EVERYONE was, strangers saying hello, people wishing you a good day and meaning it, the only thing Kansas is missing is a quality baseball team.  :)

While I was home, everyone wanted to know if I was going back to Tokyo.  The short answer is yes.  I have been thinking about my options, I have been debating between beach bum or teenage pregnancy (CNN reported that the number of teenage pregnancies are dropping, I am hoping to do my part).  Since neither one of these options really jump out at me, it’s back to Tokyo for this Ginger.  

This week I received some good news from Papa Haines, the University of Pittsburgh issued a special report, scientists have concluded that that red wine can help protect against radiation.  Save the iodine pills, I’ve been preparing for this for years.

Next stop NYC…