Great news! My mother and all of my Japanese family are safe. "Shaken" but not stirred.
My mother was no where near her condo when the EQ struck. She was renewing her dependent ID card at Yokosuka. She was just at the gate at the naval base in a taxi when it happened. She was with my cousin. They had to stay at a hotel for the night since everything shut down.
They left the hotel and returned home. Took them 9 hours to get home from Yokosuka to Chiba.
My mom's phone line and cell phone were down. She couldn't recharge her cell since power was out.
Damage to her condo was minimal. Few broken pieces here and there. No structural damage.
Aftershocks continue to keep everyone on edge. Mom says there are big aftershocks around 10:30 at night. She says at least 4 to 5 huge AS continue to pommel the area.
My aunt, who lives nearby, panicked when the big one hit. Everyone is laughing now. I asked for a YouTube. I can imagine my aunt Kimiko running around like a chicken with its head cut off. She does NOT like earthquakes.
Power has since been restored. People are buying up loaves of bread.
It is March 17, 2011 over there. St. Patrick's Day. It is my mother's "diamond" birthday. She turns 75. A large bouquet of flowers is in transit as we speak.
I wonder if my mother is part Irish? Naw. But her favorite color is green. Well, her favorite colors are a lovely display of flowers of all colors.
Thank you all for your prayers.
I can breathe again.
