Preparing for power outages, etc.

Our outing today was to the grocery store. We didn't see many cars, but lots of people on foot and bicycle. Akihiro rode his bike over to the home center to see if he could get some more candles and batteries and counted 40 cars lined up to get gas at the only gas station in our area that has any gas left. He said he didn't even have to go in the home center--there was a sign at the entrance saying they were out of flashlights, candles, and batteries. He was able to pick up the last couple of bags of diapers on the shelf at the drug store ( we might be pursuing potty training earlier than later!). Back to the grocery store... it took me at least 30 minutes to get through the checkout line. No eggs, bread, or natto (apparently natto is mostly made in the area of tsunami damage). Most of the cup of noodle was gone too. While I was standing in line, a salesperson started announcing something and a few people started running--he said they had just gotten a shipment of rice. He was handing it out as fast as he could get it open. I was thankful to have bought a 10 kg bag just last week. Otherwise, groceries were ok.

We ended up not having power outages, but they keep making announcements that it may happen. They make announcements over a PA system in our neighborhood requesting that people limit their use of electricity.

Most people weren't able to go to work today--many train lines aren't running because of lack of power and if they are running, they often stop because of continued tremors.

While these are inconveniences to us, they pale in comparison to the thoughts of a thousand bodies of these dear Japanese people washed up on the shore following the tsunami, refugees and their situations, etc. Makes one's heart heavy. Thanks for your continued prayers!