Thursday, March 17th

 Store front with a Pray for Japan Heart


Misawa Donations-Youtube video

Happy St. Patricks Day!  We swung by our local McDonald's to try to get a shamrock shake.  They weren't open like most of the businesses in Misawa.Which is okay since it was kind of cold and started to snow.  There are strict restrictions on energy usage. Most of all stores/ businesses are closed.  The town is dark.  Even the Pachinko Parlor right by our house is barely lit up. 


There is also restrictions on gas.  You can only get 10 gallons, and only if you have 1/4 a tank or less.  The lines have been crazy, and Gilbert was finally able to get some yesterday.  So, because of this most people are home bound and getting bored.  We went to the BX today, since I was getting a little stir crazy since I hadn't been out of the house except to a local store for 30 minutes.  We looked for some board games, but the selections are limited.  I guess I will have to learn to love Monopoly!  We also bought some much needed candles.  I was down to only tea lites.  So now we are set in that department.  There has been scheduled blackouts all over Japan to help conserve energy, but so far we have not been affected.  (For those wondering about the nuclear plants, we are about 230 miles away from that, we are in NO danger whatsoever)

Gilbert has been working at the school on base collecting donations of warm clothes and blankets.  They are sending these items off to Hachinohe and Sendai. They have been able to collect a lot of stuff, it feels good that our city is pulling together to help!  

We're still having a lot of aftershocks.  They are soo frequent that we always feel like we're moving.   (Sometimes they are just phantom quakes!)   Today we had 2 quakes that were 6.1.  Those shake us pretty good, but nothing is like that 8.9. I guess I feel lucky in the fact that Gilbert and I don't stress out.  There's not much you can do, mother nature will strike when she feels like it.  And we feel that experiencing the worst earthquake in Japan's recorded history (and 5th strongest in the world) that the worst has come and gone.   My glass is half full!!

We are in great spirits and looking forward to our weekend together.  :)


 Click these links...

Misawa Port area after the tsunami

Hachinohe Port area

Military begins voluntary evacuations-Misawa  This was announced a couple of hours ago.




Much love,
Kristina and Gilberto

9.0 Earthquake--March 11, 2011

I normally don't blog very much, but under Japans circumstances it's probably a good idea. First of all, we are fine. There weren't any reported injuries of anyone here in Misawa.



The earthquake happened at 2:46 pm on Friday. I was home only with the cats. We aren't strangers to earthquakes, we've had many in the past year and 8 months. This one knocked down various things in the house. Gilberts sword cases and other stuff broke. Lots of my kokeshi dolls fell, but are fine.

The whole house was shaking. The ceiling fans were swaying back and forth. This was the only earthquake that scared me so far. The cats were freaking out, poor things didn't understand what was going on. Gilbert tried calling me 45 times!! But no calls went through. I was relieved when he was home a couple of hours later.

Our house was temporary lodging for our friends, we had 9 people at our busiest. We all pulled together our resources of food and candles. We pulled out the grill and had some great food. Having a side burner really helped. Then were able to use our stove when we found out it was safe. That really helped to keep our house warm. after a day and a half the power kicked on as well as phone service.

The commissary was open on Saturday, but was crazy busy. Also, really long lines to get gas on base. We got some things that we needed yesterday. They put limits on water and bread. No candles were left.

They have power on base now, but no heat. They are limiting the power to family housing, so none for barracks and other buildings. Gilbert sponsored a newcomer to Misawa, Rose, she's been here 2 weeks. She stays in barracks,so we went to get her yesterday and she spent the night in our spare bedroom. We told her she was welcome anytime. Her and another newbie will be over later to do laundry.

Our Internet connection has been horrible the last few months, but has nothing to do with the earthquake. So, we still can't really use Skype to call our families yet. We have 3G Internet access on our phones. I will continue to update on this blog and of course on Facebook.

Thank you friends and family for your concern!! But please don't worry about us!! We're fine. :)

Much love,
Kristina and Gilberto


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What's Berto doing now?

Berto is deeply involved in creating a "futuristic" city on 3D Max. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:２丁目,Misawa,Japan

Gilberto's Gundam

My hubby is a happy camper!! He finally picked out a Gundam figurine. He's putting the 300 pieces together right now.

We gave Gundams to our nephews in IL for Christmas. Berto was so excited just picking them out!



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Location:２丁目,Misawa,Japan

Mom and Larry's visit!!

 This draft was from the end of June!  Oooops, sorry.  :(


My mom and Larry came to visit us!  Gilberto was able to take leave and had the whole week off!  Woo-hoo!! 


They ended up getting to us a day late due to delays in Chicago.  They had to spend the night near the airport.  LarrBear rented a phone so it was easy to be updated.  They got to us on June 20th, my b-day and Father's Day.  They arrived at the train station in Misawa around noon.  It had just started to rain.  Then torrential downfall!!  It was the most rain and in such a short amount of time that we had seen so far!!  Berto and I were soo surprised.


June 20th, Sunday-  Arrival.  We went directly to the house to settle in.  Nobody had eaten so I made some yakisoba.  (Noodles, pork, cabbage, veggies.  All with a sauce)  Rain did not let up, so we watched a movie.  Then we needed an indoor activity.  Went to the Shimoda Mall.  Funny tidbit:  Japanese lady wanted to rub Larry's belly!  Kept saying something that Larry recognized as Fat, fat or double fat.  It was pretty funny.  We then went to our grocery, Universe to pick up some dinner.  More yakisoba, shrimp tempura, some "Foochie" fish for Larry, and chicken.  Then it was happy hour.   Most hilarious part of the night:  Larry was telling us a long and descriptive joke, complete with funny voices.  My mom was translating in Spanish.  It was hilarious, they need to take it on the road!  :)


Monday-(Another rainy day)  We had a late start.  Nobody was feeling very well, except me, I felt great!  We went to "Cheese Roll" to get some spicy ramen.  It was wonderful!  They serve it piping hot and a huge portion.  Thankfully Rosie was able to get a fork!    She says she can't use chopsticks, hmph.   Close to this restaurant we noticed a gallery.  Just me and my mom went in.  Small place, that opens up to be a bar.  We were confused and said "Gallery?" to the old lady.  She gestured to the wall.  There were many traditional masks.  Most were dark and ominous looking.  (I've seen these at a local museum)  I pointed to my favorite and asked how much.  She said "very expensive".  I pointed to another, the same response.  Then she showed us some very small ones, and said "cheap".  We left, kinda offended.  Maybe she thought we couldn't afford?  Who knows.  We did some looking around on base at the korean woodworks and local stalls of kokeishi. 



 (MONTHS later)

 So, I forgot to finish this blog entry.  I'm sorry!    Better late than NEVER??  If you look at my pictures, they tell a better story than my words can.  I'm not a very good blogger/writer.  


Those who want to yell out for Berto to also write on this blog please COMMENT!!  (I will tell him!!)  I have no idea if anyone even reads this.  (Most friends/family can see my Facebook posts and pictures, it's easier over there!)  


Our familia and friends--we miss you guys a lot.  Don't give up on us because we suck at blogging, ha!  


Kristina & Gilberto  :)

Japanese class

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Konbanwa--Good evening!

Gilberto and I started a Japanese class at the Misawa International center. Tonight was our second class. There's about 20 people in class. Military and spouses, free child care provided.

I find it pretty helpful to have a Japanese person as a teacher. I have books that I try to learn from, but hearing and repeating is great.

For some reason half of class today was spent making origami tulips. I would have preferred more language, but oh well.

On the way home we stopped by our local conbini, or convenience store. I wanted a Japanese kit kat, got a salt and caramel flavor. Thought that was pretty funny because my sister Lisa is crazy for this flavor these days.

Gilberto volunteered to help tomorrow for the Air Show this weekend. (Performances by the Japan Air Self Defense Force's "Blue Impulse"). I think it's more like gopher work. You know, go for this, go for that. :). We tried to go to the air show last year, but the traffic was to crazy. It was backed up all the way at our house!! And the base is a few miles away. We'll see if we make it there this year.

Jaa mata, Oyasuminasai. (See you, good night)

P.S. I added a lot of pictures to my Flickr photostream. It's way easier to add there for me.

Location:２丁目,Misawa,Japan

What's Zeus & Zorro doing now?

Ok, this pic was taken a couple hours ago. Gilberto fell asleep and the fur babies follow. Although, I am MAD at them!! Lately, there has been accidents. Now everyday the past few days. We don't know why this is happening. We adopted them over 5 years ago. They never had accidents until the last few weeks. :(.

Hopefully this weekend will be better!!!


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Location:１丁目,Misawa City,Japan