Freeland Family Adventures: Life back in Tokyo by Scott & Minnesota by Jessica

We wanted everyone to know our updates with Scott in Tokyo and Jessica in Minnesota…

Tokyo by Scott:

I have been back in Tokyo a little over a week now and life is getting back to normal. We reopened the show to a great audience 2 days ago on April 9th. You could tell that everyone needed a night out, including the staff of Kooza (see photo below... good God).

Scott and Adam (Artistic Director) at The Rocker bar in Shinjuku

After the show all the artists came out into the audience and concession area with donation boxes for the relief effort in the North. Fuji TV said it was very successful. Although we are not part of the hands on relief effort here it feels good to help raise money for the rebuilding of Japan. I, myself, have donated several times and hope anyone back home who has the ability will do the same.

There are still a few aftershocks every day, but nothing like the ones in the first few days after the big quake on March 11th. The biggest aftershock lately has been a level 4. Sure it shakes, but "roller coasters are way scarier than earthquakes" (Liam, 5 year old little boy who’s dad works on tour). I figure it's going to take one hell of a shake to freak me out after this. I have now been in probably 50 level 4 points or higher shakes, and 4-5 level 5 points. It really isn't as dramatic as the movies would have you believe. I'm not taking away from the magnitude of it or at least I'm not trying to, but it sounds scarier than it actually is.

Most everything here is normal. There are fewer lights right now as many of the shop owners are helping to conserve power. Tokyo is one of the prefectures that gets its power from the same plants as Sendai and most of the Northern parts of this island. Because 20-30% of the power is now lost (Fukishima) people are VOLUNTARILY using less power. It is also the case with the train stations and public areas. So now that there is less illumination it is the equivalent of being in the States, maybe not Vegas or Time Square, but pretty much everywhere else. The only other thing to note is that everyone is drinking bottled water. Therefore, it is also voluntary, but asked if you would only purchase 1 - 2L bottles per person at the store per trip. However, you can buy as many of the other sizes as you wish and there is no shortage.

Today I had a day off and went to Shinjuku and found myself in an arcade winning a Gloomy stuffed animal or more like 9 of them, part of Japanese pop culture. It is the equivalent to Hello Kitty or trash like that.

The creepy but popular Gloomy bear with bloody paws

I will be joining Jessica in Minnesota for a vacation on May 9th - 23rd or so. I miss her and Peanut!

Minnesota by Jessica:

I have managed to pick up where I left off in Minnesota. I’m staying back in the condo, driving my car, using my same US cell phone number, visiting my previous pre-natal doctor, grabbing Starbucks drive-thru every morning, and even helping my busy business partner, Sara, out with real estate for Avenue Realty.

It’s been nice taking walks outside with the fresh Spring air, baby shopping without converting yen to dollars (just to discover how expensive it is), finding clothes and shoes that fit, being able to identify all my food content, understanding every word my doctor has to say (which is all good news and Peanut continues to remain strong and healthy), seeing my family and sister Michelle, who specially flew in from Denver, and socializing with my childhood friends.

With that said, I miss Scott and Tokyo a great deal! I look forward to riding the slick JR train lines again throughout Tokyo, courteous people giving up their seat for a pregnant lady, finding more new restaurants and attractions with my fun new friends, people watching in Yoyogi Park, eating yummy Sunday family brunch at Scott’s work, bathing in our oversized Japanese tub, and my husband’s fabulous head and foot rubs! I can’t wait to see Scott in May and then head back with him to Tokyo around May 23^rd to resume our adventure in Japan.

We’re both trying to make the most of “our” free time before Peanut arrives, a.k.a. the new baby boss man, so here are few more pictures taken throughout our world wind travels.