Sorry for the prolonged radio silence, guys. I was sick with bronchitis last week and didn't have the energy to do much but lay around. And... well, the country I work for is going through a crisis right now obviously, so I've been pretty drained.

My own workload has tapered off since yesterday. When my bosses aren't out of the office, they're watching the news. I'm doing much of the same here at my desk, as well as using Facebook/Twitter to keep up with my friends over there. They're all okay, by the way. I touched base with all of them shortly after the quake. My coworkers' families are also okay, though the sister of one of my bosses had her house TILT TO THE SIDE.

I'm also trying very hard not to let myself get too upset over the idiots claiming that this is "payback" for Pearl Harbor, because people have been wonderful for the most part. I've gotten several e-mails from my contacts expressing condolences and asking after my bosses and their families. There are tons of flower bouquets at the embassy's front entrance, and several of them are from other embassies. Someone brought dozens of paper cranes, someone else left a stuffed animal, and an entire elementary school class made these huge heart-shaped cards with messages on them. It started as an impromptu gathering around the flagpole, and now there are two separate displays. It brings tears to my ears every time I see it.

Things aren't over yet, of course. It looks like it's going to get worse before it gets better. I don't pray that often, but I'm praying now.

I think things will continue to calm down here. I'm actually going to my parents' house on Thursday night for a long weekend, which will probably be good for me. Then next Tuesday is my birthday, and then I'll go to my alma mater on the 23rd to speak at their career day. So I'll still be busy, but in a good way.

To all of you in Japan, stay safe and take care. ♥ I will leave you with an exchange that got my coworker to laugh for the first time today: