Joe Rodin Has A Blog

January 7. Instagram Waking up in a city and not having to leave that city is actually kind of nice. I'm well accommodated to Japan time now, but I am waking up very early in the morning, and Viv, working for an airline, time doesn't exist for her, so we're up and ready to go fairly early in the morning. First thing Viv needs is a coffee and there's a Starbucks next door, for me, I can just grab a coke at any old vending machine in the city. Two things: 1) Mountain Dew in Japan is not very good. It's a different formula from what they sell here at home, so it's just something different and I'm not the biggest fan of it. Coke is the same in Japan as home, so stick to good old trusty rusty coke. 2) Vending machines are everywhere and are awesome. They're a great and easy way to unload coins, and they're also an easy way to make change from a ¥1000 bill if you're going to need it for a bus or train. Viv and I's plan for today is to start...

January 2nd. Instagram I experienced an earthquake for the first time in my life! Being the light sleeper that I am, around 3:30am I felt a light shake on the bed. I mean a very light shake, like mom just wanting you to know you need to wake up in 10 minutes, go back to sleep. This being the first time I experienced an earthquake albeit a light one, I went into full panic. Thoughts racing through my head included: Where are the exits? Do I hide under the desk? Will there be some sort of announcement about this? Do I leave the building? Do I seek shelter? The answer to these questions is: don't worry about it. Japan has an amazing earthquake detection and warning system, so if there was going to be a big one, you'd be able to seek shelter under a desk, bed, or doorway in advance. Never try to leave a building during an earthquake, and stay in place until further instruction. Turns out the one I experienced was just a little dude, and it was already the 4th earthquake that ...