Hayley- Life goes on

Life goes on

Yesterday, I was able to go into work for about half the day. It was great being there, but it struck me how tired everyone looked. It wasn't just them though. . . I know I looked tired too. The emotional toll of the past days has been very draining. There is so much going on, and so much uncertainty as events continue to unfold. No matter where you turn, there is something to remind you that life is not as it should be.

I look at my laptop, where BBC News' Live Stream reminds me of the unfolding situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. I think of the rescue efforts in the north and all of the people who are living in temporary shelters.

And yet, looking outside this morning, life appears to be normal. The sun is shining, people are riding by on their bikes, and the kindergarten bus shaped like a giant dachshund just drove past . . . to all appearances, life is normal.

My host mother's hand-written train schedule, though, reminds me that power-outages are still affecting the train lines. Therefore, I will be working from home today. There will also be a power-outage here from mid-afternoon to early evening.

It's hard to put into words the situation here; so much is happening, and things constantly seem to be changing. Emotionally it has been quite draining. I'd like to thank all of my friends and family for your messages and prayers. You have been a great encouragement.

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