Bi-carbonate of soda

Bi-carbonate of soda (baking soda) is wonderful for cleaning in the house. I used to buy it in big packets from a home-center, but now it is sold in the 100yen shop.

First I put it in a shaker bottle, which I can use to fill up the small white dish you can see. I keep that next to the dish washing detergent in the kitchen. Put a VERY little detergent on the sponge, then dip it into the baking soda. It is perfect for gently cleaning teacups :)  All the tea stains will be removed easily. It is also good for scrubbing pots and pans, and to clean the stainless steel sink. Glasses become so shiny when you use it.

Another good thing is that it helps to make bubbles (I don't know why) so you don't need so much detergent.

As for the big plastic container, this is what I keep in the laundry and I add one or two scoops to the middle rinse cycle when I wash clothes. It makes towels soft.

If you want to try a science experiment and to clean your drains at the same time, put one cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by one cup of vinegar. Be careful because it will FIZZ  -  like a volcano! But the fizzing bubbles are good for cleaning the drain and cutting any grease from the walls of the pipes.

It also absorbs smells, so you can leave an open packet in cupboards or in the linen closet.

Finally, keep a package by the cook-top because it will help put out an oil fire if your fish grill or tenpura pan catch fire :)

The yellow dust is NOT radiation

Many people are terrified about radiation. I heard that many people in Tokyo called the government about yellow dust they found everywhere. It is NOT radiation, so don't panic.
Can you guess what the yellow dust is?

Pollen! Yuck. Probably from the cedar trees around my house. It is no wonder I have hay fever and feel bad.

Some people around the world still really don't believe it is pollen. Obviously they don't live anywhere near trees! They should read this blog entry from the BBC; the writer is talking about England in 2010. NOT radiation :)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesnature/2010/05/tree_pollen_and_hay_fever.html

Thank you

This small gift from E made my day so much brighter on Tuesday.

I've been feeling blue because the aftershocks are continuing really strongly and frequently. But these sweet peas look so happy and bright, and smell lovely so I can't help but smile.

Classes as normal

From Tuesday (Monday was a public holiday), we have had classes as usual. Some members couldn't come because of gasoline shortages, taking care of family, etc, but it is nice to see familiar faces and talk.

The classroom has changed a little - MORE disaster prevention than before. This time I learned that even small things can make a big mess if they fly around.

When I moved to this office I secured the large bookshelf with a bracket on the top, rubber wedges at the bottom on the front, and L-brackets on the back. It didn't move, even in this powerful quake :) But just to be sure, I added new L-brackets on the bottom on the front. I have heard many stories of shelves, cabinets, cupboards and even refrigerators "walking" out from the wall with each shake. Scary!!!

One big problem is that because of the long earthquake and many powerful aftershocks very quickly after that, most of the books fell out of the bookshelf :(  This happened at most people's houses. So on the first Monday, I bought screw-in hooks and net at Yamashin Home Center and totally covered the bookshelves. I don't want to clean up ever again!

Another problem was that all my plastic files slid out onto the floor. The solution for this is easy - I wrapped a strap with a clip around the whole bookshelf to hold them in. It's really easy to open so no trouble.



And I bought 7 construction work helmets ...... if you don't have these, bicycle or motorbike helmets are good, too.


And I put another strap around the water cooler to attach it to the pillar, plus made legs with L-brackets and really strong double sided tape. This cooler is rented so I hope the company won't be angry when they see it :)

For the fax machine, printer, etc, I used gel sheets that are specifically for electrical items to prevent them moving in an earthquake. The package said the highest level quakes are okay - I think that must be true because now I cannot pick up my fax; it is stuck to the desk and will not move. Then I added wide cello-tape for extra protection.


Please take some time to look around your house and see what you can do to stop things from falling or flying out from inside cupboards and shelves. I've heard many horrible stories about kitchen cupboards where all the crockery and glassware pushed open the swinging doors and fell out and broke. Broken china and glass is really dangerous, especially for pets.

A few months ago we were talking about New Year resolutions. Well, I've resolved to reduce the amount of things I have. Anything that I don't need for my daily life shouldn't be in my house or classroom. I love my Kindle (electronic book) even more than before!

Supporting local businesses

Yesterday I went shopping near my house.

Mr Hozomi's vegetable shop is open as usual (every Monday a holiday) from 10am to 6pm. Lots of fresh vegetables and free-range eggs.

Tsukuba Bagel is open. Handmade bagels every day. (Thursdays are holidays.)

If you need flowers, please go to Aqua Bloom in Umezono. Mari has lovely preserved flowers right now, and mid-week she'll have fresh flowers again.

It is really important we go shopping as usual and support our local businesses - they can't survive without customers.

This week's classes as normal

The classroom will be open as normal from tomorrow :)

If you are in Tsukuba and you would like to come, please come as usual. Of course, I understand some people are away or busy.

See you soon,
a.k.