Shake, Rattle, & Roll

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake hit near Nara, Japan today.  Experts say the strength was around a 3 in Nagoya, which is about 100 miles away. 

This morning I was woken up by a loud creaking noise and my bed shaking at 06:20. It took me a few seconds to realize:

1) I wasn't on a train (so why is my bed shaking and what is making that noise?)

2) The items on my indoor clothesline were swinging back & forth for a reason other than my fan

3) I wasn't dreaming!

Eventually, I jumped up & away from my sliding glass door and stood in the doorway waiting to get my bearings.

This earthquake didn't make the news because (thankfully) there were no injuries or damages to report. 

Japan is the most seismically active piece of real estate in the world, and therefore, I'm surprised it has taken me this long to actually feel an earthquake in Nagoya. 

In fact, Japan had 20 recorded earthquakes just in the past week!

In case you're wondering, here is the procedure of what to do in an earthquake (as read by my friend Jess in a Tokyo hotel room...  I knew this information would eventually come in handy!):

1) Extinguish your cigarette. (I'm not kidding!!  This is #1!  LOL.)

2) Move away from glass windows and gas lines.

3) Protect your head.  Take cover under a sturdy table or stand in a load-bearing doorway.

4) Once the shaking stops, secure a way to evacuate.  Open doors or windows and take cover again in case there are aftershocks.

I've done some research on earthquakes prior to this incident, and I've decided the best place for me to be if an earthquake strikes is at home in my apartment.  I live on the top floor of the building, so the theory is if the building crumbles I can "ride" it down to the ground level!!  Other people on the lower levels will likely get smashed by me!  Now let's hope I never get to prove my theory :)