Landing in Osaka, Japan at a clean, modern and somewhat deserted airport in a well- developed country was a relief. My flights home had none of the drama or length of the outbound trip.

Outside of Customs in Chicago I was meet by members of the media and gave TV interviews that were later on Good Morning America and ABC News. I'm not exactly sure why I didn't walk right by the reporters and camera men, but I think I was remembering that one hour watching CNN World on the evening of the tsunami, and realizing that for all the misinformation and bias we've seen in the media, they were the only ones able help me begin to understand what I'd been through and how lucky I was.

My 15 minutes of fame wore off quickly, as further interviews were limited to local TV and radio stations.

Writing these journals was difficult as I felt I should be able to say something more profound or wrap up my experience with a sense of closure. I think it's still too early to say what living through such a huge disaster has done to me.

I can't help but feel now that the mountains are safer than the beaches, even if it isn't true.