Today my heart is heavy. I have been laying in bed for almost 2 hours (it is the middle of the night here in Japan) and I can't stop thinking about the people up North and the anniversary of the March 11, 2011 Tohoku earthquake. I am sure many of you have seen pictures of the rebuilding that has happened over the past two years. Wrecked cars and debris have been taken away. Roads have been cleared. The airport has long ago reopened. Buildings have been repaired and some have even been rebuilt. The Fukushima nuclear plant has been contained. Amazing work has happened.
What lays on my heart at 3:21 am, is their hearts. Even two years later, aftershocks occur. Some of them large. Who comforts them each time the ground shakes beneath their feet? Do they close their eyes at night and relive the horror of watching the water come and take away everything they have ever known? People lost friends. People lost family members. Some people lost both. Have they found peace? What about the children who ran screaming as they were rushed to get to higher ground?
I was blessed to have been able to go to the Tohoku region two different times to help in the relief efforts. The first time was three weeks after the earthquake and the second was 2.5 months after the earthquake. I went on these trips hoping that I would be able to do something, however small, for these people suffering such a tragedy. What happened, was I walked away with more than what I probably ever gave back.
So today, March 11, take a few moments in your busy day to think and pray for the people in Japan who are still haunted by what happened at 2:46 pm on that day. And then take a few more moments to hug your children, call someone you may not have talked to in a while, tell someone you love them, cuddle with your pet on the couch. In a heartbeat, it could all be gone.
Showing posts with label earthquake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label earthquake. Show all posts
Monday, March 11, 2013
Monday, May 23, 2011
Tohoku Relief Trip #2
Two weeks ago I went back up to the Tohoku area, this time with three of my friends. I had seen pictures and heard stories from people who had gone up after my first trip, but I was interested to see for myself the progress that had been made since I was there, only 2.5 weeks after the disaster.
The actually highways were much worse to drive on than before. The roads had buckled under the pavement in areas all along the Tohoku and Sanriku Expressways from the initial 9.0 earthquake and then even more after the 7.4 aftershock in April. I think all the heavy trucks and traffic on these areas just made the roads wear faster. Needless to say, save admission on the amusement park tickets and just drive up to Northern Japan.
We were gone a total of four days –– two for traveling and two for actual work days. We met up the the same group I had worked with before, BeOne. They have been on the ground since the beginning and really know the areas needs and have established connections with some of the local people. While there we worked with a couple from the United States (they were actually gymnastics coaches from the Charlotte, NC area!), an American who is now living in Singapore, a Japanese woman from Osaka, another guy from California, an American boy who has lived in Japan his whole life and a guy from New Zealand. We were joined by a young woman, Maya, who actually lives in the area.
On the first morning when driving to the disaster area of Ishinomaki, I kept thinking how much had been done, yet how little. In many ways it seems like some areas had stuffed just moved from one place to another. Some areas were totally untouched. Cars were still everywhere. Some places the people cleaned up around their own house, yet all around them lies complete carnage. In one location the ground actually sunk, so at high tide everyday water flows into the roads and houses. And the smell. Imagine two month old stagnant water with rotting fish.
This trip consisted of doing supply drops and then working in those areas. Over the course of two days we did two food and supply drops, cleaned out a drainage system at a house, cleared dirt from the crawl space of a house, cleared mud from a house and garden area, and moved debris from a small swing set area so kids could come and play.
Besides doing manual labor and meeting the people physical needs, we also tried to meet their emotional needs. We talked with the people, listened to their stories and played with the children. I think in many ways this was more important than the actual work we were doing.
I have a hard time putting how this whole experience has affected me to "paper". My heart still aches and I think it will for a long time. It makes me sad that these people are already being forgotten as it is slowly becoming "out of sight, out of mind". It makes me more sensitive to other areas, which are experiencing their own hell trying to recover from tornadoes and flooding. In a blink of an eye lives can be forever changed. It could happen to any of us.
I met some awesome people, doing awesome work, on this trip. Ones who have no idea how in just two days meeting them impacted my life.
So this is my challenge to you. Go out and do something. Go change someones life. Go change your own life. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen. Go read with children. Make cards and take cookies to a nursing home. Donate blood. Take a meal to the family whose house burnt to the ground last week. Reach out to those who may be affected by a disaster in your own area. Go make a difference.
I have posted many more pictures from this trip here on my shutterfly account.
The actually highways were much worse to drive on than before. The roads had buckled under the pavement in areas all along the Tohoku and Sanriku Expressways from the initial 9.0 earthquake and then even more after the 7.4 aftershock in April. I think all the heavy trucks and traffic on these areas just made the roads wear faster. Needless to say, save admission on the amusement park tickets and just drive up to Northern Japan.
We were gone a total of four days –– two for traveling and two for actual work days. We met up the the same group I had worked with before, BeOne. They have been on the ground since the beginning and really know the areas needs and have established connections with some of the local people. While there we worked with a couple from the United States (they were actually gymnastics coaches from the Charlotte, NC area!), an American who is now living in Singapore, a Japanese woman from Osaka, another guy from California, an American boy who has lived in Japan his whole life and a guy from New Zealand. We were joined by a young woman, Maya, who actually lives in the area.
On the first morning when driving to the disaster area of Ishinomaki, I kept thinking how much had been done, yet how little. In many ways it seems like some areas had stuffed just moved from one place to another. Some areas were totally untouched. Cars were still everywhere. Some places the people cleaned up around their own house, yet all around them lies complete carnage. In one location the ground actually sunk, so at high tide everyday water flows into the roads and houses. And the smell. Imagine two month old stagnant water with rotting fish.
This trip consisted of doing supply drops and then working in those areas. Over the course of two days we did two food and supply drops, cleaned out a drainage system at a house, cleared dirt from the crawl space of a house, cleared mud from a house and garden area, and moved debris from a small swing set area so kids could come and play.
Besides doing manual labor and meeting the people physical needs, we also tried to meet their emotional needs. We talked with the people, listened to their stories and played with the children. I think in many ways this was more important than the actual work we were doing.
I have a hard time putting how this whole experience has affected me to "paper". My heart still aches and I think it will for a long time. It makes me sad that these people are already being forgotten as it is slowly becoming "out of sight, out of mind". It makes me more sensitive to other areas, which are experiencing their own hell trying to recover from tornadoes and flooding. In a blink of an eye lives can be forever changed. It could happen to any of us.
I met some awesome people, doing awesome work, on this trip. Ones who have no idea how in just two days meeting them impacted my life.
So this is my challenge to you. Go out and do something. Go change someones life. Go change your own life. Volunteer at a local soup kitchen. Go read with children. Make cards and take cookies to a nursing home. Donate blood. Take a meal to the family whose house burnt to the ground last week. Reach out to those who may be affected by a disaster in your own area. Go make a difference.
I have posted many more pictures from this trip here on my shutterfly account.
Friday, April 15, 2011
We're All in This Together
Sadly as a mother of a child who was obsessed with everything High School Musical, I can't help but think of one of the movie's theme songs lately when I look at the school my kids attend.
It has been amazing to watch the relief efforts that have been put forth by our school, Canadian Academy. I have always been very happy with the school on an educational level, but what has really wowed me the past month is how the whole school -- students, staff, administration, parents, and even alum-- has come together to help with the crisis. Everyone is on the same page with the same goal in mind and the students especially, have come up with some creative ways to help raise money and get supplies.
The students have been busy collecting rice, which as we all know is a staple in the Japanese diet. They also have been busy preparing Tasuki Bags, which are gifts bags put together on a more personal level. These bags include clothes for someone the same age and size, toiletries, a personal note, and some goodies. Something small that one can keep by their "bedside".
The students have also been creative in how they are raising financial donations. Sport clinics where the registration fee all goes to the earthquake fund, 3-on-3 basketball tournaments with teachers versus students, walk-a-thons, bake sales, selling of wristbands, t-shirts, and crafts. Kids giving their allowance money or offering to sell their own items just to send money up North. The most recent idea is an auction, where students and teachers are offering services or goods. A teacher offering to shave his head, students donating their senior privileges or being errand boy for a week, teachers delivering smoothies and lunch daily, are just a few of the items up for auction.
This past Saturday the school held their annual International Food Day, where the PTA sponsored a relief booth, which was manned by high school students. At this booth free water was passed out, people were given the opportunity to write messages to the victims, wristbands, t-shirts and crafts were for sale, and straight donations were accepted. In three hours, ¥215,000 was raised. (Over $2500 USD) The PTA then matched this amount, sending almost ¥500,000 to the earthquake fund (Over $5000 USD).
Alumni have also stepped up with some ideas of their own. Music being sold on itunes, jewelry being made in Arizona, and classrooms folding paper cranes, are just a few of the things being done. Teachers are collecting and repairing bikes to be taken up North. Everyone wants to help in some way.
At the end of our assignment and we pack our bags to leave Japan, it isn't the educational things, like trigonometry or the ability to create podcasts, that will have made the most impact on my children. It will be my kids learning that no matter where you are from, how smart you are, or what your background may be, everyone can come together and make a difference. That things don't have to have huge "wow factors", rather every little thing counts. People matter and they can make a difference, whether they think so or not.
It has been amazing to watch the relief efforts that have been put forth by our school, Canadian Academy. I have always been very happy with the school on an educational level, but what has really wowed me the past month is how the whole school -- students, staff, administration, parents, and even alum-- has come together to help with the crisis. Everyone is on the same page with the same goal in mind and the students especially, have come up with some creative ways to help raise money and get supplies.
The students have been busy collecting rice, which as we all know is a staple in the Japanese diet. They also have been busy preparing Tasuki Bags, which are gifts bags put together on a more personal level. These bags include clothes for someone the same age and size, toiletries, a personal note, and some goodies. Something small that one can keep by their "bedside".
The students have also been creative in how they are raising financial donations. Sport clinics where the registration fee all goes to the earthquake fund, 3-on-3 basketball tournaments with teachers versus students, walk-a-thons, bake sales, selling of wristbands, t-shirts, and crafts. Kids giving their allowance money or offering to sell their own items just to send money up North. The most recent idea is an auction, where students and teachers are offering services or goods. A teacher offering to shave his head, students donating their senior privileges or being errand boy for a week, teachers delivering smoothies and lunch daily, are just a few of the items up for auction.
This past Saturday the school held their annual International Food Day, where the PTA sponsored a relief booth, which was manned by high school students. At this booth free water was passed out, people were given the opportunity to write messages to the victims, wristbands, t-shirts and crafts were for sale, and straight donations were accepted. In three hours, ¥215,000 was raised. (Over $2500 USD) The PTA then matched this amount, sending almost ¥500,000 to the earthquake fund (Over $5000 USD).
Alumni have also stepped up with some ideas of their own. Music being sold on itunes, jewelry being made in Arizona, and classrooms folding paper cranes, are just a few of the things being done. Teachers are collecting and repairing bikes to be taken up North. Everyone wants to help in some way.
At the end of our assignment and we pack our bags to leave Japan, it isn't the educational things, like trigonometry or the ability to create podcasts, that will have made the most impact on my children. It will be my kids learning that no matter where you are from, how smart you are, or what your background may be, everyone can come together and make a difference. That things don't have to have huge "wow factors", rather every little thing counts. People matter and they can make a difference, whether they think so or not.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Getting Back to Blogging
I have found it hard to blog over the past month. I can't seem to figure what words to put to the screen. The past month has been full of heartache and turmoil for the people of Japan. People have lost their houses, their loved ones, their jobs, their personal belongings, their lives. On March 11, at 2:46 pm, people's lives changed forever. When I sit in front of the screen, everything I want to write seems so insignificant and trite compared to what has happened around me.
There has been hundreds of aftershocks since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake, with the past 24 hours having 68 alone. Almost a 1/4 of these 68 have been 5.5 magnitude and above. There seems to be a sense of nervousness every time an aftershock hits. Add to it the unstable nuclear situation and I think many people seem to be walking around waiting for the "other shoe to drop". Kobe is far away from both the Tohoku and Fukushima regions, but I still think people are anxious about the "what's next" or "what could be next." I know many of my expat friends worry about something happening here or what the future may hold. To be honest, I do too.
But life still goes on. People get up in the morning and go to work. Some meet friends for coffee, while others play with their children. If there is one thing I learned on my trip to the Tohoku region it was how much strength and grace the victims showed. They are perfect examples of no matter how grim and bleak a situation may be, life goes on. It has to. I think learning how to put one foot forward, no matter the circumstance, is part of the healing process.
This past Sunday, Matt and I walked around Kobe to see the beautiful cherry blossoms. Sakura season is famous in Japan. People come from all over just to admire the cherry blossom trees. I found it to be a very peaceful and cleaning afternoon.
We can either live in fear about what tomorrow may bring or we can live each day to the fullest because we never know what the future may hold. One of my favorite musicals, Rent, has a song that really says it all:
"Forget regret -- or life is yours to miss.
No other road, no other way
No day but today."
There has been hundreds of aftershocks since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake, with the past 24 hours having 68 alone. Almost a 1/4 of these 68 have been 5.5 magnitude and above. There seems to be a sense of nervousness every time an aftershock hits. Add to it the unstable nuclear situation and I think many people seem to be walking around waiting for the "other shoe to drop". Kobe is far away from both the Tohoku and Fukushima regions, but I still think people are anxious about the "what's next" or "what could be next." I know many of my expat friends worry about something happening here or what the future may hold. To be honest, I do too.
But life still goes on. People get up in the morning and go to work. Some meet friends for coffee, while others play with their children. If there is one thing I learned on my trip to the Tohoku region it was how much strength and grace the victims showed. They are perfect examples of no matter how grim and bleak a situation may be, life goes on. It has to. I think learning how to put one foot forward, no matter the circumstance, is part of the healing process.
This past Sunday, Matt and I walked around Kobe to see the beautiful cherry blossoms. Sakura season is famous in Japan. People come from all over just to admire the cherry blossom trees. I found it to be a very peaceful and cleaning afternoon.
We can either live in fear about what tomorrow may bring or we can live each day to the fullest because we never know what the future may hold. One of my favorite musicals, Rent, has a song that really says it all:
"Forget regret -- or life is yours to miss.
No other road, no other way
No day but today."
Sunday, April 10, 2011
My Experience Up North
Almost 2 weeks ago, I was a part of a 5-person team that went up into the Sendai area to help with relief efforts. Our main role during this trip was to help distribute food and supplies. I am finally ready to put to paper (okay computer) some of the stories from my trip.
For most
of the time up there, I felt like I was walking on a movie set. Living most of
my life in the Midwest, I found it hard to wrap my head around the reality of
the situation. What I was seeing was a far cry from cornfields and
soybeans. Houses inside stores, buildings on top of buildings, cars
inside houses, cars wrapped around poles, a ship in the road. Stuff was
everywhere it shouldn't be. The smell of stagnant seawater and fish was
overwhelming. It was all so surreal.
So instead
of thinking about the total devastation around me, I concentrated on the people
we were there to help. Our main focus was to work with those who are not in
evacuation centers. Those who have remained living in their homes, local areas
or abandoned buildings. These are the people who seem to have slipped
through the cracks as far as receiving aid. In the morning we went to the
warehouse and loaded up the vehicles with food and supplies. Then we worked
with other teams and went to the Ishinomaki area to set up several drop
stations.
At these
drop stations we set up blue tarps and placed food and supplies on them for
people to choose from. We then spoke with people in the area and asked them to
help spread word that we were there with supplies and food. You could
tell during these drop offs which areas had not been visited in a long time as
those people seemed more desperate for supplies and food items.
The people
were just completely amazing. You still saw people joking and laughing through
their tears and their fears. We took candy in our pockets and passed them out
to the children and it was wonderful watching their faces light up with the
sight of a small piece of candy. Then you saw the parents smile because
their children were smiling. I was playing with a little boy, who happened to
be the same age as my youngest daughter. We were playing keep away with a small
piece of playdough while I tried to tell him in my limited Japanese that I have
a beautiful 7-year-old daughter who he may find cute.
One woman
had a hurt knee and asked if I could help her back to her living area. Along
the way she was telling me how she thought she was going to die in the tsunami
and how she knew God sent us here to help. When we arrived at her place she
asked me to "chotto matte" (please wait). She came back a few minutes
later and handed me a bag with some bread and sweets that she was saving and
told me to tabette (eat) and share with my tomodachis (friends). Here was this
woman with nothing and she was giving me something to say thank you. I was
overwhelmed with emotion. So I hugged her. And for those who know me I am not a hugger.
At another
location a woman told me it was a special day because we were there to help
her. She then told me how she fears every night going to sleep that she will
die. She told me how frightened she was. This past Thursday there
was a 7.4 magnitude aftershock and her face and story haunts me. I can't
imagine the fear she much have had at 11:30 pm when this large quake started
and the tsunami alarms went off again.
The other
people helping were pretty amazing as well. At one location we ran out of
bottled water and one elderly woman needed water to mix with the chicken rice
packet we gave her. One of the other relief workers with us, a boy of only 18,
went into the car and got out his backpack and handed her his own personal
bottles of water from his bag. We ourselves, gave the one group of people our
food for the remainder of the trip. They needed it much more than we did.
On that
Friday the US Military was working with the Japanese Special Defense Forces on
a 3 day intensive search. It brought tears to my eyes (like I didn't have
enough already) to see my country there helping the country I have grown to
love. From what I have read, the US Forces will be there until the end of
April.
When
disasters such as this one occur, it is common for people to question or ask
where is God in all of this. How can God allow so much destruction and
suffering? While we were driving to where we were staying the night after our
first day of helping, it was starting to rain. I looked out of the van and over
to the left, and right over the seaside was a huge, beautiful rainbow. I am
sure the other two people in the car thought I was a bit weird for being so
excited about this rainbow. But I am one who wants to see signs. So for
me, this rainbow was a sign and a promise that God IS there. God WAS there. And
God WILL CONTINUE to be there.
I have
uploaded additional pictures to my family's shutterfly account. Please know
these photos are both of the devastation and of our relief efforts. You can
find the photos here. I
also took several videos. One of my friends made a compilation video of some of
our footage while up North. Here is the compilation video.
It will be
a long time before things are rebuilt. The train lines are gone. Debris needs
cleared. Water needs pumped. Cars need removed from rice fields. But I have
faith that Japan will come back and be better than ever.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Japan's Greatest Natural Disaster
On March 11, at 2:46 pm, the country of Japan suffered a horrific tragedy. An 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit off the Northeast coast of Japan, causing a catastrophic tsunami and crippling the city of Tokyo and northward. It is estimated the initial tsunami wave was over 30 feet high, and came over six miles into shore. Over 120 strong aftershocks have occurred and it is expected that will continue for days and possibly months. A nuclear power plant North of Tokyo is in a state of emergency with at least two of the reactors being completely unstable. There has been almost 1,000 people declared dead, with the numbers climbing by the hour. In one city alone, there are over 9,500 people reported missing. Towns have been completely taken off the map. This has been declared the worst natural disaster in Japan history, and Japan's most difficult crisis since WWII.
There are no words to express how much all the email and Facebook messages, instant messages, and phone calls asking about our safety, have meant to my family. I know many of you have asked where we are in relation to the disaster zone. My family and I live in Kobe, Japan, which is Southwest from the disaster area. We are 267 miles from Tokyo and 402 miles from Sendai. Sendai is the closest city to where the epicenter of the earthquake was located. I know those miles do not seem very far, especially to those in the United States. Our distance in miles would be similar to driving from Cleveland, Ohio to Cincinnati, Ohio. However, Japan is very mountainous, making distance almost two and three times farther.
We did feel the earthquake where we live. It could be described as feeling like you had just gotten off a boat. The initial quake lasted several minutes. Matt was at work and the kids were at school. The kids' school was very proactive and implemented their "duck and cover" earthquake plan. I was at home and you couldn't feel it as much here as elsewhere because of our location tucked towards the mountain. We have several friends who live in a 32-floor high-rise apartment building, where you would physically see the building swaying back and forth.
Kobe has been able to feel several of the aftershocks. Our house is located 1/2 way up the mountain, cushioning the aftershocks. Our friends who live in the high-rise buildings have had a few rough moments riding out some of the most recent quakes. We have been told rolling blackouts may be implemented throughout the large cities to help conserve power and to reroute power to the North to help aid in the search and rescue efforts. We are making sure we have all our cell phones charged in case this happens, as most likely the Kobe area will be part of this plan. We are monitoring the nuclear power plant issue, however being located almost 300 miles from the plant, our biggest worry would be the wind direction. I am the outreach ministry leader at our church and one of our mission partners have suffered much damage, so we are working to get a team together to help in the recovery efforts when the time is right.
Caterpillar, my husband's company, has been in constant contact over the past day, giving us updates when appropriate. The U.S. Embassy has also been giving us information and keeping us updated on the latest news. We are being watched even if we are not in the disaster zone. So mom and dad, PLEASE do not worry. We are being watched.
I have an earthquake application on my iPhone. As soon as I saw the initial 7.9 magnitude report I turned on the television to see if there was any news. I sat in front of the television for hours watching everything unfold. It is so surreal sitting here knowing the horrible images we are all seeing is happening where I live. While Japan is not my home country, and we have only live here a little over two years, Japan has become my home. It is no secret how much I love living here. I have fallen in love with the people, the culture, the country, and my heart aches watching all of this unfold.
I feel guilty for going on with our day-to-day lives, while so many are suffering. I feel like I should be doing something. I try not to think of the "what ifs". I try not to think about living in one of the world's most earthquake prone countries. I tell myself it won't happen here. But it could. It did 16 years ago. I try not to think about my husband, my son, seven other adult chaperones, and almost 60 6th graders sitting in the Sendai airport exactly three weeks before this earthquake and tsunami. This is what the Sendai airport looked like shortly after the tsunami hit.
I cannot close my eyes without seeing all the devastation. I doubt many people in this country have slept much the past few days. The next few days will be full of more heartbreaking images and devastation. I just have to keep reminding myself of Philippians 4:6. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
So I ask you, please pray for this country. Please pray for the people who are located in the North. Pray for those who are helping in the search and rescue efforts. Pray for those who are battling the scary issues at the nuclear power plant. Pray for those who have lost loved ones, their homes, their jobs, their towns. Pray for the leadership of this country. Please pray for the foreigners who don't know how to handle a disaster such as this one. Please pray for Japan.
There are no words to express how much all the email and Facebook messages, instant messages, and phone calls asking about our safety, have meant to my family. I know many of you have asked where we are in relation to the disaster zone. My family and I live in Kobe, Japan, which is Southwest from the disaster area. We are 267 miles from Tokyo and 402 miles from Sendai. Sendai is the closest city to where the epicenter of the earthquake was located. I know those miles do not seem very far, especially to those in the United States. Our distance in miles would be similar to driving from Cleveland, Ohio to Cincinnati, Ohio. However, Japan is very mountainous, making distance almost two and three times farther.
We did feel the earthquake where we live. It could be described as feeling like you had just gotten off a boat. The initial quake lasted several minutes. Matt was at work and the kids were at school. The kids' school was very proactive and implemented their "duck and cover" earthquake plan. I was at home and you couldn't feel it as much here as elsewhere because of our location tucked towards the mountain. We have several friends who live in a 32-floor high-rise apartment building, where you would physically see the building swaying back and forth.
Kobe has been able to feel several of the aftershocks. Our house is located 1/2 way up the mountain, cushioning the aftershocks. Our friends who live in the high-rise buildings have had a few rough moments riding out some of the most recent quakes. We have been told rolling blackouts may be implemented throughout the large cities to help conserve power and to reroute power to the North to help aid in the search and rescue efforts. We are making sure we have all our cell phones charged in case this happens, as most likely the Kobe area will be part of this plan. We are monitoring the nuclear power plant issue, however being located almost 300 miles from the plant, our biggest worry would be the wind direction. I am the outreach ministry leader at our church and one of our mission partners have suffered much damage, so we are working to get a team together to help in the recovery efforts when the time is right.
Caterpillar, my husband's company, has been in constant contact over the past day, giving us updates when appropriate. The U.S. Embassy has also been giving us information and keeping us updated on the latest news. We are being watched even if we are not in the disaster zone. So mom and dad, PLEASE do not worry. We are being watched.
I have an earthquake application on my iPhone. As soon as I saw the initial 7.9 magnitude report I turned on the television to see if there was any news. I sat in front of the television for hours watching everything unfold. It is so surreal sitting here knowing the horrible images we are all seeing is happening where I live. While Japan is not my home country, and we have only live here a little over two years, Japan has become my home. It is no secret how much I love living here. I have fallen in love with the people, the culture, the country, and my heart aches watching all of this unfold.
I feel guilty for going on with our day-to-day lives, while so many are suffering. I feel like I should be doing something. I try not to think of the "what ifs". I try not to think about living in one of the world's most earthquake prone countries. I tell myself it won't happen here. But it could. It did 16 years ago. I try not to think about my husband, my son, seven other adult chaperones, and almost 60 6th graders sitting in the Sendai airport exactly three weeks before this earthquake and tsunami. This is what the Sendai airport looked like shortly after the tsunami hit.
I cannot close my eyes without seeing all the devastation. I doubt many people in this country have slept much the past few days. The next few days will be full of more heartbreaking images and devastation. I just have to keep reminding myself of Philippians 4:6. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
So I ask you, please pray for this country. Please pray for the people who are located in the North. Pray for those who are helping in the search and rescue efforts. Pray for those who are battling the scary issues at the nuclear power plant. Pray for those who have lost loved ones, their homes, their jobs, their towns. Pray for the leadership of this country. Please pray for the foreigners who don't know how to handle a disaster such as this one. Please pray for Japan.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
From tornados to earthquakes
I spent 30 years living in the Midwest. We grew up having monthly tornado drills and hearing tornado sirens multiple times each year. When we moved to NC in 2006, while the chances of having a tornado were pretty slim, our kids continued to have drills at school.
When we moved to Japan, we were given information on what to do in the case of an earthquake. There are usually earthquakes daily somewhere in Japan (small ones, you can relax mom). The kids are drilled at school. Our home has a flashing locator light and alarm in case something should happen. This morning I somehow accidentally hit the home security system button without knowing it. Emily left for school before Sami and Chris. I was in the kitchen and didn't actually see her walk out the door but I heard this weird alarm noise go off. Sami's eyes instantly got big and she climbed under the kitchen table. Then the alarm stopped and Sami climbed out. Then almost as soon as she climbed out, the alarm went off again and she flew back under telling me it was the earthquake alarm. Apparently the recent earthquakes throughout the world has really made her paranoid.
I hadn't realized the alarm was on, and I hadn't realized that Emily had come back in the door. I couldn't figure out what was going on. Obviously it wasn't an earthquake, and even a tiny one would never set off any alarm. However trying to tell Sami that was nearly impossible. The alarm sounded different than the normal home security one, but I guess I had hit the "home" alarm, meaning it was for if we were actually in the house.
After this little learning experience it hit me just how different our lives are here from just over a year ago. It's not just which side of the road we drive on, what we eat, or what language we speak, but even down to things like being prepared for something as an earthquake.
When we moved to Japan, we were given information on what to do in the case of an earthquake. There are usually earthquakes daily somewhere in Japan (small ones, you can relax mom). The kids are drilled at school. Our home has a flashing locator light and alarm in case something should happen. This morning I somehow accidentally hit the home security system button without knowing it. Emily left for school before Sami and Chris. I was in the kitchen and didn't actually see her walk out the door but I heard this weird alarm noise go off. Sami's eyes instantly got big and she climbed under the kitchen table. Then the alarm stopped and Sami climbed out. Then almost as soon as she climbed out, the alarm went off again and she flew back under telling me it was the earthquake alarm. Apparently the recent earthquakes throughout the world has really made her paranoid.
I hadn't realized the alarm was on, and I hadn't realized that Emily had come back in the door. I couldn't figure out what was going on. Obviously it wasn't an earthquake, and even a tiny one would never set off any alarm. However trying to tell Sami that was nearly impossible. The alarm sounded different than the normal home security one, but I guess I had hit the "home" alarm, meaning it was for if we were actually in the house.
After this little learning experience it hit me just how different our lives are here from just over a year ago. It's not just which side of the road we drive on, what we eat, or what language we speak, but even down to things like being prepared for something as an earthquake.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Kobe Luminarie
Monday night our family decided to brave the queue and head out to see the Kobe Luminarie. The kids were excited to put off doing homework and head downtown for an evening.
The Kobe Luminarie takes place every December and is a memorial to the loss suffered from the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. Its purpose was to help bring a message of hope and rebuilding to the people of Kobe after that horrible tragedy.
Picture thousands of people standing in lines and moving like cattle being led out to pasture around several blocks of the city. Over 5 million people see this light show over 10 days. We were given the advice to go early as it could take hours to get through the queue to finally walk through the lights. (People will start lining up over an hour before the lights are actually turned on)
At certain points police officers will stop the crowd from moving to allow cars and other people to cross through the line.
The lights themselves are beautiful. Each light is hand painted and was a gift from the Italian government. They look like tiny ceramic tiles.
When you turn the corner towards the end of the queue literally hundreds of people are stopped taking photos of the lights. You have to push and maneuver yourself through the crowd to just get through. As you walk through the tunnel of lights you will hear music and a story of some sort being told in Japanese.
At the end of the tunnel is another lighting, this one just as beautiful as the tunnel of lights.
Near this light exhibit are bunches of food stalls and places to buy souvenirs. You can try many different foods, such as yakitori (meat on a stick), mochi (Japanese rice cake) or even grilled corn on the cob.
It was a nice outing as a family. To us it was just some pretty lights and yummy fair food. To many of the Japanese people, the Kobe Luminarie is something that is emotional and heartfelt, remembering one of Kobe's greatest tragedies.
The Kobe Luminarie takes place every December and is a memorial to the loss suffered from the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. Its purpose was to help bring a message of hope and rebuilding to the people of Kobe after that horrible tragedy.
Picture thousands of people standing in lines and moving like cattle being led out to pasture around several blocks of the city. Over 5 million people see this light show over 10 days. We were given the advice to go early as it could take hours to get through the queue to finally walk through the lights. (People will start lining up over an hour before the lights are actually turned on)
At certain points police officers will stop the crowd from moving to allow cars and other people to cross through the line.
The lights themselves are beautiful. Each light is hand painted and was a gift from the Italian government. They look like tiny ceramic tiles. 
When you turn the corner towards the end of the queue literally hundreds of people are stopped taking photos of the lights. You have to push and maneuver yourself through the crowd to just get through. As you walk through the tunnel of lights you will hear music and a story of some sort being told in Japanese.
At the end of the tunnel is another lighting, this one just as beautiful as the tunnel of lights.
Near this light exhibit are bunches of food stalls and places to buy souvenirs. You can try many different foods, such as yakitori (meat on a stick), mochi (Japanese rice cake) or even grilled corn on the cob.
It was a nice outing as a family. To us it was just some pretty lights and yummy fair food. To many of the Japanese people, the Kobe Luminarie is something that is emotional and heartfelt, remembering one of Kobe's greatest tragedies.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Officially Welcomed to Japan
Even Mother Nature has welcomed us to Japan.
I was laying in bed after getting Emily off on her school ski trip just surfing the net when things started to rattle and vibrate for about 8 seconds. It stopped, shuddered again and then was over. Sam thought it was Chris banging in his room. Nope. It was just an earthquake.
According to my daily earthquake stalking site it was a 5.1 quake farther up North. We just got some of the effects. My neighbor called right after and asked me if I felt it too. She then proceeded to tell me that in 2 years she has never felt any of the ones that has happened here. I told her "Welcome to the Jacobs' Jinx".
I was laying in bed after getting Emily off on her school ski trip just surfing the net when things started to rattle and vibrate for about 8 seconds. It stopped, shuddered again and then was over. Sam thought it was Chris banging in his room. Nope. It was just an earthquake.
According to my daily earthquake stalking site it was a 5.1 quake farther up North. We just got some of the effects. My neighbor called right after and asked me if I felt it too. She then proceeded to tell me that in 2 years she has never felt any of the ones that has happened here. I told her "Welcome to the Jacobs' Jinx".
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Taking a moment to remember 4 years ago
I remember sitting at my parents house on Christmas night '04 watching the shocking breaking news coming in from Asia. On Dec. 26, 2004, an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.1 to 9.3 (the second largest ever recorded) had struck out in sea off the coast of Indonesia, triggering a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean and killing more than 225,000 people.
These tsunamis hit in eleven countries and inundated coastal communities with waves up to 100 feet high. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in history, hitting Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand the hardest.
This past April Matt and I visited Phuket, Thailand, one of the areas hit hard in 2004. I remember standing looking down this street, unable to even fathom the devastation only 3.5 years earlier.
We visited a memorial, remembering those affected by this horrible tragedy.
Whole villages (similar to this one) were wiped out after waves flooded and destroyed the area.
After 2004, many areas placed tsunami warning systems and evacuation signs.
Below are a few pictures from online just days after the tsunami. Today take a few moments to remember the over 225,000 people who lost their lives and the thousands of others who lost their homes, loved ones or were otherwise affected.
These tsunamis hit in eleven countries and inundated coastal communities with waves up to 100 feet high. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in history, hitting Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand the hardest.
This past April Matt and I visited Phuket, Thailand, one of the areas hit hard in 2004. I remember standing looking down this street, unable to even fathom the devastation only 3.5 years earlier.
We visited a memorial, remembering those affected by this horrible tragedy.
Whole villages (similar to this one) were wiped out after waves flooded and destroyed the area.
After 2004, many areas placed tsunami warning systems and evacuation signs.
Below are a few pictures from online just days after the tsunami. Today take a few moments to remember the over 225,000 people who lost their lives and the thousands of others who lost their homes, loved ones or were otherwise affected.
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