Remembering...

It doesn't feel like 4 years has passed since the quake. For many of us, life is back to normal, no more electricity rations (the costs has been hiked up though) and the stores are full stocked.

We do still check where produce has come from, and it is such an ingrained habit now, I think I will be doing it forever!

The carp things is that there are still thousands of displaced survivors still living in temporary accommodation and not being assisted in the way that they should. All very sad and all very unnecessary.  But there are some great projects going on, rebuilding and bringing life into the devastated areas. Of course Fukushima nuclear plant is still a major problem, one I hope they get sorted sooner rather than later.

So today is about remembering, the good, the bad and the ugly. 

15 years today…

I landed on the shores of Japan, I can't believe it has been that long! I haven't actually spent 15 years here because I took a year out to travel South America. I arrived early in the day at Narita and was met by my teacher trainer, then we took the train into Tokyo and then the shinkansen up to Kitakami which is in the north. I was taken straight to the school, GEOS, which in the day was one of the big 4 language schools. 

this was taken in the spring!

I had to spend the day sitting in on the leaving teachers lessons and they were, quite possibly the dullest lessons I have ever had to endure! For afternoon tea break we went to the combini and I had a nikuman and onigiri, I had no idea what anything was and back then there wasn't any English labelling on anything.

I must say, the guy who was leaving wasn't very helpful at all! I had to suffer the rest of his lessons and the we had a leaving/welcome party. It must have been getting on for 11pm when we arrived at the party, school finished at 9.00pm but there was loads of shuffling of paper and phone calls to be made before we could leave. As you can imagine, by 11pm jet-lag was seriously kicking in. I have no recollection of where the party was, I just remember sitting there the whole time thinking 'keep your eyes open, keep your eyes open'.

I eventually got taken to my apartment, around 1.30am. Obviously in the dark, from the bar so I had NO idea where it was in relation to anything. I was dropped off with my carry-on bag, my suitcase had been sent from the airport so arrived the next day.

Slept like a log, woke up to discover that the really thoughtful teacher had left NOTHING in the fridge or cupboards, gee thanks! Luckily I grew up as a scout and the motto 'Be Prepared' is deeply ingrained. I had the forethought to pack some tea, coffee and biscuits! My first breakfast in Japan!

The school manager had kindly left me a map of the town, but had not marked on the map where the apartment was, just the school. Always the adventurer and thankful blessed with a great sense of humour, I ventured out. After a couple of hours wandering around, I had the lay of the land as it were, I found the supermarket, train station and school so I was set.

My apartment was a 2K, so 2 tatami rooms and a kitchen, imagine a gas stove, sink and fridge in your entrance way and that was my kitchen! I did have a headed toilet seat - how posh, warmed room in the whole place! The apartment was built of wood, not insulated and was FREEZING cold. I had a kotatsu, which is a low table with a heater under it, brilliant idea and a kerosene heater that you could only use if you opened a window - genius idea that!

I didn't realise at the time but I met my husband to be on that first night, he was in the last class on a Saturday night, which became by drinking buddies, we would have the 2 hour lesson and then go out for dinner and drinks.

I stayed for just over 2 years, Kitakami is a lovely town, the first 8 months I didn't see any other foreigners except for the teacher trainer that would pop down on occasion. Then I discovered that one of my students had a JET teacher at their school and so I got to meet the 3 JETs that lived in the area, all blokes but it was good to hang out with them.

The draw back of being the only female foreigner in town was everyone knew everything I did! I would go to work at the start of the week and my school manager could tell me what I had been doing. I also got old ladies coming up to me in the supermarket to touch my white skin or stroke my blond hair, quite amusing really!

I had no idea 15 years ago today that I would be sitting in my own house in another part of Japan, writing a blog about my adventures!

I feel like I need to bake a cake to celebrate!

A request for goods for Tohoku tsunami survivors...

I have posted about Joni before, she lives up in Tohoku and collects things for the people on the coast and those who live in the temporary housing in her village. Last year we made the Little Houses to send to her to distribute. 

She isn't working for a charity, she does it out of the goodness of her heart and because she has been doing it for the last two years, the locals now trust her and so she is now able to request specific items because she now knows what is needed.

If you have anything to send her, please read through the post first and label everything as requested. This is a long post and there are no pretty pictures but hearing what Joni has to say is interesting.

Now over to Joni...

I have been getting some questions recently about why we are doing this and so thought I would write a quick note.

Our family is not part of any organization, and this is just something we felt led to do to help. We have 4 children aged 5-12 and they have been our helpers from day one. It has really helped for the people who were not comfortable accepting help, were o.k. if it was a child giving it to them!

We are Christians, and are are just helping as a family. My husband is Japanese and I think I shocked him in the beginning as I just started helping and didn't wait for someone to ask us to help, I just started. They needed water, o.k. we have water. No containers to transport it, ok, I have pots and pans and buckets! I just try and put myself in their shoes, and know that I would sure appreciate help! We have just try to help the people in this area in any way that we can. We started helping right after the tsunami and have continued this whole time, and because of that, we are known and welcome, and have been able to bypass some of the red tape and rules that have come up since then. We are helping friends which is allowed!

It started right after the tsunami and earthquake, as soon as we could get enough gasoline, we took trips to the coast with water and food, clothing, toliet paper, diapers, towels and every other thing we could think of that might help them. Of course there were no stores open or anywhere to buy things at that

time, so we took lots of things from our home, and then some people helped and gave us some food to share. (The coast didn't have water, electricity or gas for over 4 1/2 months) Then friends and family from the U.S. sent things to share, and then churches in U.S./Japan/Singapore sent things, and from there it spread to friends of friends of friends. Many have heard about what we do from friends,

so feel free to share with anyone who you think might be interested in helping.

As time has gone on the needs have changed, but one of the needs of every one of the tsunami survivors is the same, they all need to know that someone cares and still remembers them.

Here are some ideas of things that are appreciated for the people on the coast and in the temporary housing. It is not a complete list, and please just shoot me an email with any ideas of things. The people we visit on the coast, total about 60+ people. The people in the temp housing are about 200. This list is mainly for the people on the coast, with a few things for the temporary housing people.

Rice - We have also received bags of rice in the past which I divided and then shared

with people.

Daily use items for the home: such as miso, soy sauce, laundry detergent, household items.

Small appliances (small electric heaters, sandwich/waffle makers, food processors)

Most people seem to have enough clothing now, but there are a few sizes that are still needed. If possible, it would be great if the clothing could be clean, no stains or tears, and in good shape. (no stretched out collars, holes, or balls etc.) New is not necessary, but it should be in nice condition.

***NOTE all sizes are Japanese for a guide a Japanese L is a UK M***

Men's XL and L clothing for students and younger men

Medium and Large for older men (60+ yrs)

Women's L and XL (younger women)

Women's M There are mostly younger women this size (30's ) though there are a few 60-70 year olds with this size.

The younger women would love some dressy items.(L and XL) Suits that would be appropriate for ceremonies etc. are also needed, either with skirt or pants.  Here in this area, that is usually a black or dark color jacket is worn for these occasions, but the dress or skirt under it can have some color.

Girls size 140-160 Girly things seem to go over really well.

Boys size 150-160

Sportswear Men L and XL (track suits, sports shirts,shorts socks)

Sportwear for women M and XL (track suits, sports shirts,shorts socks)

If I could ask a huge favor, to cut down on the time I need to repack everything. It normally takes me 3 full days of just repacking and sorting to get ready for a trip to the coast, and I would love to not have it take quite so long. I have to look at each item, find the size, refold and then put it in the box for that particular home, if clothing could be put in ziplock or clear bags individually, with the size showing, it would sure help me, so I don't have to hold each item up and find the size, refold it etc. If that is impractical, perhaps just putting same sizes in a grocery store or clear bag with the size marked on the outside would help.

School Supplies ( notebooks, pencils/pens, sharp pens, different color pens,

Namae pens (markers) pencil cases)

White socks for JH and HS boys to go with their uniforms (new)

White button down shirts to go under uniforms and white sports shirts/sports socks also for this group. Sizes L-XL

Wind breakers

Cameras

Accessories

Handbags

Wedding and funeral gifts, please feel free to take out of boxes to send

Gift sets

Used kimonos

Sewing material/fabric, scraps, yarn for the sewing club

Blankets/bath towels/sheets

Material for sewing and sewing items (thread, buttons etc)

socks and underclothes (only new please)

It is the wrong time of year for it but blankets are always needed as well as sheets and towelkettes.

In past trips, many people sending things have contacted me with ideas of things that they have available and then we are able to work out if the items are needed or not before they are sent. That has been great. That works really well.

Some ideas that have come from people in the past:

New long-sleeved t-shirts left over from marathon at a company

New sweatshirts that were donated from a company

Educational toys for children

Fresh produce (this just has to be timed so that we will be making a trip soon after it arrives)

Decorating items (frames, pictures, vases, etc)

Assessories and necklaces for women

New idea I recently had:

The people in the temp housing and on the coast, have not wanted their pictures to be shared, but have allowed me to take their pictures on occassion. I have taken some photos of some of them and of the area as we travel the roads to get there...(depending on the roads about 1 to 1 1/2 hrs to get there, took much longer right after the tsunami )

I was thinking recently that they all lost all of their photos, and perhaps they would appreciate having some of the photos that I have taken of them and their homes and this area from the past 2 years. I am not sure how this will all work, but I think it would have to be having them printed somewhere, but it would have to be a different book for each home. I have yet to look into the cost of that either yet, but perhaps someone with a bit of experience in these things can help me figure it out.

Another thing thing that helps me is to have a note in each box with what was included, with your name and email address on it. I try to let people know when something arrives, but often it takes so long to find an email address, that I end up not being able to do it. When I have 10 open boxes in front of me, and am pulling out of all of them, it is hard to remember what was in each box. The note inside with a list really helps, so I can put it beside my computer and then remember!

If sending something that needs to be divided up, ziplock or other bags would be appreciated. Also large bags like you get when you buy something at a dept store, are always needed to take things to the coast.

Everyone who has sent things in the past has been wonderful and I just want to shout out a huge thank-you to all of you. Please don't think that because you don't have a huge amount of things to send that it is not o.k. (It is fine and appreciated) Some have sent just a few items, and others several boxes. Some

have shared money to go towards purchasing things like rice. Every little bit goes to help these people, who many now have the needed items to survive, but not much beyond that. The little things above the survival mode, are huge to them.

My dh was unemployed for the first year after the tsunami,and he thought that there wasn't anything we could do to help. He thought we can't help them for we don't have any money ourselves. True, we didn't and still don't have much for though dh is working it is a very low paying job. He has come around to see that doing what we can is so much more important than worrying about us not being able to do huge things. So, no, we can't buy a new house for them, we can make a 92 yr old obachan smile, and give her some rice and give a hug to a hurting man who lost his wife and is missing her. Giving a warm coat to someone who doesn't have one, and letting them play a little with our children has been good for them. Noone comes to the little village anymore, and they are feeling very alone! The story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible is our example of what we are trying to do.

To give you an example, one man who wears XL size, I was able to give him a track suit a year or so ago, that a friend sent , every single time I go, he is wearing that same track suit!!! I know he is so thankful to have it, but I also know that perhaps having a few more things to choose from would be so nice to have.

There are several who I worry a bit more about, those that have health problems, and those that have been unable to fix their homes, and are still living in homes that have the water marks of how high the tsunami water came inside their homes, and who have not replaced the tatami and closet doors etc, and so we try and give them a few extra things.

These people on the coast do not request things, and are very appreciative for the help! We are the only people who have taken things for them for they have not received any aid at all. (the aid was reserved for those in the evacuation centers and those in the temporary housing)

We have watched and learned from them how they react to certain things, and we try and share with them things that we think they will really like and use.

Most of the people now have sufficient things to live now, but feel very forgotten.Everywhere else seems to have moved on, whereas for them they are still living right in the middle of it all with reminders all around of what they have lost. So we are trying to provide for some of their physical needs, but the time taken to go house to house and talk to them is tremendously important too. Each home is different and some are struggling more financially than others. When we take them things, it makes them smile and they know that they are important and are remembered!!! To know that people they do not know, still care enough to send things is HUGE!!!

We try and bring a little happiness, and to show them that we haven't forgotten them,and share with them that there are people all over Japan and around the world that still care. The things we take to share with them bring smiles and a little joy to their lives.

Thanks so much for any help you may be able to provide to help us continue to serve these people! We could not do it without all the generous people willing to help.

Here is my address, phone and email address

Joni Owada

Shimo Arisu, Aza Nakakami 334-4

Sumita-cho, Kesen Gun, Iwate-Ken

029-2502

Japan

sistermomy "at" hotmail "dot" com

please put ****** donations in the subject line

2.46pm - 2 years on

It is hard to believe that it is 2 years today since the world rocked and so many peoples lives were taken or changed forever.

2 years on and there are still people living in temporary housing an arrangement that was supposed to be just for 2 years but the settlement payouts from TEPCO have yet to be made and so the government have extended the agreement to 4 years. The rent is free but the utilities have to be paid for. Many have no where else to go, they can't return to their homes either they were washed away by the tsunami or contaminated by the radiation.

2 years on and we still check to see where our food had come from, some weeks we have a very small selection of fresh fruit and veg to choose from. I used to be all for buying local, support the local communities, now we buy from as far away as possible.

2 years on and there is a marked increase in suicide and domestic violence in the disaster struck areas and where people have been relocated to.

On the positive side, google have extended their public alerts to Japan, looks like a good system but I'm not sure if it is available in English too.

The French artist JR has set up an exhibition featuring survivors from Tohoku, more about that here

Image Credit: JR

And there is the Tohoku Cotton Project, which is growing cotton instead of rice on the damaged land, giving the farmers employment and starting a new industry in the area.

It has been a tough couple of years especially for those effected more directly, each time the ground shakes I am filled with dread. I will never be able to be able to enjoy the beach again, not that I was a big beach fan to start with but now all I see is the tsunami footage replaying in my head.

Today, I will go through our survival bag, make sure everything is in date etc. There is a day designated for this in September but I feel to do it twice a year is probably a good idea and take some time to remember all those who lost their lives and those still suffering one way or another.

Donations wanted for the coast..

Do you remember Joni who lives in Iwate? Well, she is still collecting donations for the Earthquake and Tsunami survivors. Here is a list of things that she is looking for, if you have anything suitable then please send it her way. You will have to pay for the postage but I have found that in the past it has been very reasonable.

From Joni...

Here are some things that are still needed, but please feel free to drop me an email if you have other  things available or other thoughts. Many of you have done this in the past and your ideas and the things that you shared have been fabulous, and ones that I hadn't thought of! You never know if something you have and are not using could be shared with those that have lost everything!

Some examples of things that have been donated that I never would have thought of (these are just as few, there have been many more)

** a gal working at a company that had a marathon every year, had new t-shirts that were leftover that she sent.

**items like those sold at school bazaars (gift sets etc) (no need to keep them in their boxes)

**wedding and funeral presents (out of their boxes is fine)

**food bags with various things in them

**Curry sets from Hokkaido (ingredients to make a full curry meal)for each household

**Very fancy woman's clothing from a woman and her relatives ( I have to fess up that I was doubtful that the ladies wanted or needed these...I was so very wrong. The ladies all had so much fun choosing pretty things to wear and every single item was claimed)

**womans handbags and mens backpack things

**jewelry and pretty woman's things

**fresh veggies from Hokkaido. They sent them in big boxes and we divided them here. We had enough for 100 temp houses and also for every home on the coast too (carrots, daikon, potatoes, onion, negi etc with some bags of fruit)

Some things that are still needed (clothing does not have to be new, just in nice condition)

++ Men's track suits size S, M, L and XL

++ Long sleeved t-shirts and shirts (all sizes) both men and woman

++ Small appliances and kitchen things

++ Small electric space heaters (new added item)

++ Food seems to be always welcome whether it be canned, dried or fresh.(If fresh I just need to know beforehand so that it would arrive right before we go to the coast.)

++ Laundry detergent, kitchen staples (miso, shoyu, etc)

++ Rice - Many have commented how sad they were that they werent able to plant rice last year or this year. All tractors and rice planters were washed away. The ground where the tsunami passed is too hard to do by hand now.

++Sheets, towelkettes, blankets, bath towels

++Young(er) women's/girls nice clothing.(shirts, skirts etc) (Sizes S-XL) JHS age and H.S. 

++JHS, SHS boys clothing M,L,XL 

++JHS age beads, craft things

If you have something that you think would be of use but want to check with Joni first you can email her. It is also a good idea to drop her a quick line to say you are sending a box.

Joni Owada email sistermomy 'at' hotmail 'dot' com

Shimo Arisu, 

Aza Nakakami 334-4

Sumita cho, Kesen gun, 

Iwate Ken

029-2502

T: 0192-49-5700

Last days Of Golden Week...

Yes, I am still playing catch up!

So, our last day in Kitakami, we had a lovely breakfast (doesn't it taste better when someone else has cooked it?) and aimed to set of early, trouble was we couldn't separate these two, they had become best buddies and just wanted to play!

 Eventually we set off, the traffic wasn't too bad most of the way, it did clog up at one point due to an accident so we pulled off at the services for a bite to eat and a samurai photo opportunity...

 We made it to the youth hostel in Fukushima around 4.30pm. The place we stayed is at the foot of Mount Bandai and is famous for Goshiki-numa (5 coloured lakes). Due to the mineral deposits from a volcanic eruption the lakes have their own delicate colours. It was too late for us to do the whole hike and see all the lakes but we walked about half of it, they really were pretty and we decided to go back another time and camp.

 We were up bright and early the next morning, mainly because breakfast was served at 7.30am so we had another wander around the lakes but went in the opposite direction this time. We spotted this little beastie, I thought it was a snake at first but then reaslised it had legs, we did spot quite a big snake warming itself in the sun but since non of us have a clue about snakes, or more to the point, which ones are dangerous, we stayed a good distance away.

 After the early morning jaunt, we headed just down the road to the Salvador Dali museum, yes, one of the biggest collections of Dali artwork is housed in the middle of nowhere in Japan - go figure! It was a good exhibit to take kids to because of the strange sculptures and paintings, Ebi-kun really enjoyed it and decided that his favourite sculptures were the melting clocks and his favourite painting was The Battle of Tetuan.

Then it was back on the highway and back home. Shattered. In need of a holiday.