Quakes

I just found this.  FASCINATING!  To date, there have been 1607 earthquakes in Japan since the biggie on March 11th.

One of the things we were told when we first arrived was that there would be a quake everyday while we were out in the work area.  It wasn't a "might" or a "maybe."  It was, "Plan on it.  It's gonna happen."

Being in the apartment with just #1 and me.  I have to admit, I was a bit intimidated by the whole thought.  I didn't know where anyone else was staying.  I was completely responsible for us, and I didn't have means of communication with anyone. 

Thankfully, this situation lasted for only a couple nights before more volunteers arrived and moved in with us.

When I go to the Japan quake website, I see that there were fourteen quakes during the time that we were in Japan (8/2-10; they have the dates set up so they read day/month/year).  We felt none of them.  Those that did happen were either far enough away from where we were located or of such a magnitude that we didn't feel them.

I guess there was a larger one the night after we left.  It woke some of the volunteers up, so it must have been a bit larger and a bit closer.

So relieved and grateful that we were safe.  I wish things would calm for the Japanese people, but that just doesn't look like part of what they can plan on for the time being.

Research

As I was researching more for the Relief Society presentation, I found out that if I entered names of cities in kanji, I was able to pull up a whole new set of videos.

I had no idea that where the Asano's lived, in Higashi Matsushima, was closed off by water for three weeks after the tsunami.  Here's a video of when people were first able to enter again.





This next video was taken from the third floor of the school we worked at in Natori.  It's hard to conceive of the feelings the people must have had.  This school is so far away from the ocean, but I learned that because the landscape is so flat and the waves so amazingly high, there was nothing to stop it.  No one ever expected that this kind of thing would happen.

In this picture, we are parked in that same parking lot five months after the video was taken.  As you can see, the scenery has changed quite a bit from what it was.




this video was taken a month ago (a month after we returned).


I also found a blog I HAVE to share.  It's a first-hand account and could quite possibly be one of the only of its kind.

Nova: The Tsunami

When I dropped off one of the cookbooks last week, I was asked if I had seen the Nova special on the tsunami.  I hadn't, but I was intrigued.  Today, it was linked to on facebook.

The video is nearly an hour long but very worth the time.  Here it is for you.  The school they show in Yuriage is the one we went to with all of the photographs in it.  I had no idea that there was such a story behind that school's gym.  No wonder there was such an amazing feeling to that room.  I had also wondered about the water flowing so far into that town.  Now I understand.

So many important lessons to be learned from the survivors.  Lessons that can be applied to many situations in life.

Watch the full episode. See more NOVA.

Minasan no Jiko Shoukai (Self-Introductions)

After we'd finished cleaning, I went around and asked everyone to introduce themselves.  This post is bittersweet because I means I'm nearly done posting about Japan.

The crew in the first video came after we'd arrived.  Dave, the first guy, came the day before we left (this video was taken on his first day of work).  The Smith's arrived two days after us.  I was SO happy to have the women in our apartment.  I had been intimidated by the fact that #1 and I were completely alone and had no means of communication and knew where no one else was staying.

As Norma (the last person) introduces herself, look behind her.  You will see one of the four piles of debris we pulled from the apartments.  Even before we left town, trucks were hauling it away.  I have been asked what was going to be done with the stuff, but I, to be honest, don't know.  I'm sure it will be added to the mountains of stuff already there, and then I've heard it will eventually be buried.  How they will do that, I don't know.  It is such a small country and is so full of people and buildings, but we shall see.  The Japanese are quite industrious and ingenious.  They'll figure out a good answer, I'm sure.

The next video is Nishimura Takumi--a.k.a. Takumi kun--last names are first in Japan.  He's spent his entire summer here.  He translates for himself as he goes, but I'll also translate for you below....

T:  What would you like me to say?

J:   Anything's good.

T:  Anything's good....Okay.  Hello.  I am Nishimura Takumi.  My favorite food is Ramen.  Ramen.  I like Ramen.

J:  And where did you come from?

T:  My hometown is Kanegawa.  I am from Kanegawa.  And, my favorite thing to do is to fish.  Fishing.

J:  Yes.  Thank you very much.
 

The next video is of sweet Brother Asano.  I honestly can't make out the middle part of what he says.  He says his name and that he likes jokes and something else.  Other, more experienced, Japanese speakers want to help me out here?  Then he says, "Is that good?" and we're done.

I was very thankful for the time I got to spend with this man...Brother Yamauchi.  What a good person!...

Certain members of the church would come along from time to time to drive or other things, but Brother Yamauchi joined us for two days--drove and cleaned some of the nastier things.  He's the one that cleaned the room full of water in the last apartment.  That water had been standing for five months by the time we got there, so it was, needless to say NASTY.  As I was cleaning the front room, he and Takumi were cleaning out that room.  At one point, I turned to them and asked, "Brother Yamauchi, how are you doing?"  In funny English with a Japanese accent, he answered, "I amu dyingu."  We all had a good laugh, but then I saw him heft a big bag of black sludge from the room, and I knew he wasn't kidding.

Another note on Brother Yamauchi:  After he shared the history of the church building in Furukawa (see this post), he shared that the day after the tsunami, he and one of the sisters from the ward were under some of the homes trying to take care of plumbing problems caused by the tsunami (most likely some of the farther out homes that weren't completely taken under like those we were dealing with).  He said they were dredging out raw sewage and it was freezing cold (remember it was mid-March--very cold in Japan).  He said as they worked, they shivered.  They would eat their lunch on their breaks and shiver.  The woman ended up getting very sick and didn't return to help him.  She didn't come to church for a long time because she was so sick.  Wow!  Can you see why I'm so grateful to have gotten to rub shoulders with these kind of people?  Just so selfless and giving of themselves.

This was my favorite.  The Smith's were just...Wow!  I really don't have words to describe them, but I hope I get to be around them again in my life.  

As a little warning, forgive my obnoxious laugh.  Ugh!

...You didn't know my best friend was along, did you?  Neither did I, but it was sure great.  I'm sure he's sitting there reading my blog right now, don't you think?

One funny note....When Dave arrived the night before this, I introduced myself to him and welcomed him.  He said, "Oh yah, I read your blog."  "Read" as in one time, not like he's a habitual reader.  I'm sure he'd done a google search or something looking up Sendai and stuff and was directed to my blog.  I couldn't help but laugh, but then, I have to be honest, there's this little bit of fear that strikes my soul when someone says that....Suddenly, I know they know way more about what goes on in my mind and life than most of my closest friends (unless they read my blog too).  That's a bit intimidating.

What was even more intimidating was the fact that when I contacted one of the leaders of the church in Tokyo and asked him what he felt would be good for me to bring for the Japanese people, he wrote and told me and then wrote again immediately after and said, "Oh, you might be the Julie whose blog I just read last night."  Ugh!  That was WAY unnerving.  Hope I'm being careful enough in what I'm writing here.

There you have it, that was part of the crew.  There was also Junya, who we worked with for the first few days; Joey and Jason.  Another young man, Lee, arrived the night we left.  He was from Korea, spoke great English and very little Japanese.

I just got word yesterday that a friend of  mine was on the plane heading over to help.  Yay!  So glad he got the chance.  What a truly remarkable experience it all was!

I believe I have one or two more posts of the nitty gritty of this trip then I'd like to do a big wrap up post.  As I ponder on the events of this summer, it's funny how they all tie into each other and one thing leads to another.  That will probably happen after my kids get back to school and life gets back to normal (HaHa!  I can't believe I said that either..."Normal."  What is that?  I mean, of course, when life gets back to abnormal; just a different kind of abnormal than I've gotten used to these past few months).

Clean-ish Apartments

Okay, before you can watch this video, you have to go back to this post.  When I logged in a few minutes ago, the videos didn't work for me.  I hope they will for you.  If they don't, eh, not a biggie.  Just go to the photos at the bottom of the post.  Okay, don't put it off, go there now.

There...
Now you'll appreciate the contrast....

So, knowing what I know now, if you asked me to go back tomorrow, my answer would be yes, yes and YES!!!

Brother Yamauchi's Story

On our way home from Ishinomaki on our last work day before leaving back to the United States, Brother Yamauchi shared a bit of the history of the church in Furukawa.  I thought it was fascinating.

Fourteen years ago or so, Brother Yamauchi was Bishop Yamauchi.  He said, at that time, they were trying to find a building to have meetings in, so they were submitting suggestions to the church leaders in Salt Lake for approval.  They had submitted many and had been turned down on every one.  They were becoming a bit frustrated.  When they came across their current location, Brother Yamauchi said he knew they would be turned down, but he submitted it anyway.

It is an office building with apartments above.  There is a nail and hair salon next door to it (at this point in time).  I'm not sure what was there back then.

He was delightfully surprised to have Salt Lake approve it, but the members in Furukawa were given specific instructions not to use the large storage room inside.  He said he didn't understand why, but they didn't use it.  Every so often, they'd put boxes in it or other little things like that, but they were told many times, "You may use all the other rooms, but do not use the storage room."  There is a kitchen area, a bathroom, a few classrooms, an office or two, and a room for a chapel along with the storage room.

Over the years, the storage room stood mostly empty.  When the tsunami hit, they received word that they could now use the storage room.  Miraculous that they had it available to them?  I tend to think so.  God is very aware of His people--all people.  No matter where they are in the world.

People from all  over the world started sending supplies.  Each morning, we would go in and get our boots, gloves, shovels, bags, etc. which were all laid out nicely on the shelves the current bishop had since built in the storage room.  There were also plastic crates of supplies for needy families that were setting up housekeeping again in their own houses after leaving the shelters.

The man on the truck is the bishop who built the shelves in the storage room.  They are loading crates of supplies on the truck for some families.

They say the effort in Japan by Mormon Helping Hands will conclude until mid-September.  Some seem to be unhappy about this.  I, for one, agree that the effort is no longer needed.  The Japanese people are extremely resourceful, and the church's purpose is not to babysit but to give the people a step up where needed and then step back and let them be self-reliant.  It is great wisdom to know when to back up and step out.  I figure, those who understood the eventual need of the storage room also know the perfect time to let the people do for themselves.

The Japanese are such an AMAZING people.  I don't think I can reiterate that enough.  What a great work they're doing!  What a great example of what to do when bad things happen--jump in, and get to work.

Last Trip into Ishinomaki

This is our last day of work. **sigh** Oh, how I miss this. Thought I'd get one last video of entering town. We entered three different ways. I believe I took video of each.

The man driving on this day is Brother Yamauchi. He was bishop in Furukawa Ward about 14 years ago. He shared an interesting story with us later this day. I will write about that later. For now, here's Ishinomaki (not Ichinoseki as I first state in this video--I was pretty tired at this point of the trip. Forgive my errors)....

Big Buddha

The poor cousins had to put up with us stick-in-the-muds.  They wanted to go see shrines, we didn't.  I felt like on my mission I'd seen enough jinjas and oteras.  Is that terrible?  This might offend, but I felt like if you've seen one, you've seen them all, and we'd seen one during this trip.  Actually, we'd seen multiple.  So, when it came to a choice to get on a bus and spend money to go take the tour of jinjas and oteras and spending money to take a bus to see the 300 foot tall Buddha, we chose Buddha.

Here you go....

Now, you've seen it too.

Wordless Wednesday - Or So I Thought

Thought this was on photo mode.  Oops.  And so I give you...A Japanese family.

Last Bit of the Festival

Just a few little forgotten details from our day at Tanabata....

A SIDE NOTE:

While thinking about the trip this morning, one thing stuck in my mind.  While we were making lanterns in Natori, the man who taught us how came over to us and shared a Japanese saying.  He said, "Whatever you do, do it with all of your heart."

This really sums up the Japanese culture to me.  This is something to be emulated.

So, although I turned my heart to making those lanterns with all of my heart, I had a hard time breaking out of my American hurry-up-and-get-the-job-done ways.  So, I tried to strike a balance between heart and hand.  Not easy, but someday...someday....

That's what I'm striving for.

Yusumi - Tanabata

We were blessed with the opportunity of going to the yearly Tanabata Festival in Sendai.  It's a BIG deal.  I think I would liken it to Portland's Rose Festival. 

First, the photos:

From what I understand, Tanabata is a festival to celebrate the meeting of some legendary prince and princess in the sky. 

Hundreds of these hang over the walkway of the mall.  Different businesses make them.  There were a bunch of them from Adidas that we saw.

So glad she got this experience.

Crossing to the other part of the mall--video to follow.

See the little girl in the kimono holding her dad's hand.  She was just darling.  Wish I would have caught a better picture of her.

At one point, there were two men coming toward us each holding their sleeping babies.  I was so touched by the fathers of Japan.  For the days we were there,  it was not unusual to find the dads holding their sleeping little ones.  My camera flashed too late to catch both of the dads, but I did catch this one.  So sweet!

Here are a number of videos of the experience.

This was an accidental video, but you get the idea of the crowds.  We were right in the walkway of a mall.

At one point, we were all in a kimono shop.  Jason said he was going across the way to a "shop with all the signs outside."  #1 was with us, but then she wasn't there any more.  I didn't see her go with Jason, but it seemed to me that she left a few moments later.  When we saw the shop with all the signs, at first, I couldn't see either of them.  I realized that if she was lost, this would be THE worst time and place, but I also understood that she was probably in the best place because the country is so safe and so many speak English--what an experience that would be to take home.

It ended up that both of them were in the very back of the store looking at shoes.

This is us crossing the street to the other part of the mall. 

When the light is just about to change, the police use the baton behind the last few people to kind of herd them over to the other side.  The first voices you hear over the crowd are of the police telling people to cross quickly because the cars are going to be coming.  The last voices--near the end of the video--are of some evangelical Christians telling everyone--via recording--all about salvation and eternal life.  These kinds of things are what turns a lot of the Japanese off to the missionaries.  They tend to think that all Christians are alike.

There was a white-faced person holding onto one of the signs that has the Christian recording and bullhorn near the park we went to.  We called out to him, he was just a kid, but it looked like he didn't understand the words we were saying to him.  That was kind of freaky.

At one point in the video, just as we cross the street, there is a monk.  You can see his hat but people stop right in front of him, so you don't get a good view before the video ends.  He was just so traditional Japanese that I couldn't resist.  I only wish I'd gotten a better view of him.

In this video, Joey asks the police for directions to a park:

There was a tent set up for the police to help people out during the festival.  The police are an interesting entity in Japan.  Each town has a little police stand in the middle of it.  I don't know if they arrest people, or if they do, where they put them because, really, the police stands are about the size of a large shed you might have in your yard.  Those that we saw were made of brick.  Pretty much, the police direct traffic (Ishinomaki doesn't seem to have power to it's traffic signals yet, so the police were there everyday directing traffic) and see to it that people don't get lost.  At least, that's my take on them.

Just wanted you to get a view of what a Sendai street looks like.  Sorry for the shakiness of the video.

I think I had this toy when I was a kid.  Here it is in real life.
You're not going to believe this....

So, at one point I speak Japanese and ask the woman how many months old her child is.  She tells me 11 months, and I tell her how cute the baby is.  I think if I'd remembered I was filming, I would have turned the camera off to ask.  Oops.  I was extremely surprised at how much the language came back after not using it for twenty years.  That was downright miraculous.

Here's a bit of the festival:

In the above video, I ask a man standing next to me what crawdads/crayfish are called in Japanese.  He tells me, but if you asked me today, I couldn't tell you.

My camera would fill up and I'd have to "pull over" to upload the photos and videos.  It was pretty comical, but I was thankful for modern technology over and over again during this trip.  It's nice to have the benefits of a few moments of inconvenience now for sure.

Here are some more photos:

Wishes are written on the pieces of paper and hung from trees.  We were invited to do this, but my wish had been fulfilled.  I didn't have any left to write.

#1 commented about this girl's outfit, so I just had to take a photo.

Loved this statue of a mother playing with her child.  Her focus is all on her baby.

The HUGE guy way off in the distance is one of the biggest Japanese guys I've ever seen.  He had dyed his hair orange.  He kept turning around and staring at #1.  I couldn't get my camera to work in time to get an up close photo, but there he is.

How can you turn down a photo op like this?...

Or this.

Photos of the earthquake and tsunami.  The very first photo at the top was one I hadn't seen before.  It was very startling of a mother all covered in dirt and ash holding her baby also covered.  Wow!  What a hard time for these people!

Jason playing the role of "Supa Gaijin"--a role he played so very well.  He was dubbed this during our first day of work when what was supposed to take two days ended up taking half a day.

Need I say more?

More Videos from Natori

I mentioned more video from Natori yesterday, so here it is. Just took an interesting stroll through the middle school.

The situation with the bathrooms in this building, will lead us right into the next post....tomorrow.

Higashi Matsushima

During day #2 of Natori and lantern making, Brother Asano took us to his hometown.  I was able to explore a bit deeper into Natori and the school we were working at, and I have more video of that for tomorrow, but I wanted to get this done first.

On the way, we passed entire villages that were still covered with water.  I pulled my camera out too late for those places, but we got a huge eye-full here at Higashi Matsushima.

The first few photos are of the roads between Natori and Higashi Matsushima.

People are working SO HARD to get life back to some semblance of normalcy.

A gas station.

Can you imagine?

Can you see it?

Yup.  It's a train.  One of those always-on-time Japanese trains....Stranded out in the middle of nowhere.

Can you imagine water so forceful that it bends metal bars?

I'm wondering what he's feeling and thinking as he drives us out here.

Here we are....Higashi Matsushima.

These machines were the constant "background music" to our trip.  The Asano's house was over in this direction.

Can't go any further than over the bridge into town.

Standing water in the roadway--5 months after the fact.

Can you see the tanker ship?

Here's some video for you to help it come alive a bit more....

When you first venture over the bridge and into town as far as you can go, which is all of about fifteen yards or so, on the left side of the bridge and road is a house with flowers painted all over it. Looks like something from the '60s. I couldn't figure it out. It looked like something some rebellious American would do. We judged that it was someone's way of flipping the finger at nature. I'm sure that's probably not it, but it was as good a reason as any. It looked so cute in this devastated area that I couldn't bring myself to take a photo of it. You'll notice it's the last thing I videotape. It was just too cheerful; too much of a contrast to its surroundings.