Save Malaysia!

Lynas corporate and business development vice president Matthew James has denied that the plant will be dangerous and told the Malaysian Insider that radiation will be minimal as the raw material used has only 2 percent of the thorium found in the material processed in Bukit Merah.

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Skeptics are roaring loudly with full tank pessimism, and protesters bravely gathered in a large crowd and launched their loud remarks against the establishment of Lynas' new refinery plant in Gebeng, Kuantan. And if you guys noticed, petition opposing the collective agreement made by our dear titans is knocking on each one of our facebook doors, pleading the people to make the right stand; and that is to recounter the sanction made by the government with our own (the people) collective voice.

The reasons for this issue to be muttered in such intense, heavy discussions that circulated rampantly around the country, since the first it is made known to the public's knowledge are justifiable of course. The people do not simply being jumpy without sensible course. One thing for sure, this issue involves heavily on the matter of radioactive waste.

Have you heard of cost-benefit analysis (CBA)? A method that is widely used by the government/ firms/ corporates/ even by fucking retards like us to evaluate the desirability of a decision - a monetary-based approach, however not wholly. The economic prophecy suggested that the refinery would generate $1.7 billion a year in exports starting late next year. This prediction means that this particular investment would function as the country's profit generator, aside than it is able to guarantee the prosperity of our economy.

This is the sort of established trajectory that the government has to follow when they weighed the pros and cons of this refinery plant. But poor the government since its dementia finally kicked in out of the blue, they have forgotten the existence of another essence parts of this method: the non-monetary costs and benefits. And for this case, the non-monetary spill over effects onto the third party, which is the people living at/near Gebeng.

Such commotion is not just tittle-tattles that can be leisurely dismissed by articulating some plain and unconvincing as the aforesaid statement. Precedent of likewise scenario can be seen at Bukit Merah, a place where a rare earth refinery had been established in the early 90's by Mitsubishi Chemical. Back then Tun Mahathir assured the people that it was safe, and such affirmation by the county's leader managed to appease the people. Hence we continued unhesitatingly with the project. However unfortunate no one knew that was completely misleading and the country was violently shocked with the peril of radioactive leak tragedy and it had caused the group hitherto to spend hundreds of millions dollars for the clean up project. Yet that was not the summit of the tragic incident. Decades after, the waste that contaminated the soil and the water is still not fully cleaned with strings of accusations laid upon the group by the people of birth defects and diseases such as leukemia cases: cases that Mitsubishi Chemical claimed they would not held responsible for.

Another fundamental question that has been stirring occasionally in the people's mind is; Why was at first, the proposal by Fynas had been rejected by its own people? As a matter-of-fact, Australia is revered as the home to an environmentally minded and politically powerful Green party. Therefore, to render an approval to such establishment on its soil would have caused them feeling reluctant to do as such, knowing the severe impacts the potential hazards could inflict to the country, especially to the people. However this bold rejection by the Australian government failed to transmute the message to the Malaysian government since it has welcomed Fynas with its warmest embrace- a total opposite, shocking action sorely made by our government.

Malaysia without no doubt is being stubborn, or to bluntly put it into one plain term, ignorant. Fynas openly claimed that it would cost them four times as much to operate the refinery in Australia. Their objectives is to cripple China's monopoly power of the rare earth productions that has been conquering the global market for quite awhile, thus by having cheaper costs of productions would simply lavish Fynas the opportunity of being able to compete in the same league as the China is, while possessing an extra advantage of having a cheaper product- a prospect that they would not be able to grasp if only they had decided to establish it in Australia. But to look it at a different angle, does this means Malaysia is relatively easy? I mean, all Fynas had to do was, they just had to  present some statistical data of this and that, uttered some deceitful promises through their teeth of how promising this idea would be: more money, more money, more money, and well as the saying goes, money makes the world go round. And off they go walking freely on our soon-to-be-tarnished-soil with 12 years worth of tax holiday. Come on, Malaysia. This is just sickening.

Another thing that hit me was, Rosmah. Remember the crude comments made by Rosmah regarding the Japan's matter? She 'cleverly' pointed out with his fat sausage-looked fingers what caused Japan to crumble was the result of negligence in conducting environmental friendly developments. To tell you what, I personally think that douche-botoxface-bag  is merely talking to her country. Rephrase it you dimwit. Malaysia would soon be one of the victims of such negligence, provided that our country overlooked the seriousness of what had painfully happened at Bukit Merah. And if the government fails to design a definitive, indispensable solution to overcome the possible recurring incident, hence the government is advised to withdraw from its action otherwise this country would be in a deep, major trouble once again. So much of deja vu. Besides,China has also stopped its construction on nuclear plants for reevaluation plans. The Japan's tragedy has simmered and raised concerns across the world and this has shaken all countries especially the ones with massive nuclear power plants. More apparent evidence laid bare for Malaysia government to put its scope at.

Malaysia should be more receptive to all subjects that have frightened its people and nursed them through this nightmare cordially, not by just coaxing them with some beautiful rhythmic promises. As if we do not know the pretentious concerns over the people's welfare (hah) when it is actually, and solely all about money and fattening your own bellies and your crony's, just the same. Hypocrisy has been masked with that angelic-looked ministers talking levelly with the people, where the hidden fact is that their abilities to serve the people are eroded as fast as, or even faster than their minds corrupted. Nah the only matter that concerned them right now is on how to morosely and savagely kill one another, and being the leader of the pack is basically their cohesive mission.

And what the hell is that about where they discussed on 'Oh we do not watch porn and yadayadayada' ? For fuck sake, just watch that bloody porn you dumbass we do not even give a damn. That is not bloody serious that you can put it up in our newspapers. Just jerk off happily at your bedrooms/ toilets/ offices, and afterwards when your clean shaved, bald heads are finally cleared that you can think properly, do your works - serve your people's needs, not yours. If the same bloody topic is uttered endlessly, I'd love to suggest this:  How about if you come out with one goddamn idea how to pip India, since India is expected to pip China this year, rather than merely talking about dirts.

Adorable!

Ugh. Yorkshire tea, please? Loveliest!

Brass.

Did you jolt a bit with my brass when I decided to put that blunt confrontation in a sleek motion? Such aleatory move was sudden, and even though hesitation was awkwardly put beforehand, but it smoothen and relaxed after quite a while, only to be stiffened moments later: my extremities just went blank cold, tagged along the rapid, uncontrollable shakes of my heart . It made an atonal cacophony sound that whipped crisply into the grey air, dancing and swirling until it dissolved quietly. I thought that was just one firm decision I laid bare in front of your eyes with that nonchalant behavior I tried to stage otherwise the tingling sensation strewn all over my body, but it somehow was not it. They advocated me the pros and cons but all infos just stirred wildly making that simmering incomprehensible sound in my brain so I just hollered, Quiet! And they did. I was confused, and I still sadly am. In retrospect, you were the only thing that I've been constantly longed for. The familiar feelings, oh do they still exist? Perhaps, I think they still do but restrained, full to the brim but perfectly just enough before it's spilled and the glass toppled. Sheesh. If only this thing is as simple as jerking off.

The Country.

The country is in deep trouble. We've forgotten that a rich life consists fundamentally of serving others, trying to leave the world a little better than you found it. We need the courage to question the powers that be, the courage to be impatient with evil and patient with people, the courage to fight for social justice. In many instances we will be stepping out on nothing, and just hoping to land on something. But that's the struggle. To live is to wrestle with despair, yet never allow despair to have the last word. 

- Cornel West

Now can you tell me the little secret of unraveling the unknowns so that I'd be able to relish the entirety of this mindfucked helluva story? 'Cause I've stepped deep in a bog and couldn't lift the feet up. I just got stuck there, forever waiting for some shaft of light or some rainbow-colored knight comes through the thorned bush and sweeps me away with his strong, well-toned arms. Fuck me, I'd say with that apathy look covering my whole face that is blotched with mud, dirt, and tears. Or at least, croon me some seduceable love aria. Oh please.

Hocus Pocus.

Nah this ain't hokum, it's giving me hiccup. This pretentious life, this weary existence, this invincible tolerance, all other things. I'm just not getting it, nor I could give it a curious damn like before, eons before. I just don't, and I don't understand this either. To give this some accolade? No, I don't think so mister. Despite the length of the process, a salute would be just enough, I dearly think. The enunciation of the same thing, almost every single fucking horrific time would simply clarify that this would be the apocalypse of what is worth once, but bitter now. The damnation of the edifice. You get me? Can you follow my twisted tongue? No, I don't think so mister. 'Cause I, just like you, both of us are trapped under the same mild-punctuated bogus promises, most by me. I seemed nonchalant to you. Maybe I do, but maybe I don't. I don't know. I guess this is just me mister; a human that forgets as fast as a drinker downing his beer.

Words.

Words weren't dull, words were thing that could make your mind hum. If you read them and let yourself feel the magic, you could live without pain, with hope, no matter what happened to you.

- Charles Bukowski's alter ego

The Red Buckets.

those red buckets are still there, I thought
the only thing has changed was the ones holding them
but not the buckets, they stayed the same
as they shifted their bodies towards me the buckets turned to me
looking, staring, gazing
I could see the words glued:
Japan Disaster Relief
and I thought, those red buckets are still there
but the people aren't the same
they were the Japanese
middle-aged women
some wore kimonos, some wore something more casual
something that cheered the spring is finally here
the mustard colored kimono caught my eyes more than the blue one
I took my wallet out
and I dropped my 70 pence off into the red buckets
they smiled at me
telling me have a good day miss!
I thought, those red buckets are still there
I thought, those red buckets are still the same
they are immortal, long-lived, never-withered.

I past them all once again
but this time I was looking for something to eat
hello miss, can I have a jacket potato with tuna and mayo please? I said
butter? she looked at me waiting for an answer
so I spilled yes, please
but still, I thought, those red buckets are still there
I took my food and went to the fountain to eat
I sat, I ate, my eyes wandered around
an old man was sitting right in front me
and my head whispered and prayed, no please old man don't look at me
but then seconds later off he went somewhere
there few meters away a father was scooping a mouthful potato jacket into his son's mouth
and I thought, what a loving father he is
my eyes were still running around
my mouth was still munching
my heart was still beating
then I thought, those red buckets are still there and they all are still the same.

they gathered around, the Japanese
but this time, the pack was mixed with the locals
and the children
they looked, different
as I lifted my head and stared at them all
I knew that the middle-aged Japanese women married those local guys
and the children who looked so much of non-Japanese were theirs
I thought at that time that, this is a lovely world
so colorful, so bright, so much of hope
but when my gaze fall onto those red buckets,
I thought, those red buckets are still there
and my 70 pence too
I looked at my 2.80 pounds potato jacket
and I thought of my 70 pence
I felt bad about myself
appalled
helpless
is this the enactment of selfishness? I thought
why couldn't I give them more?
just a little bit more
I gasped.

there was this young boy
with curly hair, dark-skinned
hopping, jumping, trotting
he landed in front of me showing his cute little bums
and I noticed his little bucket he gripped tight
oh what is that bucket for? I thought
it wasn't red
but when his small body turned, his own little bucket turned too
and there it was
Japan Disaster Appeal
I felt as if my potato stuck in my throat
I felt like gagging
oh what a boy his age knows about charity? I thought
his too young
too naive
but there he was running joyously
holding his little bucket with his little fingers
and I thought, he must be a good boy
God bless him, God bless his parents, God bless those with the red buckets
will God bless me too?
I looked at my 2.80 pounds potato jacket, and thought of my 70 pence
and I looked at that boy with that little bucket
I hope that God will bless me too.

those red buckets are still there
and they are still the same.

There are no good wars or bad wars. The only thing bad about a war is to lose it. All wars have been fought for a so-called good Cause on both sides. But only the victor's Cause becomes history's Noble Cause. It's not a matter of who is right or who is wrong, it's a matter of who has the best generals and the better army!

- Henry Chinaski

Earth Hour 2011.

One person has the power to make change. But when we all come together, we can change the world.

:)

Give me rampant intellectualism as a coping mechanism.

- Chuck Palahniuk

Humanity.

A senior of mine posted this video on my facebook and she thought this would be amazing to be added up on my water campaign. Surely she thought of it right. Anyhow for the first and foremost, I'd like to sincerely thank those who'd participated in this water campaign - thank you for your donations, either tangible or intangible ones, as both are entirely intent to lend their help to those poor souls. Alhamdulillah. 

Here in this post, I'd love to share something with all of you. It may seems rather a small insignificant thing, but the importance of cultivating this one specific value in our daily lives is undeniably what we are all lacking of at this moment. It is made obvious that we (if not all, for most) currently are competing keenly and greedily on stacking our pockets with rolls of money. However, it is sad that we failed to notice the pockets are slobbering our morals from their ripped nook. We are all becoming more of an inhuman, rather than a human. Lest this prospect is getting ostensible, we have lamented this issue hitherto in countless number of times, hoping that this corrupt, repugnant society would be able to realize the tragic they would make possible, unless this situation is reversed. Believe it or not, as this world is flowing in a forward motion, humanity is still poorly practiced, poorly understood, poorly accepted.

In one of the Ham On Rye's chapters (a book written by Charles Bukowski), there was this one pack of 6th grade boys. They all were watching a small, white cat got cornered into a backyard's wall. Right in front of that cat, there was this huge brown bulldog with saliva dripping down from its jaws, and it was hunching forward little by little, readily to attack that poor cat. The cat hissed, clutching its claws. It was obvious the cat could not climb up the wall, nor it could ran in one direction or the other. But the boys, knowing that there was a huge possibility the dog would killed the cat, given the apparent difference in their sizes, they all still did not do anything to prevent as such thing from happening. They just stood still, and continued watching the entire thing, anticipating hastily of what would be next in line of the action. 

Notwithstanding all these boys decided to just lay idled, there was this boy named Henry who was fermented when he had to face this. He knew that was a wrong thing to do. He knew he had to do something. He wanted to run up front and grabbed that cat and ran, but he had no guts to put his thought into the action. He was a cowardice, and this growing knowledge killed his insides. He turned to his back when he suddenly heard a sound and he saw his neighborhood's mailman and his wife were too, watching and waiting for the kill behind their window's curtain. 

This line was written next; and I tell you all, it made my brain jolted. It made my heart skipped a beat.

The cat wasn't only facing the bulldog, it was facing Humanity.

It struck bull's-eye really, a direct shot to the current sight of what is happening sorely within our society. The morals we all demonstrated. The qualities as a human being that are cascading to a morass of dysfunctionalism. Despite the same issue has been reiterated multiple of times, never it succeeded to halter as the subject of humanity is rather, unappealing.

Albeit some still exhibit hearts of stone, but to some, the urge to appease those who are in desperate need is escalating. They want to help, they want to be the aid. They choose not to watch the same abhorrent thing recurring endlessly and they choose to step in. At least by stepping in, they could help to assuage the pains of those unlucky ones and at the same time, they are the dynamic efforts to recuperate this foul society. 

Before I put the final dot on my post, I want all to ask yourselves this:

Do you want to watch the cat get killed? 

World Water Day 2011.

I might have to say that after watching this video my heart definitely is moved by the situation the people are currently living in. Even though this video dated back two years ago, but I reckon the situation does not differ much, with hundreds of millions still suffering from the clean water shortage. This, other than the international military coalition intervention into Libya, and the chronic situation that has been haunting the Japanese ever since the radioactive leak incident, is another global issue that we must put the highlight on. After all, this lack of clean water access to the society causes more death than a war could have. 

I put my video regarding this matter on facebook, trying to cajole my friends into doing a charitable act by donating some of their money or their voices by disseminating the word of help, and to obtain as much of possible attention from the crowd into this matter. If any of aforementioned choices are incapable of tackling their attention, maybe due to some unavoidable reason such as financial crisis, another option that is available for them and it would only require a few minutes and a few clicks; signing a petition. Geez, I just love to see my friends trying to hold a tight grip into this thin rope of hope for those unlucky ones, and unconsciously, they all have become the ray of light for them. The knights in shining armors.

A behemoth-sized of people tend to forget the impacts that come from this small mercy act. They tend to belittle their own actions. Small, light round coins of a pound that they throw into those charity buckets may seem rather nothing to them. Oh what can a pound buy? A bar of chocolate? Candies? Because a pound, to us, is just a pound. It is not a hundred of pounds. But to them, those poor souls who have been scrapping their lives days and nights just for a pence, a pound means a hundred of pounds. A pound means the rare opportunity of having a good meal at home, a big portion of happiness. Just enough to live for one more day. A sense of hope. They would do anything just to get that 'big' amount of money. I bet if you shove at their faces a fiver note and tell them to clean your house spic-and-span, including your neighbor's, within just an hour, they would scramble down the vestibule, and start working. They would not even think that that would be impossible to do as such, given the alloted time.

But a fiver means a day lavished with string of opportunities. Dreams come true. No matter how ridiculous it might seems, how could they give up for something that means a whole lot for them, for their families. Just imagine getting back home and they are able to tell their wives "Hey hun! I bought a fish for us all. No need for the corn bread today I guess." And upon hearing this good news, the wives would give them a big, tight warm hug and whisper to their ears, "What a good day today is. We're having meat for dinner?" or maybe they would just say, "Lets just give the children the fish and we'll eat the corn bread." I mean, a fish? Just look at us all, look at me. I favor chicken more than fish. If my mate cooks fish for our dinner, I would not touch it. Fish? Why not chicken? The multiple options we have in our daily lives would make them eye-sored by watching us. How ungrateful are we that we have become picky?

But, hey, can you hear the sound of our hearts break when we see how crappy their lives are in comparison to the luxury ones we all have been showered with? Yes, our hearts ache, our bodies ache, our minds ache. Because we know that this world is very unfair for letting these two different worlds intertwined, and what makes it more sickening is, we have been living arm-to-arm all this while. If I tilt my head a bit to the other world, the whole pictures would have changed dramatically. From a colorful world- filled with joyous laughters, clean and expensive clothes, exclusive restaurants, Blackberries and Iphones, to a dimmed world- huddled with skeleton-looked people walking around the dry land, tens of holes scattered all over their torn, muddy shirts, lacking with nutritions, hampered with the water shortage, with the poor sanitation whatnots. Just how worse could that get years into the future without the help from OUR world?

Alone, I may not be able to change the world. But alone, I can help to change someone's life. Being able to save just one life would serve more than enough reason for me to continue walking down the path I have chosen for myself. And now, do all of you want to joint forces with me in this mission?

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

- Winston Churchill

I Wish You Love.

I wish you bluebirds in the spring,

To give your heart a song to sing,

And then a kiss, but more than this,

I wish you love.

And in July a lemonade,

To cool you in some leafy glade,

I wish you health, and more than wealth,

I wish you love.

I wish you shelter from the storm,

A cozy fire to keep you warm,

But most of all, when snowflakes fall,

I wish you love.

The habit of reading is the only enjoyment in which there is no alloy; it lasts when all other pleasures fade.

- Anthony Trollope

Questions.

Yesterday was unusually sunny. The sun sat high above me, but usually the sun would be misleading, and to trust the existence of the sun was to radiate some warmth onto us would be its biggest trick. Normally, it would work. But yesterday was special I guess. The sun was not a lie. The ray of light that fell on my bare skin felt warm and the breezy wind that smacked my face did not feel as cold as it used to be. I was glad that I did not have to carry my heavy coat around. I was glad that I was able to walk around with just a thin layer of clothes, looking so carefree, very upbeat. No gloves, no scarf, and no socks were needed to assist the coldness, a feeling that has been accustomed to me for as long as I could remember ever since the first time my feet landed on this soil. I thought for a special day that breached from its normality, I should at least try to celebrate it.

Celebrations, hitherto are meant for something that brings happiness to the crowd, I reckon. A sign of being grateful. A thank you note to God for his blessings bestowed upon us, the lucky ones. But one thing has been discombobulating me since couple of days ago. Pieces of unsolved puzzle have been dancing on their feet, flashing their salt-and-pepper images to me. What is the truest purpose of me being here? 

The sages might constantly preaching us to live our lives to the fullest, as best as we can. Live it the way we want it to be so that when it culminates, there would not be an aching pain inside our heart with endless pinching whispers from only God knows who, telling us this specific words that have been put on an endless, long lasting repetition of 'If only, I could have, I should have.' That would be a mere sign of discontentment over the life we once had. At that exact point when God has finally decided to terminate our intangible contract, there would be no chance of turning back. That is the closure, the final grandeur of your stage performance, and you would have to bid goodbye to the audience, to the world. Your mortality.

Hence, the questions of; Why are you here? What are the purposes? What do you need to do exactly?

Unraveling all these, I think I have found the answers. I suppose. Oh I just do not want to die only to find myself filled with furiousness and regrets for the things undone, the important ones. If living my life to the fullest means summoning every possible might that I might have to get the important things done before they blow the whistle off, marking the end of everything, then I would do exactly that.  

What you sow is what you reap. What you give, you get. 

The Nuclear Boy.

Gambatte ne Japan! I haven't read the news for couple of days now and I really really feel bad about not being able to keep myself up to date with the current situation. Sigh. We believe you'll get out of this helluva situation, Japan! Hence, lets keep the spirit soaring high and don't give up. And oh, I'd love to thank the doctors for not just trying to save Japan, but the world itself. You keep us safe, doctors :)

I walked a mile with Pleasure;
She chatted all the way;
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow,
And ne'er a word said she;
But, oh! The things I learned from her,
When Sorrow walked with me.

- Robert Browning Hamilton

What Are Words.

Anywhere you are, I am near,
Anywhere you go, I'll be there,
I'm forever keeping my angel close.

Another Month Has Passed.

Still, the Reb knew that marriage was an endangered institution. He'd officiated for couples, seen them split, then officiated when they married someone else.

"I think people expect too much from marriage today," he said. "They expect perfection. Every moment should be bliss. That's TV or movies. But that is not the human experience.

"Like Sarah says, twenty good minutes here, forty good minutes there, it adds up to something beautiful. The trick is when things aren't so great, you don't junk the whole thing. It's okay to have an argument. It's okay that the other one nudges you a little, bothers you a little. It's part of being close to someone.

"But the joy you get from the same closeness - when you watch your children, when you wake up and smile at each other - that, as our tradition teaches us, is a blessing. People forget that."

Why do they forget it?

"Because the word 'commitment' has lost its meaning. I'm old enough to remember when it used to be a positive. A committed person was someone to be admired. He was loyal and steady. Now a commitment is something you avoid. You don't want to tie yourself down.

"It's the same with faith, by the way. We don't want to get stuck having to go to services all the time, or having to follow all the rules. We don't want to commit to God. We'll take Him when we need Him, or when things are going good. But real commitment? That requires staying power - in faith and in marriage."

And if you don't commit? I asked.

"Your choice. But you miss what's on the other side."

What's on the other side?

"Ah." He smiled. "A happiness you cannot find alone."

- Mitch Albom, Have A Little Faith.

Did Preparations Work?

Watch the full episode. See more PBS NewsHour.

Japan earthquake causes vast whirlpool.

This Touched My Heart.

By Jun Shiomitsu.

Japanese people have been very open on Twitter about their experiences following the quake.  These snippets of what moved them and touched them during these very trying times are heart-warming.  I have attempted a rough translation on some of them so that you can have a read.  

Please continue to pray for the people in Japan. 

I hope these mini-stories will bring strength and encouragement to my friends and family in Japan by letting them know that, not only does the world sympathize with them, it looks up to them in admiration!  My thoughts are with you.  

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious unto you;  the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace."  (from the Bible)

******

At Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo Disneyland was handing out its shops’ food and drinks for free to the stranded people nearby.  I saw a bunch of snobby looking highschool girls walking away with large portions of it and initially though “What the …”  But I later I found out they were taking them to the families with little children at emergency evacuation areas.  Very perceptive of them, and a very kind thing to do indeed. 

Message from the UN

Secretary General Ban Ki Moon: “Japan is one of (the UN’s) most generous and strongest benefactors, coming to the assistance of those in need the world over.  In that spirit, the United Nations stands by the people of Japan and we will do anything and everything we can at this very difficult time.”  I was moved at his words.  What better example that good things happen to those who do good.

At a congested downtown intersection

Cars were moving at the rate of maybe one every green light, but everyone was letting each other go first with a warm look and a smile.  At a complicated intersection, the traffic was at a complete standstill for 5 minutes, but I listened for 10 minutes and didn’t hear a single beep or honk except for an occasional one thanking someone for giving way.  It was a terrifying day, but scenes like this warmed me and made me love my country even more. 

During the earthquake

We’ve all been trained to immediately open the doors and establish an escape route when there is an earthquake.  In the middle of the quake while the building was shaking crazily and things falling everywhere, a man made his way to the entrance and held it open.  Honestly, the chandelier could have crashed down any minute … that was a brave man!

Bus stop mini episode

It was freezing and bus was taking ages to arrive.  “@saiso” left the queue to run to a nearby pharmacy.  He bought heating pads and gave one to everyone in the queue!

Thank you Tokyo Disney Sea

My daughter who was staying at DisneySea just made it back home!  Many, many thanks to the staff who worked very hard in the cold with ready smiles that made her to feel safe and secure during the entire night.  They brought her food, drinks, snacks, heating pads, and anything necessary to ensure she was comfortable and secure throughout her stay.  I was touched by the Disney staff’s warmth and hospitality.  Thank you so much!

Reminded of the goodness of the Japanese people

This earthquake has reminded me of that Japanese goodness that had recently become harder and harder to see.  Today I see no crime or looting: I am reminded once again of the good Japanese spirit of helping one another, of propriety, and of gentleness.  I had recently begun to regard my modern countrymen as cold people … but this earthquake has revived and given back to all of us the spirit of “kizuna” (bond, trust, sharing, the human connection).  I am very touched.  I am brought to tears.

Card board boxes, Thank you!

It was cold and I was getting very weary waiting forever for the train to come.  Some homeless people saw me, gave me some of their own cardboard boxes and saying “you’ll be warmer if you sit on these!”  I have always walked by homeless people pretending I didn’t see them, and yet here they were offering me warmth.  Such warm people. 

What foreigners are saying about Japanese people

At a supermarket where everything was scattered everywhere over the floors, shoppers were helping pick them up and putting them back neatly on the shelves before quietly moving into line to wait to pay for them.  On the totally jam-packed first train after the quake, an elderly man gave up his seat for a pregnant woman.  Foreigners have told me they are amazed witnessing sights like these.  I do believe they actually saw what they said they saw.  Japan is truly amazing. 

Information network this time around

The information sharing efforts on Twitter or USTREAM, together with the quality of coverage and crucial updates provided by the mass media this time around is incomparable to what we got during the Kobe earthquake.  I am deeply impressed by Japan’s successful efforts and ability to put to practice lessons learnt from past tragedies. 

Touch of art

I saw artists and painters trying to keep things upbeat by painting or drawing beautiful or encouraging drawings for the evacuees around them.  I was touched at how everyone was doing their very best to help.

BBC Reports

The words of BBC’s reports are so moving they make me cry.  They were praising us with words of admiration!  “One of the worst earthquakes in recorded history has hit the world’s most well-prepared, well-trained nations.  The strength of its government and its people are put to the test.  While there have been casualties, in no other country could the government and the people have worked together in such an accurate and coordinated way in the face of such tragedy.  The Japanese people have shown their cultural ability to remain calm in the face of adversity.”

A little story about Papa

We live in an area that was not directly hit.  When my father came downstairs and heard the news saying that our area had begun allocating electricity to the hard-hit areas, he quietly led by example, turning off the power around the house and pulling the plugs out of their sockets.  I was touched.  He usually NEVER turns off the lights or the AC or the TV or anything! 

Japanese people don’t shove

I'm looking at Yurakucho station from above.  I see people standing in line, not pushing or shoving to get onto the Yamanote Line (probably the busiest line in central Tokyo), even at a time like this! 

The bakery lady

There was a small bread shop on the street I take to go to school.  It has long been out of business.  But last night, I saw the old lady of the shop giving people her handmade bread for free.  It was a heart-warming sight.  She, like everyone else, was doing what she could to help people in a time of need.  Tokyo isn’t that bad afterall!

Japan is a wonderful nation! 

Both the government and the people, everyone is helping one another today.  There are truck drivers helping evacuees move.  I even heard that the “yakuza” (gangsters, organized crime groups) are helping to direct traffic in the Tohoku region!  There have been many recent developments that have made me lose my sense of pride in my country, but not anymore.  Japan is an amazing place!  I’m just simply touched.  Go Japan!

Twitter is amazing!

The information shared to us all by the twitter community has been amazingly consistent with each other and has been so helpful.  Thank you Twitterers!  I’m very moved. People recently talk about social networks replacing traditional social life and making people cold and unsociable in real life.  But … I guess that’s not true at all. 

From a German friend

A German friend of mine was in Shibuya (downtown Tokyo shopping district) when the earthquake hit.  He was panicking when a Japanese passerby saved him, taking him into a building.  My friend was blown away at how calm and disciplined this Japanese man was.  He went out of the building with firm, unfaltering steps, did everything he was trained to do and came back.  My German friend was deeply impressed by the Japanese people’s actions during the earthquake, saying they looked like a trained army. 

At the supermarket

I just came back safely from the supermarket!  Man, I was so touched at how everyone there was mindful of others, buying only as much as they needed and leaving the rest for the people behind them. 

Gotenba traffic

Japan is really something!  Yesterday, not a single traffic light was functioning in Gotenba City.  But drivers knew to take turns at intersections and give way to others when needed.  Local people were using flags to direct traffic at intersections.  I drove for 9 hours but never saw a single car trying to get in front of another.  Every single driver on the road contributed to the traffic situation and as a result there was no confusion at all. 

“All of us”

I spoke with an old taxi driver and some elderly staff at the train stations.  All of them had been working non-stop and had not been able to go home for a long time.  They were visibly very tired, but never once did they show any sign of impatience; they were gentle and very caring.  They told me “… because all of us are in this together.”  I was touched at what the notion of “all of us” meant to these elderly people.  It is a value I will treasure and carry on to my generation. 

A strong Japan

Suntory Beverages has set up free vending machines.  Softbank Telephone services is offering free Wifi spots.  Everyone in Japan is putting everything they can into helping one another.  Japan is also now receiving aid from abroad.  Compared to the Kobe earthquake, when Japan took too long to contemplate accepting foreign aid or dispatching the self-defense force to join the rescue effort, Japan has definitely grown into a far stronger nation.  Be strong, everyone!

Morning Ceremony

At the shopping center I work at, every morning we have a ritual (common in Japan) where we stand and recite, “No matter what the situation, I will never show anxiety before my customer; in all customer-facing situations I will treat my customers with respect and do everything I can to make them feel comfortable and at ease”.  Today, these words were all actually kind of touching.  Well, so the day begins!  Here we go people, open shop!

Mr. Inoue

Mr. Inoue has been churning out drawings of smiling and laughing faces at an amazing pace!  Things like this remind me again of what it truly means to give people a message of strength and courage. 

Lessons Learnt

What caught my attention on twitter is that a lot of the tweets were about the Kobe earthquake and how what we have learned from it has been put into practice this time around.  I know it goes without saying, but I was once again reminded of how humans are indeed creatures that possess the amazing ability to think and learn from experience.  It’s a great thought. 

Message from a friend in Rome

My friend in Rome emailed me.  He said that people in Rome are watching the news and sharing their amazement and their heartfelt respect at how, even at a time like this, the people of Japan are able to remain calm and systematically respond to the situation.  People in Rome are thinking of us and are very concerned for us. 

A strong voice

Yesterday, I was impressed and touched by the actions of my neighbor’s 13-year-old-boy.  He was home alone when the earthquake hit.  But instead of hiding, as soon as the earthquake quieted down, he jumped on his bicycle and road around the block repeatedly shouting at the top of his voice, “Is everyone alright?  Is everyone okay?”  At the time, there were only women and children and the elderly in the homes.  I cannot describe how comforting it was just to hear a strong voice asking if I was okay.  Thank you!

The beauty of helping one another

I went out last night to help some friends who were volunteering as security personnel between Machida City and Sagami Ohno City.  I saw total strangers, both young and old, helping each other along everywhere I turned and was heartened with an overwhelming feeling of encouragement.  I was so touched I hid behind the toilets and cried. 

I just have a bike

I’m so touched!  My colleague at my part time job, wanting to help even just one extra person, wrote a sign saying “I just have a bike, but if you don’t mind hop on!”, rode out on his motorbike, picked up a stranded construction worker and took him all the way to Tokorozawa!  Respect!  I have never felt so strongly that I want to do something helpful for others. 

Sharing your ride

It was stupid of me to think I could catch a cab at Urawamien Station.  I ended up walking 30 minutes and then finally was picked up by a stranger who offered to give me a lift.  I’m touched by the warmth of human kindness.  Thank you, thank you!

Rest here!

Last night, I decided, rather than stay at the office, I should try walking home.  So I slowly made my way west on Koshu freeway on foot.  It was around 9PM when I saw an office building that had a sign that said “Please use our office’s bathrooms! Please rest here!”  The employees of the office were loudly shouting out the same to all the people trying to walk home.  I was so touch I felt like crying.  Well, I guess I was too tense yesterday to cry, but now the tension is wearing off and am very much in tears. 

At the convenience store

While most of the convenience stores near the station were closed because of the quake, there was just one Seven Eleven that was open.  The employees had lit lots of candles and put them on the stores shelves.  The cash register was not working and they could not take inventory, so the employees worked in threes, one reading up the item description and price, another punching the numbers into a calculator, and the last one using a flashlight to help them work.  The store managed to operate both “cash registers” efficiently this way.  Impressed!

On the way to the emergency evacuation area

My oldest daughter was making her way to Yokohama’s emergency evacuation area.  Total strangers were helping each other out and showing each other the way to the emergency evacuation area.  She told me she was moved at how strangers, who can seem so cold at times, showed her kindness and care.  I was reminded at the Japanese peoples’ inherent ability to immediately unite in the face of adversity.  Today, I have discovered a newfound faith in my nation and my people. 

A big, kind voice

I’ve been walking for many hours now.  I’m touched at how everywhere I turn, there are shops open with people shouting “Please use our bathroom!” or “Please rest here!” There were also office buildings where people with access to information were voluntarily shouting out helpful tips, like “**** line is now operational!”  Seeing things like this after walking for hours and hours made me feel like weeping with gratitude.  Seriously, there is still hope for this country!

On the platform

The Oedo Subway Line for Hikarigaoka is very congested.  On the platform and at the gate there are just crowds and crowds of people waiting for the train.  But in all the confusion, every last person is neatly lined up waiting his or her turn while managing to keep a passage of space open for staff and people going the other way.  Everyone is listening to the instructions from the staff and everyone acts accordingly.  And amazingly … there isn’t even a rope or anything in sight to keep people in queue or open space for staff to pass, they just do!  I am so impressed at this almost unnatural orderliness!  I have nothing but praise for these people!

Station staff

I said to a Tokyometro station staff who was on all-night duty, “I’m sure it has been a tough night for you.  Thank you.”  He responded with a smile, “On a night like this, gladly!”  I was touched. 

Coffee

My husband finally got home very late last night after walking for 4 hours.  He told me he felt like giving up at around Akabane, when an elderly man who was going around handing out free coffee saw him, gave him a steaming cup and said, “You must be tired and cold.  Here, have some coffee!”  My husband told me that it was because of this elderly man that he found the will and strength to continue walking.  I’ve already heard this story from him five times tonight, so no doubt he was really, really touched!  Thank you to my husband’s anonymous helper!

Blood donations

Japan is strong!  At Osaka I saw a LONG line of people waiting to give blood at the blood donation center.  This is the first time I have seen such a queue of selfless people waiting patiently in line just to give.  It was a moving sight!  To everyone in the hard-hit areas, we your countrymen accept your suffering as our own and we share in your grief.  Do not give up!  Stay strong!

Saving electricity for the North

I went to my neighborhood supermarket and was initially surprised that their neon signs were off.  They usually are open till 1AM.  I then found out that they were open, but were saving electricity so that more power could be channeled to the hard-hit coastal areas.  Wow!

Not enough money!

At the store where I work, a huge group of young men suddenly came in to buy booze.  One of them suddenly said, “Oops, I only have enough money to buy booze, I can’t donate!  Forget the booze, maybe next time!” and instead put ALL his money into the disaster relief donation box.  One by one, every single one of the army of youths threw all their money into the box after him.  What a heart-warming sight that was!

Goth youth

A goth youth with white hair and body piercings walked into my store and shoved several hundred dollars (several tens of thousands of yen) into the disaster relief fund donation box.  As he walked out, I and people around me heard him saying to his buddies, “I mean, we can buy those games anytime!”  At that, we all opened our wallets and put our money into the donation box.  Really, you cannot judge people by their appearances. 

They looked absolutely delicious!

I too saw the guy handing out free rice balls and miso soup on the way back from Akihabara.  I was on my bicycle so I told him, “I’m okay, please give it to other people!”  On hindsight, I should have taken one … they looked absolutely delicious!!

Another Disney episode 

Amazing!  My brother just managed to get home from Disneyland right now.  He’s got bags and bags of free sweets.  Furthermore, Disneyland paid for every customer’s travel fare back.  All night long, the staff responded immediately and fully to every request he made.  Disneyland is truly a world class brand!

Same boat! 

Last night, Aobadai station was jammed with stranded people unable to get home.  But there were private cars with drivers shouting “If you’re going in the direction of ****, please hop on!”  I was able to hitch a ride on one of them.  When I thanked the driver, he replied “No worries! We’re all on the same boat. We have to stick together!”

Need to charge your phone?

At the emergency evacuation area, a young first-year intern at my company who had brought her phone’s charger got permission from the facility to use their power socket and went around shouting “Anyone need to charge their phone?  Please use my charger!”  Just a little thing, but I was touched.  

Red and Blood.

I took quite a moment staring deep at this picture. In just one brief glance, I'd say this picture is cool, but seconds after, I'd change my mind. It perplexes me in a way, really. Prolly because a picture does tells us thousand of things. You see, they drew this picture half-faced, but if you take a closer view you'd be able to see the faces somehow radiate sadness. The lips are curled downwards at the edges, hence giving me a short burst of the sadness feeling. They made big circles exactly at where someone would point out that's where the heart is, and these circles closely resemble hollowed parts. What's more to this picture is, the circles are red-colored, making them look exactly like nothing but blood, no? And the smudged red paints oozing downwards makes them look like streams of blood dripping to the floor. Perhaps, they tried to capture the emotions that they're dwelling with right now in this single picture. The sadness of losing the lives they are all accustomed to by years, but in just one swift, the tsunami took that all from them - the belongings, homes, families.

 And all I can do right now is to pray for them. Lets pray.

For A Better Future.

What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.

-Albert Pine

We Pray For Japan.

Lord, protect our planet, because we live here, and here we dwell with our daily tragedies.

May our daily reconstruction be the result of the very best that we carry within us.
Give us the courage
to be able to reconstruct what was destroyed
to be able to recover what was lost
to be able to accept what was gone forever.
May you give us courage to look ahead,
may we never look back nor allow our soul to be discouraged.

Lord, give us enthusiasm, because Enthusiasm reaffirms to us that everything is possible, as long as we are totally committed to what we are doing.

Lord, may the Earth continue to transform seeds into wheat, may we continue to transmute wheat into bread. Do not leave us in solitude.

Have compassion on us, Lord. For we often think we are dressed when we are naked.
Do not forget, in your mercy, our friends in Japan, who are now teaching us the meaning of Courage, Reconstruction, Solidarity and Enthusiasm.

Amen

- Paulo Coelho