To escape Japan or not…?

２０１１年３月１７日

So there was a major Earthquake on the 11th March that hit the coast near Miyagi prefecture. There has been constant news, not only because it was a Magnitude 9 Earthquake, but also because it caused a tsunami which literally destroyed towns like nothing, moving cars and trucks like they were toys. And that’s not just it either. The tsunami caused damage to the back-up generators for the Daiichi Nuclear Plant, which is now releasing radiation. Japan is trying to cool these reactors down as fast as possible, even using sea water to try and keep the rods in the nuclear factory cool.

Australia, America and some other countries have advised people not to go within an 80 kilometer radius of the Nuclear factory, a much increased distance compared to that of Japan which still remains at 30 kilometers.
And then, not only that, the weather is still strange, and it has been snowing creating a very cold and sad feeling especially for those that have lost everything and are currently living in school sports gyms.

Australia is advising any Australian residents to get out of Tokyo. I’m living in Osaka, but the news is constant and friends and family are worrying. I thought I wouldn’t leave unless there was going to be some type of damage or disaster to my area, but I’m thinking I might just leave to have a break from it all. Spring Vacation is coming up, and even though my Board of Education tells me “well, if you’re going to take more time off work than your annual leave, your salary will go down for the month”. It’s so stupid that teachers here don’t get the school holidays off like in Australia.

My mind is just so confused about what to do. It’s so sad to watch the news everyday. I want to help, but I’m not sure what I can do. I’m donating money to Japan to try and help out. I’m just not sure what i’m going to do…

Smiling Children

２０１１年３月５日

Today I went and visited an orphanage actually not too far from where I’m living.
Sometimes it’s hard to fathom that some people bring these wonderful children into the world, but are not fit to raise them. Hearing stories that some children have burn scars on their arms or something similar from their parents is quiet heartbreaking. I wish I could adopt some of them because they are sooooo cute! Playing with them for a few hours, I feel like i’m doing a good deed!

Something else I was shocked about is that a lot of these kids that are at orphanages, actually still have parents, but their parents are unfit to raise them, so these little kiddies might see their parents for a couple of days a week or something like that. And then not only that, but there’s apparently a LOT of orphanages around.

But even seeing them once a month is not much to give but so worth it when you see their smiling faces and hear them laughing.

It reminds me of my foster child in Korea. I wish I had a lot of money so that I could donate it to those places and people that really need it. Those kids are starting off with a handicap, but I’m sure they can finish with a decent ending!!