Asia For Japan

Asia For Japan

Since the Japan Tsunami tragedy, I have been supporting organizations that aids Japan and the victims of the tragedy. Asia for Japan, I saw this organization at National Geographic Channel Asia. I am blogging about this to help spread the word about this organization. I must confess that I should have done this a bit earlier. But I believe that it is never too late to help. It has been a month since the tragedy but Japan still needs more help.

I have submitted photos from my trip to Japan with a message of hope for them. The Japanese are thankful for the messages they receive from all parts of the world. Let's give them more. You see, little things like these 126-character-messages can make a big difference.

Let's go and spread the LOVE!

Lot's of love,

Cha

Series of Unfortunate Events (Not the book)

This is the series of events that led to my "Touchy-feely" status.


March 11, 2011: Japan was hit by a 8.9 magnitude earthquake and triggered a tsunami that hit the northern part of Japan. Northern Japan means to me: SENDAI. I felt a sudden chill, then shock. I do not know what to do for a moment. I checked the net if it is really Sendai. Holy crap... it is. 30 minutes after the tragedy, my hands were shaking while sending an email to all my friends in Sendai. I could not contain myself and I started to cry. I took my phone and started calling them one by one. No answer.





All I can do now is watch the news, my problem is I can't even sit still on the couch. I can not even held my hands together in a sturdy way when I prayed. All I can think about is: are they ok? alive? I don't know. After I don't know how many hours, one friend posted on FB that they are ok. Somehow I was able to breath. Hour after hour is becoming unbearable because hour after hour, I will see videos and pictures of the ruins.

The Land of Cherry Blossoms

October 2009, My feet departed the Philippines' soil and landed on Narita Airport's cockpit to participate in Japan Exchange Program, a joint project of St. Paul University Manila and Sendai Shirayuri Women's College.

It was my first time to leave the country. I was lucky enough that my parents allowed me to go to Japan. I asked my parents repeatedly if they are sure of what they are saying because the fee is not a joke. I never asked for anything that cost around1000-1200 US dollars, ever, in my whole entire life except that time. Then again my Mom and Dad insisted... thus this photo:

Of course, extreme happiness is what I felt. This is Japan! Trains, food, culture, people and technology. What more can you ask for?

Day 1: It is all about travel. I am used to travel by plane, train and feet but if it's Japan, everything is different. The Plane, North West Airlines, never sat in on a plane seat for 4 hours. It doesn't matter because the food was great! Train, good Lord, the trains were 1,000,000X better than here in PH! The Bullet train or The Shinkansen is phenomenal. The Tokyo Direct, sosy! Feet, my God, imagine that all people knows the meaning of: "Keep Right".

Shinkansen, Most commonly known as "The Bullet Train"

Day 2: We visited Sendai Shirayuri Women's College and Murasakiyama Gakuen High School, which is also Run by Paulinian Congregation. The former is the host school for the exchange student program. As I have said on my multiply account, dated October 23, 2009: