Dwindling blog entries...

It's so great to be able to jot down the day, the week, the fleeting moments that pass so fast...but when there are too many, no fingers can type hard enough nor fast enough to fit it all in.

And as such, my study of the flowers is not as acute as last year. I still read the labels, but I don't monitor them as closely and I forget much more easily their names or even if they have been 'fed'.

I have embarked upon more studies, enrolled for another Japanese exam (miraculously passed the last one), have entered University again, 'playing with garbage' and of course, looking after hubby and Elbi.

Another challenge for the list is the 'October Daily' - one poem a day for the long month of November.
It worked last year, and when it comes to writing, having challenges that can be reached are important.

So, expect nothing on this blog here!! But do pop by to read a poem sometime!!

http://leonorasophie.blogspot.jp/

My poetry book for Kalaweit.

Here are some poems (by me) together in a nice little book just in time for Christmas!
The money from the sales of this book will go into printing but also directly into KALAWEIT.
We are aiming to purchase more land in Indonesia in order to secure the forests and the habitat of many animals.
Your support and help is always appreciated!
Thank you.

User Name!!!

So, while I was out to work....my profile made it to +25 'likes' , and I have a user name!!!!

''mywritingworld.leonorasophie'' is to be typed after facebook.com

Or, just tap here for easy access!!! Lee's Facebook Page!!!

Wow, so many 'likes' in one day - the pressure is on!
Time to WORK!!!

Productivity

Well, this week was about getting things off the ground.

I have done this in many ways.

Burning the midnight oil is one.
Creating a Facebook page is another.

To be honest, Facebook promotion is the scariest of all. Showing any work I have done leaves me open to criticism and it is scary. However, to have a stranger criticise, I can ignore, but to have someone you know judge you is difficult.

But, I must remember that, not all if it is going to be criticism. Hopefully there is actually something there for people to like (not just the page).

So, for those who you who want to see what I am talking about, click here - My Facebook Page. I hope you will enjoy.

On another note, did you know that the word 'Facebook' has made it into spell check? I am being pulled up for my lack of capitals and for not making it the proper noun that it is! Shame on me.

Me & My Poems

So, I like to write little poems here and there...

Here is one for all my blogs, linking them together!

3 Blogs Poem

A break from blogging?

Today is June 13th.

There is a busy month ahead of things such as dogs, friends - leaving &and visiting, another trip up north, various writing projects and even, (resumed today and so far feeling good about it!) studying Japanese!

I may be slow on the blogging front, although, it seems when I say things like that, or that it will be a short post, it is quite the opposite. We shall see.

Recent blogs have helped me get some sort of routine and good practice for my own writing projects. I am still in great danger of starting so many, what we can call 'good ideas; and then letting them lie on the waste side.

This shall not be happening any more.  I have just (with the help of my dearest and bestest friend) finished my novella, which was 16 months in the making, simply because I didn't have the energy to just re-read a basic chapter. The editing and the review is the hardest part, but if you add that to the completion of a task, then we are looking at rather challenging missions!

So, I am pleased to say that things are rolling, but I should probably turn my attention back to the study, the writing.

I still need to finish the kalaweit blog too, and hopefully add some more poems to the 'Leonora Sophie' blog, so, actually, I shall not be going very far! besides, I think I am secretly very hooked to this blog page, and I have a feeling I will be updating the latest frog and dog pics very soon!!

Lee
^_^

Just for the record...

POEMS  & TRAVEL BLOG

Susie

I have never fostered before.

They say that fostering is harder than adoption because you cannot keep the animal(s). I can see this to be very true indeed.

One week on from Susie arriving and I love her immensely already. We have had set backs this week from various outside factors, but that has not stopped us having fun with her. I would easily say that this will be a difficult goodbye and not without tears.










This morning was hectic, I walked Susie, then tried to walk Elbi, but each time (total of three!), Susie was barking in the garden. I had to return as it was before 7am and I worried about the neighbours.

I decided to take them both out, a job that should be reserved for the after work part of the day. By half past 8, I reached the train station to begin my working day and I was shattered, not to mention starving!

But, coming home to Susie and her hugs...well, it was all worth it! She jumped in my lap and I tickled her curly-haired neck for ages. She just loves the love.

Even Elbi behaved, well, for a short while.

The thing with Susie is that she needs to know you are there. So, even now, as she must stay outside (thankfully no typhoons!), I am sat by the back door, so she knows I am near.

She whimpers when she can't see you and that whimper can easily become a bark, nay, a howl at one point!

I find it hard to leave animals when they make noses, make eyes, anything. I can't stand the separation. It breaks my heart even to know that, right now, poor Susie is sat alone in the kennel. I am thankful there is no rain and no winds to add to the lonely trauma of outside life.

Elbi suddenly loves the kennel!








I still cannot understand why you would have a pet but not actually interact with it. Animals left in kennels, it is too lonely.

Anyway, Susie is a grand dog, full of love, full of strength and desire to run the open road. I love her! She is so much fun to walk. She follows her nose, something that Elbi is copying! She runs through hedges, puddles, she doesn't care where! She just loves being outside and on the move.

Elbi and her get along to a point. He is still to genki but he just wants to play. She doesn't mind him so much, but gets a little miffed when he over sniffs her crotch!








- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Kasukabe,Japan

I'm a volunteer...article

I have put this article online.

While it is great people are helping, there are still places lacking the love, help and respect they need in the north of Japan.

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8971590-im-a-volunteer

- So, what did you do this Golden Week?

- Oh, I. Went to Tohoku to volunteer....and insert here the story of a beach clean up, cooking meals at evacuation centres, collecting rubble etc.

Volunteering is the new 'boom' it seems in Japan. And this is great, not just because the north needs all of our help right now, but because it will hopefully teach us all so much more about charities, donations, and the real meaning of helping a needy cause.

Having lived in Japan for five years and having worked with various organisations both here and abroad, (mostly helping animals in need), I noticed how different things were here in Japan.

While people here are very helpful and generous overall, it is slightly different when it comes to the bigger picture.

Of course there exists the big organisations like the Japanese Red Cross Society and even international NPOs, like World Hunger Relief, but only these big ones seem to get noticed.

Various countries have fun runs, mini marathons, all sorts of sponsored events, all to raise money for causes. Sadly, none of that really happens here.

I did a sponsored bike ride around the Yamanote line a couple of years ago in order to raise money for an organisation I support in Indonesia. This was shortly after the big earthquakes they had in Sumatra and the organisation had an office damaged and a boat missing too.

When I explained to people what it was I was doing and why, they were happy to help, but for many, it was the first time they had heard of something like this. You give money to someone you may not even know so well so they can send it to who? Crazy stuff.

But, this is what I know. Fundraising events are great for promoting awareness and getting people involved. Since the awful tragedies of March 11, people the world over have rallied around with all sorts of ways to raise money, send donations etc, including within Japan.

It has hit home hard how much some people need that bit of extra help and love that comes from an outside source. What does it matter if you don't know the person to whom you are sending new shoes to? What does it matter that you don't know who will enjoy the food you are sending up? The important factor here is that you are doing it and sending it with love, which is perfect for our friends in the north.

Being able to travel to the north to lend a hand is another grand gesture. So what if Golden Week is short, what is a day or two here or there? So many people are giving up their time and money to help.

This is amazing. The giving spirit that Japan is already well know for is now being shared to the wider community. People aren't so withdrawn anymore, we are all open to giving and receiving much more freely than before.

I don't doubt that this will continue. The want to share, to help, to give is boundless. We just need to be aware that all the people affected by March 11 are being helped.

The big organisations are sending all the volunteers to the areas you may hear about in the news, but Tohoku is big. So big in fact, that not everyone is getting the help they need.

Apparently, there were 300 000 volunteers in Tohoku this Golden Week, yet I was in Shichigahama and we were five. This was an area overlooked by the Government. house are just about intact, but damp. Access to shops is limited as is the water, the gas and provisions are scarce.

So, while it will always be a great thing to help and lend a hand, why not try to look for the small groups in need of assistance. Then your volunteering love will go to people not really sharing this current 'boom'.

Gambarre Tohoku. Let's keep the fighting spirit strong.

Sendai, the JEARS mission.

I'm in Sendai on a mission. A seemingly impossible mission, but one which we will see through to completion no matter what.

Jears needs more bases. We can't keep transporting people from Niigata to Fukushima, from Niigata to Iwate and back again day in day out.

With all my friends as contacts in Sendai, I knew I could reply on them to help out.

However, we must remember what we are dealing with here and how many other people are likely to have rented out accommodation more inland to where their houses were or barely are. We must also remember that the ground has not stopped shaking.

This was a trip due to happen last week, but as I wrote, got postponed because of another big shake that knocked out electricity one more time for the residents of Tohoku.

It didn't stop us searching, mind. But, the search was tough. At any mention of an animal, let alone a few (hundred) , the answer was a a flat 'No'.

My friend Fumiko had sent me details of one house and I was prepared to show a picture of Elbi stating quite firmly that he would be the pet living there, but I knew that somehow, the owners would cotton on. Surely the miaowing sounds and sheer number of dogs and cats passing through the front doors would blow our secret.

No, this was something that needed to be handled properly. The animals and the volunteers need a good base. The highway needs to be near and amenities should be convenient.

So, when I read Fumiko's mail last night about her mother's house, I got very excited.

My persistent ''nande mo ii''s (anything is ok) must be paying off. I really wanted to see anything that was available, but even empty warehouses were saying a flat 'No'.

So, that settled it. We finally had a house to look at, where the restrictions were minimal and we could have what we wanted.

So, that is why, I woke up at 0605 with a slight crook in my neck to the announcement of 'Izumi Chuo no tochiyaku desu'.

Welcome to my Japanese home town.

It was a beautiful warm and sunny morning and I waited for Fumiko to come and get me. There were few signs of damage where I was standing, just some concrete slabs uprooted on the pavement, that was all.

We went for a wee morning drive to towards the port. But, we were nowhere near the port when she pointed at the crossroads we were at, telling me that the tsunami had reached as far as where we were. And then, as we drove on, the destruction could be spotted everywhere. It wasn't just the odd building, it was every building, warehouse and vehicle.

There were so many cars in one spot crushed up in a pile together, houses were just dirt and rubble save the few still standing.

Did you see the picture video from the JEARS entry I did? You would have seen the two storey house with just the second storey sat in the middle of a rice field. Well, this morning, I saw a similar sight under a bridge away from any possible foundations. Where had it come from?

Many roads were still blocked, but repairs were apparent everywhere. There was a big repair patch on the highway from where it must have collapsed down to the street below.

The sights were not too dissimilar from the ones in north Fukushima and south Miyagi, but the damage was much more extensive, going much further inland.

You can see some of the pictures here -

leonorasophie-everyday.blogspot.com/2011/04/sendai.html

We headed back to Fumiko's house and grabbed breakfast along the way, ready to start the day.

Fumiko lives outside Sendai shi itself, a short drive from Izumi chuo. In the area, there are two big DIY stores linking the area to Sendai shi and these convenient stores, along with a big Jusco shopping mall just happen to be near the house.

More details on the bases for JEARS later.

As soon as we stepped out the house and into the car, my phone rang. Ian was trying, not for the first time to get through to me.

It was around 1130 and there had been a big earthquake in the Kanto region. Saitama ken experienced and shindo 5, later lowered to a shindo 4, but, Ian was on his own, with Elbi and Mimi, trying to save computer upstairs from smashing (again) and TV from smashing as well as CD racks toppling on Mimi (again), I knew I couldn't stay in Sendai any longer this weekend.

I had done what I had come to do, at least in terms of the animals. My other friends would have to wait, as would I to give them their hugs.

On friend did surprise me at lunch and bring her kids with her too. When I hugged them I cried, so tired and emotional from all this, but it was lovely to see them.

It was lovely to see Fumiko too, who has been so unbelievably helpful at this time, as have all my friends in Sendai.

So, it was all I could do to buy as much Zunda as I could to satisfy my tummy and contribute a small bit to Sendai's economy,but now I am on a bus home.

24 hours devoted to hopefully a successful mission.

The road is somewhat bumpy on the way back, I was lucky to have slept through this last night. Might try resting the eyes one more time.

Sendai, I shall be back very soon! XXX

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Sendai, Japan.

Bus Terminal

Is it me or is it Shinjuku????

I have a nightmare every time and today was no exception.

Why should it be?

Shinjuku is a maze of buildings, taller than you can imagine, especially when you are standing beneath them. It is these buildings that somehow conceal my departure spot for the night. Sure, I had a map, a nicely presented map too, but for some reason, I didn't spot where it was I should be.

Of course, with hindsight, it is clear, and a big red star marks the spot, but I still cannot understand why there is a big line taking me from the station to a location behind the Keio Plaza hotel.

So, having caught up with some long time no see friends for a really quick hot choco, we went on a mini tour of the west wide of Shinjuku, making it miraculously back to near the station where my bus would leave from.

And thus begins my journey to the north.

My bus is busy and I find comfort in this. I have enough leg room to kick out and my seat leans back. Oh, and I have a blanket, although in these spring temperatures, I realise that I have definitely overdone it on the layers.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

Four weeks on.

Even as I sit down to start this entry, the house shakes. I am pleased to say that our reflexes here are much improved. We know what furniture to grab and where. We are, somehow, used to it.

It was a quick jolt and 4 on the magnitude (in Sendai) so maybe a 2 or 3 here in Saitama. (1 on the Japanese shindo scale).But, they are still coming.

It was just less than 4 weeks to the day when, most of us were tucked up in bed, that the ground shook quite viciously once again. Thursday night, there was another earthquake in Miyagi. It was a level 4 on the shindo scale down here in Saitama.(4 out of 7). The alarm system told us so.

You can see form the this map how much of Japan was affected by the quake. I have never seen anything like this. The earthquake literally rocked and shocked almost the whole of Japan. Unbelievable.

The shakes in Miyagi were much stronger and actually, some people died. Furniture was thrown everywhere. One of my friends, who had just returned to her apartment for the first time in weeks had spent five hours on Thursday cleaning up, only for the earthquake to cause her another four hours of tidying.

One can only imagine how tiring this must all be.

I spoke to another friend on Friday who didn't seem her chirpy self at all. She had no idea when her husband would come back from work as he works at the electric company. Many houses lost electricity straight after the earthquake, but, this being Japan, it was, fortunately quickly reconnected by the next evening in some places.

I was due to travel up to Sendai last night, but, we all decided against it given the severe lack of resources. I didn't want to make the situation worse for people (I need to drive around a lot, using gas, not to mention food, electricity etc.) I shall be going up next weekend instead, I really can't wait. It will be so good to see my friends there, but also, to continue with my help for JEARS. There will be more information on that in a later.

I felt down about not being able to do anything this week that would be of use. Then, I watched more recent footage of the exclusion zone, and some of the creatures in it. It was all very dreary and makes me very upset. I thought that, four weeks on, the recovery process was on track, but, we are far from it.

If you want to see the video, click here www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp9iJ3pPuL8

As it turns out, I can still do a lot of work from my house and my computer. I tell you what though, thank goodness for softbank and free calls! It certainly helps us all at a time like this.

As I write, my friends in Sendai are doing what they can to assist me with contacts etc and are doing everything they can to make sure my visit will be a success next weekend. It is really touching and it makes me feel a bit better again.

Speaking of loveliness, our doorbell rang today. Our neighbours had finished making our sign for our door. You must remember that, these guys have the warehouse full of ceramics that they make and they lost half of their things on March 11th. They live next door in a house that lost many tiles from the roof. I had guessed that they wouldn't have had the time to make us the sign, seeing as they have to rebuild their own business, but, no. Here is our lovely name sign to be hung outside the front door. Thank you!

How sweet of them indeed!

Meanwhile, in the Hawgood household, Elbi and Mimi hang out...Bless them.

It has been a busy week. I came back from Niigata and started my new job. I got quite sick, both a cold, some hay fever too. Today is the first day that I have stopped for quite a while. And am on the mend. All the better for more work and rescue next week.

Work has been fun; a great chance to occupy the mind with positivity

and so much fun teaching these little cuties.

As you can see, the cherry blossoms are out in full bloom. Omiya Koen was a beautiful sight to see. We really must go back there again soon.

So, as I prepare for another week of running around with 3 year olds and organising animal rescue. Gambarimasho!!

Jears articles

http://moderntokyotimes.com/2011/04/07/japan-earthquake-tsunami-and-nuclear-crisis-the-animals-need-saving-too/

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8688742-japan-the-animals-need-saving-too/content/76891881-jears-logo

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:春日部市、埼玉県

JEARS, Lending a hand.

DAY ONE

I went to Niigata to go and help with JEARS, the animal rescue team set up to help those animals suffering after the tragedies of 3/11.

Today, I get to meet the JEARS team and work through the logistics of the day.

Reports come in regularly of cats and dogs found, missing or even floating on debris. JEARS tries to respond to all of these.

The tragedies that Japan has suffered are unbelievable and so many people have been affected in so many ways. Lots of these people have pets too. What happens to them at times like these?

That's where JEARS comes into play. JEARS is the product of three animal rescue groups, joining together to offer extra help for the animals affected by the events of March 11th and its consequences.

An earthquake is enough to scare a creature for life, (heaven knows our little French Bulldog is very on edge when anything moves these days) let alone witness a tsunami. The animals emerging from these disasters come in all shapes and sizes and temperaments.

Each animal has its own story and you can read about some of the rescues on the page

www.jears.org

The best plan of action for my first day with the organisation was to head to Animal Friends to load the truck with food, so we were prepared for the next day.

Animal Friends is based in Niigata. they have a shelter there, housing many of the rescue creatures. The other two organisations (Japan Cat Network and Heart Tokushima) also house some of the rescue animals.

I took a quick video of the area, which is beautiful; the surroundings are perfect for the animals and they are all so happy to be looked after there.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiHpTRmUvNc

The dogs are taken out regularly for walks and I was lucky enough to walk this little lady.

She had been found by the side of the road and it was only after a bit of food that she was able to get up to walk with the JEARS team.

She is so docile and sweet. I really hope her owners find her or she can find a lovely home.

The animals looked happy and it was so lovely to see them all.

So, our mission was to get food!

And, that we did. We have all sorts of food, wet food, dry food, tinned food, thank you to all those who have donated!! And of course we have snacks too. Chuck cleaned the back of his truck to prepare it for the load.

With this food, we would be able to feed the animals at evacuation centres, give to those who are unable to buy supplies in local stores and, of course, feed the animals we might find on the streets.

We were ready for the day ahead. Being based in Niigata means that the road trips to the affected areas are long, very long. They stretch across to the other side of the country, so we have to be up early each time, and brace ourselves for a long day.

DAY TWO

This is my first trip out with the team, and I would like to point out, that as I talk about the length of the day in the car, please just think about the members of Kinship circle and JEARS,

who, have been hard at work since March 11th. We are entering our fourth week since the quake, so that is a hell of a lot of kilometres covered by car.

We had 3 teams out on Saturday. One car headed up to Minami Sanriku and Rikuzentaka to deliver food, especially for a bunny rabbit! and to rescue a cat! One lady thankfully survived the tsunami with her 3 cats, but, in the evacuation centre, her pets were not allowed. She had been keeping her cats in her car until she found out about us! We were able to take two of the cats earlier in the week and today, they were one step closer to being reunited. This car (Chuck's truck) was starting in Niigata, heading up to Iwate and then back down the coast to evacuation centres in Fukushima. It was going to be a long day for them.

Another car went out following up on reports of animals wandering the streets, simply abandoned in the sheer haste to leave their town, or told that their pets could not travel with them, they knew nothing better than to untie their chains and hope that they would go and find food themselves. I believe they picked up two dogs and one cat from this journey. Well done! Sadly, I don't have the pictures, but some of the rescues are blogged on www.jears.org and www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/japan_quake/notes.html

Our car headed out to scan districts for any signs of life and to also speak to members of the public, to make them aware of what we are doing. It is important that people know who to call and the methods of help available.

It took us a good four or five hours to drive to Fukushima. There were many pit stops, adjustments to the plans and a little getting lost along the way too.

We were armed with a Geiger counter, and each had a mask, just for extra protection.

It was difficult to navigate the whole time as various roads were closed because they led to the exclusion zone or they were damaged after the quake.

We spoke to a photographer, who informed us of animals within the zone simply roaming aimlessly. he was a kind soul, and gave them some bread that he had carried with him, but these animals were still there, in need of shelter and in need of food.

And, a lovely couple we met, who owned their own beautiful Labrador, Ruka told us they they had seen a dog dead on the road just the other day and that they had heard of more near the zone. Such were the tales of sadness, being reported to us all daily. We bear them in mind for the next day's planning. Today, we couldn't go and we had to scan the coast and inland for any signs of animal life.

What we witness along the way, is really hard to describe. Of course, I have seen the reports, the videos, the pictures, but still, to see it in real life just breaks my heart even more.

I blogged it all on the long journey back.You can read about that here

http://leonorasophie-everyday.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/searching-for-animals.html

There is also a selection of pictures here -

bb

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvgvZOZZ8WM

It is still hard to fathom, how the apparently beautiful, deceptively calm waters in the distance could cause all that damage.

We passed so much debris, so many clothes scattered along muddy rice fields, so many smashed up cars, that finding an animal would have been a miracle, but we were still hopeful.

Along one road, we heard barking, so we backed

up to find a way off the main road and down through

to where the sound was coming from.

We saw 2 dogs chained up outside, but they were the lucky ones. Their owners were just returning from a food shopping trip. We chatted for a while and then offered them some food.

They were very grateful, it is really hard to come by supplies, especially in rural areas at this time.

We searched and we searched. All that is there is just rubble.

Here is a small clip to give you an idea of the road by the coast.

jgjg

www.youtube.com/watch?v=53zYgpz_S5s

Our search was fruitless, but having seen the fields of debris, it is hardly surprising. It was already time to journey back across the country.

Once again, let me remind you, that, at present, our teams are doing this on a daily basis....phew.

Reaching the hotel certainly did not mean it was goodnight after the day's hefty road trip, oh no.

Car number one were due back with the cat from Iwate!! Car number two were still in Fukushima making sure the dogs and cat would make it safe back to the shelter in Niigata.

The cat from Iwate made it back to the hotel! He miaowed a lot, but eventually settled....in the sink of volunteer Jennifer's bathroom! Thank you Jennifer! He had been in the carrier the whole journey back, sitting on Jennifer's lap. He did a few pees there too, so they both came to the hotel very stinky indeed!!

DAY THREE

The challenges for today varied.

One team headed to Fukushima again following even more reports of stray animals roaming the streets. We loaded up 2 cars full of food in order to hand out at the evacuation centres from where there have been reports of none.

(Pic - Adrienne from Kinship circle)

The team that day rescued a tired-looking, hungry dog and brought it back to the shelter.

My challenge was slightly different.

I was to help Jennifer get Shun Kun, the pee-ridden cat back to Animal friends, a mission much easier said than done!

Have you ever tried to smuggle a cat out of a hotel?

I have smuggled a hamster into a few hotels, but that is a very different story!!

Shun kun was miaowing the whole way.

We decided to take the stairs down a level to the 10th floor and then take the elevator, but would you believe it...on every floor there were cleaners, and by the time we got to floors 3,2,1,B1 & B2 , all the doors were locked!! So, back we were up to 4 again, although, someone was there, so I grabbed the carrier off Jennifer and ran up to 5th and across the corridor. Of course, he miaowed just as we went past one of the workers, but we made it to the elevator out of breath! PHEW!!

Shun kun was to be reunited with his two friends at the shelter, and his owner as soon as she is relocated. God bless her and good luck to her.

I am now going to stay and help with JEARS for the duration. We have endless plans to rescue, endless plans to help more needy creatures. We can only do this with your help too. Thank you so much for your continued support.

Much love to all the animals. XXX

((more photos here - https://picasaweb.google.com/leonorasophie/1820110404JearsNiigata#))

3/11

The floor pounds,

Smashing sounds,

One big thud.

Hit the floor hard.

Bruises, shock and pain.

Sirens blare,

People stare.

Disbelief and fear.

One big wave.

Early grave.

Doesn't stop.

Fills the shops,

Forces cars away.

Run, fast run.

Water comes.

Heart beats racing,

Wave still chasing.

Find the highest place.

Crack and crumble.

House is rubble.

Nothing here

But screams and fear.

Lost my wife,

Lost my daughter.

Where is my son?

Pray they are safe,

Pray they are alive.

Pray they knew to run.

Cities gone.

Heartbreak is long.

Never ending pain.

Big shakes rock.

Big waves shock.

Death and despair.

Water won't stop.

Temperature drops.

Cold, alone and scared.

© Leonora Sophie

Nothing to report!! Well...

On the Hawgood side of things, we are fine! We have learnt a lot from all this and the importance of being prepared. This is generally something that is taught to the Japanese from an early age, now we know why.

Dried foods and even most drinks are scarce in the shops, most certainly the cheap ones! However, we have still had our chance to stock up on oolong teas, green teas and what water we can (which hasn't been any for a few days). Isn't it ridiculous? What a time we live in for stocks to be hoarded (preparation and stocking up is very different from hoarding).

We wonder whether the fear of drinking tap water will actually subside. Japan is a nation of followers and what one does, the other will do too. This isn't always a bad thing, for example, you can tell a new or a good restaurant from the line outside, and you should be inclined to join it too.

But, the water shortages are just plain silly. I just hope enough reaches the north.

The rescue organisations are so thorough that I believe they will be OK. They just need to reach in time.

There is an amazing number of people reaching out to help everyone suffering from all this, so much so, that people have been asked to stop. Supplies are short in the north, so the best of the work really should be left to the professionals. even down south, things are super organised.

I went back to the immigration office (3rd time since 11th! just one more visit left!), which is right by the Saitama super arena. The arena has become a temporary home to thousands of people from Fukushima (nuclear evacuees, as they are known).

I had some kids things to donate, so thought I would drop them off. (I admit that a friend had said they were not taking any more donations, but didn't believe they would say no, not for the kids).

When I arrived, I had to walk the whole way around the arena to get to the uketsuke (reception area). Turning the corner, I was greeted by a heap of army personnel,and then, upstairs, a hoard of people ranging from volunteers, news reporters, starbucks workers offering free coffee, tourists having a look (that's what it seemed like, I hope they were actually doing something useful).

When I found the right person to speak to, she went of to check with someone whether they could take my things, but she came back all apologetic and refused them.

I was astounded, but I can understand how an individual donation messes up the organisation of it all. Charities all over the country are separating things themselves and sending them up to centres and this really is the best way to do it, I just thought, as I was passing...

Still, it was interesting to see it first hand. It makes you realise the work involved in all this. We just hear about it all on the news, but these are real people (hundreds of thousands displaced, living in thousands of shelters). Even though I didn't see inside, I could see up to the top and the windows were full of boxes and boxes. Poor people.

I heard that they will only stay in the arena until Wednesday or Thursday, basically the end of the month. And, I also heard that, all the diapers, sanitary towels etc, will not get used up by then (!), that is the extent of the donations.

The biggest worry is the north. Second harvest were one of the first charities on the case. They were delivering things to the north pretty much straight away, so we coudl send them things. But, I have since been given an address in Iwate. It is a residential address, and the guy is taking the things you send direct to the evacuation shelter. This is much better as you know you can help more directly than anything.

They need warm clothes, sleeping bags and anything, really. So if you are reading this in Japan, message me and I will give the address to you.

I takkyubin-ed a box up today. I'm not sure if the JP service is working, but I guess takkyubin is the better option given the size and weight of things.

Now, on another note. I think I have to post something I found on this site this morning:-

Remember my rage at the Keely Fujiyama article? WELL...

I found a comment this morning, which I have since deleted, not wanting any bad vibes.

But, I am going to post it here, because I don't have anything to hide. I resent the fact that someone thinks I am 'judging' her and that I don't know what it's like.Grrr. This is point, I DO KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE!! As do my friends in and out of Tokyo (even in Sendai, who are complaining far less than most!!!!) I am just using this blog to tell it the way it is.

Whoever wrote this to me (err, three guess who you think it might be..), clearly hasn't read anything else I have written, does not know me, nor my lifestyle, nor my connection to Sendai, and Japan itself.

Besides, I will add comments from other friends in Tokyo who agree what B.S. she is saying....

Here is the comment -

Hi Leonora Sophie, I am concerned by the level of disregard and disrespect you show to Keely re: the Sun story. Surely you have every right to judge anything any tabloid does. But her story is completely consistent with everything my friends in Tokyo report: radiation in water, food, and air. Shops basically empty. People generally very frightened. Women afraid to give their babies water. On-going aftershocks ranging from 3.0 to 7.0. This is verifiable. There are websites that show all the aftershocks and they haven't stopped, for even one day, as you well know if you're in Tokyo. How else should people be feeling, honestly, other than very frightened and desperate to get out? And have you considered that she might have had some very good reasons to get her story out? It appears your compassion ends when someone's story doesn't match up with your own. That's sad to me. Before you judge someone else so harshly, you might wish to put yourself in their shoes. And if you don't know what her life is like, please withhold judgment until you do.

By toto on Keely Fujiyama...again!!! on 3/26/11

And here are some genuine opinions from some real Tokyoites...

a) "Shops basically empty"? Oh please? Radiation in the air is less than ambient radiation in other cities!

b) What a crock of shit...actually love, we live in a much more remote part of Japan...if she read the blog at all she would have seen where we are. All bullshit, judgement? Oh please

c) I tried to post a comment under the article on the Sun, but it won't appear until after the 'moderator' has checked it... probably won't appear because I attacked the Sun pretty badly.

d) Interestingly she is getting very little sympathy from the Sun readers

e) This kind of misninformation has made even my brightest friends believe that the nuclear issue is more important than 500,000 homeless people... thanks Media!

f) Keely Fujiyama, you are a DISGRACE! You have made me feel ashamed to be British. Lies lies lies! Starving!?! Go shopping! http://ow.ly/4gbDC7:34 PM Mar 16th webから

(from twitter)

I could go on with all the comments from people living in Japan and those who have lived in it, but I would need more time.

In short, Keely's stupid story diverts the media from what is really happening, creates an unnecessary worry for our friends and family abroad worried about what they are hearing from the likes of K.F. Thanks so much.

Oh, another friend sent this - http://www.goandroam.com/webcams/japan/tokyo/

Gives you a good idea of the 'apocalyptic' town we live in..Yeah, right.

And, final rant - 'Post -Tsunami Tokyo'????

How dare the journalist, K.F, whoever get their facts so wrong.

Going to sign off for now.

Getting back into the Japanese study (exam in 6 weeks or so, I guess I should study!) and finally getting on with all the writing projects.

Gambarou, minna!!!

Bill's T-Shirts

My dear friend, Bill, who used to live in Ishinomaki, an area hard hit by the earthquake and the tsunami, is printing these tee shirts.

They are 20 Canadian dollars, which will go towards the fund for Japan.

If you wish to buy from abroad, please add some postage to the costs, so more money can be sent to Japan. If you are in Montreal he will deliver it to you personally!

The design on the tee shirt will be this -

So, please think about helping out.

We will be ordering from Japan, so if you want to share the packet with us, it might make sense.

T-shirts. Ladies and Men's sizes.

To help the victims of the 03/11 Tsunami.

20$ Canadian. (+shipping if you live outside of Mtl)

EMAIL: JapanAid2011@yahoo.ca

PHONE: (514) 616-8030.

I have paypal, so you can pay by credit card

Thank you for your support and help.

XXX

Sieverts

Doing my research, it seems that there are some very interesting facts to be learnt.

Right now, the radiation levels in Saitama, where we live are a mere 0.107μSv. This is microsieverts, which is less than milli (mSv) and much less than a whole sievert.(Sv)

Basically, the levels of radiation at the plant that the workers were exposed to were 100mSv, which, is half their limit for being plant workers. This is just double of regular background radiation in parts of Europe....

I am not saying this is good in any way at all.

(Actually, I just saw that regular workers should have 20 mSv..)

I think that their work is still high risk and the plant has admitted to not having checked the radiation levels regularly enough. The other day, the workers were wearing suits to protect them, but they were standing in highly radioactive water and that water was seeping through their clothing.

But, to put it all into some perspective -

A flight to New York from Tokyo is 9mSv (so the ''fly-jins'' exposed themselves to more than they were actually fearing in the first place..)(This is the figure for flight crew. Passengers would have 0.2 mSv, for a round trip)

Sleeping next to a human for a minimum of 8 hours a night, for one year is 0.02 mSv

(I would dread to think of the statistics if one was sleeping next to Elbi and his farts...!!)

Just one banana has as much as 0.0001 mSv, so think about that!!

Smoking a packet a day exposes you to 3 mSv - 60 mSv

And, finally, and perhaps this is where I should worry, for I have been exposed to more radiation at the hospital this year alone than in my whole life.

A brain CT scan is 0.8 mSv - 5 mSv

A chest CT scan is 8mSv - 18mSv

Anything above 250 mSv doesn't bear thinking about, but if treated early, some patients can recover.

As a precautionary measure, some of the embassies are issuing potassium iodide tablets.

Should there be an exposure to a high does of radioactivity, we will take these tables to counteract the radioactive iodine.

We are very positive this will not happen, but, it does help to be prepared. As you can see, Kitty is guarding them for us.

I think that's enough about sieverts from me. My head is in a spin from it all. God bless the nuclear experts who have to deal with these figures all the time.

Things are still unstable in Fukushima. All we can do is pray and pray and pray. xxx

K.F...again!!!

Round two...

This woman has the gall to use her kids, in masks no less, to create more unnecessary drama.

I wonder, if she has been living here for ten years, why does she despise Japan so much that she would do this?

The article, http://thesun.mobi/thescottishsun/news/3475775/Tokyo-in-rush-hour-eerily-quiet-after-earthquake-and-tsunami.html?mob=1, shows her kids in front of a bare shelf...shocking behaviour.

So...I couldn't hold back....

To the writers of The Sun's FALSE stories with Keely Fujiyama.

I URGE YOU TO STOP WITH YOUR AWFUL AND FALSE REPORTING.

Life in Japan is getting back to what normality it can after such devastating events and you allow an imbecile such as Keely to tell you the way things 'are'.

Just how many people have you actually spoken to about life in Japan?

I live here and nothing is as she says.

I hope to God you have not paid her any money for her LIES. I used to live in the north and my friends are suffering from this catastrophe. Yet, someone like her, with no morals, no sense and no compunction for her actions has the nerve to phone you up with a 'story'.

Please stop this false reporting. It is hurting everyone around, people in Japan as well as people outside.

Can I tell you for reference, that some foreigners have left because of hurried, ill advice from their embassies, yet, the majority of the foreigners here want to stay because, not only is everything fine and under control, but they want to stay and show this.

How can you let someone push their kids into the limelight of the story? Can you not see that she is glorifying this. This is her 'glory' and you have allowed her to have it. I hope you are proud.

This stupid lady Keely has no idea what it is like. Her apartment is intact and her husband is going out to earn what seems to be quite a substantial living if they are considering buying a 4x4 at the drop of the hat, which in itself is a stupid move if there is no gas as she says.

However, gas in Tokyo is fine.

I would be intrigued to know where and how her husband is handing out food and why her family gets none of it...

And this other guy, Chris Gould, who has been panic buying is one of the idiots hoarding food and preventing us from buying it to send up north. He is the selfish, stupid one.

Sure, we knew there were earthquakes in Japan and that is exactly why the infrastructure is built to support it. In the rare case it 'falls apart', as he says, Japan is there ready to fix it. The expressway was fixed within days so that food and support could travel by road to the affected areas. And just today, I heard that the port of Ishinomaki is ready for use, making all the ports in the north ok.

I dare you to respond to this (and my other email) to get a truthful account of what is happening here. Yet somehow I doubt you will. My story simply does not create enough drama or panic for the likes of you and I fear I would not help you make your sales target for the day.

Oh, a side note. How much has The Sun donated to this cause, not counting the pain and anger from those articles?

Leonora Sophie

Keely fricken Fujiyama

Oh my GOSH....

I could barely contain my anger the other day after reading The Sun's stupid article with a stupid lady living in Nerima ku, Tokyo.

Starving Brit Keely: My nightmare trapped in City of

Ghosts – Tokyo

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3473142/My-nightmare-trapped-in-post-tsunami-Tokyo-City-of-Ghosts.html

The title alone brings shame on the paper and now, reading again and watching the video, it is embarrassing to see that the reporter is clearly mixing the stories from the north and the south for pure drama.

I was livid when I saw this and actually found myself writing a 'yours disgruntled' letter......

Hello,

I am writing from Japan, having just read your article from Keely Fujiyama.

I am DISGUSTED that you let something like this go to print.

We live out in Saitama, further away from Tokyo, in the countryside, where life has continued as normal. Sure, there have been blackouts, although we didn't experience any.

As for her words about the British embassy, I am appalled by what she has said. Information is very clear and readily available on the web (facebook and web page) and by phone and also through the foreign office.

The British embassy team from Tokyo have been up in Sendai organising coaches to bring down British nationals and help them leave, if they want. Actually , many people, including my husband and I do not feel we are in danger and do not want to leave.

Information from the government and our embassy has been great.

If people have been stocking up on goods, then this is a mere precaution. Nobody south of Fukushima is going hungry, nor 'lives in fear'.

By allowing this story, amongst others to go ahead, you are perpetrating a fear in our family and friends back home. How dare you.

Please show some respect to the nation that mourns so many people, a nation that needs to rebuild many towns, and a nation that would never behave in the way that you are now.

Leonora Sophie