This morning I heard about the big 7.9 magnitude quake that just slammed central China killing at least 10,000 people. Scary. I truly hope the victims of the hard-hit areas get the aid they need in this difficult time. It will be interesting to see what sorts of repercussions this could have for the impending summer Olympics.
I live a few miles from Sakurajima, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. I have a phenomenal view of it from my apartment balcony. Scary?
I love America. I’m very happy I was born there, and I enjoy visiting there from time-to-time. I also like Canada, England, and the “Western World” in general. However, since moving to Japan, I have discovered how toxic the western world can be for various other countries and cultures.
The other day Japan was rocked by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake about 100 miles off the coast of Tokyo. It shook things up a bit and injured two people. There were a few mid-sized aftershocks that were a bit scary for some people as well. Japan got off lucky this time, since the quake originated in the ocean rather than land, and didn't produce any big waves.
I was sitting in a Kagoshima, Japan, Starbucks yesterday enjoying my tall green tea frappuccino. Suddenly, a Japanese woman at the table next to me started talking to me in English (her English was quite good, by the way). This is not an unusual occurrence, as I’m often approached by Japanese people wanting to practice their English on a foreigner.
You’re in an upscale shopping center in Japan and you have to use the restroom. You wander in, stand in line, then get your turn in the little stall. You’re relieved to see your stall choice does not feature a Japanese squat-style toilet. However, what you find is a throne full of buttons with little descriptions in illegible Japanese writing.
Okay… be brave…
Well, a week or two ago, I took an amazing trip. The high school I am in sponsors trips around the Globe (I went to Russia with them last year) every year, and this year they went to Japan.
Earth Day is being celebrated or will soon be celebrated all over the world. It’s a day when many people consider our world and the way our lives impact the earth. However, there are also many people who don’t really think much about Earth Day.
