Waldos

I loved Waldos, but Waldos didn't love me back.

It was worse than it looks. Its pretty much rock solid. We just had to laughed. Seriously?!

thanks for your PLAYERS

Junko speaks Engrish just like my Mom.

Even in disaster, they can be so cute.

Here are some of her personal pictures. The first one is whats left of Iwate-ken Kingdom Hall.

See the chairs in the trees? (second picture).


My Mom calls Japan a lot. And while she's on the phone, there are often tremors going on. She says that people are scared, tired and paras.

Ironically, of all of Japan, Sendai and Iwate are where we have the deepest connection to (besides family in Okinawa).

In fact, my first earthquake was in Sendai and my first flood was in Iwate. And the flood was worse than the earthquake in 2005.

Our friend Junko is in the last picture. Her parents live in Kaimaishi-city in Iwate.

She said that the Kingdom Hall close to the sea is completely wiped out.

These are her words:

"...My father was miraculously helped though it was swallowed up by the tsunami."

She thanks us for playing for her! (praying)

Sendai and Iwate, Japan

Happier days... Omori's note to us with his car and house in the background. (Now gone from the tsunami).

Second picture is a map of the cities hardest hit from the tsunami. The cities I visit the most are Iwate, Kesenuma, Miyagi, Sendai.

I told Mom and Gary, if I was still single I'd probably be in Japan right now. Maybe even for the entire Summer break.

But after seeing the pictures today in thismagazine (below) I got emotional. When Mom read the captions, I was torn.

I probably would have just been in the way. Then Mom said, Well you just cry with them.

Why do Moms always say the right things?

Here are some pictures from the magazine... Did you know they got snow during this time? I've been there when it snowed and it was the coldest winter weather I have even experienced! And I even experienced Minnesota winters! It was worse.

The caption for the next picture was, "Its now or never" for the guy in the sinking car. What if they had a baby in there. My Moms response was, in short, not have children.

Below are collected backpacks from the rubble of a school. Parents come here to look for their child's belongings. Its so sad.

These people came back to where their home once stood.

Counting the dead.

This is Omori in front of his car and his house. His car is now gone and half of his house was badly damaged. He said he got it better than other houses around him. He has been living in his brother's restaurant for the last few months. He said don't worry because he is eating very well.

He is finally back home, and happy because he got to learn a new trait, carpentry (last two pictures). What a spirit!

Ganbatte-ne!