Thursday 24 March 2011

A devastated Japan

The Sendai earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima nuclear power station


Aftershocks in the wake of Sendai earthquake.
Image from the wikipedia Tohoku earthquake and tsunami entry.


It would seem bad luck comes in threes. It also comes in earthquakes, tidal waves and nuclear accidents. Even if you live under a rock you will have heard about the devastation Japan has experienced in the wake of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake that occurred on Friday 11th March at about 14.46 local time. For donation information please see further below.

The earthquake happened about 45 miles east of the Tohoku peninsula, 20 miles beneath the pacific ocean. The quake was so violent it was felt for several hundred miles. I happened to be upstairs at school when the warning came in and everyone dove under desks as the building rocked for several seconds. The quake triggered a 10 metre-high tsunami that raced inland, wiping out entire towns, villages and communities [before and after photo here].

If that wasn't enough, the quake and tsunami cut off power to and severely damaged the number II nuclear power station in Fukushima, which workers are still trying to control. Thankfully, the situation looks a lot better than it did a few days ago, despite the leak of minute amounts of radiation.

Since the quake there have been hundreds of (after)quakes occurring all over Honshu, Japan's main island [see them all here]. Several have shaken my little wooden house, but thankfully not enough to do any damage at all. Touch wood. According to reports the air here in Nagano is showing traces of radioactive material from the plant, although it's so small it's not worth a second thought. Water supplies are also fine, and there is more than enough food and fuel for everyone, thankfully.

However, there are many, many people in and around the devastated areas who are not nearly so fortunate. If you've seen the news you can judge for yourself, but any donations of money or items would be greatly received and appreciated. Some people have lost their possessions, their houses, their business and their families... everything!

Donations

Please help Japan:
* Donations can be made via Amazon.co.uk and iTunes.
* British Red Cross Tsunami Appeal: www.redcross.org.uk/JapanTsunami
* Save the Children: www.savethechildren.org.uk
* Global Giving: www.globalgiving.co.uk
* American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief: http://american.redcross.org/
* Australian Red Cross: www.redcross.org.au

* Japan relief prints: buy here.

Further information

There is more than enough good information about the entire situation online, though unfortunately you will have to wade through some shockingly ridiculous media coverage.

*Before and after photos of a devastated community.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42064847/ns/world_news-asiapacific

*Interactive map of earthquake origin and nuclear evacuation area.
http://mw1.google.com/crisisresponse/2011/sendai_earthquake/google/map/sendai_earthquake_2011.html

*More than 700 more quakes have occurred since the Sendai M9.0. Interactive map here.
http://www.japanquakemap.com/

* British Embassy conference transcript from UK Chief Scientific Officer, 15th March.
http://ukinjapan.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=566799182

* "Why a nuclear reactor will never become a bomb." Simple explanation for the uninformed.
http://io9.com/#!5782349/why-a-nuclear-reactor-will-never-become-a-bomb

* "Japan proves the safety of nuclear power."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1369140/Japan-nuclear-crisis-Disaster-proves-value-safety-nuclear-power.html

*This is not Chernobyl.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/03/18/murkowski.japan.nuclear/

Sunday 20 March 2011

The Moon


Apparently the moon is rather close to earth at the moment.

Thursday 17 March 2011

Okinomiyaki with my students


Okinomiyaki.

Given the ending of term with yesterday's graduation, I was surprised to see students up and around school early today. The baseball team were running laps around the field (don't these kids ever sleep?!) and some second years were cooking okinomiyaki for a couple of leaving third year students. I happened to be wandering past the home economics room when I smelled something rather delicious, and was invited in to have a look. I told them I wanted to come back when they were finished to take some pics, and when I went back I was heartily fed. Well worth me poking my nose in. And I took plenty of pics, though sadly not of my full plate.


Er... this is the "after" shot.

Wednesday 16 March 2011

Graduation


Today's graduation.

This year I am very sad to be saying goodbye to my third year students, who have been my favourite students since my arrival at the school. I started teaching them not long after they became second years, and we've had many laughs and good moments in class.

The school is also going to be saying goodbye to seven teachers this year. I was rather unhappy to find the art teacher is leaving. I've been in many of her classes, and we've shared many an interesting conversation about art and photography. I've discovered that she is going to Ben's school, where she was working before she came to mine. Darnit!


Yesterday's practice.

Anyway, yesterday was the thirds years practice graduation. That is, they line up, accept certificates etc etc, just to make sure everything will run as planned for the real thing the day after. They only get to do it once, after all, and the Japanese insist on everything running smoothly.

Today's graduation was a bit teary for many students and some staff. Saying goodbye to good students and good teachers every March seems a bit heavy for everyone in the school. Me included.

Sunday 13 March 2011

A beautiful day








My favourite park in Iida...




The pillars of this sheltered area in the park are decorated by the students of a local school. I wonder how long this would last intact back home...?