It's been three days since I last saw them. 

Three days I've been pining away, wasting away in this deserted land. 

The agony is indescribable. My soul years for them , my eyes search desperately for them. 

I allow my lids to close, concentrate in the silence and slip into a stasis of subconsciousness scarcely sensing the serenity of something…..snowy. 




Mountains!!!




Dear Diary,




I'm in Ohio in April and it's below freezing outside. Please bring me back to the rainy Pacific shores I cherish deep in my soul. It may be wet but at least I can't see my breath!




Yes, Ohio's flat lands may be dotted with rolling hills, but there is an empty beauty about it. Actually, I am reminded of one principle of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging: "space is beautiful." I assure you in that respect Ohio is abundant in beauty. This small community of Mansfield and its body of faithful Christians have met me with warmth and kindness since I set foot in the Columbus airport on Sunday. Members of the church have rotated hosting our group of 6 teachers for dinner each night and boy do they know how to cook! This week of orientation we are learning about the history, language, cultural faux pas, day-to-day survival skills, Japanese education system and our respective teaching positions, hierarchal structure, and team-building strategies.  Some past teachers, including those who were recently and suddenly evacuated, came to be guest speakers. They are longs days, starting with breakfast at 8am and ending after dinner by 8 or 9pm. All the teachers are hosted by a couple who live next to the sending church which is most convenient. I was given the music room…providentially. I'll happily mention that my bed/couch lies directly across from a 1937 restored Steinway grand piano. There are several musicians on the team and we've entertained ourselves easily in the short hours of freedom we're given. Each morning I have been faithful to don my Under Armor and step out into the frosty morning air at 6:15 and run along the country road until the sun comes up. A sacrifice, but it's for a noble cause considering all the food being prepared for us this week. 




There is a link worth checking out if you click here. This news report highlights the town where I am slated to teach with updated information. 




As for my personal plans, I will travel to my aunt's house in Virginia on Friday and stay for an undetermined amount of time, leaving my luggage secured here in Ohio. As I help with her B&B and keep my Grandpa out of trouble I will focus on spending quality time with my family and wait for the go-ahead from Japan. 




That's all for now, just a short update to keep you in the loop. I just realized I can access the internet here so please Skype me within the next few days!

You know those rare nights when you can cozy up on the couch by the fire, put in a good movie, munch on some popcorn, and let the world fade away as you completely zone out and relax at the end of a long week? 

The past few days I received numerous messages from all of you asking if my plans to fly to Japan were still in motion. Indeed, they are still intact.

However, the Wakakusa English Progam (WEP), in light of further meltdown of the Funehiki nuclear power plant and increased exposure risk, decided to evacuate all their American teachers from the country this weekend. This is a wise move, but will require a path down back roads that may or may not be passable considering damage from the earthquake still unknown. All major highways are closed.

What does this mean for me?

We like to think we have some control over our future--this proves otherwise.
Today I am supposed to pack up my house and move it up to Washington, but now I don't know where I should go or where I should stay.

My travel plans have not officially been cancelled, and will not be altered until that date arrives or there is a more definite time frame regarding safe living conditions in Funehiki. As you can imagine, this makes it difficult to leave. Radiation may continue to leak out of the reactors and pollute the country, or they might get it under control tomorrow and issue clearance in two weeks. The country could be closed to foreigners for two years. We simply do not know.

For now I will continue to pack since I need to vacate my house anyways, have lunch with my old college roommate, visit my friends, and pray for direction. 

What can you do to help???
The common response in a world crisis is to stay in front of the television and make compassionate remarks about the horrible situation. Instead, here are some tangible things to do:

1. Go to work. Appreciate the job you have, your family that was not lost in the tsunami, and the house that was not damaged in the earthquake.
2. Donate to a relief organization. Japan faces food, clean water, and gas shortages. Highways are closed. People are missing family members, living in gymnasiums, and some are still trapped.
3. Pray. Pray for Japan's government, for the eradication of radiation, for the survivors who have lost everything including family members, for world troops and relief organizations coordinating together, and ultimately for hope in Christ and their salvation. I can't imagine what life is like without hope.
4. Pray for me! Even though I am going to Washington, I will probably return to Oregon after Spring Break and try to continue interpreting. I will need a new place to stay during this time of limbo. Because it is indefinite, I will need to leave at short notice, yet be able to continue working as long as possible. 

Thank you for your concern and your support during this time. I am not afraid of my future because I know I serve a God who can command the wind and the waves, who can speak and make the sun stand still in the sky. He holds my life in His hands. 

My alarm was not set Friday morning. I had major plans though...plans to sleep in! However, thanks to all my loving and thoughtful friends I was woken up early in the morning hours to phone calls, texts, emails, and facebook posts all concerning my well-being.

I had no idea what these people were talking about.

"Are you okay?!?"

"Are you still going to Japan?!?"

"How is this going go affect your travel plans? Are you scared to go now?"

Umm...WHAT?

Uncle E. stayed up all night watching the latest broadcasts only to call my parents in a frenzy demanding to know my whereabouts. My old boss gave me a wake up call explaining about the huge earthquake in Japan and resulting tsunami waves. Naturally I was concerned for my Japanese friends who lived there, but I know Funehiki is far enough inland to avoid direct tsunami impact. 
I told him I was going to the Oregon coast later on in the day. He promptly informed me that Oregon's coast issued mandatory evacuations! The world is so small...

Naturally I was concerned for my brother, an avid surfer, living in Hawaii. I later found out that not only was he safe and sound indoors, but their all too-efficient tsunami warning system was keeping him awake at night, sounding a high-pitched siren every 30 minutes.

The situation grew worse when I learned that Funehiki is only 56K and due west of the nuclear power plant leaking radiation. If the winds don't change and blow east, they will have to prepare for more invasive damages indirectly caused by the quake. 

How does this affect my travel plans? So far, the Narita airport in Japan is still functioning even though it was temporarily closed on Friday the 11th. Funehiki is suffering power outages and minor cleanup from the quake, but is otherwise in livable condition. Currently the main concerns are aftershocks and possible contamination from the nuclear plant. I figure there is nothing to stop this kind of thing from happening in the U.S., so why try to avoid it by staying here. As of this moment, all plans are still set and in motion.

Thank you all for your concern! If you wish to follow up on your concern and positively impact this situation, please make a small (or large) donation to a relief organization such as the American Red Cross. You've all seen the devastation in Sendai and surrounding areas from the tsunamis that will require lots of people and funds to clean up. 

It's a small world; let's take care of our neighbors.

"So, are you getting ready to leave yet?"

That's the number one question I've fielded for the past four months. FOUR months people! You'd think they're trying to get rid of me. I'm sure it's all part of a government conspiracy, and probably ties into that one time when I accidently...nevermind.

No, I'm not getting ready. I'm trying to live my life here in Oregon and even checked things off of a "bucket list" I compiled from Portland's finest sights (according to some friends). 

First up: Voodoo Doughnuts, downtown Portland. Holy mackeral! Remember the Krispy Kreme rage a few years back? They have NOTHING on these people. You want a fresh, soft, tall, sweet doughnut? Want variety with a little quirk? Voodoo is the place for you. I would pay $5 for a doughnut there, but they don't even charge that much! May I suggest the Portland creme, and visit their less-crowded Sandy Blvd. store on the East side of the river. 

Second: OMSI, Oregon Museum of Science and something else I don't remember. This was a must-see on my friends' recommendations. While I admit that strolling around with my music buddy was a blast, it was very similar to my familiar Seattle Science Center which I've visited many times. The highlights for me were making a paper airplane that flew effortlessly in the wind tunnel...then folding an origami crane that also flew effortlessly in the wind tunnel! (See video). Also my pianist friend attempted to play a piece by composer Maurice Ravel on an eight-note major scale hand-pump organ. It was fabulous.

Third: Helvetia Tavern, Helvetia, OR. What can I say? Awesome cheeseburgers and awesome friends! Make a reservation for large groups on a Sunday afternoon.

Fourth: Portland opera. I saw Pucchini's "Turandot" with a friend on opening night.  After a few acts of critical viewing, I watched the curtain fall with a gaping mouth. I believe my first comment was, "That chic is messed up and totally didn't deserve him." The music, on the other hand, was worth every penny! The plus: student rush tix are a mere $10 if you're willing to wait in line. The minus: Even though box 4 is completely empty they will still make you sit in the balcony. Bring your binoculars. 

Fifth: Portland International Film Festival: While this was not officially on my list, I'm glad I had the opportunity to attend a few short films representative of several countries. I heartily recommend this annual festival  (PIFF) to everyone with an open mind and willing to read subtitles.

Sixth: Portland Lindy Hop Exchange: Again, not initially on my bucket list but this annual three-day event draws Lindy/ECS/Blues dancers from all over Oregon and Washington! Live bands were the highlight for me. 

Seventh: Portland Japanese Gardens: Will happen in the next few days :)

Eighth: Portland Zoo: Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to comfort all the poor confined beasts in their cages.