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I can't donate, but I drew this.

I hope their recovery goes smoothly.The video of the tsunami swallowing the greenhouses and crops,and sweeping away the houses broke my heart.

♥

You all are wonderful. Thank you. ♥

In memory of my dad. It's not much but I hope it helps them be able to rebuild. I'll pray for them during my meditation tonight.

That reminds me of a quote from Dinotopia (I'm a nerd, I know), it was one of their laws that said "A drop of water raises the sea." It means that every action helps, no matter how small.

I will definitely be keeping Japan and all the other countries affected in my thoughts ♥

♥

...

I wanted to mention something that happened during my meditation last night:

I did a three-part meditation using three different tools - my mala (prayer beads), my baoding chime balls, and the labyrinth stone my mom gave me. I also have a Buddha that holds a tealight, which I light during the meditation. I sit in darkness and watch the flame while I meditate.

I prayed for everyone affected by the earthquake in Japan, as well as all natural disasters while using the mala. Then when I switched to the baoding balls, I began to speak, "This is for everyone who has died--", and meant to continue with the words "from the earthquake" or "from natural disasters", but I was cut off by a bizarre event - my candle flickered violently, which it never does unless I breathe on it, and also I felt my body surge and react strangely.

I am a fan of Ghost Adventures, and after seeing that this kind of an event may mean that a ghost or a spirit is present, I took it very seriously that someone may have been thanking me or had been there with me at that moment. I turned and petted Brandy as soon as it happened since dogs are supposedly able to detect ghosts when they appear, but she didn't really respond (she was asleep on my bed).

Anyway, I continued the meditation and didn't have any other reactions, but I thought it was very strange that it happened immediately after I said "This is for everyone who has died". I try not to be very superstitious but I do believe in ghosts. I never felt in any danger or that the energy was negative in any way - in fact, I felt a little startled but strangely comforted when it happened. Who knows?

Anyway, just wanted to share that with you.

did you hear about the nuclear plant? the earthquake messed up the reactors and if the core gets too hot it will explode. the people said it would be like another Chernobyl..

harlequinn: I did.. I hope that it does not happen. It will not be good for any of us... but especially those poor people.

Bluejay: that's so wonderful, you have a big heart. I wish you all the luck in the world. ♥

Earthquake activity

Looks like there are continuing earthquakes to the east of Japan.

Translation of Renji's comment:

"Sorry to write this in Japanese.
3.11 there was a large earthquake in my country of Japan.
From 3.11 two weeks have passed, but even now there are 'aftershocks' and it's very frightening.

Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Iwate.... Many places were damaged by earthquakes and tsunami. It's difficult to help the victims of such great destruction by Japan's power alone. I would like to thank everyone for kindly lending us their strength.

Nature is very great, gentle and beautiful... and very frightening. I am praying for everyone's health and happiness from my heart."


Renji-san he- Renji-san no gokazoku wa ikaga desuka? Sundeiru hen ga atta jishin to yoshin to chikai desuka? Daijoubu? messe-ji wo kaitekureta yokatta desu.
minna ha nihon no koto wo mada oboeteimasu yo. watashi ga jishin ga atta kara, ganbatte okane wo okurou to shiteite, nihon de iru tomodachi to renraku wo totteimasu. The Endless Forest no minna mo dondon okane wo hodokashiteimasu.
osoroshikutemo ganbatte hoshii desu. konna hidoi koto mo sugosu kara, dekiru dake hisaisha wo tasukete, tomodachi mo kazoku mo daiji shite, ashita wo tachimashou ne.

<3 for those poor people out there. A bit delayed I know, but my prayers go out to them.

Also, Japanese is a gorgeous language. That alone makes them awesome beyond belief. <3

My Japanese is weak, too, but I think even a single word of encouragement can reach across the sea.

Translation:
"I deeply appreciate everyone's support and aid to Japan. I sincerely thank you."
Renji's family is alright, she lives in Yokohama and so is a little separate from the quakes.


Renji-san no gokazoku wa buji de nani yori desu ne. Konna hidoi koto wa ookisugiru no ni, hitori no hito demo nanika dekiru to shinjiteimasu. Karada wo ki wo tsukete kudasai.

just bumping this. I know people will get mad, but I'm sorry. Japan had another 7.0 earthquake today. They're not out of the woods yet.

I've done all I can on my part.. all I can do is pray and hope now.

I heard about that quake. 5 miles off the coast. And they're calling it an aftershock! O_o The Circle of Fire needs to take a rest already.

Just a little update about my fundraising attempt:

It was canceled due to bad weather ='[ but me and those who were scheduled to take part went round asking for money - we got just under £200 - then gave it the Japanese Red Cross people! All well, ends well ^-^

That is so heartbreaking, Renji-san. But Eyestrain is right. Take care of yourself and then do what you can for others only if you feel up to the challenge. Don't destroy your own health for others. They'll be alright; your people are strong. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and many of us are donating money and doing little things to assist you and your fellow Japanese. Be strong, you are not alone. <3

Eyestrain; you're a real sweetheart for doing all of this; the fund-raising, the translating... Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. We all appreciate this, and admire you for it. So, once again, thank you. <3

I know the feeling. Honestly I'm crying a little bit right now. I wish we could do more, I really do.

It'll be okay, though. You'll see. Japan and it's people will come out of his horrible event stronger than ever. <3

Continue what you're doing, because even if you think what you're doing isn't enough, it is certainly helping many people.

Exactly. And that was such a beautiful description. I'm a little speechless.