I am attempting to describe our the situation here in Japan after three successive disasters. The 9.0 Earthquake and its continuous aftershocks, the tsunami affecting the Tohoku area and the on-going attempts to deal with the damage at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear power plant. I hope to shed some … [Read more...]
“To hug or not to hug”
I tried explaining to a couple of people the opportunity we were given the last four days to experience both joy and sadness. In an effort to avoid being melodramatic, it was still difficult to explain without tears. Tears of gratitude, empathy, sadness and awe at the fortitude of Toshiaki's family, … [Read more...]
Red Tape
A seemingly simple task of getting a drivers license was at the top of Toshiaki's list of "things to do" before heading to his hometown in Yamada. Not knowing what was in store for him, he wanted to be prepared to drive relatives if need be or except any volunteer work that might need driving … [Read more...]
What Drives Change?
This website serves to examine and question what drives change and how to make needed changes. Some key drivers are energy consumption, consumerism, technology and demographics, and as well as natural disaster, all leading to environmental changes. I will attempt to bring a human face to these … [Read more...]
First week in Japan
Things have been going well here for us. We have spent the majority of the last week and a half getting paperwork done like alien registration, filing with the city ward, getting our national health insurance card (our first 10 month premium is $290. for 10 months! for both of us!), drivers license, … [Read more...]