Now, the Tohoku region is steeped in rebuilding efforts. It warms my heart every time I hear about a new initiative to help those affected by the disaster. People, especially JETs, have been doing their best to raise awareness about the challenges of life post-3/11. Hiroshima JET Estelle Hebert is filming a doc about the effects of the tsunami on a small Miyagi-ken fishing village. Fukushima JETs have launched the Eyes 4 Fukushima nonprofit, in an effort to raise money through akabeko t-shirt sales and help support community groups. And I wrote a short reflection about how the new gymnasium will breathe new life into Motomiya 2nd JHS.
Mostly, I remember the strong sense of community that emerged especially after those initial days after the big quake.
Assorted slices of life from those first few days: Clutching the hands of my Japanese co-workers, as the earthquake rocked us on the second-floor of our school building. Tetsuya, one of my students, who came over with a fresh bottle of drinking water for me. B. coming over to fetch me so that the Adachi crew would be together. The MOS Burger guy opening up shop, despite the electric and water outage. Camping out with the Adachi crew. Watching the news with my friends. Wondering why the newscasters wore construction hard hats indoors. Wondering how parts of Tohoku were swallowed up by dark waters. Not believing how many lives were lost or unaccounted for. Getting acquainted with JETs, who graciously opened up their doors to dozens of us so we could stay together. Ben kicking me in his sleep. Conflicting news reports. The extended bus ride from Aizu to Nagano, then the shinkansen ride to Tokyo. Being sleep-deprived and going through a whirlwind of emotions. That annoying "-po--po-po-pon!" commercial. Crying over the phone, as my BoE urged me to return back to Motomiya. Anzai-sensei reassuring me I could stay with his family. Finding relief when my texts and phone calls made it through to friends. Sanpei-san, who was my Japanese father/supervisor, giving me a big hug and clutching my face. Reuniting with friends in Tokyo. My brother notifying my parents and my extended fam that I was doing ok. Crashing with my cousin, his wife and their comforting Maine Coone in Harajuku. Watching the "Coop and Goop" with L. on CNN, as they discussed radiation readings. Laughing at Anderson Cooper, who had posted a "selfie" shot of himself in a helicopter overlooking Koriyama. Reuniting with my parents at Narita about a week after the quake. Flying back to Canada, and having some of my extended fam specifically drive over to see me at Toronto-Lester B. Pearson Airport for five seconds before we boarded our connecting flight to Ottawa. Feeling hella conflicted about voluntarily leaving. Losing a friendship along the way. Reinforcing friendships. Learning about the importance of resilience.
がんばれ福島、がんばれ東北、がんばれ日本. I love you, baby, Fukushima.
