Teasing to Admiration
Again, thank you for everyone's concern and messages. I live in Okayama-ken, in the Chugoku region. Unless a major one like 2012 comes along, I'm save from all tsunami as I'm surrounded by mountains. This region also has very few earthquake. And growing up in Vancouver, a city where we're constantly preparing for the "big one", I have been taught well on handling earthquake situations.
At the moment, I am most concern with the power plants in Fukushima. There are a lot of mix information out there, but... I have yet to find a reliable source. The TV talks about it, but I don't understand what they're saying at all. I know better to trust international ones (especially from America) cause they're bound to blow things way out of proportions.
And, while on the topic of America, I can't help but notice that a lot of reports are trying to catch people panicking in this distress situation. Well, you're not going to find any of that here. Reports after reports, people are praising Japanese for being so very calm and organized in this situation: lines are form automatically, people of all ages doing what they can to help, and the way citizens are following through with the government's request is just amazing. Someone has translated some of the tweets that has been found about the altruistic acts they have witness the past few days.
There were times when us ALTs joked, even if a kid is super bad in all aspect, he will always follow the simple rule (and what seem ridiculous to a lot of us) of changing into his gym shoes before entering the school gym. And then there are the teasing like how Japanese love to line-up for things. Well, honestly, there's something we can learn from the Japanese here. For whatever the reason, all these things us foreigners find ridiculous about the Japanese culture, is biting back at us right now. One of the reasons why I love Japanese culture, is cause of their strict, being respectful custom. Even in China you kind really help that kind of strictness pass on from generation to generation anymore.
I was hesitant to go out this weekend cause of what happened. I feel bad for enjoying myself, or even having a warm meal, while there are so many others up north that's suffering. But, like Keiko said, this is a helplessness feeling. And, while learning to accept it will be difficult, it has to be done.