of Tsunami Warnings and Earthquake

It was last March 14, when i was driving to bring the two volunteers to Kessenuma when the Tsunami warning on my phone starts to go crazy. I never understand what was happening. Firetrucks serins were blasting, calling people to go to a higher level. Police cars stopping us to pass by the sea. It`s the first since i arrived here last October and i can really sensed that fear is in the air. With just a year after the tsunami and the earthquake last March 11, the coming of this earthquake and tsunami warning proved that we are not yet safe here. I was calling my priest companion at the base and asking him what are they doing. And i also do the same as i was driving the two to Kessenuma.

Am just glad that after two hours, they lift the tsunami warnings, so we could pass by the normal road and will make our travel time shorter when we go home.

Images of Hope and Perseverance

It`s been a year since the great Tohoku Earthquake and succeeding tsunami that brought a huge destruction in Ofunato and in areas near the sea. I was sent to help the foreigners in the Ofunato and in the areas like Miyagi and Fukushima. Today i have witnessed the hope and perseverance of the people who wanted to show to the world that they are never bowed down. It`s an inspiring moment when people offered a silent prayer when the clock hit 2:46, the time where the strong earthquake struck and at 3:20, the time when the tsunami hit the city of Ofunato.

Am sharing some of my pictures. Do offer a silent prayer for the victims who lost their loved ones, children, mother, father, a relative, a friend. and offer prayers too to the people who are left behind and still hoping to find their lost loved ones last tsunami.

HomeSick

He endured the cold nights waiting for his bus to Tokyo. He opened his iBook and read through the novel. After about 30 minutes, he decided its time to get some sleep. But sleeping is not that easy for him as he is use to say. The bumpy bus ride does not provide the comfort of a bed. Half asleep half awake. That's how he goes through the ordeal everytime he travels by bus. But he has no choice, it's the only comfortable travel to Tokyo without driving a car.

When he arrived in Tokyo, he went down as fast as he could, went to the nearest McDonald restaurant that opens early. Grab a coffee and take a very nice place to sleep.

He dreamed of his hometown. He just hope he is near the seashore, sitting by the seaside, listening to the waves and children playing.

Yes that's the reality of being out of the country for sometime. Your homesick especially when winter gets too harsh and too long.

A sad Guy

While taking a hot bath this afternoon, I wonder why I feel so lonely?

Loneliness is a choice. As well as being happy. Am getting tired of pleasing people and smile in front of them because I know I am not happy and am in trouble.

The best stress reliever they say is seeing some old pictures, especially the happy ones. I did it and well I can say am a bit energized by the happy memories I had in Belguim, Germany and my trips to Singapore, Thailand And Korea.

Yet I need someone to talk to. Is there anyone who can spare their time for a sad guy?

Sunday and more

Today I have really tried to take the opportunity to relax and just be myself this day.

After the mass I went home together with Marife and we talked about our upcoming schedules and some problems with the community. Well we are not a perfect community, but we are doing what we can to learn to do things that will really benefit all people not only the Filipinos but also the Japanese as well.

In the evening I met Matata my African confrere who works in Tokyo. As he introduced me to his colleague I could only see how surprised they are and ask me "are you staying here?" are you assigned here?"
I have not done any great things here in my assignment now, never started any big projects. I just journey with people. Am fully aware that what I am doing is not enough. But it's enough to show to the victims of the tsunami here in Ofunato area that we are here ready to journey with you

Bringing Secrets to Light

We all have secrets. i keep mine because, i would feel betrayed if people talked about my secrets. in most cases people would not love me or ignore me, if they know what i feel and think. i feel that keeping my secrets would protect my self, my family, and my career because it would be shameful, guilt-ridden, and dark, if people got to know my deepest self. in most cases, keeping secrets leads to depression and rejection.

But one of the best thing to do with our secrets is to share them in a safe place, with people we trust. When we have a good way to bring our secrets into light and can look at them with others, we will quickly discover that we are not alone with our secrets and that our trusting friends will love us more deeply and more intimately than before.

Bringing our secrets into light creates community and inner healing. As a result of sharing secrets, not only will others love us better but we will love ourselves more fully and accept who we are

Tired?

Sometimes you get tired of too much anger in your heart, you just want to stop all the things that bothering you. The question is how? When everyday you meet the same person who bothers you.

Put more mask? No more am tired. An tired of pretending. It's high time that we need to sit down and talk what is happening to us. If you are ready to sit with me and talk about our troubled, maybe it will save both of us from troubles that we don't want to express. Let's stop this and focus our energies to a more creative effort.