Japan.

I can't believe the news, so sad to see the footage of the tsunami's destruction in Japan.  I can't imagine what those people must be going through, what they must have been thinking, how freaked out they were. 

We were so worried about my sister in law, as she's a Jet student teaching English in Japan.  The department of home affairs phoned my mom in law to tell her they had a call from the Japanese government, they know where she is and she's fine. 

Relief.  Still, I can't help but think about it.  Later when we actually heard back from her, she said she's perfectly ok and it's business as usual in Fukui.  Her only real concern is the nuclear reactors.  She gave us a link to read the news, you can check it out here if you'd like - it's an English version of the Japanese news.

What's scary is seeing the before and after satellite photos.  Some places are just a smudge now, where things used to be, where people used to live. 

Cherry blossom dreams...

Soon my sister in law will be leaving for Japan.  What a wonderful opportunity!  I'm so happy for her and really hope that she will feel at home over there.  I would really love it if we could visit her one day, in Spring, to see the cherry blossom trees!  I think initially she's going over for a year, and then if she wants to stay she will need to get approval from the committee.  She's going over there to teach English.  I'm so excited for her!!!  


We met for lunch at a Thai restaurant recently, and it was really nice chatting and hearing about everything she's learnt so far, including what to do, what not to do, how to dress, and how to greet and bow.  She said staple diet will be rice, noodles, veggies and sushi.  Apparently she would need to bow lower than her elders.  I hope she will be able to bow nicely, she's quite tall! I also heard that most the keypads at the ATMs are in Japanese!  Hope she learns quick quick.  Imagine being stranded with your new bank card, and no idea how to get your money?


Here are some photos I found on photobucket, doesn't it look beautiful?  I can't wait to see the actual photos she's going to take when she's there.