keep your mind wide open

“keep an open mind,” said my dad last year, “and look for opportunities to learn and do new things…”

and so I just remembered, and I will listen. work is getting very, very dry. but I guess if I volunteer for as many new/different things as possible, it will keep things fresh and challenging. that way, I think it’ll be easier to stick around longer :)

****

we have real heroes working at the fukushima plant. real heroes. because even I am cowardly for being afraid of going there to help cus of the radiation risks. it is because of their sacrificial efforts that the rest of us are spared from nuclear catastrophe. thank you, so much. and may God protect you.

Japan

less than 1% of the population is Christian. that’s less than 1% of Japanese who know God.

why, Lord…

it really pains my heart to see the footage of the earthquake and tsunami, imagining what people there went through, what they are going through as the earthquakes continue. loss of homes and lives. 2011 is looking to be very, very bad the world over. I really wish I could do something. like fly over to help people recover in the aftermath of this disaster… Japan holds a very special place in my heart- the people, the land, all so dear. I want to have a part to play in helping them rebuild their lives. I also want to help them get to know the most wonderful God.

4 years ago I had a thought about this. and now it has again stirred me within, stronger than ever. really, what is my purpose, my mission?? I want to know. I need You to tell me ever so clearly. until now, I’m still not sure.

all this devastation in the country. and they still have to face the imminent tokai earthquake. and that will affect nagoya. I still remember what some friends once told me back then when I still there. I asked them about the tokai earthquake and if they were scared; they told me that there was nothing they could do but just live as per normal until it happened, and whatever happened to them then, they could not and would not be able to control.

it was a feeling of such helplessness and destitution.

help, Lord. and give them hope. please help, please.

white fields and magical lands

Nippon is the place to be. my long awaited return to Nagoya did not disappoint. and it was an absolutely magical 4 days. very little had changed in the time I was gone and all the sweet memories forged during my time there came rushing back. and not to forget, the new memories from this time round – for keeps as well.

could anybody be as fortunate to catch the first snow fall of the winter on just a weekend trip? how about perfect powder soft snow for a day ski trip? nothing but perfect timing from God, undoubtedly all part of his lovely plan.

again, His grace abounds and my grateful debt increases. thank you God for everything.

happee new year

new years should always be happy. because its a precious gift from God. so *happy* new year to all who may read this! :)

do not check work email. do not check work email. do NOTTT check work email.

n i p p o n

kenji johjima leaves the mariners

he has decided to return to Japan! all the best, kenji! I’m gonna miss watching him when the mariners play now but at least ichiro and his 200hit seasons will still be there – the main reason I’m a huge fan of the mariners hehe. maybe when I move back to Japan someday I’ll go visit kenji, since fukudome is no longer in nagoya. (on a side note, I wonder how ibata is doing these days…)

anyway, I submitted my psych report yesterday. yet another 1 down. 1 TO GO. it’s hard to believe that (hopefully) by the end of this week I will almost be like a free bird, released from its cage. and the rest of the enclosure disappears nov6…

3 years on…

I just remembered… today marks 3 years from the day I left for happyland- 名古屋、愛知県、日本。 I really miss the place, the good times, my family… the takoyaki, the okonomiyaki, the udon… Mitsukoshi, Matsuzakaya, Daiei… Mao Asada, Miki Ando, Midori Ito… Fukudome, Ibata, the chunichi doragonz… Hoshigaoka, Nagoyako, Sakae… I’m definitely gonna go back one day…