Tuesday, March 15, 2011

we....here in Nagasaki...are okay!!!

oh, my dear friends, i'm so sorry for taking so long getting a message to you from here.
the last few days have been crazy, but....
we.
are.
okay.

nagasaki city is actually so far away from the areas hardest hit by the earthquake and tsunami that most people didn't even know about what happened until they got home from work on friday night.

if you look on a map, tokyo and sendai and fukushima are on the island of honshu...we are on kyushu, in the southern part of the main islands.  i asked my students yesterday and they said that nagasaki city is about 1500 kilometers from tokyo and sendai is another 800 kilometers or so from there.

your concern for our safety has been almost overwhelming.
i'm trying to get back to people who sent messages but it's taking me time...but, please know, that your thoughts have been like {{hugs}} in this most darkest of times here in japan.

if you would like to help the efforts here and you don't know where to go, you can click on this link and get some sites to go to.
 my friend, tommy, (yet another friend that i've never actually met!!) at a san diego radio station posted this over on that "social network" site....click on this link for a list of places accepting donations.
go....click here.

another place would be  the american red cross.  they actually give 91cents to every dollar donated to the targeted area.
another most excellent site would be the second harvest group....
if you are here in japan,click on the link, they have a list of non-food items that they desperately need.

thank you, my friends.
i'll try to post again soon...the latest nuclear power plant explosions are causing some concern, but we are trying to keep it all calm and as normal as possible.

please keep this beautiful country that i have called "home" for the last 20 years in your thoughts and prayers...and really...go and click on one of those links...help if you can.

*hug picture from google images*





10 comments:

smalltownme said...

Another trustworthy organization is Direct Relief International.

http://www.directrelief.org/

They are based down the street from where my husband works and they "send shipments of medical equipment and supplies worldwide to help the victims of civil unrest, natural disasters and chronic poverty." I can't say it better than they can.

Hugs to you Debbie, your family, friends, and everyone.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I'm so happy to have been able to know right away, via FB, that you were okay.

I am loyal to the Red Cross because I saw firsthand how competent they were when we were evacuated (twice) during wildfires. For some reason how well equipped they were for pets impressed me.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad that all of you are OK although, as I had said in my most recent reply, based on where the most major damage was/is and where you are, I was pretty sure you were OK. I'm so very, very glad but am still thinking of those poor, innocent people in the northern part of Japan. Earthquake...tsunami...radiation exposure. So, SO sad. We have made our donations to the appropriate places.

Nancy said...

Debbie...thanks so much for letting us know that you,your family and your area are all fine.Prayers continue for Japan and everyone affected by the tragedy.I had also looked on a map to see where Nagasaki is located and felt in my heart that your area was fine.

Janet said...

hugs, Debbie!!!

Unknown said...

So thankful that you and your family are safe. My prayers are with Japan and it's precious people.

Mr Farty said...

*Breathes a sigh of relief*

And now I know where Nagasaki is.

Even here in Scotland, we worry about our friends in Japan.

xxx

Pernicious Panda said...

I read here but never comment. Just wanted to de-lurk to let you know how releived I am that you've posted and that you and your family are okay. Thanks for the update.

Pretty Things said...

SOOO glad you're ok!

Hula Girl at Heart said...

So glad your family is okay, but as I read your posts I can't help but remember how many of us felt right after 9/11. We weren't necessarily at Ground Zero, but our hearts aches for our country. As I watch the events continue to unfold in Japan, I just feel a sincere sadness for everyone there. I hope this disaster continues to leave you safe.