Asia Day

David's institute celebrates its international makeup and honors its diverse community by hosting several cultural events throughout the year.  Each spring an international dinner is organized and everyone (including staff, researchers, and family members) bring a dish from their own country to share.  In June there is a Midsummer party hosted by the Europeans (particularly the Scandinavians) to commemorate the summer solstice.  In early July, a ginormous pancake breakfast is prepared by the Canadian members for the entire institute to celebrate the nation's birthday.  Following this, comes the American sponsored 4th of July party with hotdogs, hamburgers, water balloon fights, a pickup baseball game, and some good old Rock 'n' Roll tunes.

Last week there was a massive Asia Day party to honor all of the Asian nations represented at the institute.  This particular party is usually the biggest and most well attended of all the international events throughout the year.  The food served is delish and diverse and I found myself returning for thirds and forths as if I wouldn't be fed again for a week.  My favorite dish?  Hm, maybe the coconut dessert drink.  But the Malaysian spring rolls were a close second favorite.  David dug the kimchi, but that's not too surprising.  Spicy, fermented cabbage is his kryptonite.  Aside from the impressive amount of the tasty homemade Asian dishes, the fashion show, Chinese dancing, and karaoke really set this event over the top.  No wonder it's an institute favorite.  It's mine too.

Fashion Show

Kinder

 

Asian Feast

Chinese dancing and Filipino singing 

The captivated audience

The event took place on the lawn behind the institute's restaurant

A little origami to boot

 

I'm not totally certain about the other events being held in the fall.  However I do know that there's talk of an Africa Day coming up.  Come November there's certain to be a Thanksgiving dinner and in December, either a Winter Ball or Christmas dinner (these events alternate each year).

Our Hearts Go Out to You

To our brothers and sisters in Norway, our hearts go out to you.  What happened in Oslo and Utoya is an irremediable tragedy of a massive scale.  The international community stands united with you in condemning what's happened.  Terrorism is just so awful, no matter who is behind it. 

Sending love and strength to our Norwegian neighbors.

Miyagi ni Kaettara

As many of you know from our earlier posts, Sendai, Japan holds a very special place in our hearts. This video illustrates why, among 100 other reasons, we adore it so. We love you Miyagi! We are certainly planning to come back. We WILL come back!

"Yotei - Miyagi ni Kaettara" = "Plan - When you come back Miyagi"


Here's another uplifting video -- this one highlighting Fukushima. The Japanese people's strong spirit, unflappable determination, exceptional patience, collective discipline, unselfishness, altruism, and truly impressive optimism in the face of unimaginable adversity will never seize to amaze me.

"I love you and I Need You"


Their moxie is inspirational!

The Act of Giving

Well, if there is anything that can cheer me up during this time, it's most definitely opening my mailbox today and finding my sister's first published children's book inside!


It's such a moving book, and Lydia -- along with her co-author, Barbara Meyers -- did a truly beautiful job writing about two little girls and their parallel stories with hair problems. As the jacket cover reads, "One wants her hair to be longer; the other has lost her hair because of cancer treatment and would just like it back." Throughout the story, each girl (and reader!) gains a greater appreciation for the acts of giving and receiving. It's inspiring, really. Thank you Lyd & Barbara for writing this book and making a difference in the world.
* To buy the book in the US, click here.
* My European friends can buy the book here.
* For my Austrialian friends, this is your link.

And since we're on the topic of giving. . . I also wanted to share with you The St. Baldrick's Foundation. My Kentucky cousins have been involved with this event for many years. Each St. Patrick's Day (or the following weekend) these brave boys shave their heads to stand in solidarity with children who have cancer. They raise money through this event which is then donated to fund childhood cancer research. You can check out their team's page here.

An appropriate quote from The Long and Short of It: "The thing about growing out your hair is that some people do it just to give it to others," (p. 14). Way to go Cole & Liam! We're really proud of you!

The handsome Gallagher boys.

Additionally, I wanted to post a couple of links to sources where you can donate to the relief effort in northern Japan. Please, please consider making a contribution to help the survivors of our beloved Miyagi-ken.

• American Red Cross: Japan Earthquake & Pacific Tsunami Relief
• Peace Winds Japan (via Mercy Corps)
• Second Harvest Japan
• Japan Emergency NGOs
  
• Save the Children
• International Medical Corps
  

Here are a couple of links to websites where the proceeds of your purchase go to Japan.

• The Sun Will Rise Again T-Shirt (100% of your $20 purchase goes to the Japanese Red Cross)
• Lady Gaga's Japan Earthquake Relief Wristband

And for those animal lovers out there, watch this video and then donate to GlobalAnimal.org.

• Global Animal: All of the donations go to Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue & Support
  

Another one of our pictures of a calm, peaceful, untroubled Matsushima Bay. May these days return to the Japanese people soon.

O Miyagi!

On March 11, our beloved Miyagi Prefecture was hit by an earthquake of 8.9 magnitude followed by a tsunami and several on-going aftershocks. As many of you know, David and I lived in Sendai (the capital of Miyagi) during 2004-05 where we taught English to high school students with the Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) Program. This was a magical year for us when we not only created incredible memories teaching and traveling, but we also established very special friendships with our fellow JETs and the people of Japan. Our hearts have been crushed by the horrific news and we're finding it very difficult to sit and wait patiently for information from our friends that they're okay. Fortunately, the area of Sendai where David and I lived is about 7 miles inland and about 1 mile southwest of the city center where reports have shown that only minor earthquake damage was done. Presumably, our schools were not touched by the flooding.

It's unbelievable to us that the coastal communities of Miyagi have experienced such devastation. Watari, Natori, Ishinomaki, Kesennumma, Shiogama, and of course, Matsushima, each hold a special place in our hearts for various reasons: our first day at the beach, a favorite sushi restaurant, the Tanabata festival, countless JET parties(!), a weekend camping trip, 4th of July run/bike celebration to the beach, sakura viewing, and much more.

In honor of our cherished Miyagi and it's celebrated Matsushima Bay (famous for some 260 tiny islands covered in pines and ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful places), I'm sharing the haiku poem "Matsushima" by Matsuo Basho. The story of the poem dates back to 1689, when the haiku master Basho visited Matsushima on his famous trip recorded in his travelogue "Narrow Road to the Deep North."

Matsushima ah!
A-ah, Matsushima, ah!
Matsushima, ah!

Sometimes, words just aren't enough to describe how beautiful something is. I felt the same way Basho did every time I stepped off the train in Matsushima and indeed every time I returned home to the beautiful city of Sendai, "Mori no miyako" (the City of Trees).

Sending all of our positive thoughts and prayers to our Japanese family -- the warmest, most generous, and strongest people we know!

Me & David at Matsushima Bay in 2004