Awaiting The Next Dawn....

2011-11-05T19:37:00.001+08:00

It's a Saturday evening, I'm still in office, I just booked a ticket for the advance showing of "You Are The Apple Of My Eye" at 23 20 later tonight and I wonder why I'm such a sucker for such feel-good movies.

Psalm 23

2011-09-26T22:22:00.003+08:00

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

- Psalm 23

An Old Friend~

2011-04-16T14:13:00.002+08:00

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

The above was the signature of a fellow EDMWer.

I googled and found that it was part of the lyrics of "Sound of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel.

Somehow, it resonated with me.

I don't know about you but lately, I have come to realise that I am really my own best friend.

For in the deepest throes of darkness, I still have myself.

True measure of a society

2011-03-14T21:16:00.003+08:00

Japanese people have been very open on Twitter about their experiences following the quake. These snippets of what moved them and touched them during these very trying times are heart-warming. I have attempted a rough translation on some of them so that you can have a read.

Please continue to pray for the people in Japan.

I hope these mini-stories will bring strength and encouragement to my friends and family in Japan by letting them know that, not only does the world sympathize with them, it looks up to them in admiration! My thoughts are with you.

---------------------------------------------------

* ディズニーランドでの出来事

http://twitter.com/unosuke/status/46376846505426944

ディズニーランドでは、ショップのお菓子なども配給された。ちょっと派手目な女子高生たちが必要以上にたくさんもらってて「何だ？」って一瞬思ったけど、その後その子たちが、避難所の子供たちにお菓子を配っていたところ見て感動。子供連れは動けない状況だったから、本当にありがたい心配りだった

At Tokyo Disneyland:

Tokyo Disneyland was handing out its shops’ food and drinks for free to the stranded people nearby. I saw a bunch of snobby looking highschool girls walking away with large portions of it and initially though “What the …” But I later I found out they were taking them to the families with little children at emergency evacuation areas. Very perceptive of them, and a very kind thing to do indeed.

* 国連からのメッセージ

http://twitter.com/akitosk/status/46302222346223616

国連からのコメント「日本は今まで世界中に援助をしてきた援助大国だ。今回は国連が全力で日本を援助する。」に感動した。良い事をしたら戻ってくるのです。これがいい例なのです

Message from the UN

Secretary General Ban Ki Moon: “Japan is one of (the UN’s) most generous and strongest benefactors, coming to the assistance of those in need the world over. In that spirit, the United Nations stands by the people of Japan and we will do anything and everything we can at this very difficult time.” I was moved at his words. What better example that good things happen to those who do good.

* 渋滞した交差点での出来事

http://twitter.com/micakom/status/46264887281848320

一回の青信号で１台しか前に進めないなんてザラだったけど、誰もが譲り合い穏やかに運転している姿に感動した。複雑な交差点で交通が５分以上完全マヒするシーンもあったけど、１０時間の間お礼以外のクラクションの音を耳にしなかった。恐怖と同時に心温まる時間で、日本がますます好きになった。

At a congested downtown intersection …

Cars were moving at the rate of maybe one every green light, but everyone was letting each other go first with a warm look and a smile. At a complicated intersection, the traffic was at a complete standstill for 5 minutes, but I listened for 10 minutes and didn’t hear a single beep or honk except for an occasional one thanking someone for giving way. It was a terrifying day, but scenes like this warmed me and made me love my country even more.

* 揺れている最中でも・・・

http://twitter.com/gj_neko26/statuses/46394706481004544

聞いた話でびっくりしたのが、とっさに「入口の確保」と揺れてるにも関わらず、あの状況で歩いて入口を開けた人が居たのが凄いと思った。正直、シャンデリアも証明も何時落ちるか分からないのに、凄く勇敢な人が居た事に感動した。

During the earthquake

We’ve all been trained to immediately open the doors and establish an escape route when there is an earthquake. In the middle of the quake while the building was shaking crazily and things falling everywhere, a man made his way to the entrance and held it open. Honestly, the chandelier could have crashed down any minute … that was a brave man!

* バス停で・・・

http://twitter.com/yunico_jp/status/46168394755612672

バスが全然来ない中、@saiso が、バス停の前にある薬局でカイロを買ってきて、並んで待ってる人みんなに配った！

Bus stop mini episode:

It was freezing and bus was taking ages to arrive. “@saiso” left the queue to run to a nearby pharmacy. He bought heating pads and gave one to everyone in the queue!

* ディズニーシーにて

http://twitter.com/kfstudio/status/46390032776437760

ディズニーシーに一泊した娘、無事帰宅しました！キャストのみなさんが寒い中でも笑顔で接してくれて不安を感じることなく過ごせたそうです。防寒のカイロやビニール袋、夜・朝の軽食と飲み物、おやつまで。ディズニーの素晴らしさに感動です。頑張ってくれたキャストさん、ほんとにありがとう！！

Thank you Tokyo Disney Sea

My daughter who was staying at DisneySea just made it back home! Many, many thanks to the staff who worked very hard in the cold with ready smiles that made her to feel safe and secure during the entire night. They brought her food, drinks, snacks, heating pads, and anything necessary to ensure she was comfortable and secure throughout her stay. I was touched by the Disney staff’s warmth and hospitality. Thank you so much!

* 日本人の良さを再認識

http://twitter.com/VietL/status/46376383592677376

この地震が、きっかけになって、失いかけていた日本人本来の良さが戒間見れた気がする。犯罪はする様子はなく、助け合い、律儀、紳士的。普段日本人は冷たい人が多い…。って個人的に感じてるんだけど、多くの人が今回で「絆」を取り戻しつつあるように見えて、それがなんか感動して、泣けてくる。

Reminded of the goodness of the Japanese people

This earthquake has reminded me of that Japanese goodness that had recently become harder and harder to see. Today I see no crime or looting: I am reminded once again of the good Japanese spirit of helping one another, of propriety, and of gentleness. I had recently begun to regard my modern countrymen as cold people … but this earthquake has revived and given back to all of us the spirit of “kizuna” (bond, trust, sharing, the human connection). I am very touched. I am brought to tears.

* 段ボールに感動

http://twitter.com/aquarius_rabbit/status/46213254376210432

ホームで待ちくたびれていたら、ホームレスの人達が寒いから敷けって段ボールをくれた。いつも私達は横目で流してるのに。あたたかいです。

Card board boxes, Thank you!

It was cold and I was getting very weary waiting forever for the train to come. Some homeless people saw me, gave me some of their own cardboard boxes and saying “you’ll be warmer if you sit on these!” I have always walked by homeless people pretending I didn’t see them, and yet here they were offering me warmth. Such warm people.

* 外国人から見た日本人

http://twitter.com/kiritansu/status/46335057689980928

外国人から見た地震災害の反応。物が散乱しているスーパーで、落ちているものを律儀に拾い、そして列に黙って並んでお金を払って買い物をする。運転再開した電車で混んでるのに妊婦に席を譲るお年寄り。この光景を見て外国人は絶句したようだ。本当だろう、この話。すごいよ日本。

What foreigners are saying about Japanese people

At a supermarket where everything was scattered everywhere over the floors, shoppers were helping pick them up and putting them back neatly on the shelves before quietly moving into line to wait to pay for them. On the totally jam-packed first train after the quake, an elderly man gave up his seat for a pregnant woman. Foreigners have told me they are amazed witnessing sights like these. I do believe they actually saw what they said they saw. Japan is truly amazing.

* メディアの動きについて

http://twitter.com/V10CENTAURO/statuses/46388641001508864

ツイッターやＵＳＴでの状況共有と、それに連動するマスコミの動きは、阪神淡路大震災の時とは比べ物にならない質の高さを感じる。もちろん過去の辛い経験から得た教訓を、みんな活かそうとしている感動。

Information network this time around

The information sharing efforts on Twitter or USTREAM, together with the quality of coverage and crucial updates provided by the mass media this time around is incomparable to what we got during the Kobe earthquake. I am deeply impressed by Japan’s successful efforts and ability to put to practice lessons learnt from past tragedies.

* 絵師さん

http://twitter.com/izumi823/statuses/46387948681297920

絵師さんたちがこの地震でみんなに元気付けようと必死に美しい絵や励ましのイラストを描いていることに感動。みんな自分にできることをしたいと思っているんだね。

Touch of art

I saw artists and painters trying to keep things upbeat by painting or drawing beautiful or encouraging drawings for the evacuees around them. I was touched at how everyone was doing their very best to help.

* BBCの報道

http://twitter.com/bozzo1985/status/46228470614855681

本当に感動。泣けてくる。⇒BBCめっちゃ誉めてる。地球最悪の地震が世界で一番準備され訓練された国を襲った。その力や政府が試される。犠牲は出たが他の国ではこんなに正しい行動はとれないだろう。日本人は文化的に感情を抑制する力がある。

BBC Reports

The words of BBC’s reports are so moving they make me cry. They were praising us with words of admiration! “One of the worst earthquakes in recorded history has hit the world’s most well-prepared, well-trained nations. The strength of its government and its people are put to the test. While there have been casualties, in no other country could the government and the people have worked together in such an accurate and coordinated way in the face of such tragedy. The Japanese people have shown their cultural ability to remain calm in the face of adversity.”

* 父親の行動

http://twitter.com/s_hayatsuki/status/46386255767937024

1階に下りて中部電力から関東に送電が始まってる話をしたら、普段はTVも暖房も明かりもつけっぱなしの父親が何も言わずに率先してコンセントを抜きに行った。少し感動した。

A little story about Papa

We live in an area that was not directly hit. When my father came downstairs and heard the news saying that our area had begun allocating electricity to the hard-hit areas, he quietly led by example, turning off the power around the house and pulling the plugs out of their sockets. I was touched. He usually NEVER turns off the lights or the AC or the TV or anything!

* 整列する日本人

http://twitter.com/HASUNA_Natsuko/status/46331839136276480

日本人すごい！！こんな時にも山手線ホームできれいに整列してる …涙。有楽町駅を上から眺む。 http://twitpic.com/48kn1u

Japanese people don’t shove

I'm looking at Yurakucho station from above. I see people standing in line, not pushing or shoving to get onto the Yamanote Line (probably the busiest line in central Tokyo), even at a time like this!

* パン屋

http://twitter.com/ayakishimoto/statuses/46403599743451136

昨日の夜中、大学から徒歩で帰宅する道すがら、とっくに閉店したパン屋のおばちゃんが無料でパン配給していた。こんな喧噪のなかでも自分にできること見つけて実践している人に感動。心温まった。東京も捨てたもんじゃないな。

The bakery lady

There was a small bread shop on the street I take to go to school. It has long been out of business. But last night, I saw the old lady of the shop giving people her handmade bread for free. It was a heart-warming sight. She, like everyone else, was doing what she could to help people in a time of need. Tokyo isn’t that bad afterall!

* 日本ってすごい

http://twitter.com/tksksks/statuses/46403815397801984

日本って凄い。官僚も民間も、皆で助けようとしてる。トラックの運転手も有志で物資運んでるらしいし、東北の交通整備をヤクザさんがやってるという話も聞いた。最近、日本に対して誇りを持てないことが続いていたけれど、そんなことない。日本は凄い国だ。素直に感動してる。日本国の皆さん頑張ろう！

Japan is a wonderful nation!

Both the government and the people, everyone is helping one another today. There are truck drivers helping evacuees move. I even heard that the “yakuza” (gangsters, organized crime groups) are helping to direct traffic in the Tohoku region! There have been many recent developments that have made me lose my sense of pride in my country, but not anymore. Japan is an amazing place! I’m just simply touched. Go Japan!

* twitterすごい

http://twitter.com/bobiko009/statuses/46403721046933504

Twitterの方々の情報とかが一致団結しててすごくたすかります。みなさま親切です！！こういうとき、なんか、感動します。最近は近所とつきあいなかったり冷たい世の中だとか思ってたけどそんなことなかったね。

Twitter is amazing!

The information shared to us all by the twitter community has been amazingly consistent with each other and has been so helpful. Thank you Twitterers! I’m very moved. People recently talk about social networks replacing traditional social life and making people cold and unsociable in real life. But … I guess that’s not true at all.

* ドイツ人の友達

http://twitter.com/sikkoku_otsuyu/status/46392832893796352

ドイツ人の友達が地震が起きた時に渋谷に居て、パニックになっていた所を日本人に助けてもらったらしく、その時の毅然とした日本人の態度や足並み乱さずに店の外に出てやるべきことを淡々とこなす姿にひどく感動し、まるでアーミーのようだったと言っていた。

From a German friend

A German friend of mine was in Shibuya (downtown Tokyo shopping district) when the earthquake hit. He was panicking when a Japanese passerby saved him, taking him into a building. My friend was blown away at how calm and disciplined this Japanese man was. He went out of the building with firm, unfaltering steps, did everything he was trained to do and came back. My German friend was deeply impressed by the Japanese people’s actions during the earthquake, saying they looked like a trained army.

* スーパーでの出来事

http://twitter.com/endless_6/status/46395420523503616

スーパーで無事買物出来ましたヽ(´o｀；でもお客さんのほとんどが他の人の事を考えて必要最低限しか買わない感じだったのが感動しました（涙）

At the supermarket

I just came back safely from the supermarket! Man, I was so touched at how everyone there was mindful of others, buying only as much as they needed and leaving the rest for the people behind them.

* 御殿場で

http://twitter.com/Raaaaayuu/statuses/46392890313801728

実際日本すごいよ。昨日信号が一カ所も機能していない御殿場市でもお互いにドライバー同士譲り合ってたし、地元のおじいちゃんおばあちゃんが手信号やってくれてたりで、混乱もなく本当感動した。9時間運転してたけど前車を煽るようなドライバーはもちろんいなかったし、みんな譲り合い精神。

Gotenba traffic

Japan is really something! Yesterday, not a single traffic light was functioning in Gotenba City. But drivers knew to take turns at intersections and give way to others when needed. Local people were using flags to direct traffic at intersections. I drove for 9 hours but never saw a single car trying to get in front of another. Every single driver on the road contributed to the traffic situation and as a result there was no confusion at all.

* 「みんな」

http://twitter.com/n_yum/statuses/46388003706380288

タクシー運ちゃんと電車駅員さんとおばさんと話したけど、みんな遅くまで帰れなかったりしてすごく疲れているのに、苛立つ事なく、言葉遣いもふるまいも丁寧で、逆に気遣われてしまった。｢みんな大変だから｣という"みんな"って意識があることに感動するし、私も受け継いで大事にしたい文化。

“All of us”

I spoke with an old taxi driver and some elderly staff at the train stations. All of them had been working non-stop and had not been able to go home for a long time. They were visibly very tired, but never once did they show any sign of impatience; they were gentle and very caring. They told me “… because all of us are in this together.” I was touched at what the notion of “all of us” meant to these elderly people. It is a value I will treasure and carry on to my generation.

* 日本の強さ

http://twitter.com/dita_69/status/46309373458382849

サントリーの自販機無料化softbankWi-Fiスポット解放、色んな人達が全力で頑張っててそれに海外が感動・協力してる。海外からの援助受け入れに躊躇したり自衛隊派遣を遅らせたりしてた阪神淡路大震災の頃より日本は確実に強い国になってるんだ。みんな頑張ろう。

A strong Japan

Suntory Beverages has set up free vending machines. Softbank Telephone services is offering free Wifi spots. Everyone in Japan is putting everything they can into helping one another. Japan is also now receiving aid from abroad. Compared to the Kobe earthquake, when Japan took too long to contemplate accepting foreign aid or dispatching the self-defense force to join the rescue effort, Japan has definitely grown into a far stronger nation. Be strong, everyone!

* 朝礼

http://twitter.com/kyoheimai/status/46374747755388928

今朝の朝礼で「何があっても決して不安な顔は見せずに売り場に立つ以上はおもてなしをする気持ちを忘れずにお客様を安心させてあげてください」ちょっと感動した。がんばるか。開店です!

Morning Ceremony

At the shopping center I work at, every morning we have a ritual (common in Japan) where we stand and recite, “No matter what the situation, I will never show anxiety before my customer; in all customer-facing situations I will treat my customers with respect and do everything I can to make them feel comfortable and at ease”. Today, these words were all actually kind of touching. Well, so the day begins! Here we go people, open shop!

* 井上さん

http://twitter.com/frankyonn/status/46401442583552000

井上雄彦さんがものすごい勢いで笑顔のイラストをいっぱいあげてて感動する。励ましとか勇気とかメッセージって、こういうことなんだなーと思う。ＲＴ@inouetake Smile42.

Mr. Inoue

Mr. Inoue has been churning out drawings of smiling and laughing faces at an amazing pace! Things like this remind me again of what it truly means to give people a message of strength and courage.

* 学び

http://twitter.com/chaos_chaotic/statuses/46388646038876160

TLの拡散希望を見て思ったことは、阪神淡路大地震から学んだことがとても多くツイートされていること。当たり前のことなんだけど、やはり人間は、学んで考えることができる生き物なんだと改めて思い、感動した。

Lessons Learnt

What caught my attention on twitter is that a lot of the tweets were about the Kobe earthquake and how what we have learned from it has been put into practice this time around. I know it goes without saying, but I was once again reminded of how humans are indeed creatures that possess the amazing ability to think and learn from experience. It’s a great thought.

* ローマから

http://twitter.com/tsubakianna/statuses/46387133396688896

ローマにいる友達からメール。ローマの人々はニュースを見ながらこのような状況でも冷静に対処する日本人に感動し、尊敬の念を覚えながら、非常に心配しているとのことです。

Message from a friend in Rome

My friend in Rome emailed me. He said that people in Rome are watching the news and sharing their amazement and their heartfelt respect at how, even at a time like this, the people of Japan are able to remain calm and systematically respond to the situation. People in Rome are thinking of us and are very concerned for us.

* 声をかけること

http://twitter.com/RUMI88LoL/statuses/46342599149240320

昨日、裏の家の高１になるお兄ちゃんに感動した。家に１人で居たらしく、地震後すぐ自転車で飛び出し近所をひと回り。【大丈夫ですか―――！？】と道路に逃げてきた人達にひたすら声掛けてた。あの時間には老人や母子しか居なかったから、声掛けてくれただけでもホッとしたよ。ありがとう。

A strong voice

Yesterday, I was impressed and touched by the actions of my neighbor’s 13-year-old-boy. He was home alone when the earthquake hit. But instead of hiding, as soon as the earthquake quieted down, he jumped on his bicycle and road around the block repeatedly shouting at the top of his voice, “Is everyone alright? Is everyone okay?” At the time, there were only women and children and the elderly in the homes. I cannot describe how comforting it was just to hear a strong voice asking if I was okay. Thank you!

* 助け合い

http://twitter.com/sorry_no_user/statuses/46332985133375488

警備員の友人何人かが町田〜相模大野で夜間警備のボランティアをしていたので手伝ってきた。年齢問わずいろんな知らない人同士が助け合っていて心強かった。ちょっと感動してトイレの隅で泣いた。

The beauty of helping one another

I went out last night to help some friends who were volunteering as security personnel between Machida City and Sagami Ohno City. I saw total strangers, both young and old, helping each other along everywhere I turned and was heartened with an overwhelming feeling of encouragement. I was so touched I hid behind the toilets and cried.

* バイクでよければ

http://twitter.com/hikaru_star/statuses/46332900928532480

僕は感動しました。バイトの先輩が1人でも救うために寒い中紙に「バイクでよければ送ります」と書き駅前で掲げ鳶職のお兄ちゃんを所沢まで送ったそうです。世の中まだ捨てたもんじゃないなって思いました。本当に尊敬です！！自分もなんか人の役に立ちたいと生まれて初めて思いました。

I just have a bike

I’m so touched! My colleague at my part time job, wanting to help even just one extra person, wrote a sign saying “I just have a bike, but if you don’t mind hop on!”, rode out on his motorbike, picked up a stranded construction worker and took him all the way to Tokorozawa! Respect! I have never felt so strongly that I want to do something helpful for others.

* 乗り合い

http://twitter.com/pao313/statuses/46332792174411776

浦和美園からタクシー使えると思ったのが甘かった…30分歩いてたら知らない人が車に乗せてくれた（つд；*) 人間の優しさに感動。ありがとうございました。

Sharing your ride

It was stupid of me to think I could catch a cab at Urawamien Station. I ended up walking 30 minutes and then finally was picked up by a stranger who offered to give me a lift. I’m touched by the warmth of human kindness. Thank you, thank you!

* 開放

http://twitter.com/robasuke23/statuses/46326711935172609

昨日、歩いて帰ろうって決めて甲州街道を西へ向かっていて夜の21時くらいなのに、ビルの前で会社をトイレと休憩所として解放してる所があった。社員さんが大声でその旨を歩く人に伝えていた。感動して泣きそうになった。いや、昨日は緊張してて泣けなかったけど、今思い出してないてる。

Rest here!

Last night, I decided, rather than stay at the office, I should try walking home. So I slowly made my way west on Koshu freeway on foot. It was around 9PM when I saw an office building that had a sign that said “Please use our office’s bathrooms! Please rest here!” The employees of the office were loudly shouting out the same to all the people trying to walk home. I was so touch I felt like crying. Well, I guess I was too tense yesterday to cry, but now the tension is wearing off and am very much in tears.

* コンビニ

http://twitter.com/sugarun/statuses/46323030732967936

停電地区のほとんどの店が店を閉めてる中、あるセブンイレブンが店内陳列棚にいくつもろうそくを置いて、営業をしていた。レジが使えないため在庫確認用のハンディで値段確認し読み上げ、もう1人が電卓で計算、もうひとりが懐中電灯で照らす。その状態でレジ２台稼動させていた。感動した。

At the convenience store

While most of the convenience stores near the station were closed because of the quake, there was just one Seven Eleven that was open. The employees had lit lots of candles and put them on the stores shelves. The cash register was not working and they could not take inventory, so the employees worked in threes, one reading up the item description and price, another punching the numbers into a calculator, and the last one using a flashlight to help them work. The store managed to operate both “cash registers” efficiently this way. Impressed!

* 避難所

http://twitter.com/msakatan/statuses/46302864980705280

長女いわく、横浜の避難所に向かう時に、知らない人達と声を掛け合い、場所を教え合っていたそうです。普段は冷たいと思っていた他人の優しさに触れ、感動したそうです。日本人のいざという時の団結力を再認識しました。まだまだ日本も捨てたものではないです。

On the way to the emergency evacuation area

My oldest daughter was making her way to Yokohama’s emergency evacuation area. Total strangers were helping each other out and showing each other the way to the emergency evacuation area. She told me she was moved at how strangers, who can seem so cold at times, showed her kindness and care. I was reminded at the Japanese peoples’ inherent ability to immediately unite in the face of adversity. Today, I have discovered a newfound faith in my nation and my people.

* 呼びかけ

http://twitter.com/akanensm/status/46214540161064960

何時間も歩き続けてたんだけど、至る所でトイレかしますとか、休憩できますとか言うビルや飲食店が沢山あって感動しました。とある企業ビルの人がボランティアで、○○線運転再開ですー！とか、休憩できますー！！って呼びかけてるの見て感動して泣きそうになったマジでw日本も捨てたもんじゃないな

A big, kind voice

I’ve been walking for many hours now. I’m touched at how everywhere I turn, there are shops open with people shouting “Please use our bathroom!” or “Please rest here!” There were also office buildings where people with access to information were voluntarily shouting out helpful tips, like “**** line is now operational!” Seeing things like this after walking for hours and hours made me feel like weeping with gratitude. Seriously, there is still hope for this country!

* ホームにて

http://twitter.com/masa_kisshie/statuses/46323838316843008

都営大江戸線の光ヶ丘方面行きは、非常に混雑しています。ホームにも、改札の外にも、電車を待つ溢れんばかりの人。でも、誰一人列を崩さず、通路を開け、係員の誘導に従っている。ロープがあるわけでもないのに、通る人のための通路スペースが。その不自然なほどの快適さに、ただただ感動するばかり。

On the platform

The Oedo Subway Line for Hikarigaoka is very congested. On the platform and at the gate there are just crowds and crowds of people waiting for the train. But in all the confusion, every last person is neatly lined up waiting his or her turn while managing to keep a passage of space open for staff and people going the other way. Everyone is listening to the instructions from the staff and everyone acts accordingly. And amazingly … there isn’t even a rope or anything in sight to keep people in queue or open space for staff to pass, they just do! I am so impressed at this almost unnatural orderliness! I have nothing but praise for these people!

* 駅員さん

http://twitter.com/tadakatz/status/46274214654787584

終夜運転のメトロの駅員に、大変ですねって声かけたら、笑顔で、こんな時ですから！だって。捨てたもんじゃないね、感動した。

Station staff

I said to a Tokyometro station staff who was on all-night duty, “I’m sure it has been a tough night for you. Thank you.” He responded with a smile, “On a night like this, gladly!” I was touched.

* おっちゃん

http://twitter.com/sumonya/status/46479563412348928

昨日4時間かけて歩いて帰ってきた主人。赤羽で心が折れそうになってた時「お寒い中大変ですね！あったかいコーヒーどうぞ！」って叫びながら無料配布してるおっちゃんに出会った。これがあったから頑張れたそうだ。もう5回もこの話をしてくるので本当に嬉しかったんだと思う。おっちゃんありがとう。

Coffee

My husband finally got home very late last night after walking for 4 hours. He told me he felt like giving up at around Akabane, when an elderly man who was going around handing out free coffee saw him, gave him a steaming cup and said, “You must be tired and cold. Here, have some coffee!” My husband told me that it was because of this elderly man that he found the will and strength to continue walking. I’ve already heard this story from him five times tonight, so no doubt he was really, really touched! Thank you to my husband’s anonymous helper!

* 献血の列

http://twitter.com/NOBCHIDORI/status/46477518169047040

日本は強いです！大阪難波の献血施設は被災地の方の為に超満員の順番待ちでした。私欲の無い列を初めて見ました。感動しました。被災地の方々、全国でその辛さを受け止めます。諦めずに頑張って下さい！

Blood donations

Japan is strong! At Osaka I saw a LONG line of people waiting to give blood at the blood donation center. This is the first time I have seen such a queue of selfless people waiting patiently in line just to give. It was a moving sight! To everyone in the hard-hit areas, we your countrymen accept your suffering as our own and we share in your grief. Do not give up! Stay strong!

* 節電営業

http://twitter.com/hisyakakukeima/status/46584079558250496

近所のスーパー・サミットに来てみたら、通常深夜1時まで営業なのに大きい看板が付いていなかった。早めに店を閉めたのかと思ったら、外の電気だけ消して節電しつつ営業していた。ちょっと感動

Saving electricity for the North

I went to my neighborhood supermarket and was initially surprised that their neon signs were off. They usually are open till 1AM. I then found out that they were open, but were saving electricity so that more power could be channeled to the hard-hit coastal areas. Wow!

* 買うのやめるわ

http://twitter.com/raai15/status/46546475362160640

バイト先に若いお兄さんたちが軍団でお酒を買いに来たんだけど、その中の一人が｢やべえ、オレお酒のためにしかお金持ってきてないから募金できん。ちょっとこれ買うのやめるわ｣って言って商品返品してそのお金全部募金してた。お友達も続々と募金しててすごい感動した。すごいよ

Not enough money!

At the store where I work, a huge group of young men suddenly came in to buy booze. One of them suddenly said, “Oops, I only have enough money to buy booze, I can’t donate! Forget the booze, maybe next time!” and instead put ALL his money into the disaster relief donation box. One by one, every single one of the army of youths threw all their money into the box after him. What a heart-warming sight that was!

* いつでも買える

http://twitter.com/7474529/status/46565903520907264

今日、募金箱に金髪にピアスの若い兄ちゃんが万札数枚入れていた。そしてその友人に｢ゲームなんていつでも買えるからな｣と言っていたのが聞こえて私含め周りの人達も募金していた。人は見た目じゃないことを実感した。そんなお昼でした。この話感動しました。

Goth youth

A goth youth with white hair and body piercings walked into my store and shoved several hundred dollars (several tens of thousands of yen) into the disaster relief fund donation box. As he walked out, I and people around me heard him saying to his buddies, “I mean, we can buy those games anytime!” At that, we all opened our wallets and put our money into the donation box. Really, you cannot judge people by their appearances.

* 絶対うまいはず

http://twitter.com/kyugatimuti/statuses/46594200061493249

僕も秋葉からの帰りにおにぎりとみそ汁配ってる方に会いました、感動しました、チャリだったからダイジョブです他の人にって言ったけどもらっておけばよかったなぁ絶対うまかったと思う

They looked absolutely delicious!

I too saw the guy handing out free rice balls and miso soup on the way back from Akihabara. I was on my bicycle so I told him, “I’m okay, please give it to other people!” On hindsight, I should have taken one … they looked absolutely delicious!!

* お菓子いっぱい

http://twitter.com/moebamuse/status/46379810217406465

すごい。弟たった今ディズニーランドから帰宅したんだけど。新品のお菓子袋いっぱいにもらってきて、客全員分の帰りの交通費負担してくれたんだって。一晩中、何か言えば全て対応してくれたって。やっぱり世界のディズニーランドなんだね。

Another Disney episode

Amazing! My brother just managed to get home from Disneyland right now. He’s got bags and bags of free sweets. Furthermore, Disneyland paid for every customer’s travel fare back. All night long, the staff responded immediately and fully to every request he made. Disneyland is truly a world class brand!

* 困ったときは！

http://twitter.com/ryoshun49/statuses/46605524434821120

昨日青葉台駅で帰宅困難者が溢れる中、車に乗ってる人が「○○方面の方どうぞ！」って行って車に乗せてた。「困った時はみんな一緒ですから！」って言ってた。超感動したの思い出した。

Same boat!

Last night, Aobadai station was jammed with stranded people unable to get home. But there were private cars with drivers shouting “If you’re going in the direction of ****, please hop on!” I was able to hitch a ride on one of them. When I thanked the driver, he replied “No worries! We’re all on the same boat. We have to stick together!”

* 充電されたい方は・・・・

http://twitter.com/yamachin_x1/statuses/46609620210421760

避難所にいたときに、社会人1年生で、研修でこっちにきてた女の子が、たまたま携帯のバッテリーも持参してたらしく、体育館のコンセントを使用する許可ももらい、「携帯の充電をされたい方は、ご自由につかってください」と呼びかけて回ってたんだ。僕はその子にとても感動したんだよ･･

Need to charge your phone?

At the emergency evacuation area, a young first-year intern at my company who had brought her phone’s charger got permission from the facility to use their power socket and went around shouting “Anyone need to charge their phone? Please use my charger!” Just a little thing, but I was touched.

I came across the above article on Facebook when my friends reproduced it.

While it is true that the examples above showed the true measure of the Japanese society and they had brought tears to my eyes as I read them, I cannot help but be flabbergasted by the negative examples that I have seen in other responses to the tragedies that are still unfolding in Japan.

There were those who had attributed the earthquakes,tsunami and possible nuclear reactor meltdown to Japanese atrocities in World War 2.

In respect of the same, may I humbly point out that it was not the victims of the current calamities that had perpetuated the atrocities in World War 2. To attribute the disasters to them is nothing short of being breathtakingly disingenuous; in fact, it is downright disgraceful in its hate mongering and it places those who had claimed the natural calamities to be divine retribution on the same level as the very people that they hate.

In the same vein, I personally feel that to use the response of the Japanese society as a whole as a lesson for a country's citizens while the tragedies are still unfolding to be distasteful and insensitive to say the least. I am not against the objectives but when there may still be people out there fighting for their lives, when relatives are still awaiting the return of their loved ones....I see no sense in doing so at this particular moment in time.

2010-11-16T20:23:00.002+08:00

"Girls are taught a lot of stuff growing up. If a guy punches you he likes you. Never try to trim your own bangs and someday you will meet a wonderful guy and get your very own happy ending. Every movie we see, Every story we’re told implores us to wait for it, the third act twist, the unexpected declaration of love, the exception to the rule. But sometimes we’re so focused on finding our happy ending we don’t learn how to read the signs. How to tell from the ones who want us and the ones who don’t, the ones who will stay and the ones who will leave. And maybe a happy ending doesn’t include a guy, maybe… it’s you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over, freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is… just… moving on. Or maybe the happy ending is this, knowing after all the unreturned phone calls, broken-hearts, through the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment you never gave up hope."

I saw that on a blog I was following and was just that little bit bemused by it, despite my spinning head and all. After all that has been said, all the passage did was to tell us that perhaps we should look at our definition of happiness instead of blindly clutching at straws.

2010-08-30T13:33:00.000+08:00

你最爱的，往往没有选择你

遇到你最爱的人，然后体会到爱的感觉；
因为了解被爱的感觉，所以才能发现最爱你的人；
当你经历过爱人与被爱，学会了爱，才会知道什么是你需要的，
也才会找到最适合你，能够相处一辈子的人。

你最爱的，往往没有选择你；
最爱你的，往往不是你最爱的；
而最长久的，偏偏不是你最爱也不是最爱你的，
只是在最适合的时间出现的那个人。

没有人是故意要变心的，他爱你的时候是真的爱你，
可是他不爱你的时候也是真的不爱你了，
他爱你的时候没有办法假装不爱你；
同样的，他不爱你的时候也没有办法假装爱你。
当一个人不爱你要离开你，
你要问自己还爱不爱他，
如果你也不爱他了，千万别为了可怜的自尊而不肯离开；
如果你还爱他，你应该会希望他过得幸福快乐，
希望他跟真正爱的人在一起，绝不会阻止，
你要是阻止他得到真正的幸福，就表示你已经不爱他了，
而如果你不爱他，你又有什么资格指责他变心呢？

爱不是占有，
你喜欢月亮，不可能把月亮拿下来放在脸盆里，
但月亮的光芒仍可照进你的房间。
换句话说，你爱一个人，也可以用另一种方式拥有，
让爱人成为生命里的永恒回忆，
如果你真爱一个人，就要爱他原来的样子─爱他的好，也爱他的坏：
爱他的优点，也爱他的缺点，
绝不能因为爱他，就希望他变成自己所希望的样子，
万一变不成就不爱他了。
真正爱一个人是无法说出原因的，
你只知道无论何时何地、心情好坏，你都希望这个人陪著你；
真正的感情是两人能在最艰苦中相守，也就是没有丝毫要求。
毕竟，感情必须付出，而不是只想获得；
分开是一种必然的考验，
如果你们感情不够稳固，只好认输，
真爱是不会变成怨恨的...

有的诺言,
也许永远不可能实现

Quoted for truth:(

幸福....

2010-08-19T13:37:00.002+08:00

幸福，从来就不是一个人的事但我们却总是自己善做主张。。。。

The above was an adaption of a friend's quote on Facebook (Thank you Qian Bao). I guess it makes sense for him since he is blissfully in love.

Personally, however, I feel that it is irresponsible if I expect my happiness to be another person's business. I supposed that is because I just want to preserve whatever dignity I have left....

Screw happily ever after~

2010-07-31T14:42:00.002+08:00

下午在facebook 上玩開心寶貝玩到膩了，突然朋友發來一個網絡文章讓我讀。
我讀到一半就已經覺得很難過了。。。

分享給大家

老公：对不起，我终于狠下心来和你说离婚了。

　　一直以来我都是个懦弱的女人。我用尽心力的守着我门的婚姻，为你烧你爱吃的菜，为了买你喜欢的CD，为你把一切都弄得很好，给了你我所能给的幸福。而我从未和你提过任何要求，我怕你觉得我烦。可现在我想通了，相恋再久的感情都敌不过几小时的一见钟情。

　　第一次看到你和她的照片是在音乐网站上，第一次见到她是在你和他离开的酒店门口，第一次听你提起她是在我们结婚3周年纪念晚会上……那真是一个美丽的女孩。

　　我偷看了你给她写的邮件，里面的每一句话真的好甜蜜，好感人。我看着看着就哭了，我骗自己，这是你写给我的，你永远是爱我的，你怎么可能和别人爱得那么深呢？是啊！你没有提离婚，我怎么敢说，我怕说了就真的，永远永远都没有你了。

　　老公，我真的很爱你，很爱这个家。所以你不说，我也什么都不问。只是在你睡了以后慢慢的哭。你知道吗？我想谢谢你，谢谢你陪了我那么多年，我知道你很爱她，就象我爱着你那样。你没说过离婚，我已经很庆幸了，至少你还是回家陪我，会吃着我做的饭菜，傻傻的笑。至少你还记得回家给我一个拥抱，记得我的生日！我觉得够了，真的。我爱着你，包容着她。我以为我们可以就这样相安无事的永远相处下去。直到你昨晚和我讲了一个故事。

　　你说：我有一个朋友，他已经结婚6年了。他有个很好的太太，一直以来他都爱着他的太太，可4年前他遇到了一个美丽的女孩。女孩对他很好，给了他太太所没有的激情。于是他们恋爱了，偷偷摸摸却又热烈的爱着。女孩很懂事，和他在一起那么久从来没有提过结婚之类的事。他依旧爱着太太，只是那已经是属于 2个女人的爱了。他不会抛弃他的太太，因为太太对他太好了，好得找不到分手的理由，找不到伤害她的借口。可现在女孩怀孕了。女孩和他提出了结婚。女孩跟了他4年，把女人最美好的东西都给了他，他没办法拒绝女孩，可又无法抛弃爱他的妻子。

　　故事到这就结束了，你问我：你说他该怎么办？

　　我没有说话。我知道这是你和她之间的故事。这是你最无奈的选择。

　　昨晚你睡觉之后，我在旁边看着你，看着你好看的脸。看着你熟睡的样子，你睡得真甜。我吻了你，在你身上小心的留下几百个吻，我知道这是最后一次了。老公，我的泪一滴一滴的落在你胸口，慢慢化开。一滴一滴的落在了我碎掉的心上。

　　老公。我走了。我知道我的离开才是最好的结局。我不在你身边，自己要好好照顾自己。我把家里收拾干净了。饭在电饭煲里，回来以后记得自己热热吃了，这是最后一次给你做饭了。记得不要因为工作常常饿着，对身体不好，还有你有胃病，别和朋友出去喝酒，少吸点烟。我帮你定了1年的牛奶，他们会直接送到家里的，记得要热过才可以喝。你想买的CD我也买了，就放在电脑桌上。还有什么？对了，这个家里的东西我什么都没带走，除了你第一次送给我的礼物，那只绒线小熊，我已经习惯抱着它睡觉了。以后它可以陪着我，抱着它我会感觉到你的。

　　我走了，离开的时候心里很痛，我们住了6年的房子，我和它说再见，我守了6年的家，我和它说再见。我爱了那么多年的你，我和你说：祝福！

　　老公，我走了以后你要好好爱她，知道吗？不要在爱情里伤害任何人了。一定要对她很好很好，就象我对你那样。帮我吻你们的孩子，我想他一定会很漂亮的。告诉他，我会祝福他的。

　　我依旧爱着你，只是从今天开始一切与你无关！……

故事到這裡就完了故事裡的老婆真的很有勇氣你不覺得嗎
如此深愛和他相處了6年的男人就這樣就完了什麼都完了
女人讀了一定會覺得很生氣那個男人吧他怎麼能這樣有了老婆還在外面胡搞
但是他也是出於不忍心才不直接告訴他老婆外遇的事情。。。

我想如果是我我也會離開這個男人吧。。。
畢竟老公都移情別戀了即使再怎麼反對再怎麼不讓他和她來往
但是能綁住他的身卻綁不住他的心。。。

開始結婚時候的諾言說好要一輩子白頭偕老永遠不背叛誰的
但是為什麼婚姻如此脆弱
難道是因為女人老了難看了憔悴了羅嗦了
就能夠去找別的年輕漂亮的女孩嗎
女人的一身都花在了男人身上這點男人怎麼就不懂呢。。。

I came across the above story from a local tech forum that I frequent. I only have this to say: Happily ever after only happens in the movies;not everyone is lucky enough to be the lead.

How could this happen to me....

2009-11-15T12:16:00.002+08:00

How could this happen to me

I made my mistakes

I've got nowhere to run

The night goes on

As I'm fading away

I'm sick of this life

I just wanna scream

How could this happen to me

-Excerpt of Simple Plan's "Untitled", courtesy of www.elyrics.net

That was the excerpt of the lyrics of an old favourite of mine. As I was listening to it the other day, I can't help but asked myself the same. As before, the answer didn't change an iota;that I had walked into this ambush with my eyes wide open, that the one time I chose to listen to and then blatantly ignore the cynical pragmatism in me was the nth time I get so screwed over. Likewise, as before, there can only be one answer to all this;that is to wipe away all this talk of hope and rainbow after the storm for they are nothing forlorn hope, serving no purposes other than to really do you in when reality hits.

Most importantly, to remember that cynicism and pragmatism exist for a reason.

Self-denial....

2009-11-05T21:29:00.005+08:00

我不难过

这不算什么

只是为什么眼泪会流

我也不懂

-Lyrics from Stefanie Sun's "我不难过".

I was listening to Stefanie's "我不难过" the other day. This was the song that got me started on liking Stefanie's songs. It struck me, as it did then, how much the above captioned part of the song reeks of self-denial.

I watched Love Happens yesterday. It was apparent early on in the movie that Burke, the male protagonist, was constantly living in self-denial, that he had not forgave himself for his wife's death in an accident.

The conventional wisdom is that self-denial is the greatest obstacle to a recovery from the trauma, for by acknowledging the trauma, as with any problems, is to give the trauma the due acknowledgment that you do need to do something about. Yet many a time, I wonder if anybody had ever considered that by wallowing in self-denial, one might actually be carrying out damage control, to save the grief for oneself if you would....

Hope...

2009-11-02T00:05:00.002+08:00

I had recently caught a screening of 500 Days of Summer.Despite its male protagonist seemingly moving on at the finale of the movie after going through a relationship that would certainly crush anyone,I can't help but continue to feel for him when he was still forlornly hoping that he could get back with Summer, the female protagonist.

Friends had been unanimous in telling me not to lose hope,that having hope meant that it's half the battle won.That's fine and dandy,except that they were equally unanimous in not realising that hope is a double-edged sword;none gave cognizance to the fact that the higher one's hope is,the harder one falls.

Relieved....

2009-10-13T23:51:00.000+08:00

I am relieved.Finally.

The truth....

2009-10-06T01:39:00.004+08:00

The truth is indeed ugly....

-Abby Richter (Katherine Heigl) in The Ugly Truth

The truth in indeed ugly.

At the end of the day,men will always be men;we are genetically hotwired to sow our wild oats to ensure survival of our lineage.The same goes for women since they are programmed to look for qualitites in potential mates that indicate a certain degree in security,whether physical or otherwise.

Put it this way,not even the most liberal SNAG,metrosexual or other whatnots will look upon a lady whose looks totally put them off to be their life partner;or for that matter,nor will the most simpleminded woman agree to a courtship unless the suitor has that teeny weeny bit of potential to better provide for the family than he can right now.

It is just that simple,that superficial.The world is unfair;it is that bleak.I am not attempting to find excuses for such superficiality but I suppose that the sooner this is recognised,the more hurt will be spared....

Game,set and match.Play by the game or drop out.I know damn well which option I have had chosen;there was only one option for me anyway.It is not that bad at all;turtleshelling never was,at least not for me.

我以前没得选折....

2009-10-06T00:56:00.005+08:00

我以前没得选折，现在我想做个好人....

-Inspector Lau Kin Ming (played by Andy Lau),Infernal Affairs 1

I was watching the Infernal Affairs series,again I might add.The above captioned phrase somehow just rekindle the indelible mark in my memories like it did the other time.

Fast forward to when I came across my friend's link to a Taiwanese advertisement in Facebook.The female protagonist started by saying rhetorically that we frequently thought about what makes life perfect.She ended by concluding that it is what we felt about the mundane and little things in life that determined if we are living the perfect life that we so desire.

Indeed,life is what ever you make of it;if by accepting my lot in life makes me just that little happier or that less sad,who is to tell me otherwise?Sure,it smacks of self-defeatism but as always,whatever floats your boat....

P.S.-This is the 3rd draft since the previous two drafts' formatting went haywire.

When you are young....

2009-09-30T23:55:00.005+08:00

When you are young,everything feels like the end of the world.But it's not,it's just the beginning.

-Teenage Mike O'Donnell (Played by Zac Efron) in "17 Again"

At first sight,it does seem as if the above statement holds true;that the younger we are,the less resilient are we.Yet it might just be because the young do care more that they possess the youthful exuberance to keep on going despite all odds,which coincidentally is the basis for many a miracle.

Still,with the hindsight of experience,one learns to choose his battles;that you do not have to win every battle,just the ones that matter.It smacks of cynicism,but that is reality for you for reality is never beautiful.That may just be how one can last the course.

I'm so tired....

2009-09-30T01:37:00.016+08:00

I'm so tired of being here

Suppressed by all my childish fears

And if you have to leave

I wish that you would just leave

You presence still lingers here

And it won't leave me alone

These wounds won't seem to heal

This pain is just too real

There's just too much that time cannot erase

My Immortal - Evanescence

Lyrics courtesy of www.lyricsmode.com

Above are the opening stanzas for Evanescence's "My Immortal".It is very simple,very poignant....

I had recently been captivated by this song and when I went through its lyrics,I can't help but feel that the aforementioned stanzas just seems to resonate with life in general.

Away from the context of the song and by extension,away from the context of an estranged relationship,it seems to pretty much sum up life in general.

Trials and tribulations are but inexorable facts of life and while you do emerge stronger from each episode,in my humble opinion,it is an equally unyielding fact of life that a certain part of you died in each episode;that while time does seem to numb the pain,it can never erase the wounds for each time you find yourself in a similar situation,you would be afraid to commit like you have had done the previous time,not necessarily because the protagonists are as frightening but because you do not know if your shattered spirit can pick itself up like the other time nor if your battered and bleeding heart can take another blow....