One Year Later, 3/11/2012

Exactly one year ago today, the March 11th earthquake and tsunami followed by the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant meltdown occurred.  Many lives were lost, and many others changed forever.  My life hasn't taken a dramatic turn since March 11th, other than the fact that I have a new perspective of the power of nature, and how helpless we are in case of a natural disaster.  No one I knew personally was living close enough to have lost everything in the tsunami, but I do know that the effects of radiation and additional earthquakes haunts us all.  How are the people living in the effected areas?  Is there anything I can do to help from a distance?  When will the next big earthquake hit?  How big will it be?  Where will I be and what can I do to best prepare for it?

Despite all of these questions, I know that Japan and it's people will pull through.  Last year they showed their absolute and unwavering strength.  I have an everlasting respect for the Japanese people, many able to endure and push through anything in order to accomplish what's necessary.

Fight.  Don't give up.  We'll make it through.

がんばろう日本

I feel sad and selfish to say that I'm happy to be moving back to a non-earthquake zone in August, but even when I move back I'll do all that I can in order to help Japan and other nations effected by major earthquakes.

Three of my blog entries from 2011 regarding the earthquake:
Friday, March 11th 2011
Saturday, March 12th 2011
Sunday, March 13th 2011


Some news stories from March 11th, 2012
One Year Later : MSNBC
Discovery News : Aerial before and after.
National Geographic : This series of photos (during and after the tsunami to now) shows just how amazing the Japanese people are.

How March 11th personally effected one of many families forever.