That's right, it's officially summer time here I think!! Staying in the 70s-80s daily makes for great weather, and I'm trying to enjoy the last few days before tsuyu (Japanese rainy season) hits, since it lasts until mid July ><;; Good thing I bought myself some rainboots, as they're much more useful here than in the US for sporadic rainy days.
This past month I've been busy with work and studying, since I'm taking the accounting exam again on Sunday (eeeeek!!!), but I feel a lot more prepared this time. Just gotta stay focused for the next 4 days, then I'm free!! And of course, to help motivate myself I've been going to Starbucks on the weekends to study (byutiful caffeine always helps haha), and shall reward myself after the exam as well by buying some music :D I just realized, but my entire time back in Japan (9 months so far), I've only bought 2 albums (capsule & w-inds.). I guess mostly because albums cost an arm and a leg here - $30-$200 for one album (depending how many goodies come with it), which leaves you broke PRETTY fast ^^;; But there are a few I've been saving up for:
capsule -World of Fantasy
Takenaka Eri - garden
LIL - Synchronize
The Bawdies - Live the Life I Love
SUPER JUNIOR - Bonamana -Repackage (Korean version)
Definitely going to buy from HMV or Tsutaya though, so I can get points for the purchases. And speaking of music, I found a new group this week called SPYAIR, and they've officially become my OCD group of the month to listen to~~ Maybe it's the fact that it's rock or the fact that they try to take over Korea through music that makes them so entertaining to me ;)
Jun 8, 2011
Apr 19, 2011
Charity Song Info
YAAAAY, so the song KAZOE-UTA we did with Ayako Ikeda finally released on amazon.jp this past week~! It's a really cute song, so I'd definitely recommend taking a listen. And if you like what you hear, please be sure to download it from the official amazon.jp page. All proceeds will be donated to the Japan Red Cross. The official music video has been posted on youtube as well, so you can watch us all singing haha~
"Counting Numers" Amazon.jp Download Page CLICK HERE !!
To see all songs available for charity download CLICK HERE !!
The song is currently #4 on amazon.jp's best seller list, so I DEFINITELY recommend downloading it!!
To see all songs available for charity download CLICK HERE !!
The song is currently #4 on amazon.jp's best seller list, so I DEFINITELY recommend downloading it!!
Apr 13, 2011
Spring is HERE!!
As of this week, Tokyo has FINALLY realized that it's spring!! I'm so glad it's time for light jacket weather, aka 60s-70s ^^ Really enjoying the amazing sunshine and of course sakura that're in full bloom now. I was going to go to hanami last weekend, but it was overcast so the event got cancelled ><;; But hopefully shall be able reschedule something soon, since the hanami season only lasts for about a month. In the meantime, I've just been enjoying the sakura trees around my office, there are SO many!! It makes my walk to/from work every day that much more awesome. Here's a photo I took last week~
And besides the flowers, I'm also enjoying all the seasonal FOODS that are out now!! Everything is cherry or peach flavored, so in the past 2 weeks I've gotten cherry juice, sakura mochi, peach gum, and peach toothpaste. Must find more specialties before they're gone next month haha.
Besides that, life this past week has been exciting and crazy! On Thursday night, got to help record a charity song for Japan by Ayako Ikeda called 数え歌 (Kazoe uta) or "counting song." She's an amazing artist and a SUPER fun person to work with, and I'm looking forward to the release of the song (and music video) on amazon.jp's website this week!! We recorded an English version of the song, but here's the original Japanese version for reference while you wait heehee:
On Friday FINALLYYYYY got to go to a w-inds. concert again. Went with Aliyah and had a BLAST!! Getting to see them live again after 2 years just made me extra happy >w< Met up with Natsuki after the show and we spazzed for a bit, then went to dinner together in Kabukicho. Ironically we just went to Matsuya ROFL, but was a good night~
Since I last updated, we've still been having a lot of aftershocks...at least 1 every day that's noticable. Yesterday there was a big one right before I left for work, and I actually didn't feel it, but when I got to the station my line was stopped. But only for 4 minutes, so no big delay thankfully!! Tokyo (and Japan in general) are getting so used to these aftershocks, it's like they've always been a part of the daily routine. I don't even see people get phased anymore when one hits.
I think the only big update in relation to recent events is the change of the Daiichi plant radiation happenings from a level 5 to level 7 accident (same as Chernobyl) on the international scale of nuclear accidents overseen by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Though I'm still not quite sure WHY it's been changed. From all the research I've done, the amount of radiation released so far by iodine-131 is about 500,000 terabecquerels while the radiation released from Chernobyl was 5.2 million terabecquerels, so 10 times more than the Fukushima plant. I believe they've raised the rating though not only because of actual radiation released, but also based on plant damage and health risks for the workers there. But actually, most of the iodine released happened with the initial plant explosions, and the actual amount of radiation currently in the air is decreasing daily. And thankfully it's only rained 2 days since all of these events, so radiation is staying relatively low countrywide.
And just as a comparison for radiation levels, I thought I'd do some research on the average levels of radiation found in the US. I'm not sure if this will make people in America feel better or worse about the situation, but just goes to show you that just because the media says there are "high" levels of radiation doesn't mean it's higher than other places NORMALLY are.
CURRENT BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS (per year)
So after learning that little fact...I feel pretty safe haha. But yes have to be careful with what's going on here to keep the level from going any further up.
Besides that, life this past week has been exciting and crazy! On Thursday night, got to help record a charity song for Japan by Ayako Ikeda called 数え歌 (Kazoe uta) or "counting song." She's an amazing artist and a SUPER fun person to work with, and I'm looking forward to the release of the song (and music video) on amazon.jp's website this week!! We recorded an English version of the song, but here's the original Japanese version for reference while you wait heehee:
On Friday FINALLYYYYY got to go to a w-inds. concert again. Went with Aliyah and had a BLAST!! Getting to see them live again after 2 years just made me extra happy >w< Met up with Natsuki after the show and we spazzed for a bit, then went to dinner together in Kabukicho. Ironically we just went to Matsuya ROFL, but was a good night~
Since I last updated, we've still been having a lot of aftershocks...at least 1 every day that's noticable. Yesterday there was a big one right before I left for work, and I actually didn't feel it, but when I got to the station my line was stopped. But only for 4 minutes, so no big delay thankfully!! Tokyo (and Japan in general) are getting so used to these aftershocks, it's like they've always been a part of the daily routine. I don't even see people get phased anymore when one hits.
I think the only big update in relation to recent events is the change of the Daiichi plant radiation happenings from a level 5 to level 7 accident (same as Chernobyl) on the international scale of nuclear accidents overseen by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Though I'm still not quite sure WHY it's been changed. From all the research I've done, the amount of radiation released so far by iodine-131 is about 500,000 terabecquerels while the radiation released from Chernobyl was 5.2 million terabecquerels, so 10 times more than the Fukushima plant. I believe they've raised the rating though not only because of actual radiation released, but also based on plant damage and health risks for the workers there. But actually, most of the iodine released happened with the initial plant explosions, and the actual amount of radiation currently in the air is decreasing daily. And thankfully it's only rained 2 days since all of these events, so radiation is staying relatively low countrywide.
And just as a comparison for radiation levels, I thought I'd do some research on the average levels of radiation found in the US. I'm not sure if this will make people in America feel better or worse about the situation, but just goes to show you that just because the media says there are "high" levels of radiation doesn't mean it's higher than other places NORMALLY are.
CURRENT BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVELS (per year)
- Tokyo: 1,753 microsieverts
- USA: 3,000 microsieverts
So after learning that little fact...I feel pretty safe haha. But yes have to be careful with what's going on here to keep the level from going any further up.
Mar 30, 2011
No Quick Fix
I feel like the more I learn about what's going on, the more I realize how LONG it's going to take to fully recover. There are so many loose ends and endless options on how to go about fixing each it's kind of mind boggling. But I know how strong this country is, and I know how much God loves Japan and wants to work through this situation, so for now just have to take everything day by day, one step at a time. Everything seems to be moving along is a good way, but that doesn't make what's happened any easier to deal with. But I DO KNOW that everyone here now is here for a purpose, and I'm going to stand on that truth as I try to figure out what my role is.
Esther 4:14 (AMP)
"For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but...who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?"
That verse really makes me think...and I want to replace the words Jews with JAPANESE, because they're just as important to God, and I can tell something is moving here, but it requires Christians being attentive to what's being put on their hearts.
But moving on, here are the things that've brightened my day along with a few updates that I'm assuming haven't reached (or just aren't being shared) overseas:
RADIATION LEVELS GOING DOWN IN SEA WATER
I know a big concern has been about the amount of radioactive material being released into the ocean around the plant, and as of yesterday reports say the levels are going down. Actually, the materials aren't being DUMPED into the sea, as the drainage pipes coming out from the plant actually end 50-70 yards away from the ocean. But the concerns have been coming based on rainfall washing the elements into the sea, as well as from spill out of contaminated water from the plant. The reservoirs within the plant are filling because a couple of the water coolant machines still aren't working (radiation levels are still too high in reactor No. 1 for staff to reconnect it), so the government has been pouring water over the top via helicopter, but of course there's only SO much water the place can hold before it becomes full.
A big problem right after the earthquake/tsunami hit the plant was that power went out, and has still been limited to the Fukushima area, so for example the lights in the control rooms at the plant weren't working. So it's not that staff wasn't working on the situation, but issues like that work making work go a LOT slower. Also, there were over 800 workers at the plant managing reactor No. 2, but all but 50 left for several days because of the high radiation levels (aka the remaining staff could only take 2 hour shifts, otherwise they'd have too much radiation overdose). But I'm happy about the figures being released for the current situation in the surrounding ocean, since they're going down...not that investigators can even prove the radioactive leaks are coming FROM the plant, as opposed to rain water and whatnot.
Level of Iodine-131 as of:
Saturday 3/26: 1850x normal
Sunday 3/27: 250x normal
Tuesday 3/29: 28x normal
The Wallstreet Journal published a good article on the current situation this morning, so I'd recommend taking a look.
GOVERNMENT TAKING OVER TEPCO
The company that's been in charge of handling the plant situation as well as the electricity redistribution thus far has been TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Co), but because of some disputes the government is thinking of taking it over. I think the main reasons are because of TEPCO releasing either really VAGUE information during its updates on the situation or retracting announcements it's made at random, which are both making the public and government very annoyed. The major problem I see is that Japan's government has never been in charge of the nuclear plants nor electricity, so them taking over might not really help, but anyway it's just something being dicussed, not implemented yet. You can read more about it from The Daily Yomiuri's report.
HOW IT'S AFFECTING ME
I guess I haven't really mentioned any personal effects all this has had on me huh. It's altered my daily routine a bit, but not too much. My train schedule is the biggest thing that's messed up I guess. TEPCO has decreased most trains in the Kanto region to working at 60-80% their normal amount, and for my line that means taking out 4 (of 6) of the services. By services I mean 6 types of trains come through my station (express, commuter, local, etc) and the 4 FASTEST have been taken out of service (as they use the most energy), so I have to take the local train (normally 30 minutes) or Commuter Express (normally 24 minutes). Not so big a problem except the amount of those trains hasn't increased, which equals MORE people trying to cram on at once and thus 20-60 minute overall delays because of taking longer to load the trains and stopping from injuries of people being squished, run over by others, etc. And I don't think most people overseas realize, but we have train staff here SPECIFICALLY for the purpose of cramming more people onto trains. Example:
Anyway, that's my day...twice a day lol. Other than that small problem, I'm peachy keen :D
Esther 4:14 (AMP)
"For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but...who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?"
That verse really makes me think...and I want to replace the words Jews with JAPANESE, because they're just as important to God, and I can tell something is moving here, but it requires Christians being attentive to what's being put on their hearts.
But moving on, here are the things that've brightened my day along with a few updates that I'm assuming haven't reached (or just aren't being shared) overseas:
RADIATION LEVELS GOING DOWN IN SEA WATER
I know a big concern has been about the amount of radioactive material being released into the ocean around the plant, and as of yesterday reports say the levels are going down. Actually, the materials aren't being DUMPED into the sea, as the drainage pipes coming out from the plant actually end 50-70 yards away from the ocean. But the concerns have been coming based on rainfall washing the elements into the sea, as well as from spill out of contaminated water from the plant. The reservoirs within the plant are filling because a couple of the water coolant machines still aren't working (radiation levels are still too high in reactor No. 1 for staff to reconnect it), so the government has been pouring water over the top via helicopter, but of course there's only SO much water the place can hold before it becomes full.
A big problem right after the earthquake/tsunami hit the plant was that power went out, and has still been limited to the Fukushima area, so for example the lights in the control rooms at the plant weren't working. So it's not that staff wasn't working on the situation, but issues like that work making work go a LOT slower. Also, there were over 800 workers at the plant managing reactor No. 2, but all but 50 left for several days because of the high radiation levels (aka the remaining staff could only take 2 hour shifts, otherwise they'd have too much radiation overdose). But I'm happy about the figures being released for the current situation in the surrounding ocean, since they're going down...not that investigators can even prove the radioactive leaks are coming FROM the plant, as opposed to rain water and whatnot.
Level of Iodine-131 as of:
Saturday 3/26: 1850x normal
Sunday 3/27: 250x normal
Tuesday 3/29: 28x normal
The Wallstreet Journal published a good article on the current situation this morning, so I'd recommend taking a look.
GOVERNMENT TAKING OVER TEPCO
The company that's been in charge of handling the plant situation as well as the electricity redistribution thus far has been TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Co), but because of some disputes the government is thinking of taking it over. I think the main reasons are because of TEPCO releasing either really VAGUE information during its updates on the situation or retracting announcements it's made at random, which are both making the public and government very annoyed. The major problem I see is that Japan's government has never been in charge of the nuclear plants nor electricity, so them taking over might not really help, but anyway it's just something being dicussed, not implemented yet. You can read more about it from The Daily Yomiuri's report.
HOW IT'S AFFECTING ME
I guess I haven't really mentioned any personal effects all this has had on me huh. It's altered my daily routine a bit, but not too much. My train schedule is the biggest thing that's messed up I guess. TEPCO has decreased most trains in the Kanto region to working at 60-80% their normal amount, and for my line that means taking out 4 (of 6) of the services. By services I mean 6 types of trains come through my station (express, commuter, local, etc) and the 4 FASTEST have been taken out of service (as they use the most energy), so I have to take the local train (normally 30 minutes) or Commuter Express (normally 24 minutes). Not so big a problem except the amount of those trains hasn't increased, which equals MORE people trying to cram on at once and thus 20-60 minute overall delays because of taking longer to load the trains and stopping from injuries of people being squished, run over by others, etc. And I don't think most people overseas realize, but we have train staff here SPECIFICALLY for the purpose of cramming more people onto trains. Example:
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