7/22 Smiles and hope to Japan

Several days have gone by since July 17th, the day of the 2011 Women's World Cup Final but I am still on a Nadeshiko high and can't seem to stop smiling :)

Despite their 2-0 loss to England in their Group matches, their games leading up to the championship game were all historical games for the Japanese squad. In the tournament, they beat Germany.  And then, Sweden.  Showing that size and power are not everything in soccer.

And the final game is one I will never forget.  A game, SO worth watching nice and early at 3 a.m. in the morning.  For some reason, I had a good feeling the entire game, especially as the U.S. missed their opportunities at the start of the game.
Even when the U.S. scored their first goal, I knew we would come back.  Even when Abby Wambach headed that ball in during OT, I felt someone was going to make something happen- and Homare Sawa did.

Maybe it was due to all of the players facial expressions.  To me, they all seemed hopeful.  And they all played their hearts out until that final whistle blew.  Never giving up.  ALL 21 of them.

P.K's are of course, not the greatest way to determine the World Cup champions.  Yet, overall, it was a spectacular and breathtaking match to watch.

Nadeshiko Japan showed me and reminded me that soccer is fun.  And they were able to show it at the professional level.  And through this match, I also felt there exists...a soccer god!  But it is no miracle Nadeshiko won.  I truly believe it is a pure result of each players' efforts and of all the National players who have supported Japanese women's soccer up to this point.

I hope through this victory, women's soccer will continue to grow in Japan.  That the population of recreational female soccer players will grow, that the environment for women's professional soccer will improve.

Next up...Olympic gold!!???

Most importantly, THANK YOU SO MUCH, Nadeshiko Japan- for all the 感動 and positive energy you have brought to Japan. It brought smiles and hope to Japan. Especially during such a difficult time. なでしこジャパンに心から感謝！！！本当にありがとう！！！！

7/10 Hope

My two weeks in Rikuzen-Takata has come to an end.

4 months have gone by since March 11th. Although the city has come a long way, the hot and humid summer is now affecting the recovery process.

Dehydration and heat strokes haunt the local people as well as volunteers working outside.

The various debris left by the waves contain decaying fish- producing pungent odors and countless flies.

As temperatures continue to rise, hygiene concerns grow especially at the damaged seafood processing plants.

Despite the ongoing difficult situation up North, in various moments, I was able to see hope.

I saw...

Kids playing by the temporary houses with huge smiles.

People preparing for the upcoming summer festival and taking a go at the wadaiko (Japanese drums).

A temporary cafe and bar opening in town and people gathering for free beer,good food, and good times.

Seeing the people's faces filled with hope, I was awwwed by their strength and will to live and move forward.

And I will never forget the night sky of Rikuzen-Takata.

A view which for a moment- made me forget the damage and destruction which lies below.

It was breathtaking to see the Milky Way so crystal clear. And shooting stars one after another- a sight that you cannot catch in Tokyo.

Rikuzen-Takata and its people are moving forward.

Yet, there is still much much work ahead and ongoing support is needed.

I don't know when I will be able to come here again. But wherever I go, Rikuzen-Takata has a place in my heart. And I hope to keep supporting in any way I can.

See you, again.

A new start

On Saturday our volunteer work was to help with the cleanup at one of the evacuation shelters (an elementary school gymnasium) in Rikuzen-Takata city.

As I cleaned amongst the evacuees, I wondered what each individual was thinking and feeling.

To me, the place was just an ordinary school gym. But to the evacuees, it was a place filled with memories. A place they slept and ate for three months. A place- in replacement of their washed away homes.

During the cleanup, I was amazed at how much the people were putting effort into making the gym back to its normal situation. Making what used to be an evacuation shelter back to a school gym.

Now, there are 0 evacuees. Many have moved in to the temporary houses built on the elementary school field. Others have found new homes elsewhere.

At the end, when closing remarks were given, I was able to listen as some gave their final words of encouragement and thankfulness.

Although I was an outsider, it was a very special moment as I saw hope in many of their faces.

It is a new start. Although I will never be able to fully understand their feelings, I sincerely hope and pray that they will be able to keep moving forward, step by step.