Peace and love

こんな状況の中、情報と意思が錯綜しますね。
最終的にそれぞれの価値観と判断で決めるしかないと思いますが、
一方的に他人の行動を責めたり、自分の行動を崇めたりするのは
避けたいものです。
それぞれの人の状況にそれぞれの思惑があるのだし、それを本人
でもないのに推し量るのは不可能なのだから。

今はただただ平和で安全な生活の再来を心から願いつつ、それを
実現に向けようと実質的に動いている人たちに心から感謝する
のみです。

息子が仲良したちと気兼ねなく青空の下にノビノビと遊べる日を
思い描きながら、毎日祈り、自分のできることをするのみです。

Under this difficult circumstance in Japan, information and thoughts get
tangled up between people, internet, etc. and people are starting to make
harsh judgement on other people's actions or beliefs.
In times like this especially, we need to open our eyes and minds to accept
other people, accept as they are. Everyone is on a different stand point
and to understand what he or she is seeing from there, you cannot figure,
thus you should not judge. You don't have to let them in, you can stand aside,but do not judge or attack. Just let them be.
Eventually everything will fall into places where they belong.

I pray everyday for the people out there who are making it happen for our better future to come home safe and that the day when my son can go out on any given sunny day to play with his friends cheerfully without worry.

I am sure it is not too far and until then I pray and do what I can everyday.

Pray, people, pray for love and peace on earth.

合掌 - Prayers

Prayers

みなさん、地震大丈夫でしたか？

こちらは家族、親戚、友人など、近しい人たちの安否はすべて昨日までに確認できました。

金曜日午後２：５０。

恵比寿にある５階建てのビルの４階のオフィスで最初の揺れを感じる。

エキサイトする外人の同僚たちに静かにするよう諭しながら机の下へ。ほどなく揺れがひどくなり、机の脚をつかまないと体が前後するくらい揺れがひどくなった。どんどんひどくなる揺れに怯えながら「息子の安否、それまでは絶対冷静さを失わない！」と唱えながらこらえる。

揺れが一度おさまる。旦那からメール。無事の様子。ほどなくして次の大きな揺れ。

また机の下に。一度目に比べ少し小さく、すぐおさまる。

ネットで地震情報を確認、電車すべて不通。しばらくして息子の保育園に電話がつながり無事確認。近くのママ友が保育園にいき、連れて帰ってくれ一安心。余震が落ち着き、午後７時すぎにオフィスを出て徒歩で帰路に。道すがら多くの人が歩いて帰宅する様子。午後９時すぎ、先に帰った旦那と息子が帰宅。

息子と旦那の顔を見てほっと一息をつきながら、岩手、宮城、茨城など被害のひどい地域では多くの人が家族とひきさかれ、安否さえも確認できない状況を考えると、やはり手放しで喜べる状況ではないと痛感。

日を追うにつれ被害状況が如実に報告されると共に、今ここに生を預かっていることに心から感謝。

痛ましくも津波などの被害で亡くなられた多くの方に心からお祈りを申し上げます。

合掌。

All my families, relatives, close friends, accounted for.

I was at my office on 4th floor of 5 story building in Tokyo when the first quake hit at 2:50pm on Friday.

It gradually increased its intensity and lasted several minutes.  I had to hold onto desk legs to stay put.  Quake felt like forever and as it became bigger, building started making big rambling noises and  I thought I was not going to make it, but then realized I need to stay calm and anyhow make it through this to ensure my son's safety.

After the 1st quake, series of small aftershocks followed. Got through to my son's day care by phone, he and his friends/teachers all okay.  Text message comes into my cell from Toru, he is alright.

2nd quake hit us again, smaller than 1st one, but big enough to make us hide under the desks again. After it subsides, another text message comes in from Kohki's friend's mom telling me she picked him up brought him to her house, all safe. Relieved.

Phone line unstable, mobile lines unable to get through, and trains stop.

I waited few hours with my colleagues at the office and left aroun 7:30pm and walked home, got home after an hour or so.

My husband came back with my son in his arms around 9pm.


I am thankful for being alive.  That's all what matters after all.

Prayers go for those up nortth who are deprived of electricity, gas, water, and any means to know whereabouts of their families. I cannot imagine what they are going through.

Gassho (prayers) for those who lost their lives in the quake and tsunami.

一難去って・・・ one after another

首都圏は保育園が厳しい話はしましたが、なんと幼稚園もという事実が最近判明。
噂や情報が錯綜し、「らしいよ」判断が嫌いな私は即調査。

区立は２年制だし、うちの区は預かり（時間外・春夏冬休み預かりなど）がないのでひとまず除外。３歳からの私立幼稚園で預かり枠のある幼稚園を調査。
結果は然り。

しかも、幼稚園に入れるために２歳の年からプレスクールというのに通わせなければならなく、そこから激戦の様子。とういことは、うちは今年秋から動かなければならない・・・
このプレというやつがまたクセモノ。幼稚園によってはプレに受け入れるくせに、いざ入園の段階でプレ人数の入園定員超えが予想されると抽選にされて振り落とされる。

先週、息子より１歳上のお友達とママに誘われて、３０分くらい先にある幼稚園のプレの説明会にいってみた（フィールドワークです）。なんと１０名の枠に４、５０名来ていた！

なんのこっちゃ、有名私立にお受験させるわけでもないのに。

なんか変じゃない？！でも、これが現実・・・

I told you about situation around day care and nursery schools in Japan (esp around Tokyo), how difficult it is to find it. Now I am told it is tough to get into preschools as well.

This rumor has been going around moms but I never took it seriously until recently when I went along with my friend and her daughter who is one year older than my son to check one school in my area t. 4,　50 people showed up (99% mothers) for 10 spots!

This means that I need to start applying for pre-preschool classes this winter to ensure my son's entrance by April 2013.

What has a world come to.... madness.


Kohki and his cousin Joji, dancing in grandpa's playroom. Kohki's running around Joji. Both of them love music!