In the early hours of the morning northern Japan was hit with a 8.9 magnitude earthquake. Hundreds are dead, and hundreds more are missing and injured. Fires are raging out of control and a fire at one nuclear power plant has forced the evacuation of over 2,000 residents. Hawaii, U.S. and Canadian eastern coast are now under a tsunami warning. The coastal city of Sendai has also been submerged, yielding most of the death toll.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/11/japan.quake/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1
A Liveblog of the events:
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/11/live-blog-japan-earthquake/
No matter how many times I watch another world disaster unfold it's no less horrifying. Here in Canada I sit in my home watching whats happening. I don't know what it is like to have the ground suddenly shift and everything around you suddenly falling and shaking; and I don't know what it's like to face a natural disaster of that magnitude.
But there is one thing I do know. It is times like this, when things are literally falling apart, that humanity pulls itself together. You will see the greatest heroes emerge out of the largest trials, and the greatest acts of kindness can come from the moments of great sorrow and fear. It is times like this, that we pull together to help each other.
So may we pray for the people of Japan and the Pacific Isles, and may we send them whatever kindness we can.
Red Cross:
http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=000005&tid=003
Doctors Without Borders:
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/
xoxo
Showing posts with label Charity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charity. Show all posts
Friday, March 11, 2011
Monday, December 6, 2010
Behold! The Archnemesis!
The headache...
*fnaaarrrrr*
And curse it back to the very depths of the ninth circle of hell. Until then, it's pounding away on my frontal lobe like a poorly timed mariachi band. Nygah.
However, in case anyone hasn't notice. What with the big city light ups, and the rushed shoppers running you over, and the large volume of traffic circling parking stalls like vultures on a carcass, it's Christmas everyone! Yay! Let us all be caught up in consumerism and totally forget the real meaning. Mk?
Well, okay. Not everyone. I really wish I had caught a picture of this today, but dang it all I left my camera at work and my phone camera is pure terrible. Point being, today whilst out doing my little shopping thing at lunch break; I found myself in the throng of shoppers in the downtown Core Mall. Between dodging sales people, bags, children and other shoppers I finally weaseled outside. Granted it was still just as rush-full of people, but more space to weave. As I walked down the closed streets on Stephen Avenue I happened to spot a homeless man sitting on a little crate with a small empty cup in his hand. I actually recognized him, because I see him everyday on my way to work. And just like other people, sometimes I've dropped a couple of spare coins in my pocket into his cup. Well, it was a bit chillier out today and as I walked up the street I noticed a business woman walking in front of me stop next to the old man.
She was carrying a large cup from Starbucks and I saw her hand it to him. I could hear her say "It's hot chocolate. Merry Christmas." And then she just walked away.
Please let it be noted, as much as I say I hate crying. I so get choked up easily, so I was a little teary when I walked past the man. But he was perfectly happy as he yelled out "God Bless you" to the woman. Then went back to his drink, which I'm sure really was a Christmas treat. For just a moment, between the humming of traffic and the screeching of the train and the bustle of people. I'm sure I was one of the few who stopped to notice a small piece of Christmas right there on the street. May we all be a little kinder, a little merrier, and shine our lights a little brighter this season.
A month ago I found myself leaving the Calgary Highlanders Centennial Gala. Exiting onto Stephen Avenue I just had to snap this shot, it just looked so pretty. Add some snow to the picture and this is what downtown Calgary looks like now. I adore the icicle lights ^_^
xoxo
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have no charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth.
-Moroni
*fnaaarrrrr*
And curse it back to the very depths of the ninth circle of hell. Until then, it's pounding away on my frontal lobe like a poorly timed mariachi band. Nygah.
However, in case anyone hasn't notice. What with the big city light ups, and the rushed shoppers running you over, and the large volume of traffic circling parking stalls like vultures on a carcass, it's Christmas everyone! Yay! Let us all be caught up in consumerism and totally forget the real meaning. Mk?
Well, okay. Not everyone. I really wish I had caught a picture of this today, but dang it all I left my camera at work and my phone camera is pure terrible. Point being, today whilst out doing my little shopping thing at lunch break; I found myself in the throng of shoppers in the downtown Core Mall. Between dodging sales people, bags, children and other shoppers I finally weaseled outside. Granted it was still just as rush-full of people, but more space to weave. As I walked down the closed streets on Stephen Avenue I happened to spot a homeless man sitting on a little crate with a small empty cup in his hand. I actually recognized him, because I see him everyday on my way to work. And just like other people, sometimes I've dropped a couple of spare coins in my pocket into his cup. Well, it was a bit chillier out today and as I walked up the street I noticed a business woman walking in front of me stop next to the old man.
She was carrying a large cup from Starbucks and I saw her hand it to him. I could hear her say "It's hot chocolate. Merry Christmas." And then she just walked away.
Please let it be noted, as much as I say I hate crying. I so get choked up easily, so I was a little teary when I walked past the man. But he was perfectly happy as he yelled out "God Bless you" to the woman. Then went back to his drink, which I'm sure really was a Christmas treat. For just a moment, between the humming of traffic and the screeching of the train and the bustle of people. I'm sure I was one of the few who stopped to notice a small piece of Christmas right there on the street. May we all be a little kinder, a little merrier, and shine our lights a little brighter this season.
xoxo
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have no charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth.
-Moroni
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