Residents are still dealing with aftershocks, which sometimes happen up to 10 times a day, along with having to say goodbye to friends who have left Japan. Most are not able to drink from tap water because of the threat of radiation levels. Not to mention that the situation with the nuclear plants is still unstable and uncertain.
Although everyone is trying to move on with their lives, they are still faced with everyday obstacles that are making returning back to their everyday lives increasingly difficult. As with most natural disaster relief, many aides have left after the initial clean up, leaving residents to face the mess alone. However there are some companies that are still offering relief.
As if the devastation from the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami weren’t enough, Japan continues to deal with threats from a damaged nuclear power plant. Ready for some numbers that will stop you in your tracks? The current death toll stands at 8,100, 12,000 people remain missing and 452,000 have been displaced. These figures, unfortunately, are on the rise. There are a few heart-warming reports coming out, such as the 80-year-old woman and her grandson found yesterday who survived for 9 DAYS (eek!) beneath the rubble of their house, but for the most part headlines remain focused on the nuclear catastrophe. The Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant lost power following the earthquake, and since then has been releasing radiation into the surrounding area. The government has been working frantically to restore power, but traces of radiation have already been found in Tokyo’s tap water and produce at grocery stores.
After the being struck by the biggest earthquake in recorded history, Japan attempts to clean up. The biggest hurdle right now? The Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. The plant was hit hard by the earthquake and has since experienced two explosions, leaving many people worried about a nuclear meltdown that could kill over 10,000 people. People are being evacuated from the power plants, as well as coastlines. And this is only one of the many problems Japan is facing. Not only are thousands stranded without power or water, but with the state of emergency many survivors have over-stocked on food, leaving thousands of others without anything and still waiting for relief.
Apple had a successful weekend with the launch of the new iPad. The iPad2 sold out within hours of being released to the public. Analysts are estimating 400,000 to 600,000 were sold over the past three days, many of which were bought by new users. The iPad 2 is said to be thinner, lighter and much more powerful than it’s predecessor. It also features a camera that is located on the front and back, which is designed to take pictures as well as video conference. Many experts are saying that the iPad2 will continue to fly off the shelves with the price and technology it offers. Once again, Apple products dominate the market. Read More »
When I was younger, I was obsessed with Japanese culture. I tried to learn Japanese, read every book set in Japan I could manage and even made my mom take me out for sushi in the cultured city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, years before sushi was “hip.” Since then the obsession has died off considerably, but I still feel something for Japan. I had heard that “Memoirs of a Geisha” by Arthur Golden was a fantastic read from just about everyone, including my mom and hair-dresser, but never managed to pick it up. Finally last week I decided to stop procrastinating and re-visit my childhood obsession.
“Memoirs of a Geisha” is set in Japan in the 1930s and ’40s. It tells the story of Chiyo Sakumoto who becomes Sayuri Nitta, one of the most famous geisha of her day. Chiyo is sold by her ailing parents to an okiya (essentially a geisha house) in the Gion area of Japan. She works for the Nitta “family” – Granny, Mother, Auntie and the house’s sole geisha, Hatsumomo. In an okiya, the “family” isn’t a real family at all; Granny, Mother and Auntie are all former geisha who now live and work together in the okiya. Chiyo is chosen by Granny because of her unusual eyes, which are a strange mix of blue-grey.
Hatsumomo immediately realizes that Chiyo will grow up to be a very famous and successful geisha because of these unique eyes and her natural beauty and sets out to ruin Chiyo’s chances of becoming a geisha. For years Hatusumomo tortures Chiyo while she works as a maid in the okiya and even convinces the Nitta’s to pull Chiyo out of geisha school, cementing her future as a maid. Chiyo hates living in the okiya and feels trapped in her life as a maid until she meets the Chairman. She meets him when she is only a girl, but she is completely infatuated with the Chairman and this infatuation drives her to become a great geisha. Perhaps if she becomes well-known enough, the Chairman will one day take her as a his mistress, which is the most a geisha can ever hope for. Read More »
OK, so this pic is misleading. No matter how much I love my BF, I wouldn’t jump out of a plane for him. Even with a gray-haired instructor on my back.
But that being said, I’ve recently realized how many new things I’ve tried since calling Matt my boyfriend.
Most people think that once you’re in a serious relationship, your fun and adventurous days are over. Well that, like most other generalizations, isn’t true!
When you love someone, you trust someone. And when you trust someone, you tend to be a little more willing to try weird things that used to make you want to barf. Those could be things that you never once considered (snowboarding), or things that you considered at one point, tried and vowed never to try again (Taquitos from 7-11). It just comes with the relationship territory; not only do you want to love the things your significant other loves, but you also know that if he or she enjoys them, maybe they’re not so bad after all. Read More »
I’ve always known that eating cookies could make my ass a little bigger (just ask my favorite pair of Joe’s), but now it looks like they can do the same thing for my tatas.
There is a new cookie on the market in Japan that promises to increase your breast size. Aptly called F-Cups, the cookies contain Pueraria Mirifica, a natural breast enhancer. Just eat two cookies a day and (allegedly) you’re on your way to a bigger bra size.
I’m not really sure these would taste all that good, but a midnight snack that can increase my cleavage? Looks like it’s time to get rid of my Double Stuffed and get me some Double Ds.
There’s a great many things to do and places to see in this world of ours. As humans, our lives are pretty short (and if you party like I do, it’s probably going to be even shorter). So we have to prioritize! We have brains for a reason and that reason is…reasoning (well, at least some of us use them for that purpose: see comment about partying above). Let me be your voice of reason as I show you all the things you should be doing right here, right now.
Let’s look at the facts – our economy is bad, everyone is cutting back, no one has money (maybe that’s just me), and even the weather is bad. If there was ever a time that vacations were needed, it’s now. Whatever happened to the glory days of the traditional random college backpacking trip or the “I need to find myself” adventure to who-knows-where? Well, go find yourself! Actually, I already found you – you’re in Japan. And you’re having the time of your life.
Here’s just a few of the reasons why you should go to Japan:
Hot Guys – Scoff if you must, but Japanese guys are very good looking. High cheekbones, sweet lips, fabulous hair, impeccable style, etc. They also tend to be edgy (underground music scene and such) and they know how to party (think long nights stomping around the different bars, clubs, and karaoke rooms of Tokyo). But they’re not all play – these guys know how to put their pretty noses to the grindstone and they come out all sexy and intelligent on the other end (having a job doesn’t hurt, either).
Fashion – If you want new fashion and edgy style, then Tokyo is your city. They are unafraid to try new things and you’ll see some things walking around that you’d never have thought of…until you saw it next year on a runway in Milan. Luckily, most of the cool stuff is pretty cheap because they love a good deal in Japan. Find your way to Harajuku or Shibuya (both parts of Tokyo) and you’ll come out with bags upon bags of happy. Just expect some serious stares when you get back to the US. Read More »
[Every week, CC and John bring you some of the weirdest, funniest, saddest things he hears on his college campus. Join the Overheard revolution!Leave your own overheard convos in the comments or send ‘em over!]
(Heard from physics students walking behind me.)
Guy 1: So the senior design engineer says, hey, that’s a mismatched transistor! The deficient fusion constants differed from the manufacturing!
(General laughter.)
Guy 2: Oh, naw, man, you told it wrong. You messed it up.
(From a reader: Two girls, talking earnestly in a shopping center.)
Girl 1: Yeah, I know, that’s like… the worst fish to be, if you were a fish.
Girl 2: Yeah, like I would never want to be that fish. Literally.
(Two guys on a bench.)
Guy 1: You can’t just push people over because they’re poor!
Guy 2: Why not? I think that’s a great reason! Read More »
When I was younger, I was obsessed with Japanese culture. I tried to learn Japanese, read every book set in Japan I could manage and even made my mom take me out for sushi in the cultured city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, years before sushi was “hip.” Since then the obsession has died off considerably, but I still feel something for Japan. I had heard that “Memoirs of a Geisha” by Arthur Golden was a fantastic read from just about everyone, including my mom and hair-dresser, but never managed to pick it up. Finally last week I decided to stop procrastinating and re-visit my childhood obsession.
OK, so this pic is misleading. No matter how much I love my BF, I wouldn’t jump out of a plane for him. Even with a gray-haired instructor on my back.
There’s a great many things to do and places to see in this world of ours. As humans, our lives are pretty short (and if you party like I do, it’s probably going to be even shorter). So we have to prioritize! We have brains for a reason and that reason is…reasoning (well, at least some of us use them for that purpose: see comment about partying above). Let me be your voice of reason as I show you all the things you should be doing right here, right now.
How to Screw Up the First Date
Why Jennifer Lawrence is the Coolest Actress Ever
Men in Black Take on The Avengers
Jeopardy Without Trebek?!
Stop Sleeping With Your Ex!
