I debated with myself before writing this. It's not about gluten free or baking or anything. But it is about being human. We're all affected because we're all human. My heart goes out to everyone in Japan and everyone that's suffering from the tsunami.
I think I'm still in shock. I've been reading so much about Japan and other people's reactions. It still seems surreal. I think everyone knows at this point where and how to donate. So I won't make this one of these posts (entirely).
At the last moment this past weekend, we donated to a bake sale that was raising money for Mercy Corps. I only had a chance to post about it on twitter. I wish I'd thought to post quickly here so more people would see it. It's over now and I hope they were able to raise a lot of money.
Tomato Tart Blog is hosting an online bake sale to raise money for Japan. While we aren't participating in it, there are several gluten free bloggers who are.
Even while I keep reading about the Nuclear Plant and the utter destruction, I'm also finding amazing stories of people helping other people. Like the guy that put on scuba gear and jumped into the tsunami to save his wife and mother.
The one thing that strikes me the most is how scared everyone here, so far away from the danger, seems to be. It really brings home how precarious life is. But I think there are important lessons. I've been trying not to read about the nuclear power plant from the media. They're not scientists and they're playing telephone with information. So I've been reading MIT's Nuclear Science and Engineering blog (same link us above). It's less sensationalized and has a lot of interesting information. It makes me realize that the best people for the job are working really hard to get it all contained. And the medical attention is going to people who may need it. The truth will be much clearer in hindsight, I'm sure.
The other lesson I hope to learn is to be prepared and to be able to let go. If a natural disaster were to strike, would I be prepared? What would I take with me? Would I be able to leave my belongings behind and just get out like these hunter-gatherer tribes did in SE Asia? For the first time since grade school, I'm actually putting together an emergency kit.
I'd love to hear about any pdx local events that are raising money for Japan or the ways this has affected you. What changes are you making in your own life because of this disaster?
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