home decor and garden are very famous in the world

(I will explain the picture later in the post)
I have been asked many times "So...how is your family?"...

After the earthquake, I received an enormous amount of emotional support from different people in different ways. You, dear blogger friends are some of them too. Thank you for being there for me.

I feel like I owe you some updates about my family but not much has changed. My family still lives in Sendai and is trying to live a normal life. They are fairly close to the nuclear reactor (within 80 km), and they still get smaller earthquakes daily. Sometimes, while we are on the phone, they will say "Ah! It's starting again, I gotta go!"...then they hang up the phone. I try not to but I can't help thinking "what if that was the last time I could talk to them..." until I hear from them again.

I am really worried about my small nieces and how the radiation will affect their bodies in the future. I have been trying to convince my family to come to America and stay with us, but their answer is "No". Their reason being is "they don't want to inconvenience us" or "What about school, job and mortgage", and so on. Also, my family still lives in their own house and now they can buy pretty much anything they need, so they don't feel like they have to make such a big decision, at least not yet.

On the other hand, people who lost everything, their living situation is FAR from normal. For example, one of my sister’s friends who lost their house (she is in her mid-30’s and she has two elderly parents and a grandmother who depends on her) sleeps in a tent by the destroyed home, and is working on the clean-up every day.

I have been sending care packages here and there, but I know that is only a fraction of what they really need. There are many stories that I have heard, but I hesitate to even share on my blog, because they are so disturbing...

After the quake, I heard stories and witnessed so many acts of humility and kindness towards the tsunami victims in Japan. It was and still is such a horrific event, but I am astonished that so many people have come together to do something to help and contribute.

I often think about the ways that I can help; a lot more than just my family and friends.

Missy from How Does she contacted me after the quake saying that she is putting a cookbook together to raise money for Japan. She contacted 50 plus bloggers and asked us to contribute their favorite recipes for the cookbook.
Then Heather from ChickaBug designed everything and just kept working hard till this cook book became a reality. You know what is great about them? They are going to donate 100% of the proceeds from the cookbook sale to the Red Cross.

She designed a big cartel site to sell it on so she wouldn't "gain" from any traffic it might send. She just wants to be clear that this is ENTIRELY about raising money for people who need it and has NOTHING to do with her blogging. Also, this book has no direct link to her site.

The book is designed to be used as an e-book, but it can also be printed and bound. It is a pdf, which is also perfect for iPad or e-readers. I have already received my copy, and let me tell you, it looks great! In case you are wondering what kind of recipe I contributed... (whisper) my mom's Kara-age(deep fried)chicken. It is a one of my favorite dishes that my mother made for us growing up. There are so many recipes that look so good and I want to try making them.

I should have a link to the shop on big cartel soon, so check back...

This book will be on sale for 1 week, and 1 week only! August 8th through the 14th.

I am going to ask for your help... Please talk, Facebook, tweet, post on your blog to spread the word. The price is going for $10 or $15; I haven't heard the final decision. Just think... You can gain 50 plus awesome recipes for a small amount of money, and 100% of that money will be donated to help the tsunami victims. Don't you think this is a win-win situation for all?

I just want to say a BIG thank you to Missy and Heather on behalf of the Japanese people who will be benefited by this for their kindness, thoughtfulness and dedication to this project. If we are all like them, the world would be a much better place to live. Don't you think so? :)

Hi everyone! I have been keeping myself busy and doing everything I can think of to help the people in Japan. That way I don't slip into a state of sadness and depression in my mind.

There was an earth quake on Thursday night, and I didn't know if my sister was ok until Saturday. When I heard her voice, I was extremely happy and joyful! Then, what came next was the radiation scare... I am still worried about that. The last several days have been such an emotional roller coaster.

I was able to talk with my sister and mother yesterday. They still haven't received any supplies from anywhere and the food is running out. I could hear my nieces fighting over a piece of bread in the background...

Every time I eat or drink, I think about them. How often I take "normality" for granted? The things I used to do on autopilot became reminders for how much I am blessed daily.

But when I think about the people in Japan who are affected by this, my struggle with emotion is nothing compared to what they must be going through. I thought that, "Right now, I need to suck it up and do something to help them".

Besides writing a post about donating to Humanitarian Services, I made a bunch of fliers yesterday. The fliers pretty much contained the same massage that I posted on the blog but shorter. I went to some local businesses, the kids’ martial arts studio, library, and a couple quilt stores to spread the word. People are so nice, compassionate and willing to help. They let me leave the fliers with them.

I especially want to thank people at Fedex Kinkos in Orem. When I went there to make copies of the fliers, their machines were down, and the lady told me that she can make the copies for me in the back. A while later, she came out and asked me, "Is your family still there?" When I said yes and explained why I am doing what I am doing she told me they don't want me to pay for the copies. The other workers too, they are so concerned about the people in Japan. They were so kind and sincere.

I wasn't expecting that type of kindness at all, tears started filling my eyes and I was crying in the middle of Kinkos. I wish I could just shut off my dumb tear ducts, but emotion is running wild now a days, I can't help it.

Thank you so much! I will be a loyal customer for Fedex Kinkos!

What surprised me the most yesterday was, many people thanked me for what I am doing. They all said the same thing..."I wanted to help but I didn't know how." I think we are all in the same boat. I don't know if what I am doing is really worth something, but I have to believe it indeed will make a difference.

Also, my sweet blogger friend Amy forwarded this email to me to share with the local people about quilt tying service you can go to;

Friends and family:

In an effort to aid those suffering in Japan, we have scheduled my church building this Saturday to tie quilts. The church humanitarian center has put out an immediate need request for twin and full sized quilts to help those suffering in the aftermath of the disaster and now extreme temperatures. If you have any time at all this Saturday, please consider coming even for an hour. If you have sheets, yarn, or batting, please consider bringing them to donate. If you can bring them to me ahead of time, I can mark and cut them to size, if not, I will do that there. I will also have a giveaway there as an added incentive (if the cookies and good "servicey" feelings aren't good enough). (Those who live outside Utah, I know you can't come, but could you pass this to anyone who would be willing to help in UT?)


Saturday, March 19th
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1075 W 1100 N (church building)
Orem, UT
Come tie quilts to be donated. If you have twin or larger sheets, batting, or yarn you can donate, bring those as well.
For more information, and a link to pass to friends, please go to my blog, here or our ward relief society blog, here.

Please pass this on to anyone you can. Friends, ward members, coworkers, etc.

If you know quilt or fabric shop owners (or avid quilters with a huge stash!) who would be willing to donate fabric or batting, please ask them.

This is obviously short notice, but also as obviously, an easy thing we can do to give service and help our sweet brothers and sisters. This would be a great opportunity to teach your older children about the power of timely service (even when it might be a little inconvenient).

Hope to see you there,

Mwa!
April

Reading emails like this gives me hope and motivates me even more. People are good, kind and care about each other. We can all contribute to help people in need in different ways.

I have decided to make a separate page for "Japan Disaster Relief". I will still write simple updates about my family here too, but on the separate page, I will write posts focused on that issue. When I update my post next time here, it will be my normal sewing/craft post. Creating sooths my soul, there is no way that I am stopping.

Please check both pages often. I know Japan will take a long time to recover from this horrible disaster. I mean, years and years to come. People who are affected by this need help for the long haul. So I thought it would be best to have a separate page for the cause.

Thank you everyone who commented on my previous posts, there is some information that will be useful to other people, please read those comments too.
Also, some of you are like me… worried about your loved ones in Japan. I hope you have peace in your heart and find a way reach out to those in need.

Love,

Sachiko

Thank you all for your kind and very supportive comments and emails! I am still getting lots of emails today about how you all are very happy for me that I got a hold of my sister. I can't tell you how grateful I am to read all of them, and most of them were people I have never met before.

Although, I know my family is alive, they are still not out of the woods yet. My sister lives in an area that is about less than 80km away from the nuclear power plant, and the news I just saw said that they have detected some radiation in the prefecture next to them. I don't know how the wind will blow and carry the radiation, but I am very worried for them.

I asked if they could escape to somewhere, but pretty much all the public transportation in the area is disabled right now, and they only have a little bit of gas in the car. There is no guarantee where and when they can buy more gas.

Meanwhile, I have been researching ways to help the people in Japan. I have thought about starting a fundraiser myself, but then, I have never done such a thing before. Also, I guess if I try to set up something like that I have to deal with tax laws, and how I am going to get the money (international laws and such), and where to take it. I have no clue.

So, I looked around to see some other options. If I am donating the money to an organization that already exists, I have to make sure that they are not a scam (sadly, there are people out there to use times like this to get gain for themselves), and that the money will be used effectively.

The organization that I trust is humanitarian services run by the church I attend. My husband helped me to do some digging, and he talked to a person from humanitarian service. Their overhead is very low, compared to other organizations out there (some of the places the overhead is 30% and such, Red Cross is 14%, and our church's humanitarian services is only 2%. UPDATE: I just learned that the church absorbs all the overhead costs and that 100% of the donations given directly to the humanitarian services goes to help those in need.

Also, they are known for their services during the Haiti's and Chili's aftermath, and making a difference in people's lives.

The only thing is that I don't care for is that I can't specify where I want the money to go. The humanitarian services will use the money where it is needed the most. Right now I can't think of anywhere else that needs a lot more help than Japan. Considering their reliability, their past reputation, and low overhead, I believe that their organization will do the most good with the resources donated. The last thing I want is the money to get lost in the system and not help anyone at all.

I have a deep desire to help people in Japan as well as my family. I just couldn't get on with my life and do nothing knowing that so many people are suffering where I used to live. I have no idea where my friends are and how they are doing.


I have the Japanese channel, and I watch more detailed news. There were some survivors that were interviewed and shared their stories. Their stories are so raw, sad and heart wrenching.


At 0:41 you will the tsunami wash over the area I used to go visit my friends.

Many of you asked me if you can do anything to help. So I ask you to consider donating and helping out the people of my country. If you already have an organization you believe in, that's great, please donate any time, items, or money to them. Also, there is no such a thing "too small" of a contributions. Every dollar helps.


<center><a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/2011/03/what-i-am-feeling-now.html"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2o2gaahVbNZo7wUbHNeuJjIeoYzwDyIOq1y_5tSQ15TWQVSXvMxKv9ZQZvlTgvvH5U83uvQgdzLzXpHGW5ta-ByZTGuvaUYbCS-r8icCvRkws7YiAIlH1LYfXpyBT5cx6tMBdzo8NUjke/s200/Japan_pol.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584154163570491026" /></a></center>
Please add this grab button to the sidebar of your blog, let's get as many people involved as we can!

I still worry about my family in Japan. At the same time, I think about my role in the tragedy. This event is just too close to my heart, I have to do something.

One thing I thought of is that I have a voice. In over two and half years, I created a small spot in this blog-land. You guys have been so kind and supportive of my craft/sewing adventures. This time I ask of you to help me to help those in need in my country. I know it is a tough time for a lot of people financially, if you can help with donations, please spread the word out about what I am trying to do.

I know I can count on you.

Lots of love

Sachiko