災害

I just wanted everyone to know that I'm doing OK.  I do not live anywhere remotely close to Miyagi or Iwate prefecture where most of the damage occurred.  I do have friends who are living throughout Japan and have heard reports, especially from those living in the Tokyo and Yokohama areas, that the aftershocks were continuous throughout the evening/night.  Please keep your thoughts (and if you pray, your prayers) on the Japanese people.  Japan is built for earthquakes, but major disasters can easily overwhelm even areas that are well designed for such situations.  Japan is a very calm, stable nation and the clean up here will probably move quickly,  but any effort to help out will enable people who have perhaps lost everything the ability to restart their lives.  I'm not someone who normally advocates donating money to causes (often because the money never reaches the individuals who need it the most).  I think in this case though, it might be helpful.  If you can donate some money to help fund clean ups in the cities, towns and villages affected, please do so.  If you want to check the legitimacy of these charities before donating (or any charity that may request donations for Japan's relief), please go here:  Charity Navigator

Here are a two major organizations currently aiding in the relief efforts.  You can find more doing a search.

Global Giving
Salvation Army USA and Salvation Army International

If you want to stay up to date on what is going on in Japan, please check out NHK's International English News