www.iva.co.uk

Posted: **Tue Mar 15, 2011 6:13 pm**

The terrible disaster in Japan is really making me think how lucky I am - I have a roof over my head, food on the table, heating and lighting, and most importantly I have my family.

Watching the coverage on Sky News is humbling - some of these people have nothing, but they are queuing for food and water in such a quiet dignified way.

Posted: **Tue Mar 15, 2011 6:26 pm**

I think the dignity comes from the Japanese sense of group worth as opposed to self worth. They believe strongly in the group identity and are unable to comprehend being against the group. Hence they are more aware of their neighbours feelings in queues or as is the case now disasters that impinge on the greater good of the group. We could all learn a lot from this kind of attitude.

Posted: **Tue Mar 15, 2011 6:31 pm**

You're right Wizzz. I work for a Japanese owned company (thankfully not affected by the earthquake) and one of the Japanese nationals who worked in our office was being sent back home. He'd been in the UK for 10 years (almost unheard of) and really didn't want to go, but there was nothing he could do as he couldn't go against the company wishes.

Posted: **Tue Mar 15, 2011 6:38 pm**

Tell Harry there's a two ton truck of pond weed heading his way tomorrow for his birthday.[:D]

Posted: **Tue Mar 15, 2011 6:41 pm**

That would make his year! He'll have to make do with catnip though!

Posted: **Tue Mar 15, 2011 9:05 pm**

Totally agree with your post Skippy, I sometimes forget how lucky I am when feeling sorry for myself.

My thoughts are with them. x

Posted: **Tue Mar 15, 2011 9:12 pm**

My customers have really annoyed me - they have understandably wanted to know what is going on, but none of them have mentioned the people in Japan, or asked if everyone who works for the company is ok.

Posted: **Tue Mar 15, 2011 9:56 pm**

Ive said before, the pictures and video of the tsunami hitting was immense viewing. It sounds odd but i was gripped couldn't move from the tele as the news showed the footage. I know its grim and not right, but the pictures looked like footage from a film or a video game i was just gripped to the point i couldn't move away.

I think sometimes we take the news for granted and pass it over but our international news coverage sometimes does us justice and gives us footage worldwide of events.

I feel for the people in japan and there families and hope there infrastructure survives and they are able to move on with their lifes, its a life changing experience, as humans its how we evolve and grow that defines us.

Just a few thoughts after a very long shift!

Posted: **Tue Mar 15, 2011 10:09 pm**

It does focus your mind on the important things, we moan when we get a few inches of snow and the buses dont run.

Posted: **Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:01 pm**

My first thoughts were for one of my colleagues who has a brother and sister in law in Tokyo.

Fortunately they were fine although his wife did have horrendous problems trying to get home and they've struggled to get food in the supermarkets.

Posted: **Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:44 am**

Ive not been able to stop catching the news, that power plant is a huge worry, I hope it gets sorted. I'm really feeling it today for the people whom have lost everything, it's snowing there now.

Posted: **Thu Mar 17, 2011 2:33 pm**

I think the world should watch and learn at how dignified these people are, queueing for next to nothing, no panic, they certainly humble me x

Posted: **Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:32 pm**

I know its made me put things into perspective. xx

Posted: **Thu Mar 17, 2011 6:31 pm**

I've been gripped by this too, hearing about how desperate these people are and the sheer scale of the devastation, I cannot comprehend how or when they will ever begin to rebuild their lives. A school with 30 children, still waiting for their parents to come, a makeshift hospital where a doctor has not slept for 3 days and they have no food to feed the patients coming in, people queueing for a tiny handful of rice that will be their only meal today.

It makes me feel very guilty about the money and 'stuff' I have wasted over the years, we are very lucky indeed to live the lives we do.

Posted: **Thu Mar 17, 2011 7:10 pm**

And to all those Yanks who are claiming retribution for Pearl Harbour............Move on and get a life you sad individuals. Japan is a far more proud nation than they will ever be.