A moving story - Japanese Earthquake

Published on ShanghaiDaily.com (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/)
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=467066&type=Opinion
EDITOR'S note:

THIS letter, written by Vietnamese immigrant Ha Minh Thanh working in Fukushima as a policeman to a friend in Vietnam, was posted on New America Media on March 19. It is a testimonial to the strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan’s crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam, author of "East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres." Shanghai
Daily condensed it.

Brother,

How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see dead bodies.

Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks.

We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there are new orders to move them elsewhere.

I am currently in Fukushima , about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.

People here remain calm - their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good - so things aren't as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can't guarantee that things won't get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection and order.

They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do. The government is trying to provide supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it's like dropping a little salt into the ocean.

Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being.

Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.


It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line. I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away.

I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his relatives.

The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. "When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here's my portion.
I already ate. Why don't you eat it?"

The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed.

I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: "Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally."

When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry.


A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people.

Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours of my shift have begun again.

Ha Minh Thanh

CNY 2011

Some photos taken during the reunion dinner on New Year's eve and at the Thean Hou Temple ground on the first day of New Year.

7.2.2011

Happy Birthday Ah Gong!

very miss you miss you & miss you

Happy New Year

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

After the initial hiccup (punctuality issue) the whole trip went smoothly according to plan. The first stop was the dragon fruit orchard. The panoramic view of the whole orchard can be seen from the upper floor of the Barn. With a prevailing breeze it was a nice cool place. Unfortunately the stench from the chicken manure stored uncomfortably close by was just too overpowering. The dragon fruit was not in season but nevertheless we had a bountiful harvest of the passion fruit growing at the fringe of the orchard. The place would be a lot more attractive if there were more variety of fruits growing.

It was past noon when we reached the UK Agro Farm and there was already a sizeable crowd of visitors. The conducted tour would take 2-3 hours and the frozen pre packed lunch available was not attractive compared to the beef noodle awaiting us in Kluang. Even the queue for the horse ride was an hour long. So after a quick look around, and we managed to catch the sheep dog in action, we were on our way to Kluang.

We were in a convoy of 6 cars, so tailing each other in fairly heavy traffic condition was quite difficult. It ended up with 3 of the cars losing their way. Getting lost in this small town can be quite embarrassing especially when this is our home town. On the other hand, it shows that Kluang has developed, expanded and changed significantly.

The highlight of the trip was to climb Gunung Lambak and the weather cooperated beautifully. It was a good workout for all. Some managed to reach the foothill, some managed to the mid station and 7 of us managed to climb to the summit. With hardly any time to train, it was a difficult climb. Hence, the feat could be considered a great personal milestone, an achievement to be proud of. So despite the bruises and aches and pains all over, it was well worth the sacrifice.

The other highlight was of course the gastronomic binge or eating frenzy in Kluang. Within 48 hours we consumed in total 76 cups of coffee, 53 sets of roti bakar, 38 bowls of beef noodles and 26 bowls of Tung Yuan and not forgetting the wild boar curry and fresh water fish we had in Kahang. Even when we had rush back to KL on Monday, we managed to squeeze in breakfast at the Kluang Railway Station at 9:00AM and Tangkak Beef Noodle for lunch at 10:00AM. The car was definitely a few kilos heavier on the return journey than when we left Subang Jaya on Saturday. It looks like I will have to skip a few lunches this week.

All things considered I think it was a good family bonding trip.

simon 29 dec 2010

New Year Eve Potluck Party

New Year Eve Potluck Party

Date : 31-12-2010 (Friday)
Time : 7.30 pm
Venue : Ah Mah's House

Please post your dishes here :
1. Simon - Fish, Dessert & Passion Fruit Drink
2. Maria aka Madam Lian - Mutton & Vege

UK Agro Farm

I have checked the internet on the agro farm in our itinerary and it is actually called the UK Agro Farm. It claims to be the largest goat/sheep farm in Malaysia with 4000 sheep producing among others goat milk, cheese, ice cream, etc. Besides that, there is a 15 acre passion fruit orchard, an ostrich park and an organic farm. Apparently there are also horse carts for rides. For more information you can check out their website at http://ukfarm.com.my.

simon