Check out my latest videos of Free Hugs in Tokyo. This is the latest one (at Meiji Jingu with Kokohana BGM):
This one is the "Christmas Time" video. Don't miss it!
I just got back from a Bryan Adams concert at the Budokan. It was awesome! Loved it! If you want to see a great concert, he'll be there again tomorrow night.
Bryan Adams is one of my favorite singers. We used his song "Everything I Do, I Do It For You" in our wedding. Also, you may remember, I used his Christmas song for my very first FREE HUG video.
In my Japanese class, I did my best to do 書道 (しょどう、pronounced shodou) -- Japanese calligraphy.
Every year, you can choose a Chinese character that you hope will represent the new year. This year, I chose 芽 (め、pronounced may) which means "bud" or "sprout." You may notice that the calligraphy looks a little different from the typed character. Calligraphy characters are sometimes written slightly different, so it looks fancy.
Anyway, I chose this because I hope this year to be a year of rebirth and new life, especially in Tohoku. Those who passed on must be remembered, and those who lost so much must continue on. It's winter now, but spring will come. Flowers will grow again. Houses will be rebuilt. Homes will be re-established. Life and love will go on.
Last year at Meiji Jingu Shrine, I did a special event and put it to the music of Kokohana. This is a very happy video, and I hope everyone has a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!
May 2012 be a year of healing for many and peace for all.
The article in the Japan Times is now out. Now you can read an article about my experience in the tsunami-hit area of Ofunato with the volunteer group Ganbaranba.
You can also pick up a copy of the Japan Times today!
Below are the videos about my experiences gathering "free hugs" in four cities that have experienced disasters in the past and taking the "free hugs" to the tsunami-hit area of Ofunato...
I want to thank the Japan Times for spreading the word about the important work of Ganbaranba. The recovery efforts and reconstruction efforts in Tohoku continue to be an ongoing process. It's important to continue to give the people in Tohoku as much support as possible.
