Job Discussion Forums

Tonester · Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2004 5:55 am Post subject:

Sorry Mulder. I posted that when I wasn't totally rational (earthquakes do that to people) and I was the one who misunderstood you and for this I apologise. You know; I wanted to go back earlier but as my booking was already confirmed and tickets issued I had no way of being able to change the booking as conditions of sale were that nothing could be changed once tickets were issued.

Now that I'm in a calm and more rational manner I will agree that a good trip home for a while would work wonders. It won't be long now before I go so I feel now that I can hang in there, mate. Thank you for your sympathy and I hope that there are no hard feelings.

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2004 9:07 am Post subject:

Don't worry about it. Glad to hear you are doing ok now. Can't be easy.

Enjoy your Christmas visit, when you do go.

kittykelly · Joined: 09 Nov 2004 Posts: 21 Location: Toronto, ON Canada

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

Tonester · Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 6:53 am Post subject:

Well there are a few things I'd like to say.

Firstly, things are getting better here with the BOE telling me that my apartment will be fixed while I'm away and have been given permission to use the toilet in a vacant apartment in the same building. My water has been restored but my toilet is still out of action. Well I guess I don't have to put up with that for too much longer anyway.

The prefecture has set up a counselling session run by that Kobe earthquake counsellor who will make a special presentation for the ALTs in the region I live in so I'll be listening to every word she says as I feel I still need help.

School is returning to normal operations which is a relief for me anyway as it is good in assisting recovery from the trauma for both teachers and students. They students seem ok but on the inside some may still be traumatised.

I may have already said that I was interviewed by the Niigata Nippo Newspaper and an article of my account was published. The NHK read the article and they interviewed me as well and I may or may not appear on an educational program that they will be filming about the lives of survivors. I am still awaiting for further word on that front.

I feel that it'll still take a while back things are starting to get better. It's not long to go now before I fly off and my parents spoke to me last night reminding me of this fact. I take things one day at a time..........

But now my focus is starting to change. I have been feeling sorry for myself since the tremor happened but I am now feeling for the others who have lost their residences. I have a damaged apartment but still liveable. My 3 lifelines have been restored and I have to feel thankful. My attitude is now changing to "I have suffered and been traumatised but there are far more people who are worse off than me" and all I can really do is pray for them. They need pity more than I do.

I extend my pity to the people of Hokkaido who have had an earthquake on a similar scale to the one in my area and all I can say to them is "I feel your pain. One can only know such pain if they have felt it themselves. My deepest empathies go out to you all."

For me it hasn't been easy and still isn't. But now with only a little over a week until my flight I have been gaining a new sense of hope. That counselling session and my subsequent trip back home should work well for me and hopefully if I have any spare time I will be able to contribute to this forum from my home in Australia as my family has a cable connection (They got it for my sake as we occasionally have video conferences over the 'net and wanted clear reception as well as smooth video).

So I end this little passage by repeating my appreciation for the support I've been given and hopefully I can put my experience to some use as some good will come out of it in the end.

Peace to you all,

Tonester

PS My thanks to kittykelly for support.