Japan Disaster

We're facing the biggest nature disaster in modern history. Japan's death toll from March 11 9.0 magnitude earthquake rises to 8,277 and 12,722 missing as reported on March 20. To put that fatality figure into perspective, it is equivalent to nearly twice of the population of Del Mar city in San Diego county. Save a trip down the bar or coffee shop and put that spare changes to help people in need. You will not be deprived of comfort; you will save someone's lives.

How you can help

Make a donation to Red Cross via Google. http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html

International Medical Corps is sending medical supplies and relief teams to Japan. Text MED to 80888 to donate $10.

Mobile Technology Changes The World

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation posted a blog, Banking on Savings for the Poor, this month. It is about how the mobile technology has the potential to help millions of people out of poverty. It's a very good article with a well produced video.

Questions arise:  (1) Can we trust banks as we witnessed  them crumbled a couple years ago? The person who invented the concepts of the bank is a genius. It's such an elaborate scheme if you really think about it. And how they can coerce people into giving them billions when they messed up big time, that's even more diabolically genius. (2) Mobile technology isn't accessible nor affordable for the poor. It will be few years until the mobile technology becomes affordable.

Living, Loving & Learning

Got hold of the book "Living, Loving & Learning" when I was ten. The book spoke to me in such a profound way that I couldn't agree more with the author, Leo Buscaglia. Then I scavenged through almost every book of his. If any one thing that has the biggest impact on my belief, Living, Loving & Learning is. It is my spiritual doctrine.

Buscaglia is one of the most passionate and loving modern philosophers and writers. He held the ultimate empathy and optimism towards people. He was giving, caring and at times humorous. In the modern days where spirits and morals give way to hatred, it's really hard to be optimistic about the future of mankind. Buscaglia affirms us that love is the most important thing we need if we're willing to love and be loved.

Hunger

Went to a Mexican food restaurant with my buddy years back. He ate so much that more than my entire week's portions combined! Not kidding at all. Astonished at the time and even poked fun at his extraordinary inhuman behavior. But came to realize later he was actually starving and hadn't had a good hot meal for quite some time. My heart aches just think about it.

Have you ever been starving? Really starving? No. Voluntary diets or superficial anorexia do not count.

Doctors Without Borders has a series of campaigns that touch on hunger issues. Some are presented in films and photography formats.  Please spend a few moments checking them out. Participate or help spreading the words.  Love is powerful!

Haiti

Most people in this town don't really understand the magnitude of the devastation in Haiti. Nor do they really care.

I can't just turn the TV off or close my eyes and pretend everything's fine. I can't settle with the fact that people are dying every minute because of lack of easy medical treatments and supplies. I can't bear the news that amputees are only given Motrin. I just can't. My heart aches...

And look around... People in this town don't seem to care. They only care about what fancy cars they drive, what hip clubs they go to, or what's on their silver dinner plate. Unbelievable. Most of them never have a day of misfortune. They don't know what compassion and kindness is.

The Old Man Didn’t Have to Die

A Michigan elderly man froze to death in his home and his frost bite body was discovered by neighbors on January 17. The city-owned utility company installed a "electricity limiter" on Jan 13 after the old man failed to pay his bills on time. The community was outraged about the utility policy and the city.

This preventable tragedy raises a serious yet often neglected issue - what is the social and ethical responsibility of an organization? It's understandable the electric company has to maintain its profit to stay in business. The city has to have the policies in place to maintain orders in the community. However, there are better ways of shaping and enforcing the policies to meet a profitable goal for any form of organizations (either electric company, phone company, or even government).

Kristy Are You Doing Okay

This song makes me want to cry. What a thoughtful loving song! It’s very sweet to truly care for someone selflessly. This is the powerful of music. It touches your heart dearly.

Please reach out to people around you. Lending a helping hand. And for all the Kristy out there, please stay strong. The clouds will go away and the sun will come up. I truly wish Kristy’s okay, too.