One more, before going back to "usual".

Thank you for the supportive messages to my last post.

What happened nor what's going on do not allow us to be optimistic. But reconstructions are beginning. Nuclear reactors are getting cooled down. I'm not panicked.

Thank you for your kind heart and rational mind, fellow knitters.

Please, read this.

And send money to MSF and Red Cross / Red Crescent of your country.

They know who needs help the most. I want to thank them to remind me that earthquake victims are not the only one who needs to be helped. It's another shocking truth.

I'll send my money to our fellow Japanese through Japanese Red Cross Society, because it's where my heart goes the first. And I'll keep on doing my annual donations to MSF and UNICEF this year, too. I believe they know better than me in deciding how much to go whom.

No, it's not.

I was thinking of posting about the wonderful gift package (this for my daughter and this for me) from Janet. But before that, I think I need to talk about the earthquake.

As everybody knows, on March 11, 2011, a mega-size earthquake hit the Northeastern to Eastern part of Japan. Its magnitude was 9.0. In less than 10 minutes, tsunami, more than 10 meters high, hit the coastal area. I was just lucky living far from the area and staying unaffected by it. My husband's family lives in the area of rolling blackout. His sister's husband is from Ishinomaki. His family is OK, but it took 3 days to hear from them.

Some people use the words like "God's Wrath" or "Punishment" to describe the disaster. I don't think that's right.

People who are suffered, killed or lost their houses were not ignorant. Nor reckless. Nor arrogant.

They are not punished.

Japan is in the geological setting which is inseparable with huge earthquakes and tsunamis. Coastal areas have been struck by a tsunami once in several decades or so for long time, like longer than written history. Those who lives in the affected area had accumulated the know-hows to survive. There were local alarm broadcast system, seawalls, evacuation map and everything.

This time, what happened there was almost the worst thing in the history, beyond preparations. Who in the world would be fully prepared to an earthquake which makes GPS grid distort by 8 ft. and make a whole city area sink 25 inches?

Earthquakes happen in our country. This time, the impact was beyond our imagination.

Now, our own pride technicians, police, armed forces, municipal workers, medical stuffs and care workers are working with more and more aids from the countries all over the world, even from New Zealand, who was also hit by a big earthquake recently.

To save lives.

With all the wisdom we have.

It's no time for accusations nor begging for mercy of God.

Difficult time is going to follow. Survival is one thing, and recovery is another.

Please think of Japan, of the people who suffered.

And support MSF. Please. They know who needs the most.

ETA; I forgot to write down the most important thing I have in mind. THANK YOU, WORLD. I feel we're not alone.

baby baby baby

baby baby baby
Originally uploaded by O'Chica

These are for my friend's family. They were expecting a baby boy, who safely came to this world on February 16th.

For the baby, a pair of newborn sized booties (with string tie) and a pair of bigger size grown-up-looking socks. Stripe & solid (the yarn is mix of yellow and white, so not-so-solid actually) cloth is a double-knit wash cloth.

And a little something for the rest of the family, Mom, Dad, big sister and big brother (who is a classmate of my daughter). Sock charm, with the same yarn I used for little Reiki.

Yarn; Avril M-1056 organic cotton(brown) and N-9042 cotton twist (yellow/off-white).

Needles; KnitPicks Harmony DPNs, US #0 (2.00 mm)

Pattern, or no-pattern; Universal Toe-Up Sock Formula by Amy Swenson in Knitty summer 2006 for the booties and socks. Small sock charms are made cuff-down, with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's sock recipe. Washcloth? Who needs a pattern for a plain rectangle washcloth?


I'm looking forward to hear of the arrival of another little boy. His family has a skilled and loving knitter/crocheter, so I won't knit for him... I just send yarn :-)