How anyone going anywhere other than Fiji (where I would just live in my bathing suit) can pack 2 weeks worth of clothes into one bag is beyond me. I've decided to put everything into a laundry basket, and if it doesn't fit/fold/roll/flat pack, it gets put back in the closet. If I can't lift the basket, I have to take more stuff out. And I'm only taking 2 pairs of shoes! But nevermind that, my dad thinks it's crazy that I'm taking my DSLR and not my "size of a pack of gum" point and shoot (I'm taking that one too...), umm, I'm a photographer? Is there really anything else to say here?
In case anyone is wondering where we'll be going, we are going to play it by ear but the current itinerary is roughly outlined below, it could still change at any point in time.
Will try to update as often as I can! And thank you to everyone who has sent their well wishes, it means so much to me. Love you all!
Kris xo
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Friday, 9 March 2012
100,000 Cranes for Japan
It is my great honour to share this video with you as we approach the 1 year anniversary of the Tohoku Earthquake/Tsunami. A few of my friends and I were involved in putting this together, and we hope that everyone will help us spread the message around the world.
Please pass the link on to your friends and family as well!
Please pass the link on to your friends and family as well!
Friday, 2 March 2012
3.11.11 1yr Memorial Event @ JCCC
In case you didn't know, the JCCC is hosting a memorial event for the 3.11.11 Earthquake/Tsunami on the 1 year anniversary (March 11, 2012). It will be held in Kabayashi Hall at the JCCC from 1-4pm.
Japan - 1 year later
Dad and I decided (very last minute... as in 2 days ago) that we were going to try to go back to Japan this month to travel with a good friend of ours. Coincidentally, we will be arriving at Narita Airport exactly 1 year to the day from when we left last year after the Earthquake. This trip isn't meant to be a replacement for the one we didn't get to finish last year, but rather a complementary addition with a few new things thrown in there so we can meet up with friends and see some different places that we wouldn't have thought to go on our own.
Here is a general overview of our current (tentative) itinerary. I will of course keep everyone updated throughout our travels as much as possible.
Here is a general overview of our current (tentative) itinerary. I will of course keep everyone updated throughout our travels as much as possible.
Friday, 13 January 2012
Arigato!
Beautiful, touching tribute from the earthquake survivors - please take the time to watch this and pass it on.
(It's a tearjerker so grab some Kleenex!)
(It's a tearjerker so grab some Kleenex!)
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Earthquakes in Toronto?
Ok not quite, more like an earthquake in Virginia, but we sure felt it here in Toronto yesterday! Having experienced the big quake and many aftershocks in Japan in March, I knew right away what was making my desk sway but I didn't want to believe it. I mean, I've been feeling "phantom quakes" since March, believing that every rumble and tremor is the beginnings of an earthquake... but it is always just the train going by or someone running down the hallway. To feel a quake that evidently from 1000km away... those poor people closer to the epicentre, they must've been terrified!
In light of this year's events though, I feel like I need to take this opportunity to remind everyone that Japan isn't out of the woods yet. They're still getting aftershocks 5 months later, they're still picking up the pieces from the twin disasters back in March, and they will continue to do so for many years to come. So next time you think about how that earthquake felt to you, I am asking you to remember what it would've been like for the Japanese people (and those in Virginia, NZ, etc, all the other areas affected by earthquakes and natural disasters this year), and continue to keep them in your hopes and prayers.
In light of this year's events though, I feel like I need to take this opportunity to remind everyone that Japan isn't out of the woods yet. They're still getting aftershocks 5 months later, they're still picking up the pieces from the twin disasters back in March, and they will continue to do so for many years to come. So next time you think about how that earthquake felt to you, I am asking you to remember what it would've been like for the Japanese people (and those in Virginia, NZ, etc, all the other areas affected by earthquakes and natural disasters this year), and continue to keep them in your hopes and prayers.
Friday, 22 July 2011
Shinsedai Film Festival 2011
It's been a few months since I got back from Japan and the outpouring of support and kind words - from my family, friends, friends of friends and complete strangers - has been overwhelming and humbling. I am so flattered that my little blog has reached so many people and I want all of you to know that I am so appreciative of your feedback. My plan right now is to go back to Japan next May for 3 weeks, hopefully this time with my brother Kevin in tow, to finish my trip and pay tribute to all of the people who have been affected by this year's horrific disasters.
In the meantime, we've been extremely busy here in Toronto at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, between a button campaign, concerts, The Origami Crane Project, J-Cinema film screenings, and so much more, the community's dedication to raising funds and awareness for Earthquake and Tsunami relief has reached far beyond anything we could've ever imagined. Last I heard, the JCCC Foundation's Earthquake Relief Fund has raised over $1, 075,000 with more donations coming in everyday. We have sent over 10,000 origami cranes to schoolchildren in Japan through the Origami Crane Project (with help from the TDSB and TCDSB, along with countless volunteers who have generously donated their time, patience and expertise to the tedious project). There are still benefit screenings going on throughout the summer through the J-Cinema program at the JCCC. The next benefit screening is featuring the film 13 Assassins, described on Rotten Tomatoes as a "stampeding raging bull of a samurai movie" (Glen Heath Jr, 2011), which will take place on Thursday August 18 at 7pm.
Speaking of movies, yesterday was the opening night reception for the JCCC's third annual Shinsedai Film Festival. As the official photographer I had the pleasure of interacting with some of the evening's special guests, including actress/producer Kiki Sugino, comedian/actor/director Devi Kobayashi, and 15-year-old filmmaker/director Ryugo Nakamura (to name just a few).
I'm going to try my best to keep updating this with more news and exciting events happening in and around the JCCC. Thank you again for all of your support. If you want to get involved, please contact me, we're always looking for volunteers to help with various activities, especially the crane project.
In the meantime, we've been extremely busy here in Toronto at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, between a button campaign, concerts, The Origami Crane Project, J-Cinema film screenings, and so much more, the community's dedication to raising funds and awareness for Earthquake and Tsunami relief has reached far beyond anything we could've ever imagined. Last I heard, the JCCC Foundation's Earthquake Relief Fund has raised over $1, 075,000 with more donations coming in everyday. We have sent over 10,000 origami cranes to schoolchildren in Japan through the Origami Crane Project (with help from the TDSB and TCDSB, along with countless volunteers who have generously donated their time, patience and expertise to the tedious project). There are still benefit screenings going on throughout the summer through the J-Cinema program at the JCCC. The next benefit screening is featuring the film 13 Assassins, described on Rotten Tomatoes as a "stampeding raging bull of a samurai movie" (Glen Heath Jr, 2011), which will take place on Thursday August 18 at 7pm.
Speaking of movies, yesterday was the opening night reception for the JCCC's third annual Shinsedai Film Festival. As the official photographer I had the pleasure of interacting with some of the evening's special guests, including actress/producer Kiki Sugino, comedian/actor/director Devi Kobayashi, and 15-year-old filmmaker/director Ryugo Nakamura (to name just a few).
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| Actress/Producer Kiki Sugino (Hospitalite) being interviewed by Yuki Nakamura of Wai Wai Wide |
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| My dad, Marty Kobayashi (past-President) talks about the new Kobayashi Audience Choice Award |
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| Actor/Comedian/Director Devi Kobayashi fans Chris MaGee (Co-Programmer of the festival) |
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| Chris MaGee, Co-Programmer of the Festival, addresses the audience before the opening night film, Hospitalite |
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| Kiki Sugino has a laugh with some of her fans after the film |
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| The night's special guests fan themselves with their programs as they stand tall under the hot spotlights while everyone around them melts in the heat on Toronto's hottest day on record |
I'm going to try my best to keep updating this with more news and exciting events happening in and around the JCCC. Thank you again for all of your support. If you want to get involved, please contact me, we're always looking for volunteers to help with various activities, especially the crane project.
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Japan 1988
Dad, Mom and I in Japan, Oct '88