Sunday, April 17, 2011

Far Away 〜心の声〜

Here's the version recording later that evening.






Original song by Toru Momii '11, Chelsea Yamada '14 and Janet Kanzawa '14
Dedicated to the victims of the March 11 Touhoku Earthquake.
Premiered April 15th, 2011 at the Japan Relief Dinner in the Student's Building, Vassar College
Premiere: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coLmXt8Ya4o

東日本大震災の被害者の方に捧げる曲です。一日も早くの復興を心から願っております。少しでも元気を出して頂ければ、と思い、作曲しました。

Lyrics (歌詞)

Mama the earth shook, water came, a second try
Miles away I sit and watch and wonder why
Daddy tell me how it is I still don't understand
A world divided your past is in my heart and in my hands

Chorus:
聞こえてくるよ心の声
幸せの気持ちを届けたい
Tell me you can hear me even though you're far away
We are thinking about you though there's not much we can say

Memories washed away, life will never be the same
Haunting images, hard to find the words to say
ひたすらあなたの無事を願うばかり
今僕らに何ができるだろう

聞こえてくるよ心の声
幸せの気持ちを届けたい
Tell me you can hear me even though you're far away
We are thinking about you though there's not much we can say

Listening and praying, watching and waiting
Is there something I can do from here, feel like I should be there
Searching for a way I can help that's
Going to be a catalyst for recovery

聞こえてくるよ心の声
幸せの気持ちを届けたい
Tell me you can hear me even though you're far away
We are thinking about you though there's not much we can say x2

Far Away 〜心の声〜 @ Vassar College

For those of you who missed the dinner, here is a recording of the song we wrote for the cause.

-Chelsea




Monday, April 11, 2011

Japan Relief Dinner this Friday. Spread the Word!

This Friday we are hosting a Japan Relief Dinner from 5-7pm in UpC to raise money for the relief effort. The buffet dinner will include sushi, habachi noodles, vegetable curry, chicken teriyaki, miso soup, onigiri, shaved ice and more! Student performances by Matthew’s Minstrels, Barefoot Monkeys, Nina Vyedin and the Undergraduates, and Cheng Peng. Tickets ($5 in advance, $7 at the door) will be available at our table in the ACDC lobby this week from 10am-2pm and 5-8pm. 

Food provided by Akari, Osho, Twisted Soul, Pizzeria Bacio, ASA and Professor Hiromi Tsuchiya Dollase. Sponsored by International Studies, Asian Studies, ASA, Amnesty International, Operation Donation, Main, Cushing, Davison and Lathrop. All proceeds will be donated the American Red Cross and Ashinaga. Contact us at vassarjapanrelief@gmail.com or visit vassarjapanrelief.blogspot.com.


Monday, April 4, 2011

Update on the nuclear crisis in Japan

The crisis still continues, and there is ongoing fear of radiation leakage

Second teach-in focuses on Japan

The Miscellany News
March 30, 2011
By Joey Rearick, Assistant News Editor

Weeks after suffering the worst natural disaster in its history, Japan continues to confront the aftermath of its recent earthquake and tsunami, as more news emerges about the ongoing nuclear disaster. On Friday, students and faculty gathered in Rockefeller 300 for a "teach-in" about Japan's struggles, where panelists considered the catastrophe from a range of personal and academic perspectives.
The newly-formed Vassar Japan Relief group, founded on March 20 by a group of students and faculty with personal ties to Japan, coordinated the event. In less than a week of existence, the group raised nearly $1,000 from student donations, and collected even more donations at the entrance to the teach-in. The group's fund-raising efforts will culminate in a benefit event on April 15. Moderator Jessica Peng '11 hoped the event would spread word of the group's mission and help Vassar "learn more about the mechanics and magnitude of the crisis." The departments of Asian Studies, Earth Science and Geography, and International Studies sponsored the teach-in with assistance from the Office of Campus Activities.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Brief updates

After another week of tabling, and thanks to everyone who donated, we have raised $1,807 that will be going to the American Red Cross! At this rate, we are well on our way to exceeding our initial goal of $2,000.

Up next, we will be hosting a benefit dinner/concert on April 15th, after the Japanese Department's Sakura Matsuri festival. Stay tuned--tickets will be on sale next week.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Statements from Japan

Thank you to everyone who showed up or participated in our teach-in last Friday! We had a really great turnout, and I know that we here at Vassar Japan Relief learned a lot from the panelists. Also thank you to everyone who has donated over the past week--we have raised close to $1,000!


At the panel, we began by reading aloud several statements from members of the Vassar community connected to this disaster. There wasn't enough time to include them all, but we are posting them here in their entirety. We hope that you take the time now to read their words!


Friday, March 25, 2011

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Vassar community must contribute to Japan relief effort

The Miscellany News
March 23, 2011
By Toru Momii and Emi Wang


On March 11 at 2:46 p.m., the most powerful earthquake in Japan's history hit the northeast coast of the country. Recorded at 9.0 on the Richter scale, this earthquake then triggered a devastating tsunami that swept the coastal areas, leveling entire cities and isolating many communities. Together, this crisis ranks as Japan's worst natural disaster since 1923. At the epicenter, it is estimated that 10,000 people may be dead from the town of Minamisanriku alone. The most recent estimates by The New York Times indicate that overall, the official death toll has surpassed 9,000, with over 12,000 missing and 500,000 homeless. These numbers are slowly increasing by the day.