hope for tomorrow.

I am an avid fan of Japan. The culture. The music. All Absolutely stunning.

In the aftermath of the natural disaster that rocked Japan on March 11, underground musicians spanning the globe teamed up in an effort to aid its victims.

And thus, two charity compilations, Hope For Tomorrow and The Sun Still Shines In The East, were created to promote awareness and support for the people of Japan.

Charitable Contributions:

Hope For Tomorrow
100% of the proceeds will be shared between charities Save The Children and GlobalGiving.


The Sun Still Shines In The East
100% of the proceeds will go to Red Cross UK's Japan Tsunami Appeal.

Let's make a difference.

your smile is the only thing that shines.

Shing02 - Luv(Sic) Part 5 Imanity Remix

'til death do us apart, and it did
come sudden like clouds, and it hid my sun,
my truth heavier than imagined, a lid die-cast in lead
on our lives we nourished
and the days we cherished as kids
we let them whizz on by, but when I rewind

your smile is the only thing that comes to mind

your smile is the only thing that shines

in your last breath you told me, that you had to go
'cause it pained you so,
oh I loved you so much so
was I selfish to hold on,
and cling on to your body that hosts a soul
that wanted to set free the eagle in a cage
and you became eagerly what I wanted to be
you the person to leave, I the person
to see off another best friend to land's end
I watched grown men moan, and women weep
as you quietly descended six feet deep
but the spirit ascended before our wet eyes

a gift from god, returned to sender

though I like to pretend that this never happened
I can turn around and see you laughing
but the fact is you could never practice
getting blind-sided and eating the wind shield
endless field of shards of glass

this too shall pass, but reality bites, it says not so fast

first you must climb a cavalry of shattered hopes

and then a mountain of prayers unheard

'til you reach that peak where you can see the dark abyss below

then you let me know if you have what it takes for a leap of faith

I had to say, hell no, heaven yes, but not yet

please bless a forehead, cold in a bed
or alone on the road with nobody to hold
when the pouring rain is too much to bear
it's a reason to live for a seed that needs care...

your smile is the only thing that comes to mind
your smile is the only thing that shines

whether a tree lives to see the end of centuries

or a random hand picks it instantly

life is art, a miracle for all to believe,

I must tell you that you lived beautifully

marchin' on.

One Republic - Marchin' On

"...
Theres so many wars we fought
Theres so many things we're not
But with what we have
I promise you that
We're marchin on
We're marchin on


For all of the plans we made
There isn't a flag I'd wave
Don't care where we've been
I'd sink us to swim
We're marchin on
We're marchin on
..."

Credit: Video by quinnmichaels

life is fragile.

Swift is life.

Blink for a second,
Close your eyes for a minute,
And the future may take it all away from you.

Cherish life.
Celebrate life.

Because we are the fortunate few.



Friday. March 11. 2011. Tokyo, Japan.

1:00 P.M. My mother was departing Tokyo Airport on her return trip home to Dallas from Vietnam.

2:46 P.M. An 8.9 magnitude earthquake, and an ensuing tsunami strikes on the northeast coast of Japan leaving a trail of death, despair, and destruction in its wake.

I am fortunate to have my mother navigate safely home amidst the darkness. Sadly, however, I cannot say likewise for the countless dead and other inhabitants of Japan who have lost so much.

Let us celebrate life in their honor, and come together to help rebuild the nation of Japan by drowning out the sorrow with waves of warmth, joy and laughter.

Darkness Consumes,
but Light Radiates.

To the Land of the Rising Sun,
keep Shining.

To Japan. To Life.