On March 11th, 2011, the earth shook.

In northern Japan, a wave slammed into the shore, followed by others, wiping entire towns off the map in brief moments of watery hell, and setting in motion a chain of events that continue today, that will continue for some time to come.

A woman stands in front of what is left of her house. Photo Credit: istockphotos.com

It’s one year later. I’ve seen stories online and heard them on the radio today, stories from survivors, from those who lost loved ones. Being human is to know what loss feels like and I share (in my own small way), the loss the people of Japan are feeling today.

I am excited about this project, this trip that we are going to be taking in a few short months. I am looking forward to pulling up on some remote beach, some tiny pocket tucked away in a mass of stone, far beyond the sight of just about everyone. I’m looking forward to the research we’ll be doing, and I’m hopeful that what we will accomplish along the way will help us all as we try to come to terms with the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans. I can’t wait to see the brilliant sunsets and feel the spray on my face. I think we will see wonders and I am looking forward to the film and the photos we will return with as well.

But today I’m thinking about events a year ago and half a world away.