How one event could change my life.

1. Inketsu Okina
Proffesor Poupard
ES103
September 7, 2011
Shaking My Mind
The devastating earthquake struck Japan on March 11 2011 totally changed my view
of life. The tragic magnitude 9.0 earthquake killed more than 20,000 people and shook my
mind. At the day, I was in my school and taking economics’s class. The class was located on
the fifth floor of the school. It was around 2PM. Suddenly, my desk moved by itself slightly.
Without a break, chairs, shelves, and lights vibrated and squealed. The next thing I heard was
people’s screaming. Everyone was under small tables or a long counter. Every stuff on the
flour fell down: paper, shelve, and black board. The flour was full of noise and fear. The
shaking continued unbelievably long, and I could not figure that shaking as an earthquake. I
grabbed the legs of chair tightly, and I felt like riding a horrific roller coaster without any seat
belt or protector. At that time, I was quite resolved to die. I felt white out. At the moment,
even though it was like being the hell, one person stood straight and cheered us up. He was
my professor named Jerry Martine. He was teaching economics class and leading us to calm
down. I was surprised at his outstanding toughness and calmness. “It’s ok, calm down” he re-
peatedly said and made us calm down. At the moment, I realized how far man can be strong. I
was just scared and could not control even just my mind, but he was calm and encouraging
everyone. I noticed the importance of strength and leader. The terrifying force of nature
taught me how grave to be a strong leader as a person.