I don't have the right words, yesterday I was at work, teaching and there was an earthquake. On the fourth floor we felt it, the curtains swayed, computer chairs moved, we waited a while and then when the shaking continued for what seemed like ages, we left the building. We were not alone, the entire building emptied ... and after a while, when it was calm we returned to class. Latter there was a smaller aftershock, we all froze again but this time it was shorter and milder. Class finished and as staff and students mingled and got on with socializing and networking, and checked news .. I learned of the Christchurch quake. I taught the second stream of students that afternoon, some one set up a tv on the second floor and students who wanted to catch the news went and watched. It was all very sobering. Very early on the images and reports showed significant buildings downed, and people hurt. Three of my students, first years, away from home and in their first week of study decided to share a ride 'home' to Christchurch, I didn't want to stop them, how could I?
All afternoon the updates came, via emails, and links to news sites, and conversations with people who had news. My class finished at 5:30 and I went home, where we had a message from relatives that my brother and his wife were ok, latter I had a text from them - they were safe, had no power and water but were home, and together. Bear has relatives in Christchurch, we have not heard about them, a half sister and an aunt. Both have kin closer than us, family nearer .. we we are waiting and trusting ... it is all we can do. Today I was to have lunch with a friend from primary school, she was visiting from Christchurch with her two girls. Yesterday afternoon she cut short her trip and headed home, unable to make contact with her husband - I've not heard from her, she will be busy, this is their third big quake in six month, and I know she is tired and jumpy about quakes.
Today things were quiet, the news is at once both sad and filled with hope, there are hundreds of skilled people helping, the volunteers and offers of assistance are incredible. Governments from neighboring and more distant countries have sent and are sending planes and people, their help will be invaluable.
Last night I sat I sat, and knit, not a lot, I really didn't have the mind for it, just a little, and I thought that it was just as well the stitch repeat is only 12 stitches. I was distracted enough that remembering 12 stitches at a time was about all I was up for.
take care ... there are lots of sites with more information, and places where one can offer help, I won't link, you can all google.
na Stella
All afternoon the updates came, via emails, and links to news sites, and conversations with people who had news. My class finished at 5:30 and I went home, where we had a message from relatives that my brother and his wife were ok, latter I had a text from them - they were safe, had no power and water but were home, and together. Bear has relatives in Christchurch, we have not heard about them, a half sister and an aunt. Both have kin closer than us, family nearer .. we we are waiting and trusting ... it is all we can do. Today I was to have lunch with a friend from primary school, she was visiting from Christchurch with her two girls. Yesterday afternoon she cut short her trip and headed home, unable to make contact with her husband - I've not heard from her, she will be busy, this is their third big quake in six month, and I know she is tired and jumpy about quakes.
Today things were quiet, the news is at once both sad and filled with hope, there are hundreds of skilled people helping, the volunteers and offers of assistance are incredible. Governments from neighboring and more distant countries have sent and are sending planes and people, their help will be invaluable.
Last night I sat I sat, and knit, not a lot, I really didn't have the mind for it, just a little, and I thought that it was just as well the stitch repeat is only 12 stitches. I was distracted enough that remembering 12 stitches at a time was about all I was up for.
take care ... there are lots of sites with more information, and places where one can offer help, I won't link, you can all google.
na Stella
8 comments:
This is really awful - we saw in on the news here. I´m thinking about you and the ones you know!!! Take care!!
I've been watching the news and thought of you. Hope all your loved ones are ok.
Rick called this morning from Texas to ask if I'd heard from you - I was glad to be able to reassure him that you're OK. Living in earthquake country as I do (and having waited for news of loved ones in earthquake zones in the past), I know that distracted, waiting feeling. I hope that you hear from Bear's family soon - I will be thinking of you all.
Our thoughts are with you and our fingers are crossed.
The news from Christchurch has been given a lot of prominence in the England. It's been shocking - I don't associate NZ with serious earthquakes, somehow. I do hope that your relatives and friends are safe.
We've been thinking about you folks up here in Canada and hoping that the worst is over. I hope that your friend has heard from her husband, and that he is safe and sound. Lots of positive wishes from here!
I know the distracted feeling that you seem to be suffering from - I have it too. :) I haven't been able to knit since the weekend - we were looking after a Grandgirl then, took her back on Monday then on Tuesday, the earthquake. Our close family are fine, too, but we haven't been able to contact my DH's rellies in Chch. Presumably because their power is still out. I keep watching the news reports on the tv and internet, some good and some not so good. For such a bustling, vibrant city to become such a scene of total destruction, more like a warzone than a city, is so overwhelmingly sad. And the death toll keeps rising...
It's been a hell of a week, Stell. I have recently moved to Invercargill to start my Visual Arts degree, and my daughter texted me that she was stuck in her building (she works on the 15th floor). Several hours of hell later, she rang to say she and workmates had been rescued by by the fire brigade from the 10th floor after the stairwells below this had collapsed.
Watching the damage and heartbreaking stories has been harrowing. There's a bit more on my blog http://shirleygoodwin.blogspot.com.
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