My beautiful cathedral. That makes me want to sob. Of course, worse is the death toll and the trapped people and the horrible injuries and devastation and and and. I was just watching through the city this morning on my way to my first day of placement thinking "wow, so much scaffolding. This poor city." But you know what? The scaffolding was better.

We were all downstairs having lunch when it happened. It was five minutes until my first team meeting and then the entire building shook more strongly than anything I have ever felt and there was screaming and crashing and the lights went out and the lady next to me gripped my arm like a vice. And I sat there through it all, as calm as anything. When it stopped, we all exited the building (fumbling in the dark, but thank goodness we weren't upstairs) and when people asked me if I was okay, I said I was fine. I was surrounded by counsellors and social workers and I think I was the calmest one there and I don't know why. I went very focused. Get phone. Call Leah and Alison. Get home.

And then I looked to my left at the city center I was a five minute walk from. And I couldn't see it. The dust from collapsed buildings had obscured it completely. And I only kept from panicking that Ness and Jen were in there (they are okay, btw) because I was focused. Get phone. Call Ali and Leah. Get home. Got a text from Alison saying she was okay. Good.

My supervisor gave me a ride (bless her forever) and I finally called Leah. Talked her through an aftershock (to which my supervisor said 'GOOD!') as the car I was in shook like a mofo and people on the streets outside screamed and screamed. We drove past unspeakable damage and horror and I got home and my house is still standing. It's a mess, but still standing. And my vision blurred and I couldn't breathe and I sort of had a mini-panic attack. But I'm okay now. We have a broken pipe, but really? Lucky. So lucky. My kitty is sticking right by my side, but that's okay by me. Having a purring kitty curled up against your chest makes it a little better.

Have heard from all my friends. They're all safe. And my Tim Minchin CD came. The earth is still shaking all the time all the time and no dinner with Amanda Palmer (thankfully she hadn't flown in yet, but Jason Webley is in town and with Hera). But my girls are with me.

From: [identity profile] halfbloodme.livejournal.com


Holy Hannah! *hugs you tighter than tight.* Okay they world can stop this now. It can stop right now.

From: [identity profile] anomalous-data.livejournal.com


Oh God, honey, I'm so glad you and everyone are okay. When I woke up to the news, I seriously freaked out at the thought that you guys were hurt.

*hugs you and never lets go*

From: [identity profile] hysteria74.livejournal.com


Dude! Heard it on the news and *instantly* thought of you. Glad we have LJ to know your ok. Still it must have been terrifying. I still remember the mild quake I experienced in Chile, when my granma's house shook. Lucily it was made of concreate that survived and it had no glass windows (just plastic) I seem to remember running to the doorway and standing still. Something in my brain remembered that the best place to stand in a building in an earthquake, is either under a desk or in the doorway of the front door. *still* makes me quesy now. ::huge hugs::

From: [identity profile] artemisofluna.livejournal.com


*big hugs back* It's just so awful and the shaking just won't stop. It's nearly continuous.

From: [identity profile] spiffanda.livejournal.com


Oh God, I'm so glad you guys are okay. PLEASE be safe. I will be heartbroken if something happens to you.

From: [identity profile] artemisofluna.livejournal.com


Our house is still standing (bless it's wooden heart) and there's a broken pipe, but we're warm and dry and safe and that's pretty amazing right now. *big hugs*

From: [identity profile] nepheliad.livejournal.com


I was really worried about you & your housemates and am glad to read that you are okay. Thought of you immediately. Good on taking care of Leah, too. ♥

Ariadne's all right too, I take it.

From: [identity profile] artemisofluna.livejournal.com


The kitty is fine! She spent all yesterday hiding so now she has lots of energy and she's running around the house, knocking my things off tables. Because she's so goshdarn kind!

From: [identity profile] shoemoney2night.livejournal.com


*hugs tight* I'm so glad you guys are safe. I heard the news and my first thought was of you and the housemates, and then the pictures and the death toll started coming in... god, it's just horrible. I'm so glad you're all okay. *hugs*

From: [identity profile] potatoeangel.livejournal.com


I'm glad you're okay and managed to stay calm!

I looked down Hereford street and just thought that the reason I couldn't see very far was because it was drizzling, I didn't realise it was dust until someone told me.

I managed to hold it together alright (I was crying but not hysterically so) until I got home to Cath and then I just lost my shit!

From: [identity profile] artemisofluna.livejournal.com


I am so bloody relieved you are okay! When I got out of the building I couldn't see the city because of all the dust and I was terrified you and Ness were in there.

Losing your shit is fair enough. This is just so...no words.

From: [identity profile] hana-ginkawa.livejournal.com


And just because I feel the need to say it again, Thank goodness you are all right and your kitty is all right. :(

I just cannot even imagine and I hope I don't ever have to. *HUGS!*

From: [identity profile] onehoureternity.livejournal.com


I wish there was something more I could do besides give you *hugs*. I'm so glad y'all are safe. <3

(This is kind a hug icon. Or as close as I have. :D)
.

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