Earthquakes are memorable events especially when you are in them. I have been in a few quakes in my life. I remember being 90 miles east of the big 1989 San Francisco Earthquake, I don't think I panicked for that one. In fact, I was at home on the telephone with a friend and told them to hold on we were having an earthquake. I always think back to that day because I was so nonchalant for that quake. I remember a couple of years ago, I was sitting at work on the computer and experienced a slight shake. It didn't last long so I was not in the position to duck and cover. I got up from my desk and it became watercooler news. Every time there is a small quake I am relieved. I was taught that small quakes are good to have because it releases tension on the fault. You don't want the tension to build up because it becomes a big quake (similar to yesterday in Baja). Ironically, I was at a dinner a few weeks ago and we talked about having and putting an emergency bucket together. I guess the key is to take a 5 or 10 gal plastic trash can with a lid and fill it up with camping supplies, water tabs and freeze-dried food, that way if you need to grab the bucket and go somewhere it is accessible all in one place.
Yesterday's quake hit me by surprise, I was getting ready to leave for our Easter Parties and saw our breakfast bar lights shaking. Then the roll came and I instinctly went under our dining table. I totally spaced on the fact that I had two kids who never felt a tremor like this before. Eventually, I ran outside and met up my kids and husband and watched the windows across the street rattle. As soon as I saw that the rattle was gone we all went back inside the house. I am grateful that my kids were not freaked out by this experience. I am especially thankful that their dad was the one who led them outside safely. Of course, I got a fun lecture on how I was totally unprepared and lacking earthquake knowledge. They teach you in school to duck under your desk in an event of a quake, I was told this has changed. I guess tables are not the safest places to hide under because they can fall on you. Also, I guess if you have children you should try to find them to make sure they are safe. This I didn't do either. Oops, #fail. But what I will always remember about this Easter quake is that it is the day that prompted me to brush up on my natural disaster skills.
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