Natural Disasters and Twitter

This past week TWO natural disasters hit Virginia: an earthquake and a hurricane. I had not experienced either before, so it was quite an exciting weekend!



I find this picture hilarious!
This was pretty much the extent of the damage.

First, the earthquake. I was not expecting this at all. I was sitting in the living room of my apartment with two friends when suddenly the apartment began to shake. At first it just sounded like someone started a dryer on the floor above us, but then the shaking got worse and it felt like the building was going to collapse! We ran outside to avoid getting crushed beneath a pile of rubble. Later we found out that this is NOT what you're supposed to do during an earthquake. Apparently you're supposed to stand in doorways because they're the sturdiest part of the house. Anyway, we stood outside for a few minutes, but the shaking had stopped and nothing was happening, so we went back inside and turned on the news.

The funny thing is, most people didn't turn to the news on TV, or even the internet. I found out later that some people who use Twitter found out about the earthquake before it hit their area. Twitter has even used this in a new ad. Twitter: faster than an earthquake. The earthquake didn't end up doing much damage, although I heard it put a few cracks in the Washington Monument. But it's interesting to hear that a lot of people got breaking news from social media. When I think about it, there have been times when I found out about something significant through facebook. When some big event is happening, facebook tends to be dominated by posts about it. I've actually learned a lot about whatever's going on by logging into facebook.

I like this blogger's post about using Twitter for up-to-date news: Jenful.com

The hurricane damage was much worse than the earthquake. I went to Harrisonburg for the weekend to visit Tristan and to escape the potential flooding, power outages, etc that were supposed to occur in Richmond. Luckily the damage here wasn't too bad. Some trees and power lines are down, and some people have lost power for a few days, but other places got hit much, much worse. Here are some pictures of some serious damage in various areas on the East coast.

25 Frightening Photos Of Hurricane Irene’s Destruction

Drowning out the world

I've been running again! I've gotten up to 5 miles recently, although I usually only run 3-4 miles at a time. I've never run that far before, and it feels great! I want to stick with my exercise program once school starts because it's going to be an absolutely crazy semester- I have to take 21 credits this fall! (NOT by choice; it's how the PT program at VCU schedules the 2nd year classes). Oh, did I mention the fact that I'M A SECOND YEAR NOW!!! :)

Anyway, back to the running. I'm proud of myself for making it this far and I've discovered I can run much farther than I thought! (Of course, it took me a while to get here). I've recently been running without my MP3, and I've realized that I kind of like it. I know music helps a lot of people with motivation and boredom prevention, but it struck me how nice it was to just run without any distractions. Running is a great time for thinking. I think about God, and friends, and books, and making it the next mile. I get a chance to clear my head and start/end the day with a fresh mind. On a great day, when I'm "in the zone" I couldn't even tell you what I was thinking about during those 30-40 minute runs. It feels good to be alone with my thoughts for awhile.

So I wonder: How often do we distract ourselves from our own thoughts? How often do we try to drown out meaningful contemplations with loud music or TV? How often do we prefer the bustle of a busy life over the tranquility of a peaceful life? I'm not saying it's wrong to listen to a lot of music, or to be busy. Life does get chaotic sometimes. All the more reason to slow down, take a minute, and enjoy some real peace of mind. Sometimes life has a way of happening so quickly, and I need time to clear my head, sort things out, and think about what's important. Running is the perfect way for me to do just that.

Stuck between two states

Coming back to Virginia is always weird for me. I'm leaving my parents' home and the state I grew up in, and that makes me sad. I'm leaving home. But I feel like I'm coming home, too. I've spent the majority of the last 6 years in Virginia, whether in dorms on campus, in Lynchburg, or in Richmond. It really has started to feel like home here.

There are always things I miss about Massachusetts. I miss the colder, breezier weather. I miss the beautiful fall colors (I'm almost never in MA in the fall, and that's sad because fall is probably my favorite New England season!). I miss hockey- oh how I love hockey! I miss seeing all the Boston teams on TV. Most of all, I have so many good memories of what it was like to grow up there. But things don't stay the same. Now when I go back, it's not to the same house and the same church that I grew up in. I hardly know anyone there anymore. It doesn't feel like home the way it used to.

Meanwhile, Virginia (especially Richmond) is quickly assuming a special place in my heart. There's something I love about living here. Maybe it's the extra sunshine that makes me happier (though I'll complain about the heat all day long!) Maybe it's the central location- I feel like I can go visit any number of places within a two-hour drive- aka Richmond is the opposite of feeling trapped. Of course, one of the reasons I love it here is because I have so many friends who live in Virginia. And I think a big part of it has to do with starting my own life here, away from my parents. I changed here. I grew up. I fell in love with God all over again and realized that it was MY faith that could guide my life.

I didn't always love it here. But the experiences and the people who have changed my life, one way or another in the past 6 years, are all here. I think that's what makes it feel like home.

Love it & Hate it Part 2: Living at home

Here's my dilemma: when I'm at school in Richmond, I miss my family terribly. But when I go back home for the summer, I start to miss all my friends in Virginia. I can't win!

During the semester, there are times when I'm really homesick. I get stressed out with grad school, and I just want to get a hug from my mom. Or I would give anything to spend an afternoon with Leslie and Bud, just talking and laughing about stuff. I would love to be able to have my dad take care of car stuff for me. And above all, it would be nice just to not have to worry about things and to let my parents take care of me.

But, the thing is, it's never quite like that. I love my parents, and I love being home and spending time with them. But I always forget how much I love my independence. I love making my own plans and hanging out with all my friends. I like to be able to go places without anyone nagging me. I like being able to wear what I want without criticisms. Basically, it's just hard to live in my parents' house again, where they treat me like a child. I try not to let it get to me, because I know they love me and it's hard for them to change how they treat me. But sometimes, it really gets to me.

It's also frustrating not to be able to keep the house the way I like it. I'm way neater than my mom, and it drives me crazy to have clutter all over the house. I do the dishes and clean the kitchen for her, but the rest of the clutter (plus all the dog hair) is way to much for me to keep up with. Sometimes I can't wait to go back to Richmond just so I can organize my stuff and live in a clean house!

I really don't mean to rant about living with my parents. I've had a good summer and had a lot of fun with them. I guess I just realized that I don't want to live with them (permanently) ever again. My mom has suggested that after I graduate from PT school, I could move back home for awhile to save money. I don't think that's a good idea anymore. I feel like a different person when I'm back home. In Virgina, I'm a responsible, capable adult. When I'm home, I feel trapped between the person I want to be and the person my parents still think I am.

Boys

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that boys are much, much different than girls. Yet all the differences still make me laugh every time. Bud invited two of his best friends from Lynchburg, Isaac and Jon, to come to Maine. These boys are obsessed with two things: muscles and food. When they weren't eating, they were flexing. lol. Here are some pictures that prove my point.

Oh yeah, almost forgot about the hunting. Boys, guns, and pick-up trucks. What a manly summer vacation. ;)

Planking and Owling

These new trends are utterly ridiculous, but kind of hilarious. Tristan, Emily, Leslie, and I "planked" and "owled" in the beautiful town of Bridgton, Maine.

Like I said, ridiculous. But fun, just this once!