My Move To LA

Since our last earthquake report, there has been a lot of tectonic activity in our region. Shortly after the main quake on Sunday there were dozens of aftershocks, which is to be expected. What we did not expect, however, was another largish shock.

On Tuesday at around 3:40 there was another quake measuring 4.1 which I felt while I was alone in my classroom. Our emergency team announced it over the intercom and asked that we do a quick sweep of the building to make sure everything was okay. Everything was fine. Everything, except my blood-pressure, that is.

The experts are calling it an aftershock but having two significant events in a row has put some people (like myself) on edge. I planned to keep my fears quiet because, as a newbie to this, I tend to overreact. As I was trying to get my heart rate back to normal, a colleague of mine came in the room to see if everything was okay. I eeked out a "fine". As she began telling me how frightening that was. So much for deep breathing techniques.

My colleague went on to say that even if this isn't a "warning" of something to come she and her husband have upped their emergency preparedness. Their family now has earthquake kits at home and in all their cars, as well as enough food and water for a week. We have...a flashlight.

This weekend, which we hope will not be too late, the Filosas are getting their california act in gear and putting together an emergency plan. Also, we should probably find out where we put that flashlight.