Fear Of Earthquakes Raised by 8.9

This morning a little after 5am I received a text from my little sister Tiffany asking how I was and if we'd had any tsunamis.  Um... What the...?  I rubbed my eyes and hopped online.  Immediately I saw the news that an 8.9 earthquake had struck the coast of Japan causing tsunamis in the Pacific.  The damage was just devastating.

I immediately reached out to my friends in Hawaii since they were some of the first to receive the Tsunami Watch.  I can still hear the tsunami sirens in my head.  They go would go off in the beginning of every month while I was at work.  I got used to them and having to calm the tourists down.  I couldn't imagine waking up to that sound in the middle of the night, grabbing essentials and heading to higher grounds.

After hearing all was well and that Kauai got the worst of it (about 4 feet), I discovered that they had closed Huntington Beach, my hometown, and their neighboring city Newport Beach.  There was no evacuation but because of the unpredictable currents of the ocean, they kept everyone out.

All of my loved ones and ohana in Hawaii are safe, thank heavens.  Words cannot express my heart for those in Japan and those with families that have been affected.  MY prayers and heart are with them during this tragic event.

My friend had this to say on his Facebook post: "I'll just say this about Japan, I am grateful an earthquake that size hit there and not some third world country. I mean, it is amazing the size of that quake and Tsunami yet only 500 people or so confirmed dead with less than 1000 missing. Only Japan could have been that prepared and for all the religious nuts, God did bless Japan by giving them the knowledge to know how to prepare their island for such a disaster."  Amen, Donavon.

Philly Fun.

While in Maryland, I did a quick road trip to Philadelphia specifically for a Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich with my two brother in laws and my baby sister Ashley.  We woke up at 4:30am and were on our way before the sun even rose.  With a breakfast of raw carrots and broccoli, we crossed through 3 states until we got to Independence Hall.... before everything was open.

(The most amazing rest stop EVER.)

(I'm no football fan but I love that all of the sports arenas are all next door to each other.  It would suck if there were a hockey game, a baseball game AND a football game all on the same night!  Thanks heavens all 3 don't overlap!)

We knew we'd get there before we could get food so we thought we'd enjoy some American History.  We ended up getting back into the car and driving to Valley Forge while we waited.  We did the driving tour after checking out the museum and gift shop, per my request.  Simply amazing what these men lived in/through.

(The Unknown Soldier and The Eternal Flame.  Speechless.)

Upon return to our original history lesson, we visited The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, The Unknown Soldier's Tomb and The Eternal Flame, and more.  Simply amazing to be in the same halls as the men of independence.  I love the feeling of history coming alive, which is why I'm part History major.  It's just amazing to imagine these important events happening right where I'm standing!

(Independence Hall and George Washington.)

After our tours we got back into the car and headed for Geno's (suggested by my dad's good friend, Bobby Bear) and partook in a delicious cheesesteak (mine with onions).  Talking with Chris, we decided it was a good thing we went to Geno's since they claim to be "the best" in Philly.  That is until he looked across the street at Pat's, which is apparently "the king" of cheesesteaks.  Dang it!  Well, I had to do it.  After all, how often do I go to Philadelphia?  Exactly.  So, I gave my cup of soda to Seanie to hold while I ordered another cheesesteak from Pat's (this time sans onions since we were taking it to go along with the rest of the girls').

In the end, I vote that Geno's is correct in that they are the best between the two locations.  Mmmm!

All of these photos were taken from my phone because I forgot my camera battery charger. :(  For more photos, see Ashley's facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=289869&id=507759098

Comic Relief at Work.

I received this email at work today and am still laughing at it!  Being part History major, it just makes me giggle endlessly!  Not to mention I am an avid Facebook user so it makes it even more comical!

To all you Face Book fans...