Things
While the scene outside was becoming hectic and noisy that orange morning, I was quietly standing in the middle of my room and cautiously trying to balance necessity and sentimentality. Having to pick favorites with my possessions was more difficult than I had thought. But in the end, superficiality won over all as I packed up anything and everything I could fit into the trunk of my car.
I used to think that I owned many things that were unique and personal and thus, irreplaceable. But after packing my first overnight bag of "the really important stuff" which consisted of my laptop, wallet, phone, passport, one letter, a few photos, and my baby blanket (yeah I still have mine - so what!), I stood there wishing that my life had more meaning - more "really important stuff." Note to self: throw out the filler, accumulate more substance in all aspects of life.
On another note, I know there have been critical reports that some of the Yorba Linda homes burned down because firefighters ran out of water as a result of a broken pipe. And I can only imagine how devastating it must be to see your home go up in flames, but I don't want this isolated Yorba Linda incident to take anything away from the amazing efforts of the firefighters in Diamond Bar. On Sunday morning (rain was NOT falling), emergency planes flew directly over my house every 5 minutes, spilling the glorious pink retardant over the hills, in addition to setting off my neighbor's car alarm each time. There were 7 fire trucks parked on my street alone. I saw online images of the firefighters trying to catch a couple hours of shuteye on a neighbor's front lawn after fighting the blazes overnight. I saw the weary look of the firefighter at the DBHS evacuation center as he called his own family on his cell to check in with them. Catastrophes bring out the best and worst of the human spirit. In tragedy, the victims weep, the outsiders criticize, but compassion is never too far away. Fortunately, I was not a victim, but I'm still thankful for all the people in my life who offered their assistance to me, in any way that they could.
I'm a fuzzy bundle of love. For now. Finals (oh the trivialities) are coming up. Funny how life can resume its normalcy so quickly.
Across the street.
Up the street.
Evacuating on Sunday morning.
DBHS
Unloading on Monday afternoon. My mom packed everything but the kitchen sink.
I used to think that I owned many things that were unique and personal and thus, irreplaceable. But after packing my first overnight bag of "the really important stuff" which consisted of my laptop, wallet, phone, passport, one letter, a few photos, and my baby blanket (yeah I still have mine - so what!), I stood there wishing that my life had more meaning - more "really important stuff." Note to self: throw out the filler, accumulate more substance in all aspects of life.
On another note, I know there have been critical reports that some of the Yorba Linda homes burned down because firefighters ran out of water as a result of a broken pipe. And I can only imagine how devastating it must be to see your home go up in flames, but I don't want this isolated Yorba Linda incident to take anything away from the amazing efforts of the firefighters in Diamond Bar. On Sunday morning (rain was NOT falling), emergency planes flew directly over my house every 5 minutes, spilling the glorious pink retardant over the hills, in addition to setting off my neighbor's car alarm each time. There were 7 fire trucks parked on my street alone. I saw online images of the firefighters trying to catch a couple hours of shuteye on a neighbor's front lawn after fighting the blazes overnight. I saw the weary look of the firefighter at the DBHS evacuation center as he called his own family on his cell to check in with them. Catastrophes bring out the best and worst of the human spirit. In tragedy, the victims weep, the outsiders criticize, but compassion is never too far away. Fortunately, I was not a victim, but I'm still thankful for all the people in my life who offered their assistance to me, in any way that they could.
I'm a fuzzy bundle of love. For now. Finals (oh the trivialities) are coming up. Funny how life can resume its normalcy so quickly.
Across the street.
Up the street.
Evacuating on Sunday morning.
DBHS
Unloading on Monday afternoon. My mom packed everything but the kitchen sink.