On Thursday night I was twice woken by a quake of 4.3. Smaller shakes don’t usually wake me, but ones this strong do. The significant shakes just before Christmas have definitely raised my quake awareness levels again. I don’t consciously worry about quakes to come (despite GNS predictions that we are likely to get another large one within the next year), but whenever I feel a shake there’s a quick thought: “Is this going to be a big one?”. I’m sure most people in Christchurch have similar thoughts, and such continual thoughts are wearying.
When I’m out among buildings (the ones that are left) I now again find myself thinking, which way would I run if a big one came? This is silly, because there probably wouldn’t be time to run anywhere. My experience of the large quake on 23rd December showed that the best I’m likely to be able to do is to get down, to avoid being knocked down. In February I was able to get under a desk, but if you’re out on the street there aren’t usually any desks handy.
I’ve booked to go to Wellington in January, and am looking forward to some restorative time there. However there’s part of me that would rather be at home with Stephen. The quakes definitely encourage a longing for home and family.
I go for a daily walk before breakfast, and am conscious of being away from home without any form of identification. Pre-quakes I never took i.d. with me on my early walks. and I’m not prepared to let Ruaumoko change my “normal” life any more than he’s done already.
“Reasonable care is good to take
but I won’t live in fear of quake.”