I had to practice my relaxation breathing today. Not because I had my first practice contraction or anything baby related, but because at around 1:51 this afternoon we experienced the rattle and roll of a 5.9 earthquake.
The epicenter was about 90 miles away, so that’s where the 5.9 rating actually comes from, and I’m not sure what that means the strength was where we are. And to be honest, if it wasn’t as strong as the epicenter, I am glad I was 90 miles away.
I was sitting at my desk when things started to seriously shake and rock. It came in a continuous wave, starting kind of small, causing me to back away from my desk, and then getting bigger, at which point my division captain and sergeant went running by out of the office, telling me to get going with them. The look on their faces said I need to get my pregnant butt up and go!
Apparently that’s not what you’re supposed to do, but we all made it outside safe and sound. And let me say, I am glad I do not live on the west coast. This was nothing compared to their Richter scale numbers, but it was more than enough for me. It took hours for my heart rate to get back to normal and my belly felt tight when it was over.
When they let us go back inside, we surveyed the damage of cracked drywall and bent and buckled ceiling tile braces, not to mention the dust that was everywhere. Nothing too serious, but still intense for a bunch of east coasters who aren’t familiar with earthquakes.
Needless to say, nothing work related got accomplished the rest of the afternoon. People sat around discussing the excitement and I’m sure it will be a topic of conversation for the next few days… at least until Hurricane Irene hits this weekend.
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