So, I have to admit I was a little nervous about Easter this year. Some of you may or may not remember, but last year on Easter was when the Baja Quake hit Mexico. I live in Southern California, more specifically I live in a border town right across from Mexico. When the 7.2 earthquake hit last year it impacted these border towns just as bad as it impacted Mexico. I have to say that was one of the most terrifying experiences I've had. I don't have the picture I took of the rooms and houses and how messed up everything was, but trust me, it was bad. So, in my Writing class, my teacher wanted us to write a narrative essay about an experience we would never forget. The first thing that popped into my head was Easter last year. It was the perfect topic because Easter was just around the corner and I remember every second leading up to it and there after. So, if your interested in reading, here's my essay:
Surprise, fear and nervousness struck my heart on what was supposed to be a day filled with family laughter and the enjoyment of each other’s company. For my family, it was a gathering like any other. Little did we know our lives were about to be turned upside down. What surprised me was not the trembling, but the rocking ground beneath my feet. Fear overcame me when I thought everything would come crumbling down around me. I became overwhelmingly nervous thinking of what could happen to my loved ones and our homes. These three powerful emotions I experienced on Easter 2010 has stuck with me ever since.
On Easter morning I had just finished a three day cleaning spree in my room. I was sitting on my unmade bed, flustered, trying to get ready for the family get together. As I was applying my make-up I saw my mom pass my bedroom.
"Mom?" I called to her.
She back tracked to the doorway. "What's up?"
"Can we go to Rite-Aid before grandmas? I need batteries for my camera."
She gave me a long thoughtful look before answering, "If you hurry up, I'll take you."
With that I sped up the process and was on my way out the door in no time.
I was at my grandma's house for a short while, two minutes maybe, when I pulled four month old Jaden up into my arms. I was holding him when one of my aunts, Rosa, walked into the kitchen and Jaden started reaching for her.
"Hey papas!" She cooed to him.
I willingly handed him off to her before she walked back outside to join most of the family that had already resided there.
The only people left in the house besides myself were my father, Cesar, my uncle, Mauricio, and my grandma, Mary. I sat on the couch in the living room and started toying with my camera when I felt vibrations coming from beneath my feet. At first, I thought that it may be a large truck passing by, but those doubts faded as the vibrations became more intense. My father who was visible to me in the kitchen stopped talking mid-conversation and looked at me.
"Is that an earthquake?" His question was directed at me.
"I think so," I replied in a whisper that was barely audible to myself.
Short seconds passed when a decent jolt made the four of us freeze in place. I made my way to the kitchen and stood them with them. The rocking started slowly and subtly, only fooling us before we got hit with a stronger jolt. Next to me was a water dispenser on top of it was five gallon water bottle. It wobbled as the rocking became more distinct. I held onto it, not wanting it to make a mess on my grandmother’s floors. Finally, there was a stronger jolt that knocked me off balance. I realized how serious this earthquake had become and I let go of the water bottle and watched as it flew four feet away. My fear set in as the water poured out onto the kitchen floor.
When I turned my attention from the spilled water back to my surroundings, I noticed that my father and uncle were already halfway out the back door. I saw my grandma in front of the kitchen sink gripping onto the edge of the counter.
"Grandma," I nearly shouted as I stumbled over to her.
She did not respond.
"Grandma, " I tried again. "Come on, let's go outside." I strived to sound calm despite the fear I felt with every breath I took.
After a couple failed attempts to get her to move on her own, I knew I had no other option.
"Grandma, we have to go!" I yelled at her and pried her frail hands from the counter's edge. I had my arm around her, pulling her because shock prevented her from moving her feet on her own.
When we got to the doorway, I was confused as to why it was blocked. Looking over shoulders in front of me, I could see my aunt, Maria, frantically trying to get inside. Meanwhile; my dad and uncle are standing in front of her, trying to keep balance.
I looked to my right into the kitchen at the same time there was another jolt. At that moment, cabinet doors swung open. Plates, pots and cans of food streamed out falling seven feet onto the floor. A hot pot of tea flew across the room and landed with a bang accompanying the sounds of metal hitting tile and broken glass. With growing panic, I focused again on getting out of the house that once felt like a sanctuary and now felt like a trap. I reached around the bodies in front of me until my hand found my aunts sheer, frilly blouse. And with all the force I could find, I shoved her and yelled, "Move!"
It all really set in when I got out. I got my grandma and myself to an open area in the backyard, where my mom stood holding onto my bother whose nickname is Bobo. I was feeling a little relieved to be out in the open when I felt my grandma grip onto my wrist. I saw she had done the same thing to Bobo. She was already on her knees and with strength I did not know she had, she pulled my brother and myself onto the ground next to her.
She looked at me directly and said, "We need to pray, pray with me, Madre."
I nodded then turned back to face the house. It swayed from side to side. I had never seen anything like it before. I was sure it would fall. My eyes moved from the house to my family. It was like watching a movie in slow motion, all the sounds blurred together, screaming, tears running from eyes to chin, cradling the young children and shouting out names to make sure we were all together. With that, I held onto my grandma's hand and prayed.
The shaking had stopped momentarily and we were all silent. That is when out nerves had solidified. Not knowing what to do, we called out to each other again to make sure no one was inside the house. With a sudden realization I looked up at my mom.
"Mom, my cats!"
I had just remembered my one and three year old cats were home and probably as scared and confused as I was. In one swift movement I was standing and out of my grandmother's grasp. I heard her call to me not to go inside the house, but it was too late. I stopped dead in the doorway, the same doorway I had fought so hard to get out of just moments earlier. It was heartbreaking to see my grandma's home, a heartwarming place, a second home to all of us covered in broken glass, spilt food and fallen family photographs. Although this killed me, there was nothing I could do to change it, but I was a nervous wreck thinking about my helpless animals and just need to get to them somehow.
My mom drove me home in my grandma's car where we met my father and another aunt of mine, Irene. They were already inside searching for our scared cats. By instinct, I walked straight to my room. I could barely recognize my surroundings. My bedroom looked like it had been turned upside down. Boxes and books that had been placed strategically on the shelves in my closet were now on the floor. My television and three by four foot mirror that used to be on my dresser lay broken on the floor. My bookshelf was still standing, but it was bare. Shelves and everything the resided on them lay in front of me on the floor.
Days, weeks and months later we still had aftershocks. I could not go into my bedroom after that for at least a month, not even to sleep. These days, with every shake and tremble I am reminded of Easter 2010 and the emotions that ran through me that day and many days after. But it did not teach me to be surprised, afraid or nervous. It taught me to be prepared because anything can happen and any time.
On a lighter note!
Here's a little video I did for you all, I hope you enjoy and HAPPY EASTER!
Soooo, today was my last day of class (FINALLY) well at least until next week. Im so happy to be on spring break, school has been kicking my ass lately so I could definitely use a week off. Today I went to my interpreting class (specifically ASL interpreting) I stayed up late last doing homework for this class plus studying for the exam I had today (I hope I passed) after the test I I called the BF (who was still asleep -_-) then I went back to class for my teachers lecture, it was so lame that we weren't excused after the exam but it's a good class so OH WELL!
After class I went with my family to my grandma's house for lunch, mmmmm chile relleno! aka stuffed chili's :) which was of course delicious. My family conversated and had a little argument about what we would have to eat this Easter Sunday, I believe we decided on Baby Back Ribs (ew.) and roasted chicken (ew x 2) but anyways, it should be good, family time always is :)
Hellooooo
this is just a quick outfit post I wore this to a family party and looked like a loser taking blog pictures in front of everyone!
But I really don't mind, my family knows I do a fashion blog and are always asking me whats going on with it. I'm really so happy that I started this blog. To tell the truth I made this after a really bad and hard break up. I needed something to keep my mind off of it. I had been wanting to start one for a long time and never got around to it, but Im so glad I did because I love fashion and I love blogging, and Im so grateful for each of you who take some time to read this, it really means alot!
As promised here are a TON of photos from my weekend. On Arpil second my family left to san diego, stayed the night at Crowne Plaza, there we had two seperate rooms, my parents room (see photo with dodger gear:) and the "kids" room. That night the siblings and I decided to have a pool adventure, which ultimately caused my brother to get sick, but we had fun :)
Next morning after we woke up we went to eat (I wont say the restaurant because it sucked and caused me to throw up later. THEN we went to a near CVS to get snacks! Took a long stressful drive to Dodger stadium, we met up with the fam (20 other people) I cant explain how much fun I had, the energy was amazing, I loved being there with my family I watched the Dodgers cream the giants, It was just a great time and I cant wait to go again!
I hope you enjoy this photo rape! I know its alot!
On our way to San Diego
At The Hotel
The Dodger Suite
I wanted this Chair!
I spent my evening here talking on the phone <3
And the View...
A Romantic Date!
In front of the waterfall
The Siblings (FTW)
Going to LA!
DODGER STADIUM
my lover haha
George Lopez!
Marlon Wayans
Did I mention it was Snuggie Night!!!!!
Like I said just absolutely amazing:)
Until Next Time!
-Jaz
A video I took of The Dodger fans doing The Wave! Too much fun!
