sandy

the empire state building still alight as it went dark downtown

complete darkness

so. we had a hurricane. it was bad. for many, many people, it's still very bad. i feel exceedingly thankful that, though we had no power for the past week, it's back on and i am warm and safe at home.

i have never seen so much damage first hand and my heart goes out to those who have lost their homes, their animals, and their loved ones. almost everyone knows someone who has lost a great deal during this storm.

i have also never been so overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from my family and friends. all three of my sisters (who rarely contact me), texted me to make sure i was ok. friends from all over the country and the world called/texted to check in. high school friends i haven't seen in years asked what they could do/send to help... friends from brooklyn and uptown (amazing how life went on as usual in some parts of the city, while we were completely without power, and flooded around the edges...) offered their apartments... offered to bike in with food... it was amazing.
so thank you to everyone... very, very, really, really, super, very thank you. and the biggest thank you to jamie for sharing his apartment with me all week. and walking me around in the dark (because i was really, genuinely scared... it was pitch black and it felt like the beginning of every one of my reoccurring apocalyptic dreams).

we are doing a coat/food drive at fishs eddy to help those in need... and i am looking forward to volunteering through new york cares as the recovery effort continues. it'll be a long time before everyone is back on their feet... but... we are resilient 'round these parts, and we know how to get through it...