This blog is a response to all members and friends who took the time to send their messages and to know my whereabouts during the times that I was missing in action (MIA) on MyEC.
My leave was supposed to be for just two weeks, but it was extended due to the calamity that struck my province. My country was hit by super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda by its local name) last November 8, 2013. This was the strongest typhoon that ever occurred in my country according to CNN. My family monitored the news and we didn't expect it that strong until we experienced how it wrecked havoc in my country.
I was terribly worried when the typhoon land fell in my province. There were heavy and strong winds as well as storm surges near the coastlines. We could hear a very loud noise, similar to an aircraft that's roaming outside the house. It's really horrifying! We saw how the storm wrecked our roof and other houses. We hid in our bedroom and stayed there until late evening. The typhoon started hitting the town around 12 noon! Most of the things in my home were soaked in water due to heavy rains. I thought the storm would never end and couldn't survive it. I held on to my faith so I would never lose hope.
The tips that I read online about disaster preparedness were truly helpful to withstand the chaos. I'm very thankful that my family and friends were not harmed unlike in other provinces where thousands of people were perished by the wrath of the storm. 'twas really heartbreaking to hear the sad news.
Many large trees were fallen, damaged and some were uprooted. Plenty of electrical posts were down that caused total blackout in many provinces. Mobile telecommunication signals were also weak especially during the first few weeks. This is the major reason why I couldn't reply on your messages nor tell you my whereabouts.
I'm truly grateful to be able to survive this tragedy. This experience made me stronger and wiser... Sometimes I couldn't describe the feeling, but the most important thing is that I'm alive. I learned to live life to the fullest and to enjoy every opportunity that I will have with my family and friends.
For those who sent their messages and showed sympathies about my absence on our club, thank you very much! Your words and encouragements inspire me to make my stay memorable here.
Special thanks to Tara, Junco, Grace, Juli, Ha, Galina, My ever kind sisters Mitran and Fahime, Sera, Nida, Tawfeeq, Ehab, My younger bro, Arif and to all people for keeping in touch during the tough times. May the graces of Almighty be with you as you continue your journey on MyEC! : )
Comments
Thanks God that u are save and sound . May God protect ur country and people for ever and bestow his mercy upon those who have perished
Hi, Evangelina!
Nature is really surprising yet sometimes dangerous. It can destroy everything. Climate change is a serious matter yet some people do not believe in it. Maybe if they experience what I've experienced, then they would start to change their perceptions. This phenomenon is simply the effect on how we treat and abuse nature and its gifts.
I also sympathized to my fellow survivors because a lot of them haven't seen their loved ones until now. I'm still blessed that no one in my family was hurt. Thankfully, I've recovered from this tragedy. It taught me to be proactive and to never underestimate any weather disturbances. Unfortunate events can happen anywhere at anytime, even when we're sleeping...
Thank you for your sympathy. I truly appreciate it!
Robbie
The forces of nature, I believe they often goes way beyond what any human is able to imagine. Weather raging like this, really shows us that there are powers as we can not control and how fragile we as humans are.
Here we do not have such powerful weather conditions and I know it is very selfish but seeing all those destruction and loss of lives, I often feel great full living where I do. My deepest sympathy.
Thank you so much for sharing this blog post, I feel very happy to know members here are such caring persons. Also agreed, such experiences do make us stronger and wiser, because they learn us to appreciate the right things in life.
It must have taken much effort and time to rebuild.
I hope you're doing well, my dear Fahime! Many, many thanks for your comments and wishes! I'm grateful that this blog has given you a spark of positivity. I love the video that you shared on the comment below. That is one of my favourite Celine Dion hits! That is also featured as an original soundtrack to the motion picture, Stuart Little.
I actually bought Celine Dion's "Ultimate Collection Album" a few months ago, and I'm glad that I'm Alive was included on its track list. The song conveys plenty of positivity and hope, perfect for someone who is having a difficult day!
Robbie
Thank you for being thoughtful, Nora! Every country has its own battle (war, tragedy, or crimes) to survive. I hope you're in a safe place with your family and friends! See you around! :)
Thank you for your valuable thoughts about your own experience of the wrath of super typhoon, Anele!
Until now, there are hundreds of families living in the tent city especially in Leyte. What's saddening that there are people who take advantage of the situation which makes it even difficult for the victims to cope with the tragedy. I don't know how would they be able to hold on when another super storm hit our country. The families of the 6000+ casualties would forever endure the pain and suffering brought by Yolanda - the world's strongest typhoon in the world. :(
The effects of the climate change is inevitable with the rising incidence of abuse of both land and water resources. It's sickening as some people say... Let's just hope that we'd use what we have learned to take another blow of nature.
Have an enjoyable weekend! :)
Robbie
I felt the cruel slash of Yolanda's tail. She emited an eerie sound and made most of my kababayan awake the whole night. That was the most horrifying sound I've heard in my entire life. Fortunately, like Glenda, she also changed direction that only her tail was felt by us. It was only a tail, but she was really stronger than typhoon signal no. 3.
It's truly a miracle to be standing unscathed amidst the incalculable casualties of this killer typhoon Yolanda. I can empathize with you in your grateful feeling towards the Almighty. Every day is indeed a struggle not only to keep our feet on the ground but also to keep us sane.
If not for these fortuitous events, people may not realize how powerful our Almighty is. These are but His great premonitions to His own children.
I am glad you'd shared this. It may serve as a wake up call for people who lavishly spend their lives in great waste.
Many thanks to you, dear Sono, for always reading my blog posts! How's school? I hope you're having a pleasant and productive time! See you around! :P
Thank you for the wonderful comment, dear Grace! I love how you worded my comeback! I feel like one of the members of "The Avengers"! Take good care of yourself, too! : )
My dear Junco!
Thank you very much for taking the time to comment on this blog. I'm quite grateful for all the assistance you and Grace had given in modding the video gallery while I was on leave. Your comment made me smile, and am so excited to keep in touch again on our club.
Life is indeed a miracle! I'd try to be as optimistic and passionate as possible in what I do, even much appreciative with the people who are supportive to me. I'm lucky that you're one of them.
Cheers!
Robbie : )
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