more than just the MOVE.

am currently now residing in Hamilton...and thankful to God that I am safe here.

MAJOR FATAL EARTHQUAKE OF MAGNITUDE 6.3 HIT CHRISTCHURCH ON TUESDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 2011 AT 12.51PM (Geonet report, more about quakes: Geonet)

current death toll stands at 113, and is expected to rise as the search and rescue work continue.

follow the latest news of the earthquake...

my experience via interview with Lianhe Zaobao (in Mandarin):

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刚在当地修读完医学课程的黄奕舒（24岁）地震发生时身在基督城机场准备乘搭班机到哈密尔顿（Hamilton）工作。

地震发生后机场紧急关闭，所有人都必须撤离。黄奕舒说，由于机场远离震源，她感受到的地震威力不大，“没想到市中心却遭受如此严重的损坏，比去年9月那次破坏力更大，更惊人。”

地震发生后人们纷纷拨打电话导致电话网络瘫痪，黄奕舒只好在第一时间发简讯给新加坡的家人报平安。

黄奕舒在市中心以北郊区的寓所虽然没有受损，但余震频频，她只能与几名马来西亚朋友提心吊胆地度过灾难发生后的第一个夜晚。

她说，朋友都第一时间在面簿上报平安，所幸朋友中无人在地震中受到伤害。

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if you didn't understand that, I'd just arrived at the airport for my flight from Christchurch to Hamilton when the quake hit. I was freaked out but thought it was just another aftershock, only to hear that it was 6.3 and devastated the city. the airport was closed so everyone evacuated from the terminals were forced to find accommodation till it reopened the next day. the aftershocks were the worst though - constant rumbling and shaking, and the fear of things collapsing around you. fortunately, my friends have all been okay. and I got out the next day too. I'm really glad to be out of there...

another story by fellow Christchurch Singaporean Emmie: 'I thought I was going to die!' - The Straits Times

in hard times like these, there have been miracles too, though not many more as the days go on. heard about a wedding for 2 quake survivors and was touched.

but every time I turn on the TV and watch the media footage, tears well up in my eyes. not sure if it's because of the loss of lives, or for some other reason like me having survived TWO large-ish earthquakes but being haunted by the memories forever.

I'm still trying to get used to my new place. being situated next to one of the State Highways doesn't help...when the huge trucks drive past my flat (which is VERY OFTEN in the daytime and less but still going after midnight), the floor vibrates and feels EXACTLY like an aftershock. and when the neighbour slams the door, it's like a jolt from a larger aftershock. people who haven't experienced major earthquakes won't know what it feels like...but living in anxiety half the time does more harm than good. =S

all these make last month seem like a LONG time ago. I'd only arrived back in NZ for a week, and spent it in Christchurch. of all days...the day and time I chose to get out was the exact timing of the earthquake. oh well. at least I have escaped successfully. now to ensure my belongings "escape" tomorrow too...

and having been missing from the online world in a long time, I guess it's been different since my relationship status had been upgraded. there isn't much of a need to blog all the time anymore. we shall see how it goes as I start work on Monday...

you'll next hear from me when you next hear from me then.

in the meantime, just posting to let everyone know that I'm safe and (not so) sound up north in Hamilton...