limbo and a bonfire

i've been back about 5 days now. been trying to get used to all the changes and there's a LOT of work to catch up on- so I've been stuck in the office since wednesday. but it hasn't been bad since it's been so busy getting stuff together. people started coming back from their R&Rs and will come back this week- so I'll finally get to see everyone that I worked with before that are still here.

Last night, we had a bonfire. But this was definitely the biggest bonfire i've ever been to. it was literally about 3 stories high. and apparently could be seen over the trees. that makes me laugh. so, it took a while to actually get close enough to roast marshmallows, cause it was so hot. but it was definitely fun. and then we got a game of limbo going. i was one of the top 4, but i lost pretty badly. i'm not as flexible as i thought i was. yes, i'm definitely going to have to continue with yoga. so i can win next time. one of our rubble removal guys, sam, is just the best person ever. he's always so happy- definitely southern- loves everyone and he's just so funny. and a grandpa of 3, going under the limbo stick he kept saying, "i got this, oh, my nose, it's touching, but it's not falling, no sir, i got this, you just gotta bend your knees this a way" the ENTIRE time making us all laugh like he always does.

surprisingly, i haven't felt a tremor since i've been back....until last night. that is odd- because before i left, we felt them every day-pretty much or at least every other day. so, it had been quite a while since i felt one, but this one woke us up at 2:10 a.m. it was somewhere around a 4.5 i'm guessing based on what we've felt before. so, i jump out bed and run to the door and usually it's just me and jordanne in the room and we sleep on the bottom beds. but since i've returned we got a new roommate gabby- who sleeps up top. so, since jordanne wasn't there and on r&r, i run to the door and get to the door and realise, oh no, "gabby!" so as I'm running, i'm in the middle of saying, "gabby, how are you going to get down" when she screams, "PATTY!" and JUMPS OFF the TOP bunk onto the floor and i just say, "okay...that works too" and open the door, but then it stops. we look at each other and just laugh hysterically. in the moment, you really don't know how long an earthquake is going to last...it's one of few natural disasters that you can't see coming and can't predict its intensity. so, we didn't know when it was going to end, which is why she jumped out of the top bunk. but oh, man. what a memory i'll never forget. hey, when you work here, you know God is keeping you safe, which is what lets you look back and just laugh.

-patty