Whole lotta shakin'
Firstborn Son is thrilled to have survived the first earthquake he remembers. (He slept through the two other times.)
We were on the carousel at Westfield Santa Anita and had just gone round once when the lights flickered, the merry-go-round shuddered and I actually saw the display window of Urban Street on the second floor of the mall bulge out, once, before the shaking stopped.
I got both boys and my niece off the ride and met a shaken carousel operator, who, despite being totally unnerved by the experience, kindly told us to come back later to finish our ride. Then I almost bumped strollers with another mom who was smilingly reassuring her little ones that all was well.
Was it? I had a moment of panic when I realized I didn't know what to do at a crowded place during an earthquake.
We were on the carousel at Westfield Santa Anita and had just gone round once when the lights flickered, the merry-go-round shuddered and I actually saw the display window of Urban Street on the second floor of the mall bulge out, once, before the shaking stopped.
I got both boys and my niece off the ride and met a shaken carousel operator, who, despite being totally unnerved by the experience, kindly told us to come back later to finish our ride. Then I almost bumped strollers with another mom who was smilingly reassuring her little ones that all was well.
Was it? I had a moment of panic when I realized I didn't know what to do at a crowded place during an earthquake.
The security guy told me run out to the parking lot. At least, that's what they tell all the mall workers.
So after a few seconds hesitation, I shepherded the kids to the food court for lunch, passing every person with a cellphone glued to their ear, or in hand. Literally every other person was trying to call or text. Of course, none of that worked for the first 10 minutes, network busy, try again. My 10-year-old niece texted a friend and got an answer back about the temblor (her friend was watching TV). I got through to Hubby in Irvine 20 minutes later, when we were happily eating miso soup and rice and McDonalds.
My 13-year-old niece was peeved because she couldn't get through on her Verizon line for an hour! and you know how long a teenager can last on a no-cellphone diet.
We stayed at the mall for another two hours after the quake, and yes, we got back on the carousel.
"No earthquake this time, Mama!" Joseph proclaimed afterward.
But I will have our earthquake kit ready by the end of this week, anyway.
So after a few seconds hesitation, I shepherded the kids to the food court for lunch, passing every person with a cellphone glued to their ear, or in hand. Literally every other person was trying to call or text. Of course, none of that worked for the first 10 minutes, network busy, try again. My 10-year-old niece texted a friend and got an answer back about the temblor (her friend was watching TV). I got through to Hubby in Irvine 20 minutes later, when we were happily eating miso soup and rice and McDonalds.
My 13-year-old niece was peeved because she couldn't get through on her Verizon line for an hour! and you know how long a teenager can last on a no-cellphone diet.
We stayed at the mall for another two hours after the quake, and yes, we got back on the carousel.
"No earthquake this time, Mama!" Joseph proclaimed afterward.
But I will have our earthquake kit ready by the end of this week, anyway.
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