I was at my office in Beijing when the earthquake happened on May.12; I didn’t realize it was earthquake until my colleague yelled: “look at this shelf, it is swaying!” Lots of people rushed to the parking space downstairs but I didn’t (I believe Beijing would not have that serious damaged disaster and trust the quality of our building, perhaps?) I was looking around and thinking if it turns stronger I would just grab a bottle of water and cellphone that hide under my desk. But fortunately it backed to normal around 30 seconds later. I started to feel scared but the first thing I did was searching online to find where the epicentre was, also sent message to my mom who actually didn’t feel the tremor.
I found SiChuan was the epicentre online 10mins after the quake, also knew that the Prime Minister WenJiabao rushed to there 1 hour later. To be honest, I was a little moved, this is a tough year for China but we could see how China has changed by our quick reaction of the quake. However, you could criticize how China was reacting like Burma during Tang Shan earthquake in 1976 or how we hide the statistic during SARS epidemic. Yes, Many big mistakes China has made in the past, but that’s not means we ALWAYS make mistakes. It sounds defensive but I indeed like your programme as I follow it every day, both listening to Chinese and Western media is really helpful for me to have more comprehensive view about the ‘whole thing’. (Not only about earthquake.).Okay, enough for that, seems I am sidetracking! btw, I am the girl in part 1 of young China series.
Take care, Mary Kay.
Good luck, Myanmar / Burma.
Cross my finger for China and Beijing.
It’s me, again, some more things to add, I have been to worst hit area by quake in SiChuan in 2004 and I encountered the rock fall because it was pouring with rain for the whole evening while I was on the mountain road to JiuZhaigou valley, fortunately, nobody was injured, but I jammed in a small village for a day waiting for the reopen of the road, I just wanna say that I prefectly understand how tough the "battle" with natural environment is.
Here is my voice, small among the vastness of our earth. In my daily life, making a living for myself and my sons , I have been deeply affected by all the violence in the world. The never ending destruction and death in the middle east... (oil?) to the supression of buddhist monks in Tibet/ Tibeten culture, african genocide..my own personal confusion with our war in iraq with all that is happening with these other cultural conflicts...
but to the issue of the planetary involvement most recent in china and myanmar, I belive is a direct result from "God"...although "God" may be percieved differently by all cultures, there is still "One" underlying belief. Why suppress our brother, mother, children..how does that
perpetuate our species?...how is that love? And is it not "God" who is responding now?
sincerely my prayers,
my love to all peoples who are
effected and actually living in such tribulation, I wish we
could all truly live in harmony no matter our views or opinions
because we are truly all one heartbeat no matter our location
or denomination...one day may we all hold hands and pray together
in our own unique prayers without judgement, with true love for
our brothers & sisters.
love & light
I am so troubled by your belief that this is some form of punishment from some form of "God"....but, you seem to have a beautiful heart; I hope for, and in my way "pray" for all the best, joy and peace only for you and your son. I wish the same for all the people of China; the extensive coverage of this earthquake's aftermath has made me feel a closer human connection to its wonderufl people. And we must remember and find a way to help our brothers and sisters in: Burma (Myanmar), Iraq, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, the occupied territories of Palestine, North Korea ... and all the many, many other placed in the world where people live with oppression and suffering.
05/15/2008 10:06:10 PM
