By now, you've probably heard about the huge earthquakes and the lava in east Hawaii.On Thursday, May 3, mid-morning, there was a quick jolt. It was enough to send me running to the doorway, but not enough to rattle the only student in my class that day. He sat unfazed until I told him to get in the doorway with me. The shaking stopped just as he stood up to join me.
By that late afternoon/early evening, the news reported fissures popping up in the Leilani Estates subdivision, about 40 minutes away from where I live. Aside from my sore shoulder, I had a rather calm evening and was looking forward to the May Day program the next day.
I felt pretty good, pretty top-shape, having dealt effectively with 2 technological malfunctions that week. KikukatDad's 1st Generation iPad was unable to download an upgrade to the Star-Advertiser app. For him, that was a deal-breaker. He knew the time had come to purchase a new iPad.
In spite of being a technology-dunce, KikukatDad, who has never turned on a computer in his life, took to the iPad. For over 6 years (it was my hand-me-down), KikukatDad has read his newspaper on the iPad. He mastered scrolling, swiping, and zooming. When he went to Honolulu for short trips, his iPad followed him.
After a quick run to Target and a short set-up at home, his new iPad was ready to go. I delivered it to him and he was able to read his paper again. The Help provided some navigational support to smooth the transition. So far, so good.
On Thursday, shortly after the jolt, D2 came to my room to show me her cracked iPhone screen. Weighing the options, I told her we'd get her screen fixed (she would pay for it). She wanted to use the phone as-is, but I told her that was unacceptable, fearing the cracked screen would eventually give way and cause damage to the actual workings of the phone. OfficeMax was able to replace her screen, and I was home in time to cook dinner. Again, so far, so good.
Then on Friday, around 11:30 am, the sign fell off the wall, literally. I was in the boss' office, complaining about a coworker and a student engaging in blatant academic fraudulence. One of the vice principals had joined us in his office, as he was questioning a recent announcement. Then the shaking began. A sign from the wall behind me fell and landed a few inches behind me. There was no desk to crawl under! Well, there was, but I would've had to sit ON the boss! So I did what any reasonable person would do...I jumped up and held onto the vice principal. Not my proudest moment, but I did feel safe.
The students and staff were eventually corralled into the pool area. I actually felt safe in the pool area. . .no second or third floor to collapse onto me. No concrete to fall on my head. But every measure of safety was thrown out when the shaking began. I was floored that many students just sat on the bleachers. I wanted to run. Where to, I'm not sure, but I knew I wanted to run. The shaking lasted a loooooong time. A student managed to take video, and it was featured on Hawaii News Now (and other places have shown it since). The vantage point of the video is actually very close to where I was when the shaking began.
We've had a few jolts since then, and it is unnerving every time it happens. Thus far, the damage at home hasn't been bad. I lost a Mikasa crystal drinking glass. My room at school seemed intact too. I'm fortunate.
I have a few friends who have had to evacuate, and my thoughts and prayers are with them.
In spite of the chaos last week, I don't think we've seen it all yet. In chaotic times, I find myself resorting to fast and easy cooking. Just a bit fancier than plain white sticky rice, warabi rice is quick and easy to make. The ingredients are fairly easy to obtain here in Hawaii. When things quiet down and tourists decide to check out the east side of the island again, warabi is definitely something to be tried (Suisan---warabi salad; Coqui's Hideaway---warabi fried rice). If you are fortunate enough to receive warabi as a travel gift, try this rice recipe or my warabi kamaboko salad recipe.
click on recipe title for printable recipe
1-2 c warabi, chopped in 1/4" pieces
1/4 c dried shrimp*, chopped
1 kamaboko, diced
2 pieces aburage, diced
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp hondashi granules
2 tbsp oil
3 c rice (cook 3 c rice cooker cups as usual in rice cooker)
Heat oil and saute shrimp until golden. Add kamaboko and aburage. Fry until aburage is crispy. Add warabi. Sprinkle salt and hondashi and toss lightly. Remove from heat. In a large bowl, combine rice and warabi mixture using quick, light strokes.
*My grandma used iriko (small, dried fish) instead of shrimp, but iriko is very hard to find now.
Many of my Rav buddies on the mainland messaged me with their concern. I am grateful to be in their thoughts. I think the stress of the earthquakes/lava have taken a toll on me, even if I'm not in such close proximity to the area being affected. My shoulder has been aching more and more, and nights of good sleep are fewer.
My main hobby and outlet have been affected as well. I have a few projects going, but I am careful about taking frequent breaks to stretch my shoulder. This weekend, I finished a beaded beret for DHS. I hope to finish an MKAL project soon too.
I received 2 skeins of gorgeous yarn (pictured) from Western Sky Knits as prizes I won in a contest in the Plum Dandi group.
The Keeper gave me a ramen t-shirt from our favorite Hawaii ramen place, Hokkaido Ramen Santouka.
And Nakaz bought me a yummy lunch on Friday.
I feel the love!