Sandy

I've been through hurricanes in my life, having lived in Mississippi and Virginia.  I've even been through a hurricane as a rezlife staff member while I was at MWC, hurricane Isabel.  Isabel was a lot worse on campus at Mary Wash than it was here at Centenary...but the overall devastation wasn't as widespread or intense overall.  When I lived in Mississippi I was so young I don't remember what the aftermath was.

It's strange to watch the local news, which is from NYC, and see the absolute devastation.  My staff and students are faring well enough considering some of their homes were destroyed or that their neighborhoods are completely under water.  A lot of people here are just numb now from watching the news, almost like it was after September 11, 2001.  So much coverage.  You don't want to watch but you can't stop.  Even the people who aren't from the shore are very upset because that's where they all spent their summers growing up and now it's gone.  Being a person who doesn't have a "place" I can't imagine what that would be like.

I feel guilty for being exhausted.  I feel guilty for wanting to go back to "normal" (although being so new I don't know what that is yet).  I've been so lucky.  I have electricity and although my heat was out for a few days it's now back on.  I was able to shower.  I've had food.  I do feel blessed.  I couldn't have asked for a better outcome for the campus.  I still just feel like I need a few days to recover...