In the wake of the Java earthquake, I just want to say that I'm glad Dad's ok. He and his colleague were staying at a hotel in Yogyakarta, about 25km from the quake site, which in earthquake terms, is relatively nearby. The news highlight came on yesterday while I was watching television and my jaw literally dropped and I called Mom straightaway to ask which part of Indonesia Dad was in. I really am glad he's alright because the hotel he was at was shaking. His colleague was interviewed in today's papers and he mentioned the television crashing on the floor, concrete chips falling from the walls and ceiling, and waterpipes being exposed and stuff. It was a really close shave and I thank God that Dad is save. The hotel they were at is being converted to a holding medical centre. That's how close they were to the earthquake site.
To the people affected by it, I send my condolences. For once, I came very close to understanding what those people went through. The anguish, pain, shock, mounting suspense as they await news of family and friends. Usually when tragedies of such a magnitude strike, we feel disconnected from it because many of us Singaporeans take our safety here for granted, and we have never ever got to experience such disasters due to our geographical location. Only when uncertainty strikes can we finally appreciate what we have, and embrace our safety.