BREAKING NEWS: East Coast is hit with a 5.9 Magnitude Earthquake

It looks like we all survived. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers as the East Coast deals with the devastation and aftermath of today's earthquake. Ok, I'm kidding. It was more unnerving than damaging and was definitely scary for an East Coast native like myself.  I thought the building was going to collapse. Thank God for building codes! Also, since cell phones were down for about a 1/2 hour thank God for Twitter and Facebook. 


I think most reactions were, "the ground ain't supposed to move!" Things might have fallen off of the shelves and it only lasted roughly 15 seconds (it felt like FOREVER) but no major damage has been reported. Below is a photo of all reported damage:

This isn't the first quake to hit the area since I have lived here, but I slept through the 3.6 magnitude on July 16 of last year. I know what I felt today and I don't want to feel it again. At first I thought it was construction, then I thought it was a bomb and then I realized it was an earthquake. My first reaction was to text my friends to confirm it but I realized my cell phone wasn't working so I did what anyone else would have done...I tweeted "Earthquaaaaaakkkeee!!!!!" and ran into the doorway of the bathroom because thats what the movies told me to do. I stayed there until it appeared the tv would fall off of the dresser so I moved it and ran back into the doorway. I don't know how you West Coast natives deal with the ground shaking. At least when a hurricane hits we have some sort of warning. 


Let's hope there isn't an aftershock. #DCEarthquake2011 (yes, I know the epicenter was in Virginia.)

2011 Japanese Earthquake & Tsunami

Its no secret, even if you have been living under a a rock. 

On March 11, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Northeast Japan spawned a ferocious tsunami that's caused massive destruction; flattening whole cities, starting raging fires, and killing hundreds.

I felt terrible when I heard about the disasters in Japan. I was so busy enjoying my vacay that I completely disconnected from the world around me. YES I was having *that* much fun. I did not want to beat myself up too much about being oblivious to the disaster because I could not have done anything to change the scope of the tragedy. I could not have deployed planes to evacuate people. I could not have built a dam to stop the water. My heart immediately went out to the people of Japan and to one of my former colleagues who is currently living in the area.  


When my cab driver told my friends and I about the disaster my heart dropped. I read this "One oil refinery went up in flames about 40 miles outside Tokyo, 11 nuclear plants were shut down and a nuclear emergency was declared for one because its emergency cooling systems stopped working. Officials there say the situation is under control and there's no danger of fallout"  and then I saw this footage. You can view more raw footage here.  I did not have to see the footage because reading stories like the one below was a wake up call for me to step up and do something. 

The magnitude-8.9 earthquake triggered a tsunami that swept as far as 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) inland along the northern coast, killing 1,597 at the latest count and risking meltdowns at two nuclear reactors. More than 350,000 people are in emergency shelters. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Sunday the government would use 200 billion yen ($2.4 billion) of money left over from the budget for the fiscal year ending March 31 to start an extra spending package.

Celebs have been tweeting and Facebooking about how you can help and you may not have felt compelled to do so. To a certain extent I guess I can understand how one could think twice before offering help. After all, there haven't been any texting drives to help all the Young Professionals who pursued their education but have failed to secure jobs to pay back Aunt Sallie Mae and Uncle Sam.  Trust me, I know how it feels BUT that does not mean Japan needs you any less. Set aside your qualms with the world for a few moments and send positive vibes (in the form of money, prayers, etc) to the people affected by the quake and subsequent Tsunami in Japan. Consider this my personal plea for all Young Professionals to step up and support Japan during their time of need. It is no longer a question of whether they need it, the time is now to step up and contribute. 

How YOU can help: 

People residing in the US can just key in donate to Red Cross via mobile phone but if you're outside the country you can still help the victims thru donation using Apple iTunes. If you have credits in iTunes store you can visit the Red Cross donation page, wherein you can donate $5 up to $200.




NOTE: This post will be updated as I verify other reputable sources to donate. Feel free to share tips in the comments section. 

Haiti-One Year Later

Its no longer on the front page of newspapers.
Its no longer the "lead in" for the nightly news.
Its no longer covered as heavily.
The major pushes for donations have stopped.
Resources have dried up.
Cholera outbreaks have claimed the lives of over 3500 Haitian people.
The people still suffer.
Families still mourn the loss of loved ones.


Prior to today, I really struggled with finding a "unique" way to honor the people of Haiti without mimicking the things other websites, blogs, etc. were already doing. It finally donned on me this morning that my focus on wanting to be "unique" was selfish. This day is not about me, or my blog, its about paying my respects to a great people. As one with Haitian friends all of whom I consider part of my extended family, I am ashamed of my self-centeredness. We all have our moments.

The island nation is still fighting the devastation caused by the quake, which killed over 230,000 Haitian people, and by some estimates left some 1.5 million people home. Additionally, the subsequent Cholera outbreak has claimed the lives of 3500 so far and the numbers are still climbing. All things considered, there is but one word that could describe the people of Haiti: Resilient. Resilience is the ability to work with adversity in such a way that one comes through it unharmed or even better for the experience. I found this little blurb about what the word means: "Resilience means facing life’s difficulties with courage and patience – refusing to give up. It is the quality of character that allows a person or group of people rebound from misfortune, hardships and traumas.  Resilience is rooted in a tenacity of spirit—a determination to embrace all that makes life worth living even in the face of overwhelming odds. When we have a clear sense of identity and purpose, we are more resilient, because we can hold fast to our vision of a better future.  Much of our resilience comes from community—from the relationships that allow us to lean on each other for support when we need it."


They have suffered from one tragedy after another but have remained hopeful for better days. Their spirit is inspiring.  What really breaks my heart when traumatic events occur is that after a certain amount of time we stop talking about it. The media stops covering it and we stop checking on the people who were affected. We stop asking people how they are coping with their loss. Its almost as if we believe that as time progresses and people stop talking about something then it MUST have gotten better.

I intentionally allowed the "Haiti needs your help" app to remain high on this blog in hopes that it would remind people that Haiti still needs us. The great thing about anniversary is that people are once again talking about Haiti. My hope is that the conversations turn into generous donations.

Read on for stories I've found so far about the anniversary...

L'Union fait la force!

 Hello friends! I apologize about the gap in posting today. Who knew I'd ACTUALLY have to come and do work today? Go figure. Enough about me. Its time to get serious.

First, take a moment to refresh your memory about what happened a little over 3 months ago in Haiti:

The quake that devastated Haiti rocked the island on January 12. It is estimated that at least 1/3 of the population was injured and the death toll was in the hundreds of thousands. One student described the quake as "Haiti's version of Katrina." Any attempt to put the devastation into words would undoubtedly be an understatement. Are we on the same page? Good. Imagine my frustration now that Haiti is no longer in our headlines and the images are slowly fading into the background. Am I the only one that is frustrated? Please tell me I'm not. 

 A few weeks  of coverage and a few million in funds is not what Haiti needs. While I dare not speculate about how to eradicate the complacency that Americans have once natural disasters are no longer thrown at us 24/7, I would bet my last dollar that it will take YEARS to rebuild Haiti. Just because the media has become more concerned with Ricky Martin coming out of the closet *side eye* it does not mean that Haiti and its people have recovered and that everything is under control. If you don't believe me, or if you somehow believe that throwing money at the situation will make it better then you haven't been to New Orleans in the last five years. Hurricane Katrina devastated the crescent city over 5 years ago, how often do you hear stories about areas that are still devastated? What is unfortunate is that we're only 3 months out and I've read stories of people complaining when we do talk about Haiti. To those people I say the worst thing we can do is to stop talking about it. I can't imagine going through life as though these things never happened. YES there are other people suffering and I understand we cannot help everyone, but if you have been blessed I strongly encourage you to share your blessings with the less fortunate. Whether you volunteer for the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps or Doctors without borders, take time to step away from your comfort zone to support someone else other than yourself.   I know you can feel my passion and I hope it moves you into action.

Check the footage, its self-explanatory.

Let me make it clear that I'm not big on shock campaigns to get people to act, nor am I a support of guerrilla (some charities go THAT hard) tactics to get people to donate. However, I do believe that everyone has a social responsibility to help when our brothers and sisters are down on their luck but rich in their faith. 

Here are some facts about Haiti you may or may not have already known:

Haiti is a small country about the size of the state of Maryland in the West Indies that covers the western third of the island of Hispanola, which lies between Cuba and Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea. (The Dominican Republic covers eastern Hispanola).

1492-Christopher Columbus named the island Hispanola. By 1697, the Spanish recognized the French's control of the western third of the island, and named the island Saint Domingue.

In 1792 Toussaint L'Ouverture, a former slave, took control and wrote a constitution

In the early 1800s Haiti became the first black republic in the world

Haiti was the first black nation to win an Olympic bronze medal

The first automatic telephone system in the Western Hemisphere was installed in Haiti.

In 1974, Haiti became the first Caribbean soccer team to win the Concacaf Cup, breaking Mexico's 30-year strong hold. Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were the first black republics to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in the 20th century.

Haitian Creole is the second most spoken language in Cuba after Spanish

There are still several ways you can donate. While you're here go ahead and scroll up to the icon at the top right of the page and donate. Every little bit counts. Donate $5 if that is all you can afford to donate, but please continue to lend Haiti your support.

Haiti and its people are resilient. I have no doubt that the nation will rebuild itself and become stronger than ever. However, we must all stand up and become invested in Haiti's success.

Feel free to share you thoughts, comments and information on how you've helped Haiti in the comments section...

Video: Clinton on Haiti, the aftermath AND more ways to help

Candlelight vigils. Late night phone calls. Neighborhoods gathered in prayer. Missing children. Broken Families. Tears of sorrow. There is no doubt that the quake in Haiti has devastated the island nation. That is no longer a question. However, questions still remain about how we can help. Feelings of helplessness, strife, and fear have swept over people around the world. As reports pour in about a possible 50,000+ deaths, miraculous stories of survivors, and the unfathomable amount of damage people are wondering how they can help.

Although the images are graphic and the videos are grim, perhaps the sight of the devastation will move people who may be on the fence to decide to help. You can view aerial photos of the damage here.

To add insult to injury, scam artists have targeted people ready to donate. If you are concerned about the legitimacy of the relief efforts, CNN has composed a valid list of legitimate charities here.



The good news is relief efforts have intensified and donations have poured in. The demand level for aid is described by relief workers as "overwhelming." Search and rescue efforts are a top priority but there is still a need for basic supplies like food, water, blankets, clothing, toiletries, and medical supplies. Authorities admit they have been unable to transport a decent amount of already donated supplies due to a fallen trees, damaged communication networks and debris covered roads.

You can also text donations for Haiti relief from your cell phone. In addition to your donation amount, standard text messaging fees will apply.

Red Cross: Text HAITI to 90999 ($10 donation)
Yéle Haiti: Text YELE to 501501 ($5 donation)
United Way: Text HAITI to 864833 ($5 donation)
Intl Medical Corps: Text HAITI to 85944 ($10 donation)

Still looking for news on your loved ones? The U.S. State Department has set up a hotline for information on family members who may be in Haiti: (888) 407.4747. NOTE: This number is for information on U.S. citizens in Haiti only.

My heart is heavy with sympathy and concern for all people affected by this tragedy. As one personally affected, consider this my plea that all of you do what you can to help the people of Haiti in what is quickly becoming a nationwide catastrophe. Stand up and show that our generation is not as self-involved as we are portrayed. Organize efforts in your neighborhood. If you do not have money donate non-perishable food items and clothing. Find out more info about Red Cross donations here.

Check out previous posts about the quake in Haiti here and here.

For news updates click here.

Beautiful people of HUSL Today the devastation is too great to be ignored! The time is NOW to stand up and lend a helping hand to Haiti.

Wondering how you can help the people of Haiti?

I have been overwhelmed with a desire to do whatever I can to help the people of Haiti. I carry a heavy heart as my experiences with hurricanes give me an inkling of how they must feel to be without power with nowhere to turn. Among reports of the devastation, I feel nothing but the deepest sympathy for those affected by this tragedy. For that reason, I will focus the remainder of my posts today on updates from the quake; regular posting will being tomorrow. While I understand Haiti is not the most developed country in the world, I do not feel the need to dwell on this as much as we should focus on a request to help Haiti in its relief, recovery and rebuilding. On the other hand, it is worth noting that Haiti is a country that lacked resources to begin with which undoubtedly places an even heavier burden on the administration. Some people have cell phones which are sure to die and there is no central medical facility to care for the sick and injured. Air traffic control centers are down which makes it that much more difficult to get aid to the devastated island country.

At this point, I know the feeling of helplessness is setting in. The death toll will continue to rise and the number of broken families and missing loved ones will reach cataclysmic numbers. So what does this have to do with you? Ever talk about wanting to make a difference? Well here's your chance! We may not be able to solve every problem, but we can take strides to make an impact. It has been said that on any journey, the most significant step we take is the first one. Consider this step 1...

The following is a list of legitimate charities and organization in need of donations to help with the relief efforts underway in Haiti.

American Red Cross International Relief Fund:

http://bit.ly/7pChi9

Canadian Red Cross:

http://bit.ly/12cR1n

MercyCorps:

http://bit.ly/4nyB0q

International Medical Corps:

http://bit.ly/89W696

Medical Teams International:

http://bit.ly/4wxkal

AmeriCares Help For Haiti:

http://bit.ly/5bz7a9

Doctors Without Borders:

http://bit.ly/4Yp1aN

UNICEF:

http://bit.ly/8RT4CQ

Partners in Health:

http://bit.ly/7bsUly

International Organization for Migration:

http://bit.ly/66Ul9m

Catholic Relief Services:

http://bit.ly/4OdwPp

Yéle Haiti:

http://bit.ly/8966PE

Hope for Haiti:

http://bit.ly/4EYFIH

Beyond Borders:

http://bit.ly/7RMCN8

Haitian Health Foundation:

http://bit.ly/4BcsRr

Childcare Worldwide:

http://bit.ly/6hCvtv

Friends of the World Food Program:

http://bit.ly/7aEjXm

Madre.org:

http://bit.ly/8bEgZy

Samaritan’s Purse:

http://bit.ly/5D9N3D

Operation USA:

http://bit.ly/8qOqNc

Save the Children:

http://bit.ly/7EL3MB

Meds and Food for Kids:

http://bit.ly/5V778s

Direct Relief International:

http://bit.ly/8gLP7P

Salvation Army:

http://bit.ly/4YmC2j

Operation Blessing International:

http://bit.ly/GkW4N

World Wide Village:

http://bit.ly/5GRwph

International Relief Teams:

http://bit.ly/8qKk2f

CARE:

http://bit.ly/8VLrDr

World Vision:

http://bit.ly/5MMv0T

World Concern:

http://bit.ly/5lRt12

Do not forget you can also donate $10 to the Red Cross by texting the word 'HAITI' to 90999 and the amount will be charged to your phone bill. I know it sounds cliché but at a time like this, every little bit helps!

Read through our previous posts for more information about the quake and its aftermath.
Be Young;
Be Professional;
Be Great!

*Update* BREAKING NEWS: 7.0 earthquake hits Haiti, photos AND how YOU can help

With a heavy heart and deep sympathy it has been confirmed that an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude hit Haiti shortly after 5pm today (1/12/10).

The quake was centered about 6 miles (10 kilometers) underground, according to the USGS -- a depth that can produce severe shaking. At least 10 aftershocks followed, including two in the magnitude 5 range, the USGS reported.

Although there is no tally on the number of deaths, the number is expected to climb quickly and amount to what some are calling "a profound loss of life." Among the damages already reported are collapsed buildings and power lines. It has been reported that as night fell people joined together in song and prayer asking for mercy as at least 28 aftershocks of magnitude of 4.0 or greater continued to shake the country.

HUSL Today sends our condolences to those affected by this recent tragedy. Our prayers are with you and your family.


President Obama gave the following statement:

"My thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by this earthquake. We are closely monitoring the situation and we stand ready to assist the people of Haiti.”

No matter what your religious beliefs are, I ask that you take a moment and hope for the best. I have already donated and so can you!

Here's how YOU can help! Text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to RedCross relief efforts in Haiti. Learn more HERE: http://bit.ly/6KiRtE . OR to donate $5 text 501501 the word YELE. The donation will be charged to your phone bill.

Or you can go online to organizations like the Red Cross and Mercy Corps to make a contribution to the disaster relief efforts.

***UPDATE: Here is a list of organizations providing earthquake relief: http://itsjustlight.com/?page_id=777

More Photos of the destruction:

















"Words have no wings but they can fly a thousand miles."
Korean Proverb

Source: Cnn.com