Wether we are happy or not life goes on, and go on it did! The week of Sandy was a toughie. B left for Hong Kong that Saturday. He had a week of training for his new job and wouldn't be back until the following weekend. He did set me up with batteries, candles, water and all the essentials to survive a hurricane :) That same day he left I went wedding dress shopping and got one! It is amazing and I can't wait to show the world...in August!
The hurricane was supposed to hit on Monday. Even though our apartment was fully stocked I didn't want to be alone. All of the media was making me scared, so Clyde and I packed up and went to my best friend’s apartment in Hoboken to ride out the storm. When hurricane Irene hit the power went out for about 8 hours and there was flooding. There was a lot of flooding, but it receded in about a day. This was not the case for Sandy.
It was about 8pm on Monday night when my friends power went out. In about 10 minutes the street flooded from a puddle to a river. We woke up the next morning to water levels about waist high. Here are some pictures from the morning after the hurricane hit (Tuesday am).
These where from my friends balcony and as you can see we were trapped. That was escaping Sandy easy believe me. All of the basement and most first floor apartments where ruined. You can't tell by the pictures but there is gasoline and debris mixed in with the water. My dog was freaking out! He would not go to the bathroom the poor thing even though I tried to encourage him. I felt horrible and he wouldn't stop crying. I wasn't sure what to do, so ladies and gentlemen, Clyde and I swam for my home. At least at our home I know he would be able to go on our deck. I know now I shouldn't have left and gone to stay with my friends, but hindsight is 20/20 and I thought the water would subside.
I put Clyde in a harness leash and we headed out. It is a short three blocks normally but it was so gross and scary. Once we got to my complex I ran upstairs and put both of us in the shower. We got one last shower with the hot water that was still in our pipes and that was it for a couple days. I was able to get him to go to the bathroom in a small area that did not flood that bad in our elevated courtyard. Then the blackout lifestyle began. First the lights/power went out on Monday night, when still at my friends, then your internet connection, then your phone powers. It was weird and scary. I was sure to be in my apartment with the doors locked before dark and read mostly. It was just me and Clyde at that point and we were in a surreal routine. By Thursday the water subsided enough that when I was walking the dog I saw a bus running on the main strip. There still was no power but I ran Clyde home and made it into NYC. Slightly smelly I got to my office and was able to charge up and contact my family and B.
Friday early am my girlfriend got power! Finally a place to shower! I ran over there and showered up and went into NYC again. The flooding was completely gone, however the rubble began piling up. It was a sad picture. Items that you can tell are so personal where put onto the sidewalks, the town was covered with trash and we still didn't have power, only one small grid (my friends thank god) was going. Clyde and I had romantic dinners together while reading ahahaha see below!
Friday night the Marathon was cancelled. I had a breakdown. I know that it was the right thing to do, but it was kind of the last thing I could handle. I trained forever and pretty much started this blog for the NYC marathon, so there ya go. However, since then I'm ok with it. Hell, now I know I can run over 20miles! I will use my guarantee next year and train harder!
Saturday B came home! I never was happier!!!! We still didn't have power, but everything was already better. I had a friend to play cards with, I had someone to protect us! I had someone to start the fire place ha! He felt bad he missed the bulk of the destruction and I was alone so I got many gifts from Hong Kong :) I am spoiled! Check out the candy I got and that was the smallest present!
Sunday and Monday came and went and then it happened. Tuesday night at 8pm we got power back! It was a crazy week, but when I tell you we made out lucky I am not exaggerating. You never can prepare for the heartache that mother nature can bring. My home town is destroyed. A lot has happened since that week and I will catch the blog up to it, but that is all I can reflect on today!
I will tell you this though, I haven't been running ha! I do plan on trying to get some mileage in this weekend, but not for any races, just because I miss it!
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