how are you coping?

We're doing ok, we're in Kaiapoi and have come through it pretty well this time. We have friends from the eastern subarbs staying with us, they have power back on but still no water and they had liquefaction at their property as well. I hadn't really been in to CHCH, only to Redwood but it's mostly unaffected that far north. Today I drove to work though, I work in Bromley and despite seeing the pics on the news and hearing the stories I was still very shocked at how bad it really is once you are in it at ground level. I drove down Avondale Road and the onto Breezes (the way I always drive) and it was so bad that as soon as I got to work I was looking up an alternate route to drive home. I just felt like with everything else those people don't need me communting down their streets to work. The silt piles were higher than my car in places and two vehicles couldn't even pass. Drove home down Anzac drive and can't say it was any better but at least it's not as residential so I felt like I was being less intrusive being on it.

We are resolved to stay, our house needs a lot of work (damaged from Sept) but we love it here and I'm not gonna let mother nature get the better of us. Plus I'm hedging my bets that we've had our share of big shakes for now so chances are we would be more likely to have another one if we moved to a different area that hasn't had one.

The kids seem ok so far, lots of earthquake talk and play which I have heard is good for them to do. The oldest was at kindy when it happened and he's been pestering me about going back so I'm taking that as a good sign as well.

If you need anything PM me, even if it's just to pop round for a nice hot cup of tea

We're OK In Northern suburbs so, physically, we are unaffected and have power and water. The only problem I am having is being very stressed, anxious and emotional. I thought I was OK but surprised myself by getting very teary quite regularly. The 2 minute silence was hard, it brought it all back about how scared I was. DH is working very long hours (as so many are) and I am a lot snappier than usual. My boys are doing really well, if a little like caged animals due to the lack of playcentre etc.

Not sure whether we will stay in ChCh, was never in our long term plan and this hasn't changed that. I am going away at the end of March for a week (ironically will be away for 20th March but norhing to do with the prediction!) but will be back for at least a couple of years.

If there is anyone out there who needs any help - washing, showers etc, I am very happy to help. Stay safe

Physically fine, mentally, not so flash. Our home is fine, we live in Hornby/Hei Hei area and it's as if nothing ever happened out there. I'm currently staying at my my parent's place as we have the painters/decorators in at our place fixing up the damage caused by Sept earthquake. My DF is staying at home to look after the dog but we didnt' want our DD being around paint fumes etc.
We have had power and water the whole time so very lucky in that respect.

I was at work in Cashel Street when the quake hit (just down from the CTV building) and was upstairs in our lunch room. The building shook so violently that I got thrown down the stairs. When I landed at the bottom, the building was still shaking and the racking in our warehouse was all collapsing around me and throwing things off shelves. I got hit by a few falling objects but was luckily protected by two racks that fell into each other, creating a 'triangle of life' for me. Could have been much worse. I was a bit sore and bruised for a few days, but otherwise fine. Couldn't get away from work for hours due to the constant stream of traffic fleeing the CBD so decided it was better to stay with my workmates for support until the traffic eased off. My parents mind our DD when I work (part time) and they rung me as soon as the quake hit to let me know that she had been asleep when it hit and Mum ran upstairs to get her and she just looked at Mum and laughed lol. I wish I was as oblivious to everything as she is. I felt absolutely sick being away from my wee girl during such a terrifying time. Is going to be very hard for me to ever leave her again. As my work is within the CBD, we wont be allowed back for at least 4wks at this stage. Even then, it will be very hard for me to go back there. The devastation and injured people I saw getting out of town that day was just horrendous and I think I will be emotionally scarred for life.
This a***hole Ken Ring isn't doing much for my mental health either. Yes, he is a nutter but some of his theories do weigh up so I'm still scared sh*tless that he might be onto something. I just want to get out of this city and never come back. I've lived here most my life and vowed I'd never leave, but it doesn't feel safe anymore. I just want out

Sorry - that turned into a bit of a novel

We are okay too. I live in Dallington but have been staying in Brooklands as our house still has no water but got power yesterday so hopefully okay to go home soon. Kids seem to be coping okay but Jacks school is one of the badly damaged ones so who knows what will happen there.

Wow Lisa that must have been so scary, hugs xx

I was at home by myself and luckily Jacks school and Preceys preschool are close so I got to them pretty quickly. I couldn't believe how quickly the liquifaction came, we were walking home through knee deep water in some places it was unreal!

I think now the crappiness of the situation is starting to sink in and like everyone else I am pretty over it but what can you do. At this point we will be staying :) Luckily so far I haven't heard of anyone close dying but there are a few people I have known. I changed doctors from the clinic about 5 months ago and both my old dr and the kids dr are missing as is the receptionists and nurses we have seen so many times. A few friends of friends have died also and a lot of people have seen some horrific things. I also feel so helpless but theres not a lot I can do at this point :(

to you all.

I think all you women,are just so amazing,you are inspiring and have shown so much strength over the past couple of weeks.

My GP died in the CTV building which has been quite a shock, he was such a lovely man. My SIL's friend also died helping a woman in High Street, he had his funeral on Tuesday. It is horrible knowing people who have died and knowing that it easily could have happened to you. I don't think you really fully understand how scary it is here until you have lived through this. An earthquake is most terrifying I think because we have constant aftershocks that keep us on edge and you're never sure when the next big one might hit. At least with a cyclone or flood, it can usually be predicted, it hits and it's over.

My DH works a block away from the CTV building and he saw a lot of traumatic things on the way out of town. I was lucky as I work away from the CBD and although I was under the desk with ceiling tiles and lights falling around me I wasn't subjected to the terrifying sights that he was.

Our house was spared in this one but we lost our home in September's quake so I am thankful that we got through this relatively unscathed.

For me one of the hardest things is seeing the city that I grew up in destroyed. I have so many happy memories of time spent in the CBD.

Big hugs to all the ChCh girls xx

Sorry to hear of your losses Little_Red One of my best friends is working at the CTV site recovering (has been from the 2nd day) - he is quite traumatised by what he is doing, but just has to help get some closure for the families.

i hear the rest of you , the stress is well and truely sinking in now . We finally got our power back on tonight (after 10days without it) still have no phone or water but at the moment the power on is definatly worth celebrating after being housebound all week with no car (we can only use one of our cars because the other is lowerd so we cant drive it along our very cracked and badly damaged streets) dp has been at work all week so iv been home with dd (19mths) and some of the time my partners dd too (6yrs) which has not been easy with no power, water etc . Iv been going a bit crazy trying to entertain them and even things like using the portaloo on the street becomes a huge mission when you cant leave a 19mth old in the house by herself but i also dont want to take her with me in a stinky portaloo.

Im so so sorry to hear about all the friends and aquantinces that people have lost . i know of a few people so far but i just know there is going to be alot more people i know of once the names are released.

It took 9 army men 3 hours to remove all the silt from my and my neighbours attatched house. i was so grateful to them for doing it , they were all really nice men .  people have been amazing. the rest of nz and the world has been amazing too and we really are so grateful for all of the support everyone is showing.

im back at work at the end of next week (into a new building as my building was in town ) but things arent looking so great for my partner who thinks he has most likely lost his job from all of this .

 

Hey,

To me this place feels like a death sentance. I mean who is to say that we just get over this one and then it happens again.

Kylah is struggling, when she is sleeping she subconsiously puts her hands over her ears during aftershocks. She tells me she is scared and that the earthquake shook her school. She was at daycare when it happened and getting to her preschool was like something out of 2012. I think i took driving on flat/straight roads for granted and now its like an obstacle course.

As for me, i have taken almost as much as i can. Everywhere i look there is heartache, damage and devastation. Everytime my mind wonders, an aftershock brings me back to reality. I have contemplated leaving but where do i go? I have just started a degree i worked my butt off to get into.

Ahhh i wish this would all go away.

LittleMiss - I think like you too. When will this ever end. Surely we won't be so lucky three times in a row. We are all physically fine and our house has only sustained fence and slight chimney damage but who knows whats in store next.

I haven't ventured too far out of my little bubble. Our neighbourhood is one of the fortunate ones that sustained little damage.

nzlisajo - I went to the doctor a couple of days post-quake because I wasn't coping too well and he prescribed anti-anxiety medication. Took the edge off for a while.