Down the Stairs and Outside in 15 Seconds

We had an earthquake today. It was only a 4.3. By California standards, this was a piddly little thing. Californians would probably look up for a second, acknowledge that there's an earthquake going on, and then go back to whatever it was they were doing.

I would probably do the same. Except for a few things. It turns out we were actually pretty close to the epicenter... maybe about 15 miles away. And so, the back-and-forth shaking was decently significant, even though it lasted for only a few seconds. And along with this, while I have high confidence that most buildings in California are built to standards which help them to withstand strong earthquakes... given the aftermath images from earthquakes that this country has had in the last few years, I do not have that same confidence here.

And so, this afternoon, as I was sitting on my couch in front of the computer, I heard that unnatural this-is-not-just-a-cement-truck rumble, and then began to feel the slightest of shaking. Immediately, I grabbed my keys and bolted out the door, slamming it behind me. In my mind, I was potentially running for my life - who knows if this building may very well collapse around me as I fly down the stairs. So I fled down the 4 flights of stairs and busted outside. I'm pretty sure I went from 4th floor couch to ground level outdoors in 15 seconds or less.

Over the next few minutes, more and more people began coming out of the buildings. Probably many of them felt a little uneasy about going right back inside right away... what if another earthquake were to hit in just a few minutes? For me... I felt the same way. Except that my computer and cell phone were still upstairs. So, after a few minutes and after everything settled down, I ran upstairs... packed up my computer, cell phone, and our passports into my backpack... and I came back downstairs and outside. I decided I would hang out outside for half an hour or so.

About 30 minutes later, based on absolutely no new information or significant scientific assurances, I mentally gave myself the "all clear" and went back home.

I think I can do earthquakes in the States. I know what to expect, and I have confidence in my surroundings. But here in China... not yet. Maybe in a few years, after a few more of these. But for now, my standard reaction will (intentionally) be just like what it was today.