Tsunami tragedy... a note of thankfulness

[miura_mika]

Just got back from Cameron Highlands yesterday, a last minute decision to go on Boxing Day. Charmaine's parents and my parents decided it on Christmas night.

I could have been in Penang during the tsunami. Seriously... seriously... could have been. The original plan was to go to Penang on Christmas eve and stay till the 26th. Then we would head down to Pulau Pangkor on the 27th. On the day the tsunami hit, Charmaine's family and my family could have been strolling at Gurney Drive during the exact time the tsunami hit, after lunch. After Charmaine's dad told us about his original plan and all that, we were all badly freaked out on the fact that we could had well... lost a family member or two... or three? or worse to worse... died?! O.O!!!! We are all very very thankful that there was some problems and we had to cancel the trip... if not... I wouldn't want to imagine what could have happen. My dad even said jokingly "We missed the tsunami!!!" and my mum's first reaction was "Have to go and 'wan san' after this" While Charmaine and I were just plain shocked. It's still freaking me out till now. The fact that we could have faced death that easily scares us all... Thank you God for letting me live another day... ^^

The impact of the shocking tsunami on South East Asia is devastating. The death toll in Malaysia itself is up to: 65. 183 injured and 160 still missing. In Indonesia: 21,000 deaths. Sri Lanka: 18,706. India: 11,409. Thailand: 1,516. Somalia: 110. Maldives: 52. Myanmar: 90. Tanzania: 10. Seychelles: 3. Bangladesh: 2. Kenya: 1. And all these deaths could have been avoided if the countries had warning systems. No one ever expects tsunamis in this part of the country, especially Malaysia because we're not in the 'Linkaran Api Pasifik' which means no earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes etc. This is what happens when we're unprepared. Only after the impact, then only we realize the dangers. -sighs- Condolences to those who had lost family members and friends, to those injured: get well soon, to those who are not affected: lucky you and be thankful!, to those who escaped death: be very very thankful!!

Happy New Year 2005 minna~ ^^