I rarely watch, or read the news. It's something I don't do, yet I don't know why I don't. I keep hearing it the news in the background on TV as I'm sitting here at the computer. We only get the Chinese news up here at my aunt's house where I'm staying. I keep hearing about some hurricane, this hurricane, that hurricane. Besides the hurricane in NO, there's also a major one going through Taiwan as I'm typing that's wreaking havoc. I also hear in the background, gas prices this, gas prices that. My uncle is complaining about gas prices as well. Two nights ago, he went out and topped off his car, and proceeded to buy two more large containers filled with gas. He's ridiculous.

In my mind,  I thought that the hurricane was just happening in Taiwan, that the one hitting NO must just be a minor one, and that the rise in gas prices must just be a random occurence. But then, after I read boogiesan's post today about Katrina, I realized how big of a deal it really was.

I have very mixed feelings about the whole situation-- not that I think it a good thing that it happened. But the fact that a lot of good will invariably come out of the situation. A lot of what has resulted from the hurricane has been only bad things. People have lost their homes, their family, their lives. Those are the truly bad things. But those aren't the things people are complaining about. I went to drudgereport and saw that over 70% of the news on NO were about the rise in gas prices and insurance, also the senseless looting. That bothered me a bit.

At the same time, life must go on for the rest of us, and we will learn to deal with the rising gas prices and insurance. What're we, all going to stop driving and stop buying insurance as a nation? No. We will move on. The rest of us, we observe the situation from the outside, and feel sorry and will pray for all those who have suffered. It makes us feel a bit better.

My mixed feelings stem from the uncertainty and the certainty of the whole situation. Yes, it's a paradox of sorts, but not really. People have been affected, those who've lost their homes and loved ones, that's for sure. But it's also largely up to them as to what will happen from this moment on. The rest of us, though our prayers are with the them, and most likely, many of us will donate money for disaster relief, will only be able to provide so much help. And there 'will' be plenty of outside help. However, the rest is up to the people of NO. There's much uncertainty at the present moment, in the minds of those directly affected and the outsiders, as to what will happen to them. However, that uncertainty is temporary.

Look at the situation from the long-view. Ultimately, and I'm certain of this, the temporary uncertainty/chaos will be restored. Those who have lost their homes and family and friends will accept it and move on. That is an inevitability. They have to, no one wants to stay in a state of despair for the rest of their lives. They will make the best of the situation. They will later buy new  homes, get new jobs, etc... It's life, you live it, it's what people do. They will live their lives out and always remember this event, and cherish life all the more having lived through it. That is the certainty, and I don't know... it brings me a sense of comfort to know that, amidst everything that has happened.

And I think,we, as outsiders peering in, should and will do what we can to help them along. Whether it's donating to food drives, money, moral support... It doesn't matter how we help. I think the goveernment and people in general have been very supportive in providing all kinds of aid. The important thing to remember is, people are basically strong, good, resilient beings, and that's why in the end, everything will be ok.

Posted by yuhoo7 at 08:41 PM. Filed under Creative Writing.

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