A Rough Week

What a week we've had.

What this week meant for most IUS students was mid-term exams. Exams don't stress me out all that much, but they make the week last so much longer. After my final class on Thursday, I was extremely ready for the weekend to come. Some good came out of it, though--the psychology exam, which I thought I did bad on, actually scored a 92%. I was pleasantly surprised to see that, to say the least!

The heavy workload of the week was alleviated a bit from an event we had in our lodge. On Thursday night, the Woodland CA's hosted a "Personal Pizza" event, where lodge members could construct their own pies in the great room. Steven and I had a hard time getting the dough off of the wax paper.. so we made a calzone! It was a tasty way to end the school week.

And now, onto what has captured most of our attention this week. The tornado that swept across south-central Indiana, leaving nothing but devastation. The tornado has been estimated to have either been an EF-4 (166-200mph gusts possible) or an EF-5(200+mph gusts). I tried to comprehend that speed in my head after I heard that, and it was impossible. To witness such an incredible aspect of nature must be terrifying.

The same tornado traveled over 30 miles. It originated in New Pekin, went through Henryville, Marysville, and Chelsea before reportedly crossing the Ohio River into Kentucky, where it finally dissipated just south of Milton.

I rode with my roommate Steven up to Henryville about an hour after the storm to observe the damage. We weren't allowed up the exit ramp, but what I could see from I-65 was still shocking. It was the kind of damage you'd expect from a hurricane. Signs on the overpass were blown over, several cars and a semi had been blown off the road, with their windshields smashed in by the flying debris. No billboards remained standing in the area. From what I've seen on the news, downtown Henryville is multiple times worse than that.

Overall, I will have to grade this week with a D-. None of my stories really matter after the storm. The reason it's not an F is because the recent destruction serves as a very sobering reminder of the power of Mother Nature. I've wanted to see a tornado my whole life, but after yesterday, I've decided I can wait a few more years.

I end this with the lives of those people affected in mind. People who lost homes. People who lost their loved ones. People who lost their pets. People who lost their lives. And those people who continue to recover in hospitals.

And now, a link to Great Gig in the Sky,  which has no lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC01eq2Vkg0&feature=fvst