A Reflection On Hurricanes And Home
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

A Reflection On Hurricanes And Home

"In times of hardship, we need to focus on our simple pleasures that make us happy and distract us from the elements"

293
A Reflection On Hurricanes And Home
Hurricane Evacuation

"If you come to Miami for college and there is a Hurricane, just take the train up to my place and we can ride it out here." My Aunt told me during a discussion before I even got accepted to UM. Okay, she's gonna be prepared then in the event a storm comes, right?

It's Saturday, September 2nd, and my family is in town for labor day weekend. I had been at the football game in the heat all day and I am realizing that they weren't lying about game days being exhausting. Anyways, I'm relaxing at the hotel with my family who I've missed as we're joined by my aunt and uncle, who I'm lucky enough to see pretty regularly because they live fairly close to campus. Hurricane Irma is so far out over the ocean and away from land that the storm is surely bored to death. It is beginning to march toward our home though at this point so we casually review our hurricane plan and move on with life because there is absolutely no way the storm will hit.

Well, not so fast. The forecast never improved and after a discussion with my relatives in South Florida and family at home, we pulled the trigger and decided to flee home to Nashville.

The next day when the forecast got even worse and several days of classes were cancelled, it was a mad dash to get flights home. Everyone seemed to be on the phone with their parents, scrambling to find a seat to safety. Price gouging was real as people paying over a thousand bucks to get a one-way ticket, often with multiple stops along the way.

I had a stop in Orlando myself. Nervous was an understatement. I could not miss the connection. Extra seats? Hell would freeze over before I got a another seat home if my relatives and I missed the connecting flight.

And we almost missed the connection. We made it by a hair. So many flights were fleeing Irma in South Florida that the air traffic tower couldn't handle all the extra flights and the line to take off lasted over an hour. I had to slide into Southwest Airline's DMs in order to make sure they held the flight home. When I did make the flight, I had never felt better in a middle seat because I was heading home.

The irony is that I never felt homesick even as college began and I was way from home for an extended amount of time for the first time in my life. Throw in a Hurricane and this Cane wanted to be home again with my family. Stress brings out weird emotions and thoughts. In this crazy time for every member of this #CanesFam I just needed a bit of stability at home. I needed a home cooked meal, I needed to feel fall weather, I needed to drive my own car again and I needed to use my own tennis racquet again. I even went to my old high school's football game. Please judge me.

In times of hardship, we need to focus on our simple pleasures that make us happy and distract us from the elements. Some things are out of our control, so we just have to make do and find something to pass the time until our lives return to normal.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

47351
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

29999
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

954111
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

169723
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments