Three years, it's almost three years

Almost three years have passed and there remains so much to do... so many seem to have moved on and left others in the dust behind them. Those who continue to need assistance are truly struggling for their lives and many don't know where to turn.

I am blessed to have been able to move forward. So much work remains in the community,  there are so many homes that have not been completed and asking for help is a HUGE risk to those homeowners- they fear being judged, or being let down yet again... It is hard to imagine that in this prosperous country that many could be left behind.

Three years ago we were readying to evacuate, being told that an enormous storm was approaching, and that we were in peril.  We understood the danger, to a degree but never expected the outcome. For us the six months that followed were a nightmare, many remain stuck in that nightmare.

Quantum of the Seas

Quantum of the Seas Inaugural Cruise 11/14-11/16

O M G               

The day has arrived- two years in the making… we are finally on our way to Port Liberty to embark on our journey to nowhere!  Thank you Rachel Ray and also to the person who nominated Friends of Freeport to be part of the first ever Thanks for Giving show. 

As we approach the port the excitement is huge within the car- four of us, joining the others… check in is really quick in spite of the fact that two of our party do not have the requisite “Set Sail” pass…

Find your cabin, unpack and start this journey!

Wrist band on, phone/camera charged and off we go…

Find IFLY so we can learn how to do s simulated sky dive…  no sign up but wait here and maybe you can give it a go- so, wait we do, and fly we do!  Watch a short video and learn the hand signals you will need to communicate with the instructor inside the tube… chin up, legs straight legs, bent, relax…. Sure- easy for you to say…suit up in your flight suit, ear plugs, helmet and goggles… walk up the stairs   and…fly I do and it was quite fun

Then back through the legs of Priscilla- or is her name Felicia (still don’t know… oops!) the huge and kind of creepy pink sculptured bear that sits on the outside upper deck of the ship…

See Alison and Kurt’s state room- that’s one big state… lol

Wander the ship, meet and eat, and DRINK!

Devinly Delicious – restaurant and bar with “light” cuisine… some real yum!

Windjammer buffet- miles of food- all sort of things at each meal time.

American Icon Restaurant- a five star restaurant on board.   There are many others including Rocco DiSpirito, Johnny Rocket, Chic, Silk, Izumi, numerous little spots to get innovative and awesome food!  And many many bars where we can sample many amazing drinks- all free on this inaugural cruise!

Then on to the inaugural ceremony- in attendance are a family from Make a wish foundation, all the captains of ships on the line, the COO of the line, Kristin Chenowith, drummers on the wall, an earth harp…

It’s almost time to depart- it’s dark and the sky line of NYC is sparkling…  we cruise past Lady Liberty.. a toot of the horn in memoriam in front of the Freedom Tower and away we go…we’re underway and it is magical!

Dinner and the comic, then a Journey cover band and the piano bar with an awesome keyboard player… and then it’s lights for Shari.

Up before dawn and to the gym- odd to ride a bicycle on a ship that is rolling with the waves, feels like I have to balance a stationary bike and that’s quite difficult… the elliptical calls as the sun begins to rise… coffee and a shower and then the day can begin for me!

Wandering the ship once again- let me find out about the “Northstar” something of a gondola that rises three hundred feet above the sea water, and moves in a 180 degree arc above the ship- glass walls and not a problem for this woman with fear of heights- I promise fellow passengers that I will not scream and keep my promise- chatting quietly to myself and video-recording the entire journey.

Breakfast/lunch with Patti and more shipboard wandering with a brief stop at the stores to shop and peruse the bounty available to passengers.

A drink at the pool-side bar and off to Mama Mia- Broadway on board… Very well done!

Then a return to the Northstar with the group.

Quick- change your clothes it’s 6 pm and dinner starts at 630 in the American Icon Restaurant where Baldwin serves Freeport@! (Baldwin is the name of our waiter…) Food is fantastic..

Next to the music hall so we can listen to some music, sing and dance and have a libation or two…

Time’s up, bedtime for Shari

Awake to try to see us go under the Verranzano Narrows Bridge- oops, missed that, but I watch as the ship is expertly parallel parked by the captain.

Journey over and it’s been wonderful but WAY to short!!!

Home again!

Two Years....can it really be two years?

OMG
We are planning two year anniversary... Mini-Golf for the kids during the day, Social gathering in the evening...
Press conferences galore...
A two year anniversary piece on the news...

I cannot believe two years have passed and there are still people who are struggling with their homes, and with the government assistance programs- still not running smoothly...

So many have moved on with their lives- I knew that would happen, and I experienced it personally as we lived out of our home for six months.  Those not personally affected moved into the next part of their lives, but those who are still struggling cannot move on.... I continue to work with grassroots organization to assist in the process of rebuilding, and my heart hurts for those who are still struggling. Wishing I had a magic wand to help those people... The only magic I have is a helping hand, a listening ear and an open heart.

Let us not forget, even as we move forward in our own lives, that struggles continue.  Let's be kind to others.  Find your place in the world!

23 months...

Wow...
Almost two years since the event and life goes on... but it is far from the same as it was all those months ago.
There are personal changes- I am involved in community rebuilding and actively engaged in my local community more than ever before.
And there are changes all around me in the world.
But for some the devastation remains... for those individuals I wish peace and forward motion.  I wish them the strength they need to do the things they need to do the get their homes rebuilt, or to get the assistance they require to elevate, sell or whatever they have decided to do.
There is so much anger at those who have dropped the ball, government entities and individuals that have not provided promised monies and help...I get that, but also understand that there was no structure in place at the time of the storm to assist within most of our local communities.  The structure was built by our government- that has been slow and frustrating and the number of changes that have been made either by necessity or because of financial consideration has been maddening.  There are several local entities that have grown to assist those who are still in need...Reach out- to get help, to be part of the problem solving group, to learn...

Celebrate life as you can- it is short and often filled with potholes and heartache, but if you look around you there are amazing things happening... look for them!!!!

The beat goes on...

Who could have or would have thought that 19 months after Superstorm Sandy that the rebuilding would still be needed..... Certainly not me, and if you live anywhere that was not impacted by the storm I am sure you have not really heard much about the continuing needs of the communities that were hardest hit by this storm.

I can personally say that prior to this storm I never thought about communities that were hit hard by storms- whether they be hurricanes, tornadoes, mudslides or other disasters.  Since this event my heart cries and bleeds with sympathy and a new level of understanding of what is needed at the local, regional, state and federal levels to assist those impacted by any major event.

People who are on the cusp struggle when times are not tough.  Add a catastrophe to the mix and they fall into and through the cracks in ways that are difficult to understand.

Please consider increasing your local activism!!!

sandy continues, on and on and on

I continue to volunteer with Friends of Freeport and continue to be amazed- and not necessarily in the positive way- at the destruction and devastation wreaked by Superstorm Sandy.  It is more than 500 days after the storm came ashore and caused  all kinds of damage to our homes and the homes in neighboring communities and there continue to be people who are displaced, or who live in small sections of their storm ravaged homes.  It boggles the mind that this can still be the case so long after the storm, and makes me question so much about the federal, state and local assistance that has been promised to those who are struggling.
I go to homes and speak with family members and home owners and am shocked to learn that there is still so much that is not "normal" in their lives.  The bulk of the organizations that are offering assistance are working at a snail's pace and funding continues to be one of the major issues that all are facing.  I understand the need for the checks and balances systems that have been put in place to prevent theft and fraud from the organizations and government entities, but for the families who are struggling these protections create huge boondoggles and red tape that has prevented forward motion.
It saddens me to no end and makes me feel hopeless, though I refuse to sit down and go quietly.
Cooperative and condominium housing that is common along the shores of  Long Island continue to be considered a "gray" area and the funding that is available to homeowners is not necessarily available to dwellers of these housing communities.  Really? this long after a storm still considered a "gray" area... i guess it will never be a green area and funds that should be assisting will never be released.

There's a big Yellow ball in the sky and it is heating things up!

This has been the winter of our discontent here on Long Island, and across many parts of the country with more snow and colder temperatures for longer times than most of us recall in a long while.  There have been a few moments of reprieve and today is one of them. Most of the snow has melted, except of course in those areas where the piles are six feet tall, and covered in black shmutz. I, for one, am extremely glad that we have "sprung forward" and that it stays light longer into the evening, when this happens I know that warmer weather cannot be far behind and I am so ready for it this year.  I am hearing about a storm that might hit us on Thursday with some more of the withe stuff, but I am not going to let that ruin my smile today.