Typhoon Jangmi

Greetings from Taipei! After 24 hours of travel, we are in Taipei. Just in time for the strongest typhoon to hit Taiwan this year. The bus ride from the airport to Taipei was a little bit like rides at amusement parks. Because it's 2 levels, we could feel the bus swaying on the road due to high winds. Once we got off the bus, we had to walk 5 mins to Wei's grandparents' place. Within seconds, we were both wet, and could not keep walking while holding our umbrellas and luggages. The wind is something out of this world, blowing like crazy. Wei's umbrella is the first casualty. We went out for lunch with his grandmother, i had a $3 odon! After showering, 4 hours nap, we put on dry clothes and came out of the hotel. Only to find most businesses are closed. That includes some convenient stores, restaurants, and shops. Thank goodness for Comic King!

Post Deployment

So, I survived my first deployment. Compared to the other officers that were sent down to Louisiana or Texas, I consider myself lucky. Although the 12 hours shift tires me out, at the end of the shift, I get to sleep in my own house, in my own bed. I've heard several horror stories about the living conditions in Texas. I feel sorry for the officers working down there, and even more so for the affected people living in Texas.

Things I learned:

Freezing temperatures keep you awake
People do stare at officers in camouflage uniforms (although they try to hide it)
Nothing gets done with politics
Football is very important
Metro does not run at 4 AM
Fast food is not real food

All in all, I am glad it's done and over with. Now I have something to put on my CV.

EMG at HHS SOC

So I am on deployment. To the far away location of Washington DC, more than 1000 miles away from Louisiana where Gustav landed. Why? One theory is that someone saw a picture of me, and decided I am too weak to work in a trying environment. Another theory is they wanted to use my organizational skills and help out at the headquarters. Regardless of the reason, I am being stationed at the SOC (Secretary's Operation Center). Sound impressive? You bet. It's like in the movies, with a whole front wall covered with screens of area maps, and multiple TVs showing CNN and the weather channel. SOC prepares reports for the president! My job? I am the little liaison that sits here in the middle of the night, to do nothing. Well, not nothing, I answer phone calls, if any, that comes in, in the middle of the night. I am not complaining though. I've heard some officers got deployed to the affected areas, and have to work 12 hour shifts, sleep on floors or on buses, being shuffled between places.

This whole ordeal has been a little bit disappointing. First, I was all anxious to go where ever Gustav made landfall. Half of the people from my office are there, vs me being all alone in the SOC. Then the whole scheduling of the shifts. I was told initially my shift is 7 PM to 7 AM, everyday. But the need for coverage changes daily, so I get multiple phone calls a day, changing from you are on today, no you are off, no, sorry you are on, to finally, no, stay home today. I feel like I've spent the last couple of days trying to sleep, all day long. At least I am at home though, sleeping in my own comfy bed. The crazy thing is, for the next 3 days, I am to work at the travel help desk, from 6 PM to 4 AM. Metro doesn't even run at 4 AM!! Going to need a chauffeur =)

I am surprised I am still awake at 3 AM. Guess the AC is keeping me frozen, so harder to fall asleep.

Keep your fingers crossed for Ike, it might be another bad one.