South Korean Ferry Disaster

About a week ago, I came home feeling excited that I had a long weekend ahead of me.  There was still homework I had to do, but I was looking forward to taking my dad out for dinner, seeing some old friends, playing cards, ordering food, and just getting some time to relax before ending the school year.  I felt positive about everything, until my siblings told me about a ferry accident in South Korea.  I hadn't heard much about it, so I didn't pay much attention to it at first, but after my sister told me a few details about the accident, I researched what happened, and was sad to learn the details of what happened.  Or what they say happened.

I won't summarize the details, since it's not my place to tell what happened when there are still so many unknown facts.  And out of respect to all the victims lost, and those who are still out there somewhere.  It's always sad whenever an accident happens, but when it happens to innocent people or because of neglect, that's when it is a shame and tragic because it could have been prevented if things were done a little differently.  Then again, it shouldn't have even happened.  Those kids were out there because they were on a field trip; it wasn't supposed to turn into what it did.

A few people have been harsh and rude about the accident because it's Korea, and they believe it's evil because of North Korea, but those people are wrong to generalize everything.  North Korea is different from South Korea, and when it comes to accidents like this, it doesn't matter where it happened, just that it occurred, and that we as people should care.  It doesn't directly affect us, but we all know what it's like to go through something tragic/traumatic, so let's pray for all those innocent people hurt during this ordeal, and hope that there is some light at the end of the tunnel. 

One Year Ago...

A year ago today, one of the most unforgettable moments in my life happened when the Boston Marathon bombings went off.  In one aspect, I can't believe it's already been a year since then (when the memory still seems so vivid), but at the same time, I'm not surprised because as people, we have the ability to put the past behind us.  What I remember vividly from that day was that I was in Amherst, visiting my high school friends at UMASS for the weekend.  It was a great time, but because we had been traveling and going out every night, the last day, we all decided to stay in and relax.  That's when I got the first text from my sister, telling me what had happened.  I'll be honest, that I didn't take what she said seriously because I was half asleep, and thought it was just a joke; I mean, the marathon is usually so guarded, I didn't think anyone could ever set off a bomb, but within' minutes, the news and social media exploded, confirming that what had happened was real and serious.

After realizing what had happened, I called my dad because he was at the marathon scene with one of our friends, but luckily, he wasn't hurt.  After that, I did the only thing I could do, and watched the news, trying to figure out what really happened.  News was slowly coming, so I had to act like it was a normal day, when it was far from it.  My friends and I ate dinner that night, and I took the bus back through Boston the next day, but things were so different afterward; I could tell.  The city was silent, extra police were everywhere, and people didn't look happy.  Our city was hurt.

Within' the next few days, we found out major news that helped solve the case.  Footage from the cameras caught something, two boys were spotted leaving the scenes without bags, and from there, one of the biggest manhunts in Boston history happened.  I remember trying to go to the bank that day to open a bank account, but once city officials were sure the bombers were in the area, the whole city was closed for hours.  The hunt took over half the day, and left a few people dead unfortunately, but Boston police did their job and caught the bomber.

I won't go into detail about all the rest because you can find that information anywhere, and I'm not the most equipped to talk about it, but now that a year has past, I'm so glad that our city has found a way to recover a little.  We'll never be able to forget what happened, and unfortunately, we'll never be able to help those that were hurt/killed, but we can do what we can as a city to stand together.  I know the bomber will get his justice, but I just hate the fact a few people caused it when it hurt so many people.  Something like that seems to major, so the fact a few idiots did it is asinine.  If it was up to me, he'd get the death penalty, but that's another post for another day.  The important thing is that what happened last year is in the past, and now it's time to move forward and make positive memories.  I'm so proud of how we, as a city, have come.

Boston Strong!

More Boston Marathon Tragedy Thoughts

Whenever I blog about an idea, I try not to do the same subject twice, but I had to write about the Boston Marathon tragedy again because I was in Boston today, with more feelings than I had yesterday.  Here are some of them...

• Walking in Boston, you can see the effect the tragedy has had on the city.  People seem sadder, places like South Station were emptier, and police were everywhere.  I even saw armored vehicles for the first time today.
• Hearing President Obama speak today gave me some answers and hope, though I don't know what kind.
• Reading all the stories of tragedy and triumph was truly moving.  
• Re-watching the explosion video again brought tears to my eyes for various reasons.  The pain, the sound, the fact that the people there were just normal people like me and you, who weren't looking for trouble, but somebody wanted to give it.
• Sports is secondary to this, as it should be, but it's a nice when athletes do nice things to help out for a cause, like Danny Amendola offering to donate money for his catch totals next season.  It shows that athletes aren't as stuck up as they look on TV, and that sports can help people move on.
• Lastly, the word terrorism has been used, which has caused many people I know to rush to conclusions, but regardless of who did it, everyone shouldn't discriminate against a whole race or ethnicity because the person/people who planted the bombs don't represent the majority.  What I'm technically saying is, don't discriminate.  It's already political enough, so let's not dirty ourselves in it. 

Boston Marathon Tragedy Thoughts

Usually, when it comes to the current events in the world, I tend to have an opinion on it, but when something like what happened at the Boston Marathon happened, I'm honestly thrown off.  I understand it's a tragedy, but I can't fully comment on it until more facts are released.  I understand it's easy to place blame, but I don't think it's right to do that yet.

One thing I can do though is say how I feel, so here it is, even though it isn't much...

• Like everyone, I am saddened that this tragedy occurred in the first place. Patriots Day is supposed to be a relaxing day off, where people can enjoy the marathon, but unfortunately, some sick minded individual/s thought otherwise.  Any time people get hurt is terrible, but I am glad many others were unharmed.  
• Kudos to the police, doctors, ambulances, and anyone else who helped aid those who were hurt from this ordeal.  
• This tragedy reminds me of the Virginia Tech incident only because I remember it happening during the Boston Marathon many years ago.  Two different events, but two terrible tragedies.
• My dad, and one of his friends running in the marathon were down there today, but thankfully none of them were hurt.
• An event like this makes you grasp onto life a little more, and makes you think of think of life from a different perspective.
• Boston is hurt right now, but we'll get through this ordeal together.
• Lastly, my thoughts and prayers to all those affected from the tragedy.