Typhoon Hagupit

I don't know which language can be thanked for the name of the typhoon that is making its way to me as I write (A typhoon has ripped apart the Phillipnes and is making its way towards many millions of people, yet I manage to place myself at the center of the universe and assume it is directed at me? Only in my blog – aka, my universe – would I indulge such a sentence. I am only so self-centered.), but I am told that I should prepare for Typhoon Hagupit.

Editing note: I was uncomfortable not researching the name “Hagupit.” A quick googling returned this: “The storm's name means to lash in Tagalog, the main language of the Philippines, according to the Hong Kong weather agency, which lists names used for tropical storms and typhoons formed in the northwest Pacific.” Thank you, Bloomberg.com.

So, what constitutes "preparing?"

Food: Oatmeal. Lots and lots of oatmeal in sealed plastic bags. Of course, to eat oatmeal, I will need hot water. No fear! I have a propane tank hooked up to a couple of gas burners, so even if there is no electricity, I will have cooking power. But, um... I have never checked to see if there was actually an propane in the tank... (*time ticks away while I hop up to check the propane tank in the kitchen. Shake shake swish swish. Thank God for onomatopoeia. There is something swishing in the tank. I will assume it is a usable fuel of some sort.) But now I have to go buy some matches.

Location: I am on the fifth floor of a building into which even minor rainfall easily trickles by way of the doors. Extensive mold and paint chipping off of certain areas of the walls indicates that the windows aren't too proofed, either. And I have no clue where to go if I need to evacuate. Yay.

Water: I have a two gallons of water to split between myself and my roommate. Maybe I'll go buy a few extra bottles at the store while I get those matches.

Flashlights: My phone acts as a flashlight, and I am told my smile can light up a room. Of course, I may not feel like smiling quite as much if I am really in need of a light.

Contacts: My phone is charged, and I have about 50 contacts in China and the States I can contact who speak excellent English and kind of like me, so maybe one of them could help if I were really in a bind. I wonder how many people I will be competing with for phone time, though.

Insurance: Eek.

P.S. Mom -- Seriously, don't worry. It's just a hurricane. While it is likely to throw, amongst other things, sticks and stones, I am going to take a wild guess that it will break no bones of mine, and, at worst, I will have to conduct classes tomorrow in a slightly wetter classroom than usual.