'Christchurchness.'

For the last week I have been imagining the ground shaking, even though I am thousands of miles away. I have been assessing every building for its structural integrity and possible escape routes - or safe hiding places. I can't imagine how people actually in Christchurch must feel.

I wanted to stop by again and point you towards two excellent (and very different) posts on the Christchurch earthquake by Christchurch residents.

The Week of Magical Thinking - Cheryl Bernstein

"The earthquake on 22 February took people, and it took buildings. All the haunted literary Gothic places. Christchurchness. The earthquake took the city's history. The past that persisted in the present has gone, lost in a pile of rubble. Our history is now history. It's a new way of life, ahead."

Earthquake Post - Ally Mullord

"On the highway to Picton between Seddon and Blenheim there is a hill which has a cluster of white stones that people use to spell out messages. It's usually sporting HAPPY BDAY BAZZA or something equally entertaining, but when we drove through this weekend it read, KIA KAHA CHCH.

It roughly translates to 'stay strong, Christchurch,' and Christchurch will.

Even if the cows fall over on the aftershocks."

P.S. Christchurch continues to stand strong and recover after last week's earthquake. For ways in which you can help, go here.