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Sydney Carreno's avatar

So glad you and your family are safe. You summed up beautifully how so many of us Floridians feel. It’s been so frustrating seeing so many people that haven’t even visited our state or gone through a hurricane post their ignorant opinions. My hurricane distraction was watching horror movies (rather deal with the controlled horrors on my television than those outside), and eating the baked goods my sister stressed baked the day before.

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

horror movies + baked goods sounds like an excellent distraction plan!!

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Sarah Zachrich Jeng's avatar

Glad y’all are safe and you didn’t get too much damage! I feel you on the whole before/after thing, esp with something so potentially destructive. It’s so nerve wracking having to function “normally” in that 3 days or whatever when you know a big storm is coming and you almost just wish it would get here already. And god yes can people stop shitting on Florida, we have our problems (one of them spelled R-O-N) but as you say it’s home.

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

lololol I am very good at spelling because I know EXACTLY who you're talking about. And I knew you would get all the hurricane feelings, as a fellow Floridian!

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Maggie North's avatar

Alicia this is so deeply felt and lovely

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

Thank you, Maggie <3

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Rachel Runya Katz's avatar

All of this was beautifully said.

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

Thank you, Rachel <3

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Brigid Misselhorn's avatar

What a great post about a horrible situation. As a native Floridian, I really appreciated all your thoughts on why you live in Florida (and feel the same 🍊💕) and everything you shared about these awful storms. Being an unwanted expert on hurricanes is really frustrating and I’m so glad you all were safe.

Just started A Classic Case and the setting is so perfect 📼

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

Florida solidarity!!! And thank you, I was pleased with my little Tombolo Books shoutout with the town name in particular :)

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Lindsay B's avatar

Thank you for the updates, i'm so glad you and your family are safe. I thought of you when I saw the video of Tropicana Field's roof 🥺

Back in May we had an unexpectedly severe storm come through in the middle of the night .. a 60 year old pine tree landed on our house and we were without power for a week. We are still dealing with the damage 5 months later. It was bad but it could've been much worse. But such a helpless feeling not knowing what to do after and having to wait for others to help. So I know how you're feeling and I hope things are getting better for you. And hopefully no more hurricanes for Florida this season!

Love the Chernobyl recs, i'm super nerdy about nuclear disasters lol.

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

It's scary! I'm so sorry you went through that. Of things to be nerdy about, nuclear disasters is a pretty good one.

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Liesl's avatar

I hope that Florida gets a nice, lengthy break from hurricanes in the near future; you guys have been through enough being walloped by these two storms so close together. And I'm glad that Duolingo and Junior helped provide some levity for your family during a challenging time. I'll have to keep an eye out for those stories!

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

see, this kindness is like a breath of fresh air! just having someone be like "sorry you've been through all of this" instead of "well that's what you get for living there" which seems to be the vibe sometimes! so thank you. And I'm sorry if I spoiled any Junior stories for you, but they're all a delight.

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Cath's avatar

I absolutely noticed that you didn't have a newsletter last week, which in a way was even more concerning than all the hurricane coverage I saw. A real "if Uncle Frank says no...then it must be really bad" kind of thing. You are very dependable!

I am very relieved that you are okay! I was thinking about you (and the surprisingly large number of other Floridians I know) a lot last week.

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

Uncle Frank haha! Thank you for thinking of me <3

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Ella Dawson's avatar

Glad you and your loved ones are save, always happy to shoulder the Duolingo quest responsibility during a hard week.

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

Gracias, amiga!

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Tracy Owens's avatar

I am glad you are okay -- that before and after feeling is the worst, and you describe it perfectly. I keep thinking about the election -- like who will have been elected president when Christmas comes. Ugh!

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

ooof yes, the election

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Jane Mitchell's avatar

Really beautiful post. I'm glad you're okay, and I'm sorry for your tree and all the other surprising pains that emerge during something like this.

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

"all the other surprising pains" is a great way to put it -- that's it exactly

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Bianca's avatar

I emphasise with this post😭 In South Africa, we often have long periods without water or electricity, and it is demoralising, to say the least. I’m glad you’re okay though, sending lots of good vibes🫶🏻

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Alicia Thompson's avatar

Thank you for the solidarity and good vibes, I really appreciate it!!

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