Something's Better On The Other Side

Santa Monica, California
Spring/Summer 2007

Welcome to the City of Santa Monica. Just like in the tabloids and movies show, it generally is the glamorous life. The beach really is that beautiful. The water is genuinally that blue. And the people really are that bitchy. Located just forty minutes from Los Angeles, Santa Monica has a favorable atmosphere making the epitome beach city. With the Promenade, Carousel, and the world famous pier, Santa Monica has something from everyone. All of the glitz and glamour or the tourist attractions clouds the inner feelings and hidden hurt embedded deep inside of many of the residents.

May 2, 2006

May 2nd was the day that changed everything. Lots of seismic activity had happened in the past few weeks and there had even been a few tremors in the area. All of the signs of an earthquake were there and the residents were well prepared for the common disaster. The tsunami came out of no where. Everyone was on edge already because of the warning for a quake but where the massive wall of blue raced towards their haeven, pure chaos erupted. In the process of trying to save friends and loved ones from certain death, there were over 147 casualities in the tidal wave.

Now nearly a year later, the physical damage to Santa Monica has been repaired but emotional wounds are still healing. Will this disaster teach the community to look past the pettiness of envy and malice or will the bitterness continue without those lost? Only time will tell if something is really better on the other side.