February 22nd 2011...It started out like today, a day like no other, weather was mild and I had just moved into a new flat on the weekend prior. I decided to drive to work that day even though I could have walked as I had an appointment around 2pm to drive to. I was in a great mood and planning my day in my head as I went to work. I started accounts work for the prior month and new exactly where I was and when I was going to finish them, everything was on schedule, at least till 12.51pm.

It's amazing how in an instant your life and the lives of many others can change, nothing will ever be the same again and nor would I want it to be, our minds adapt in a defensive mode to try and mask the pain and grief we are going through yet we still think that at any minute we will wake up from what we consider at the time must be a horrible nightmare.

I remember clearly the events following the earthquake and will never forget the sheer lateral force in which the earth moved on what should have been a routine work day. Shaking and pulling myself together directly after I remember yelling at a petrified staff member to move and get out of the building we occupied through fear of collapse, wading out into the street, peering through a wall of dust and into a park which now resembled more of a sandpit than anything else. It was such an airy feeling, everything was now still, momentarily giving me a second to reflect on what had happened before being joined by hundreds of misplaced and in shock people.

As the dust settled I could see no spire on the cathedral any longer, there were bricks in the road and people yelling for help, it was now apparent that this was not just another earthquake but a life changing event.

I remember looking at the PGG building in disbelief still seeing the floor separation at the lift shaft end while seeing no more than rubble at the other, but by far the worst moment was seeing no more than a pile of concrete and debris that once formed the ctv building.

Latimer Square was a makeshift triage by this time, with constant aftershocks and the rustling of trees it was a very airy feeling. Between flashing lights, screams for help, people running, in a panic and the feeling of being completely alone while still surrounded by hundreds of people all that was flowing through my mind was the people I knew, where they would be and wondering if they were ok. I was looking all around in sheer distress by this stage from one side to the other and back again, not knowing where to look or what to do.

The memories of this day will forever stay with me, clear as when they first happened and each time I think about it the attached emotion returns. These are the kind of things that define us, they make us stronger, they are challenges, they are a part of living, and this is life!