An earthquake I felt when living in the Bay Area of CA. It was actually not a big earthquake, but the epicenter was in Berkeley, where I lived then. It was also the very first earthquake I ever experienced. Growing up in NJ, I had experienced a number of nasty storms (including hurricanes). I think that when you've experienced many, it's not so scary anymore. I remember that night when the earthquake came, a whole bunch of young neighbors cheered like it was some fun event. Meanwhile, I was afraid to take a shower for a couple days, for fear another quake would happen when I was naked in there. I did experience another even worse earthquake, when in Taiwan, but I was severely depressed in bed. I was so depressed that I pretty much didn't even care or even get out of bed. That time, the bed I was in literally slid from one side of the room to the other, and back. The floors were slippery tile. I don't recall aftershocks. If there were, I don't remember them. I don't think I soiled the bed, but I likely stopped eating. I had stopped going to my job, or even calling in sick. My apartment mates must have told my boss, who came, along with some Taiwanese teaching assistants, to take me to the hospital. I only vaguely remember being there. I never told my parents, or anyone else I knew, about the experience.

Q: What was one of the braver things you've done in your life?