This week in central Virginia we had an earthquake. Having grown up in California, I know a thing or two about earthquakes. I know they're scary. I know they leave you unsetteled for days. And I know what you're supposed to do during an earthquake to stay safe.

Since living in Virginia, I've been in three earthquakes. The last two were noticeable, but not significant. But this week the 5.8 quake that ripped through the state and the eastern U.S. was significant. Even so, friends and family from California have been less than sympathetic. Afterall, a 5.8 quake in California is bearly a ripple.

What I had to point out is that when the ground moves in California, eveyone knows what it is and what to do. But you talk to any Virginian or east coaster, and you'll discover earthquake was not the first thought that came to mind. Train derailment. Plane crash. Terrorist attack. These were the first thoughts that came to many people's minds, because earthquakes are not a part of eastern living.

Second, California is a much safer place to be in an earthquake. Building codes and earthquake drills means people stay safe. But in the east, buildings are old and made of brick. They don't sway, they crumble. I was horrified when our news station told people to run from the buildings, which is the last thing you're supposed to do. But earthquakes are so rare, people followed instinct. And some got hit by falling debris.

While Virginians may be overwhelmed by earthquakes, thunderstorms and tornadoes don't make much of an impact. I suspect my California friends would be a little out of sorts if they sat through the thunderstorm that roared through yesterday. It's not that there is no thunder in California, but they don't have the summer storms like the midwest and east does. The storm sweeps in out of nowhere making dark as night, drops a ton of rain, blows trees and powerlines down, and has thunder that will make you jump, and if it hits your house, cause a lot of damage. In fact, stuff in my house rattles during a thunderstorm. We had one of these storms recently while my family was visiting and they were in awe and concerned, while we were just annoyed (the storm had ruined our beach trip).

The one thing I still haven't been able to adjust to while living in the east is tornados. People who live in tornado areas are scared of them, but they know what to do and are prepared. I'm neither. I haven't figured out the best place to hide when we get tornado warnings. I'm not sure what to gather, because I don't know how to keep it tethered. So tornadoes freak me out as much as earthquakes freak easterners out. And it's all has to do with your experience. The devil you know is much less frightening than the one you don't know.