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Monday, September 12, 2011

What Was I Doing 10 Years Ago?

The baby is officially late. Oh well. I should be thankful he's giving me so much time to be properly ready. Methinks it's time to move on to other projects though. I kind of put off other things to focus on anticipating the birth of the baby. For instance, there's the matter of Marguerite's birthday.

In other news, I can't believe it has already been an entire decade since the 9/11 attack. My dad, Chip and I were all set to fly to the California the following day when Mark called me that night (Manila time) and told me that a plane had crashed into one of the twin towers. At first, I was all, that's horrible, but it didn't have anything to do with us, not realizing the magnitude of the tragedy or the gravity of the event. As we watched the news, we soon discovered that it was more than just a random accident. Naturally, our flight was canceled and when we finally got to leave the Monday after, it was a bizarre experience at the airport. Of course, there was also my own personal paranoia about our plane being hijacked. When we got there, it was a very interesting visit we had. It felt like all of America was working in response to the tragedy. Little kids would set up stands at mall parking lots selling pins that said "I love the USA" or some other patriotic message (I must have bought a dozen of those) and their proceeds would go to the Red Cross. Churches would have segments of the service dedicated to the firefighters still working at the site of the tragedy; wives and mothers would issue prayer requests for family members who got sent to New York or who volunteered to go there and help out. We went to Las Vegas the week of my birthday and one night, we watched the Bellagio fountain dance to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA"; everybody was teary-eyed. Of course, there was also the anthrax scare. I was actually planning to visit friends in New York, but of course, that was already out of the question. 10 whole years... so much has happened since, life went on, but we should definitely always remember.

7 comments:

chubskulit said...

One of the most tragic and horrific event that happened to US.

spinninglovelydays said...

True

Sharkbytes (TM) said...

It is odd to think of you being here in the US, but nice to know that you care that much about "us."

Our "little" Steve lives in NY, watched the second tower fall from his window at work.

spinninglovelydays said...

I watched most of the documentaries they showed on Sunday and Monday. It must have been really terrifying to witness things with your own eyes.

Sharkbytes (TM) said...

I am hoping that no posts for a week means that you are nice and busy with a healthy little one.

spinninglovelydays said...

Yes, it does. :)

swirlyagelessmind said...

i remember that little girl in front of the mall in simi valley selling patriotic buttons and shirts to support the people affected in new york...and the group of goths on the opposite side of the entrance who obviously didn't care.
it was truly a tragic time for the US but i was happy to witness how americans came together to pick up the pieces brought on by that terrorist attack.