09/11/01 - The day, in my lifetime, that will live in infamy.

Can everyone remember what they were doing seven years ago today? I remember almost every minute of that entire day along with bits and pieces of everday for the following week. I had a tonsillectomy on 08/30/01. Yes, I know it's strange that I remember the date, however it was 1) one of the worst things I've ever gone through, and 2) not too long before September 11th and as a result, ingrained in my memory. I won't bore everyone with the details... but here are a few.

I woke up to the radio (because I sleep with it on) and Kerry, Bill & Gina (from X96) were talking about a plane hitting the World Trade Center. I got out of bed and went upstairs to see if my mom knew what was going on. I was mostly concerned because my dad was in Jordan at the time visiting my grandma and the rest of the family, and I was worried about him getting home. I sat down on the couch and watched the news with my mom in sheer horror. I, like everyone else in the nation, couldn't quite comprehend what was happening... two planes had hit the World Trade Center towers. One may have been an accident; two was orchestrated. That day was the first day I was supposed to return to class after having my tonsils out. The last thing I wanted to do was leave the house, but knew I had to go anyway - I just wanted to watch the TV coverage and try to understand what had just happened. I went downstairs to take a shower and get ready for class when I heard the reports that a plane had hit the Pentagon. The first thing that went through my head was, "Oh my God, they're going to hit every major structure all the way across the country." I have a radio in my bathroom to listen to while I get ready and turned it on when I walked in. The first song that came on was "1979" by the Smashing Pumpkins, and I thought it was strange since that was the year I was born, and I was honestly afraid I was going to die that day. (I know it sounds funny looking back on it, but I was scared shitless that the world was coming to an end).

Anyway, I left the house and headed up to the U. I remember driving along Foothill, right in front of Foothill Village and looking in my rearview mirror. The girl behind me was crying, and I just remember looking at all the people that were stuck in traffic around me and seeing the terror in their eyes. I got to class and the professor turned on the TV and showed it on the AV equipment and we all just sat there in silence and watched. At that point, no one knew what was going on, who was responsible, or why. We also didn't know who or where the next target would be, and it was for that reason we were all terrified. After class, I headed back home. I believe at that point my mom was still unable to get through on the phone to my dad. I stopped to grab lunch for the two of us (from KFC on Highland drive)... I ordered us popcorn chicken, and the total of the check I wrote was $7.11. I thought that was strange... I know, I'm weird. When I got home, we were finally able to get through and talk to my dad. Because all air travel had been grounded, all upcoming flights were cancelled until further notice, and we didn't know if or when he'd be able to come home. I was also scared with him being over there because it's a volatile region, and because his nationality is Palestinian, I was convinced he wouldn't be able to come home. One other strange memory I have is looking out across the valley and not seeing any planes. We don't notice things everyday because they become mundane or expected, but when they're removed from our lives, it's readily apparent.

I won't bore you with any more of my memories, but I would like to pay tribute to all those who lost their lives that day as well as the soldiers fighting for our country who have made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives.