Today is Monday of 9/11. It has been 5 years. WOW! That's long?!? I mean, I do remember so strong as yesterday of what happen on that day.
Where was I?
I remember my professor informed a month ahead that he has doctor appointment at 9/11 and he would not be able to show up the class to teach. I was lucky that I can sleep in the morning. I don't have class until 1pm. I did got up at 9 am; however, I decided not to turn on tv as I normally do. I don't know why I decided not to that morning as I was getting ready. Afterward, I went to the building to meet my other teacher since I have question about Chemistry homework. I know her office hour is at 10am to 10:30am. So, I show up about 10:15am. I thought I do have enough time since it is just one question. As I walk up on the first floor where the large room in the middle of the building is usually the place where they sell things once or twice a year such as poster and christmas stuff. I notice so many people crowds and look up. That's where the tv is at. I didn't pay any attention. I just walk it off thinking my homework is more important than that whatever it is. As I go up in the elevator, I arrived. I didn't see my professor. I notice other two seems very busy like something in urgent. Feeling unease, I spotted a guy who shows up. A few second later, my professor is running to her office and running back. That's not normal. She normally walks or walk faster but running. That's different. I knew that something is wrong. I asked this guy, "What's going on?" He asked, "Don't y ou know?" He looked at me like I'm an idoit. I was like, "huh? No, I don't." He explained that possible terrortist destory TWC. At first, it sound like a movie. I find that some kind of joke but I know this guy well enough who would never make a joke. Unless, he sucks at it. Deep down, I knew he's tellling the truth. I start to feel shaking because I knew that the Washington DC is a target and I happen to live in DC area as a Gallaudet student. I gather my things and left. I came downstairs and look at the tv. I saw on tv news. I was in shock. I left to my dorm anxious and nervous. I tried to call my parents. Nothing comes through. All the phones are busy. Cell phones are down. I couldn't get through my parents. I tried everything I could do. I even grab tons of changes to go to pay phone. I would give anything to contact my parents. I know my parents will worry to death if they find out about TWC and planes crash.
I was anxious! There are other students want the pay phone. I told them it is going to take a while because I'm trying to contact my parents, too. They left to try to find another pay phone. I was lucky enough to get it first before others. Somehow, I finally get through my mom. I know my dad is at work. My mom was asleep when I woke her up through the phone ring. I asked my mom that were you asleep? She said, "yes." I asked her, "do not hang up the phone, go to the tv news." She carries the phone with her and turn on the tv. Her respond, "Oh my god! Oh my god!" That was shocking her, too. My mom said, "I need to call your dad." My replied, "Wait, wait, don't hang up, you have no idea how much I'm having hard time call you, mom." I explain about the phone lines and gave her the phone numbe from the pay phone for my mom to call me back in speaific time. Hopefully that no one there on the pay phone. So in couple hours, as I was watching the news. My roommate shows up. She said that the school is cancel. We continue to watch. It was shocking experience.
As I waited by the pay phone, I hear the phone rings. I answered. My mom said "hi" then she broke down crying so my dad have to take over. My dad is usally strong person to manage to hold his emotion. My mom couldn't. She can easy break down. After we spoke for a while, my dad asked me to come home, now. I told him, "no". My mom begged me to come home. It was heartwrench to hear that. I know that there are so many cars backing up traffic while people are coming home or getting their kids. I explained that I might not be able to get home in couple days because of traffic jam. Plus, I told my parents that the kids are stuck here. Their parents couldn't get their kids. The kids are on Gallaudet campus but seprated. There are many volunteer Gallaudet students helping out and bring pillows and blankets. Many are volunteer to stay overnight with the children because of parents couldn't come to get them. There's road block and traffic jam. My parents finally calm down after we talk for several hours. Espeically when I was reasoning with them that it is impossible for me to come home, *now*. We plan to contact again later on tonight before I go to bed. I couldn't remember if I was able to sleep or not that night. All I remember I did stay up most of the night and wondering if that going to happen again soon.
Oh, I almost forgotten, I did saw the smoke from the pentgon where the plane crashed there. It was sooo surreal and seem so much like a dream as I was standing there in awe as I looking out through the window. I realize how close we were to the White House and Pentgon.
I remember that one of my professor mention that he left around 11pm and didn't get home about midnight with all those traffic jams. I knew I made the right choice to stay at Gallaudet University esepcially, I'm driving pass by the pentgon on highway. By the time, it was Thanksgiving, I was able to glance few times where the plane hit. It seem like the plane had removed but the building are still have a lot of damage on one small side area. I'm glad that the plane didn't destory the whole building like WTC did. Also, I'm glad that the 4th plane crashed at Shanksville, PA, not in DC area.
I was anxious! There are other students want the pay phone. I told them it is going to take a while because I'm trying to contact my parents, too. They left to try to find another pay phone. I was lucky enough to get it first before others. Somehow, I finally get through my mom. I know my dad is at work. My mom was asleep when I woke her up through the phone ring. I asked my mom that were you asleep? She said, "yes." I asked her, "do not hang up the phone, go to the tv news." She carries the phone with her and turn on the tv. Her respond, "Oh my god! Oh my god!" That was shocking her, too. My mom said, "I need to call your dad." My replied, "Wait, wait, don't hang up, you have no idea how much I'm having hard time call you, mom." I explain about the phone lines and gave her the phone numbe from the pay phone for my mom to call me back in speaific time. Hopefully that no one there on the pay phone. So in couple hours, as I was watching the news. My roommate shows up. She said that the school is cancel. We continue to watch. It was shocking experience.
As I waited by the pay phone, I hear the phone rings. I answered. My mom said "hi" then she broke down crying so my dad have to take over. My dad is usally strong person to manage to hold his emotion. My mom couldn't. She can easy break down. After we spoke for a while, my dad asked me to come home, now. I told him, "no". My mom begged me to come home. It was heartwrench to hear that. I know that there are so many cars backing up traffic while people are coming home or getting their kids. I explained that I might not be able to get home in couple days because of traffic jam. Plus, I told my parents that the kids are stuck here. Their parents couldn't get their kids. The kids are on Gallaudet campus but seprated. There are many volunteer Gallaudet students helping out and bring pillows and blankets. Many are volunteer to stay overnight with the children because of parents couldn't come to get them. There's road block and traffic jam. My parents finally calm down after we talk for several hours. Espeically when I was reasoning with them that it is impossible for me to come home, *now*. We plan to contact again later on tonight before I go to bed. I couldn't remember if I was able to sleep or not that night. All I remember I did stay up most of the night and wondering if that going to happen again soon.
Oh, I almost forgotten, I did saw the smoke from the pentgon where the plane crashed there. It was sooo surreal and seem so much like a dream as I was standing there in awe as I looking out through the window. I realize how close we were to the White House and Pentgon.
I remember that one of my professor mention that he left around 11pm and didn't get home about midnight with all those traffic jams. I knew I made the right choice to stay at Gallaudet University esepcially, I'm driving pass by the pentgon on highway. By the time, it was Thanksgiving, I was able to glance few times where the plane hit. It seem like the plane had removed but the building are still have a lot of damage on one small side area. I'm glad that the plane didn't destory the whole building like WTC did. Also, I'm glad that the 4th plane crashed at Shanksville, PA, not in DC area.
This picture is small but that is WTC behind it and ocean below.
That's sign language means
God Bless America!!
From the short lyric, I remember this song.
Oh beautiful, for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood,
from sea to shining sea.
1 comment:
It was definitely an emotional day. Remember 9/11/01 happened, and then we had a murder in same month. 5 years ago, wow, but I feel it has happened yesterday or something. Time sure fly by.
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