It's been a few years, and how things have changed. Or have they? I wrote this email shortly after the events of September 11, 2001 to family and a few friends. I thought I'd put it up here, I'm not sure why now, but it just felt like something I'd like to do (it seems I forgot to capitalize letters or even put in apostrophes back then).
Sept 11 2001
our lives will never be the same. yesterday we witnessed the destruction of two american symbols of power: our military might and economic prowess. i woke up early yesterday, expecting to continue the routine of going to classes and such, happy that i had begun the day so early and hoping to accomplish much. i headed for pupin at around 940 to talk to a prof about taking a graduate level class, cheerful and optimistic knowing that i would be challenging myself with the courses i chose this semester. i finally realized something was wrong when i reached his office and saw him looking out the window, the sky covered with smoke from the still standing towers. i quickly finished my discussion with him and returned to my dorm to watch the news. and there right before my eyes on tv, i saw the second of the towers collapse. my heart stopped.
the first thought i had was to make sure friends and family were safe. a friends girlfriend works in the area and we were all relieved to know she was doing ok. i told my brother to remain in his dorm for the day, and after countless calls, finally got to my aunt who told me my cousin never even went into the city. what relief! but the day had only begun, and many of us were glued to the television, trying to make the best of what had happened. would there be subsequent attacks? even in the afternoon, bright daylight, i felt some fear when i walked a block down from where i live to get a slice of pizza.
but i am amazed at how civil and organized the citizens of new york are. even those in the wtc area remained calm and got to safety in an orderly fashion. uptown, it seemed almost as if nothing had happened; people roamed the streets chatting, buying food. but you could tell in their eyes, the disbelief and fear; the atmosphere just seemed to be so sickening.
we are a carefree and optimistic generation---will that be no more? the technological advances of the nineties, the internet, seemed to bring so much hope for a better, global tomorrow. yet today we have clearly an act of terrorism against one nation. i am so thankful that despite the busy and dead phones, the internet, especially email, icq and aim provided me with a way to keep in touch with friends and family. i told my parents halfway across the globe on icq that everything was ok. later that night, columbia students held a midnight vigil. it was heartwarming and uplifting to see the steps of low library covered in a sea of candles. this is perhaps something you really only see at college campuses, the innocence and hope of young people like ourselves. and perhaps, there still is hope. because of all nights, yesterday was the first time in many days that you could look up and see the stars shining so brightly in the new york light-polluted sky.
in the next few days we will see the response of our government to these terrorist acts. retribution is a given, however, we do not know how and we do not know who the enemy are. i just hope that whatever the decision, it is one worth standing up for.
take care,
phil
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