#246 | Saturday, November 10th, 2001
My diary entry -- Sept 12, 2001

Just like billions of others worldwide, I saw it all on TV here on Tuesday night as it was happening. I'd not long stepped out of the bath, and was thinking of getting back online when 'something' made me decide to put on the TV instead at around 11:30pm [0930 NYC time]. First impressions made me think there had been an accident. Had a plane struck one of the World Trade Center towers en route to one of the airports? Then I listened closely to the ensuing report, and felt my breath catch in my throat, my chest tighten in a panic when I learned both towers were ablaze due to a terrorist attack. Then, more news was broadcast about another hijacked plane had deliberately crashed on the Pentagon, and yet another commercial plane had been hijacked and crashed in the Pittsburgh vicinity, en route from Newark to San Francisco.

Before my mind had time to fully digest the entire magnitude of the catastrophe, I witnessed both World Trade Center buildings collapse one after the other. It seemed so surreal. As if I was watching an early morning horror movie. The World Trade Center gone?! NO, it can't be! I sat mesmerised in front of the TV, rocking to and fro in my chair, hands to my mouth, watching the chaos unfolding at a steady pace, feeling tears flood my eyes every few minutes, until about 3am when I could not take it anymore. Three and a half hours had somehow passed by in a space that had felt like only 30 minutes.

I haven't slept much since, and in the fitful sleep I've had, I've experienced nightmares. Woken up today with the hope that it's all been just a bad dream. Then, I walk out into the kitchen to see the newspaper sprawled out on the table with the giant black headlines and horrific photos covering the front page. Feeling my heart suddenly sink again. Switching on the TV to see the live news updates on CNN. There's no escaping this has really happened.

I am feeling stunned as the ongoing reports are leaked by various media forms, and my hands are shaking as I type this now. The complexity of this attack's planning and the enormity of its devastation is so hard to believe, let alone comprehend. Be assured; despite the fact we're literally on the other side of the world, it has not lessened the attack's impact on Australians.

I cannot imagine how the people there -- in New York City, Washington DC, and all across the USA -- who are experiencing it first hand are coping right now. My prayers, thoughts and sympathies are with those who have lost their innocent lives, with those who have lost loved ones, and with all of my American friends who are living through this modern day hell.
Leonie | 34 | Australia

#247 | Sunday, November 11th, 2001
I was in my Compuer and Information Systems class, sitting having coffee, and reading my Washington Post waiting for class to start. One of my classmates came in and starrte to complain about the administationa the admin. at the University. We talked for a while and then one of our other classmates came in and asked us if we had heard about the World Trade Center and Pentagon. She said that somethign had happened on the national mall as well. One of my other classmates said that she had heard about it, but it was probbly not big deal. As they starrted talking, I dismissed it as a silly rumor. Afterall, nothing like that could happen in America.

Our prof. came ina starrted to teach. He was half way through computer op systems when one of our clasmates came in with a small tv. We all gathered around and watched the footage of the plane crashign into the trade center. The time was 9.55 am.


My first thoughts were for my co-workers and friends that worked in the Pentagon. In a matter of minutes, a new America had been born
Josh | 21 | District of Columbia

#248 | Monday, November 12th, 2001
i was watching some sports on tv. i could hardly believe my eyes when there was a newsflash across the screen about the news. turned to cnn and bbc and watched all the rest of the night. it changed the world forever, our perspectives and our general complacency about life. the bright spot to emerge has been the increased spotlight and publicity on the suffering citizens of the country which harboured and supported the terrorism act, especially women who have not been allowed to live normally, to work, to be educated and even to doll themselves up.
terence | 24 | Singapore

#249 | Monday, November 12th, 2001
I had just finished a sumptuous dinner on board a luxurious cruise ship when I returned to my cabin, turned on the TV, and saw CNN broadcasting the news.. it took me a while to register what was happening, but when it finally sank in, (no pun intended) I ran out of my room to tell my dad, who was in the casino, and on my way there I passed the bar and everyone had their eyes glued onto the tv set and the once celebratory mood had suddenly turned very very somber.

I felt so helpless, I wanted to return home as soon as possible to be with the rest of my family, but it was still two days before we reached port.

Made me ponder - One moment, I'm celebrating, the next, I'm mourning the lives of thousands lost.
Cheryl | 24 | Singapore

#250 | Tuesday, November 13th, 2001
It's kind of weird. Actually, it is extremely odd. The night before, September 10, I can remember going about my business as an 18 year old: talking on the phone with my friends, playing a computer game, and eating dinner with my small, tight-knit family. As I said goodnight to my grandmother, I went about my evening in a very "normal" way. I talked with my mom about college, and about my baseball career. We said goodnight, and that was that. I'm not going to say that we humans don't dream, but I did not reach that state of sleep in which I was capable of dreaming.
The next thing I can remember, is my mother waking me up with tears in her eyes, and my first reaction was that something had happened to my grandmother. When she told me "Chris you have to come and see this, get up, a plane flew into the World Trade Towers." I remember I couldn't really say anything, as my mouth was locked tight in disbelief. Minutes within removing the morning glaze from my eyes, I felt as if I fell back asleep - surely I was dreaming. Another plane, hit the other tower.
"ANOTHER PLANE, HIT THE OTHER TOWER?!"
About this time, my jaw hit the floor. 18 years old, and I heard the words "terrrorism." I am not supposed to hear this, not now, not ever. I grew up in a time with a booming economy; a time in which violent crime within communities was running rampant, yes, but not planes slamming into buildings! I remember thinking to myself "Could this be? This country in which everyone believed in individual success would now become a country of 'we'?" I guess it would.
From September 11, 2001 and on, this world in which I will turn into an adult will be one of caution and rememberance; one of anxiety and disbelief; and one which will question integrety of your fellow American. The once free country which I was raised in will become one in which I have to make free again, by believing and trusting in my fellow Americans, and by restoring faith and security within myself - probably the hardest task my young mind, body, and soul has ever faced in a country which promises "Freedom and justice for all." Wish all of us luck, keep us in your prayers, and God Bless America and each and every one of you.
Always Remember 9-11-01
Chris | 18 | California

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