today marks the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack on America. i wasn't around the forum back then and haven't seen a discussion on it since i've been here. so i just want to take a moment to create a space where we can reflect, share and continue to heal.


it was still summer for me and school did not start yet so i was still working my summer job. being a lazy kid, i slept in as much as possible. however that morning my house was buzzing. my parents were up, my lazy siblings too. they were all glued to the TV, horrified, watching planes slam into the WTC. everyone was up early but me. we are on the West Coast and i got up in time to watch the North Tower collapse live on TV.


shortly i got a call from my supervisor to make sure i was still coming into work. i worked at a big, fancy Hilton hotel, in housekeeping of all places, and she needed everyone there. flights were grounded/cancelled out of Seatac and guests are overstaying. i get to work late, everyone was emotional, i watched CNN in the rooms all day while i cleaned them. it was still surreal. i wanted to be home with family but we all worked late that day.


i'm not an expert on geo-politics (or national security) nor will i pretend to be one but i knew the world had changed that fatefull day 16years ago. war was at our doorstep, suspicion and mistrust was swelling, America demanded answers and accountability. i just remember floating around for a long time in a state of ambivalence. i still feel stuck in this state of mind alot of times these days.


regardless remember the fallen and thank you to the first responders and service members. there is alot of good that rises above the bad. in light of the hurricanes in the past week(s), again we see the good in people in our collective national crisis. never forget.