How the world changed

Six years ago the face of the world changed. To this day I can still remember the events of the day...

I was due to go on my study leave the day after when suddenly there were breaking news everywhere. It was kinda surreal particularly seeing the plane crashing into the World Trade Center..explosions..people running here and there..it was pure chaos. Everything came to a standstill. Incidentally Miss F and Doc W were in NYC at that time so I thought I'd try my luck and call either one of them. Alhamdulillah I got through to Miss F - who funnily enough seemed unfazed by all the commotion (I blame it on the shock not sinking in yet!) After a brief chat, it then hit me : I was leaving the next day..would it be safe to travel? what would happen if I couldn't leave particularly when I had so much to do prior to starting my course? would the airports be open for operation? would my flight have to diverted to another airport or even country?? should I even travel?!?

It's fair to say that September 11th had a huge impact on everyone. The littlest things from what we wear to what we say has become subjected to intense scrutinisation. It's frustrating (especially this whole liquid-in-hand-baggage restriction!), cumbersome (must we take off our socks too??) and sometimes overwhelming (what's all this frak about having to list out our daily plans to the authorities?!?) .... we might as well retreat into our caves/holes, go into hibernation and hope that by the time we wake up, the world is safe again.

p/s: I did get to travel/leave on the 12th...