Remembering September 11th

I don't get serious very often, and as my blog progresses, you'll come to see that. But I'd like to take this opportunity to reflect on September 11, 2001. It's been six years since that horrible, terrible day. I remember it like it was yesterday, and probably will for the rest of my life.

I was still at Dixie College, in St. George, Utah. One of my friends came and woke me up and told me what happened. I immediately started crying and turned on the news. I called my family at home in California - it just killed me that I wasn't with them. I made my dad tell me what happened over and over. I begged him to tell me everything that was going on, only to find out that he didn't know anymore than I did. I guess I still believed that my parents could explain everything and make it all right again. I blame September 11 for the loss of what was left of my innocence.

Classes were cancelled at school. Everyone was crying. One of my friends was worried about her dad because he was supposed to be on one of the flights. Thank goodness he wasn't. He cancelled his plans at the last minute. He was lucky. It was so weird not to see planes flying overhead. It was quiet up there. Too quiet. Eerily quiet. I didn't like it.

We had a candlelight vigil a few days later. We sang the National Anthem. A few denominations led prayers. Again, everyone was crying. People were holding hands with complete strangers. There was lots of hugging.

I didn't understand - and still don't, come to think of it - how people could just do something terrible like that to another group of people. Why did the people of Al Qaeda think they could do that to us?

I watched the towers come down. I saw the expressions of shock, horror, disbelief, sadness, terror, and despair on people's faces. I saw people jumping to a faster death than wait for a slow one in the towers. Too many kids lost parents that day. Too many people lost family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers and loved ones that day.

But do you know what else I saw?

I saw people join hands and pray together. I saw people helping total strangers. I saw people run into the wreckage but not come out again. I saw people giving up their lives so that others might live. I saw a nation come together and unite against those that would see us divide and fall.

My eyes are tearing up as I write this, but it's a good cry. I'm crying for all those people that didn't go home that day, but I'm also crying in pride that I live in this country. America isn't perfect, but it's my home.

Please take a minute to reflect on this day and remember those who didn't go home. Remember those who did not go down without a fight. Remember that freedom is not free.

84,000 blessings to you.

Hoohah!

So I thought I'd graduate from ye old myspace blog and go to a grown-up blog. Kind of like starting out on baby food and then growing up to adult food. hehe

I'm currently attending UNLV at nights and working during the days. I don't really like either of those. I'd rather sleep during the day and party at night. Or something like that.

Anyway, now that I have you captive, I'm going to subject you to my deepest, darkest, richest and creamiest thoughts. Speaking of rich and creamy, I don't know why I named my blog that. I was casting about, thinking of what I could possibly name my blog. Just as I was about to name it something lame like "From the Mind of Mel", I saw the words "Slow Churned Rich and Creamy" on my popsicle stick after I finished my cookies & cream ice cream on a stick. Voila! Funny! Creamy! Rich! Wooooo! How do I love me? Let me count the ways.

Over that.

Just some thoughts before I get ready for bed or whatever. (It is a weeknight and I have been late to work every day for the past...year. Oops.)

It's the beginning of September, and while it's still 101 degrees out, I can feel the change in the air. Stop laughing, I do. Where did the year go? I swear it was just January and I was resuming school after a semester break. I was going to get A's in both of my classes. I was going to get back into shape, get back into my four days a week gym schedule. I was going to (attempt) to date more, be more friendly, be good to the poor, clean my room once in a while, and go to Europe.

Well, that got shot to hell. Although, I did go on some dates with two, count them TWO, guys and even kissed one of them, so I guess that counts for something. I didn't get back into my workout schedule, I can't remember the last time I cleaned my room, and I didn't get A's in my classes. However, a friend said that I was pleasant to be around, and while I can't quite believe it, another friend confirmed that first friend did say that and there was no sarcasm involved.

I just interrupted my blogging (which, even I have to say, is kind of boring at this point) to eat a piece of my birthday cake. You were a good cake, Clyde. Never should have named you.

I'm going to go now. I promise next post will be more interesting. No really, I do promise. What, you don't believe me? I don't know why you hate me. I'm so delightful.

Okay, no really, I'm leaving. No, this is my blog. You leave. But you're coming back right? Please?

I'm delirious. I'm out.

Boo-yah.