2001-09-11 - 11:40 p.m.

The World Trade Center is GONE.

I watched it collapse on TV.

I'm still in a state of shock. I've had almost a whole day to think about it, and I still can't process it.

I was just there less than a month ago. I shopped at the Borders in Five World Trade Center, and got all excited that there was a Krispy Kreme right next door in that building. The Hot Donuts Now sign was not lit up, so I decided to go there later, or on my next trip.

I suppose later turned out to be too late. That building's gone, as far as I know. I know it was on fire. I heard it too collapsed, but I haven't been able to find a confirmation of that.

Most of my friends in the NYC and DC area are alive and accounted for. Thank God. There's one girl I lost touch with a couple years ago, who worked in the Pentagon last I heard. I just hope and pray she was not one of those in the affected area.

Years from now, I'll remember where I was when I found out. I was on the Stadium Express bus, waiting for it to leave the White Lot across from my apartment. I was talking to someone from my first class, who asked me if I'd heard about it. I hadn't, but I found out most of the story (up to the first tower collapsing) from others on the bus, who'd caught some coverage. By the time class was over and I got to the computer to find out the news, both towers were gone.

Chicago pretty much shut down today. The Sears Tower, John Hancock and lots of other buildings were evacuated. No trains ran to O'Hare. All the museums and tourist attractions were closed. Metra just ran trains continuously all day.

I've never seen anything like this in my life. I've never experienced anything like this. I just keep wondering what we're going to find out next. I'm hoping we've seen the last of this. But is this really the end or only the beginning?

I never thought I'd say this, but I'm so thankful that I'm here in the middle of the Midwest than in NYC...my spiritual, now broken home.