It was the morning of September 11, 2001. I was not yet 11, and had never paid much attention to news- it was back in the time when my greatest concern was if I’d have a chocolate or lemon cake for my upcoming birthday. I remember that morning at 9am, I was folding laundry when my mom quickly changed the TV channel to Fox 9 News and I watched as reporters relayed and retold the story of two airplanes tearing into the Twin Towers in New York City. Instead of school that day, we watched the news and read the painful accounts in newspapers of this American tragedy. That is the first recollection I remember of ever beginning to pay attention to the news reports, and since then, I can’t remember a time I’ve ever been disinterested.
I took a one month long trip to New Zealand the summer of 2007 as a missions trip with an organization based in Texas. Each summer they send out missionaries to several countries around the world to share the Christian faith, help poverty stricken countries, and do service projects. There were about 100 other youth along with me who took part of this trip. Towards the end of the trip we all had a free day, where we partnered with several youth in the Auckland area and started a game of the New Zealand National sport, Rugby. It was raining that day, and quickly the once grassy field, turned to a large mud slide. It was the most fun game I’ve ever played in my life. Halfway through the game, over 100 Americans and about 50 New Zealanders were drenched in mud and rain, and out of nowhere people were hopping out of their cars and news vans and snapping pictures of the crazy Americans! It was one of the most memorable moments of my life, not just a noteworthy news moment. We weren’t even trying to make people stop their cars or be the cause for a news story, it was a fun game.
Last but not least, my first year of college I went to Anoka Ramsey, fall of 2007, and I immediately joined the staff of the Salmagundi Newspaper. I was so excited for that opportunity especially since it was what I wanted to go into professionally! I was able to conduct interviews with faculty and students, use my photography skills for a few news stories, do research for stories and even propose a few ideas for stories myself. My favorite part was writing then putting it all together for printing. It was such a rewarding experience to know that I was a part of such a neat project. It was a memorable experience for me and I learned so much through that class.
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I agree completely with your first paragraph. I think I was 9 or 10 years old at that time and I can still remember it vividly. I will never forget that moment either, and I agree, it's made me much more aware of events going on in the world.
ReplyDeleteI can also relate a lot to your second paragraph. I've gone on quite a few missions trips and have always wanted to go to New Zealand! What organization did you go through?
I think it's so remarkable that you can remember such a life-changing experience as September 11th, 2001, and that it considerably affected your career choice. I was nine years old at that time, and not mentally mature enough to keep in touch with current affairs of such horrendous nature.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your second paragraph, I wondered why the New Zealanders wanted to take pictures of you and your group. Was it because you were such a large group of Americans, or because they thought you all were crazy Americans?
I totally agree with you on the September 11th attacks. I was living in Alaska where you had to fly to even leave town. My dad was a pilot and there were so many flight details coming in through the airport it was very scary. I don't think anyone will ever forget where they were that morning.
ReplyDeleteI loved your New Zealand story. I have traveled the world doing mission trips with University of the Nations, as well as backpacked for fun. And I can tell you countless times where I showed the world the goofier side of America. When I was in Europe I taught them how to play the card game "spoons", well lets just say it ended with a Brazilian on hands and knees oinking like a pig. It was the funniest moment ever!
ReplyDeleteI remember 9/11 as well. I was young, too, and it as just scary to think about.
ReplyDeleteBut I like all of your stories, especially the New Zealand one, it seems like you had a lot of fun.