September 11

This date makes me quite uncomfortable. Me and a large part of the world population, I believe. Been having this feeling the past few days. As if the approach of this date portends something dark.

September 11, 2001

It was my farewell party at Uncle Govi and Aunty Lay Gaik’s house. Auntie Yoke Peng planned it, but decided the Pillai’s bungalow could fit half of SJGC better :). I was truly so loved.

We were hanging around and having great food- SJGC trait. Daniel got news on his mobile phone and told us the World Trade tower in New York collapsed because a plane flew through it.

It didn’t really hit us.

He went upstairs to the TV room, turned the TV on to CNN and called to us. We trickled upstairs all in time to watch the second tower collapse live in front of our eyes. Replays of people jumping out the windows from goodness know which floor.

At that time, none of us had the facility to comprehend anything.

September 11- Wui Ping’s birthday.

I got home late that night and got a call from her. She lived in Washington, DC. She was trembling and crying and didn’t even know why. She had intended to go to New York for her birthday. I believed the whole of the United States felt the same as she.

Less than two weeks later, I was in London. The heart of all anti-terrorism, anti-war movements. It was like feeling the pulse of the world.

September 11, 2006

Singapore Central Business District. National Servicemen in their police uniforms patrolled the grounds. Not usually the case.

Is it because of Sept 11?
Or is it because the delegates for the World Bank/ IMF Annual Meeting have started to arrive?

Special tents built for the Mooncake festival lined the outside of the OUB building and people are going about their errands. But there is an uneasy feeling in the air. Or is it just me?