Tomorrow is the five year mark of September 11th. This year, more than any other, I've noticed that it's a big deal. Suddenly there're movies being made left and right, shows on TV. I just saw United 93 last night...it was intensely and amazingly shot. I watched it with this feelinhg of impending doom the whole time. I knew what was going to happen.

But even then, I was still praying for history to change at the very end as the plane plumetted.

I remember that day better than I remember entire years. And that's funny, too, because I didn't make a mental note to remember anything special about that day. If anything, I probably watned to forget that I cried in class. (I was in 5th grade, and the new kid who didn't have any friends yet.)

But I remember my cousin Beni called our house and I answered the phone. "Is your TV on?" He asked. "Nope." "Turn in on the news and give the phone to your dad." "Okay."

I was ready to go, and I was waiting for my dad and my sister and my step-brother. So I turned on the TV and planted myself in the middle of it on the ground and watched as the second plane hit the second tower.

Then I remember going to my aunt's house in the morning and as everyone raelized what was going on - that it was more than just two planes hijacked - we realized that we had four family members on two different planes on their way back from Europe.

That's why I was crying in school that day. Because I was afraid. I was mostly afraid of my uncle dying...I don't know why I didn't think of my grandma, my cousin, or my aunt...I probably did. I just remember thinking how sad it would be if I could never see my uncle again.

It was pure hate and destruction that day. And in turn, Americans not only foun a new sense of unity, but also a new sense of prejudice. I was watching United 93 and I realized, I can't remember a time when getting on an airplane was easy. I can't remember a time when because of my last name, I was easily picked out for an extra search.

It's been five years, but it feels like it's been an eternity. Maybe that's because you do so much growing from nearly 11 to nearly 16. I hope at least that families have found some sort of peace. I didn't lose anyone - the planes were turned around and they landed safely. But thousands of people lost their lives. And it's sad that we sometimes forget what that day was.

And just a side note. If Bush wasn't our president, and just a guy, and if I ever met him, I'd probably like him. I don't know why.