9-12-2001 | 12:55 a.m.

I woke up to screams of, "The World Trade Center is exploding!" I jumped up, put the news on and as I watched (live) one of the towers collapsed then the other several minutes later.

I screamed and then threw up. I spent the day trying to find my family members and friends. I finally got a hold of my dad a few minutes ago. He got stuck on the George Washington Bridge. But he's okay. He told me that my cousin Jillian saw the 2nd plane hit the tower from her office window. I'm sure the image will stay with her. But she's okay, alive.

One of my closest friends, Michelle, was supposed to be close to the Trade Center, but called in sick. Most of my calls wouldn't go through. I still can't get reach my friend Bill, a NY firefighter. Please let him be okay. Please.

How can 4 US planes be hijacked like that? ABC showed people in Palestine cheering. I had to turn the TV off. It doesn't seem real. I've lived in New York my whole life. I used to work in a travel agency in the WTC and ate in the restaurant at the top many times. Seeing that empty space where the towers should be is just beyond emotion I can explain. And 1000's of people are gone with it. And I'm relieved that my family members are okay. But so many people aren't. I can't imagine what the people in the planes were experiencing/feeling.

I cannot believe such an act of terrorism could happen in the US. How can anyone feel safe? I don't. I fear for the people I love. This just doesn't seem real. It really doesn't. I know our lives will never be the same. New York will never be the same. The country will never be the same. And the Pentagon employees. I thought writing would help, but it isn't. I'm sorry.