The Waiting Room

As seen everywhere:

1.) Challenger space shuttle exploded (1986):
I was a senior in high school. We had a snow day and I watched it on TV. Ironically, my 11th grade chemistry teacher wanted to be the teacher in space.

2.) Berlin Wall falls down (1989):
I was in my last semester of college before my study abroad trip to Germany. I was jealous that some of my friends were already there!

3.) Oklahoma City federal building bombing (1995):
It was the spring semester of my second year of law school. I was studying at home when I saw the events on TV.

4.) OJ Verdict (1995):
Fall semester of my third year of law school. The night before the verdict, my state civil practice professor said that OJ would be convicted. I said that he would walk. I wanted to be my grade on it, but my prof wouldn't budge!

5.) Princess Diana dies (1997):
Husband and I were watching TV when the announcement came that there was an accident. We popped in a movie and when the movie was over and we turned on the TV, the news broke that she had dies.

6.) Columbine massacre (1999):
I can't remember what I was doing, but I do remember seeing it on the news.

7.) JFK Jr. Plane crash (1999):
Same as Columbine. I don't remember what I was doing.

8.) Bush/Gore crazy election (2000):
I remember waking up in the middle of the night and could not go back to sleep. I went downstairs to watch the coverage. I remember seeking Tom Brokaw and Tim Russert going back and forth calling Florida and then taking it back. It was crazy!

9.) September 11, (2001):
I will never forget this day. I was working at a large law firm. It was a rare day for me to be in the office all day. My secretary walked by my door and said "Did you hear about the plane that crashed into the World Trade Center?" I was a little surprised, but not overly concerned, since I had heard of small planes hitting buildings in NYC. A few minutes later, she came back and said "Did you hear about the plane that crashed into the World Trade Center?" I told her that she had already asked me that questions. That's when she said, "No, there was a second one and there is a plane that hit the Pentagon!"

At that time, the firm had really crappy Internet service, so getting any kind of news was hard. I also did not have a radio in my office, so I went over to the secretary and paralegal area to listen to the radio coverage.

My mom called me from my hometown. She was freaking out because the plane that crashed in PA was not too far from where I grew up. Also, my brother was in the military at the time and had orders to be ready. I also called the previous law firm that I worked because they had an office at 140 Broadway, across from the Towers. Ironically, someone from the office was there on September 10th and came home the same day.

What I remember most was looking out my office window and seeing sharp shooters on top of the Federal Building. Cops were everywhere. Usually, the phone rang constantly in the secretary area. It didn't ring once.

Husband called me on my private line, asking if I was coming home. His company sent everyone home, but my law firm would not. I was stuck at work until 5 PM. Husband came to pick me up. The streets were deserted. When Husband's car pulled up to my building, he was surrounded by cops. I had to flash my attorney ID and explain that he was there to pick me up.

Honestly, I was never so scared in my life. Those of you that know me IRL or have figured out where I live know that my area does have some concerns when it comes to security. That was an awful day.

10.) Space ship Columbia disintegrates (2003):
I don't remember what I was doing, but I remember watching.

11.) Hurricane Katrina hits (2005):
I was at home. We had just returned from Cape May about a week prior.