I went to Sabrina's house this evening, planning to drop off her yearbook, chat for a bit, and come home. Instead, we had a good conversation. Stress the "good" in a way they emphasizes it better than any cumbersome adjectives would. But it feels funny to rehash a conversation, especially one so wide-ranging as this one. So suffice it to say that this was one of those "no regrets" actions I've been fond of lately, and I am very glad to have discovered that an old friend and I are still on the same "wavelength," as we used to call it, about things even after such a hiatus.

Sometimes I feel as if I should be ashamed for going about business as usual or for talking about everyday stuff. But if I were, that would mean a victory for Them. They would have succeeded in maiming us where it truly hurts, in the collective consciousness.

So, for now, I'm doing my regular thing: packing, cleaning, practicing—I've even got the same penchant for procrastination that I did 48 hours ago, which is why I'm typing this instead of actually doing any packing =). Yes, I dared to post a smiley just now.

As great as the horrors were, I don't think they caused any personal cataclysm. How could they? Perhaps being here, so close geographically, makes me further away mentally. I'm sequestered in this idyllic bubble of suburbia; there's not even the self-heightening interaction of a college community to intensify my emotions. No burning anger, no agonizing sadness.

But as I go through these familiar movements, there is newfound pensiveness and, yes, peace and gratitude that underlies it all. Pensiveness about our trials, and peace and gratitude in knowing that we can and shall overcome. And that is the best reaction I can come up with from me to you, whatever you are that allowed you to attack America like this.

Thanks to ye who helped me reach a peace with this.