Six years ago today I woke up for the last time in my apartment as its permanent resident. It would be a year and half a year before I would visit. Six years ago today I could hear the gunfire when I walked out of my bedroom. Six years ago today I went to my classroom to teach my classes for the last time.
Six years ago today I forgot papers for my psychology class in my mailbox. Six years ago today I reviewed lock down procedures with the seniors before I went to get those papers. Six years ago today that was the most exciting thing that happened during my psychology class. (Gotcha!) Six years ago today I sat in on World History to observe one of my new teachers. Six years ago today because I was falling asleep I decided to go write an e-mail in the workroom while the new teacher gave a 20 question quiz verbally. Six years ago today I answered an e-mail from my friend in Kenya who asked about the coup and suggested we hang a sign over the wall saying, “Rebels Go Home.” Six years ago today I reminded him that IF our rebels could read, they probably couldn’t read English. Six years ago today while I was writing the siren sounded and we went into lock down.
Six years ago today I helped my student teacher and two other staff members hide under desks while trying to figure out the safest way to stand in a room without any more secluded spots. Six years ago today I felt my heart leap into my throat as someone wordlessly pounded on the doors surrounding the room we were in. Six years ago today I dove on the floor in front of my student teacher when the copy machine we’d placed in front of the door flew across the room. Both sets of our eyes verged on exploding from our skulls. Six years ago today my colleague John burst into the room and his wife jumped out from under the desk, beat him on the chest and yelled, “Use your words!!!!!!!”
Six years ago today I sat in the chapel with every other person from campus. Six years ago today the crisis management team repeatedly walked to the front of the chapel, faced the wall and talked so none of us could see their expressions or try to read their lips. Six years ago today we all moved into the largest dorm on campus to wait. Six years ago today we sat, sweltered, and prayed as we waited for the government’s 3 PM ultimatum for the Rebels to surrender. Six years ago today 3 PM came and went and nothing changed.
Six years ago today I had 15 minutes to move out of my apartment and into a high school girls’ dorm “for a few days.” Six years ago today I began a spree of Dutch Blitz playing like none other in my history. Six years ago today I started watching more Mary Kate and Ashley movies than anyone should watch.
Six years ago today I thought the crisis might end quickly. Six years ago today I had no clue things would remain unsettled for at least six years.
photo courtesy of Ezter Hargittai