So, in a fit of boredom and driven by my desire to be in keeping with blogging standards, I hereby present my list of 25 Things About Me.   Ahem.

1. Coffee is my favorite comfort food. I couldn’t imagine a world without it…nor would I want to.
2. I adore roller coasters – I laugh hysterically when riding them and I love to be in the front car.
3. I am completely addicted to travel – I have been to 15 countries on 4 continents.
4. They say you can’t buy love, but my dog has taught me otherwise.
5. My biggest pre-teen crush was a tie between Bill Bixby (from “The Incredible Hulk”) and Shaun Cassidy (from “The Hardy Boys”).
6. I once worked in a chocolate factory.
7. I love Jesus and believe in the power of prayer and the importance of community.
8. My favorite beer is Dogfish Head 90-Minute IPA.
9. I rang in the New Millenium in NYC.
10. I have lived in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Alaska, New York City, and England.
11. My favorite TV shows through my life so far have been “Sesame Street”, “The A-Team”, “The Wonder Years”, “Seinfeld”, “Friends, “Frasier”, “Ally McBeal”, “90210″, “Gilmore Girls”, and “LOST”.
12. I have painted every wall in every room of my current home including closets & ceilings.
13. I volunteered with the Red Cross at Ground Zero (The World Trade Center) after the terrorist attack of 9/11 which was one of the most sobering and rewarding experiences of my life.
14. I was 20 years old the first time I visited the Pacific Northwest and have been in love with it ever since.
15. I will not eat raw tomatoes.
16. I have never seen any of “The Godfather” movies.
17. I wrote my first book (called “The Oddness of Andrew”) in 3rd grade. There was a boy in my class named Andrew who was not amused.
18. The first time I saw real mountains in person, I cried.
19. I have had roommates for the majority of my adult life – 14 in all.
20. I love Oreos.
21. I once wanted to be a marine biologist.
22. I collect Starbucks mugs…I have one from every city I’ve visited (assuming I could find a Starbucks).
23. Snow is my favorite form of precipitation – I am thrilled when there’s a blizzard.
24. The biggest earthquake I’ve ever been in was a 6.4
25. I have not had a landline phone since October 2001.

Lower Manhattan is a ghost town. But everything is relative, so in relation to a true ghost town, of course Lower Manhattan is nothing of the sort; but in relation to what it was prior to 9/11, it is. These streets that used to be teeming with people through the working day now barely moves. Then I have to remind myself of the 40,000-some people that used to work in The Towers and surrounding buildings that are located elsewhere. Not to mention the 100,000 or so that used to go through the WTC everyday, thousands pouring off of the escalators coming up from the PATH trains – tourists, commuters, shoppers, visitors. Take that many people out of an area and it inevitably will make the remaining parts feel practically deserted.

My walk to the office takes me on almost the same route I used to take when I worked at 100 Church Street back in 1999-2000. Up from the Fulton Street station, down Fulton between the church and the Millennium Hilton (a strange, skinny, black modern-looking building that I was shocked to hear it survived the collapse of the WTC). I cross Church Street on the same pedestrian crossing zones that I used to take that would put you right in front of The Towers. The courtyard had been right in front with its giant fountain and the benches where I used to eat lunch on nice days. There had been a Krispy Kreme on the corner next to a huge Borders bookstore – two places I frequented at least once a week. Now there’s nothing there but a fence. I used to love the view down Fulton Street looking towards Church, but now I find it depressing. There’s such a giant void.like someone came and took out some of my favorite things about New York.

What used to be exhilarating is now difficult. What was found has now been lost. I focus on the ground when I walk because I do not want to have to look at the reality. I’m afraid of forgetting what it was like – I have such fond memories that I’m afraid will fade away into nothing.

Across Church Street, I keep my eyes on the church which was opposite the WTC. It is the church where George Washington went to pray the morning he was inaugurated as the first President of the United States. That church was here long before The Towers were ever thought of, and I can’t help but marvel at the fact that it still stands even after all that happened. There is not a mark on it. They say it was protected by the trees that stand around it. I think it was the Hand of God.

I begin the walk down Vesey Street. There are tourists everywhere staring at the site through rips and tears in the netting that covers the fence around the WTC. They stare and take pictures of nothing. Something about that strikes me as terribly odd. “What are you taking pictures of?!” I want to scream at them, “There’s nothing there!” In logic, I understand why they’re there but there’s something in me that just can’t see the reasoning in taking pictures of it. Do people take pictures of a plot of ground where a house once stood after it’s burned down? You take pictures because you want to freeze a happy moment in time – no one takes pictures at a funeral, to me this seems just as inappropriate. Buy pictures of The Towers before 9/11, or come back and take pictures of it after they’ve restored the area. Right now it’s still too full of emptiness and devastation. But the Tourists don’t have a clue. They should listen to the stories of some of my friends and coworkers that were there.

Now I have to cross over West Street on foot – come rain or sleet or snow. It used to be that once you got into the WTC, you could walk all the way over to the World Financial Center without ever having to set foot outside again. Not anymore. The pedestrian bridge is gone along with so many other things. They’re rebuilding a bridge, but it won’t be the same – although I will be glad to have a way to get across without contending with the traffic – especially in the rain which seems to only fall horizontally down here.

The Winter Garden is eerily the same, although I haven’t quite gotten used to the marble stairs that lead up to where the pedestrian bridge used to connect from the North Tower of the WTC. Now it’s just a giant wall of glass, probably 3 times my height with a giant banner across it which reads: “From Recovery to Renewal”. Tourists gather at this glass wall and continue to stare at the same nothing they saw from the walk over here. At least in here, when they take pictures, it’s worth it. The whole building is basically a giant dome of glass. The sun beats in, and the rain pits itself against the windows. The palm trees (also 9/11 survivors) stand tall and proud. The Winter Garden is once again full of shops and restaurants and has fabulous views of the Hudon River from its lower doors and windows. Our office windows also face the river which truly is a treat to look at all day.

I’m sure all this will grow easier as time goes on, after all, I’ve only been doing this commute again for a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I need to keep my eyes focused on the church, the trees, the river, and their Creator.

When I told my mother I was going to go up and work at Ground Zero on Saturday, her initial reaction was, “Well you’ll be an emotional wreck!” and I, in fact, nearly expected that I would be. Instead, the experience was the most rewarding thing I have ever done and probably more therapeutic than anything else.

I didn’t really know what to expect…not totally anyway. I knew I’d have a hard time going there…I’ve even been afraid of going and seeing the devastation and carnage up close. Not to mention having to see in person the area I used to spend every working day while I lived in NYC not being as I remember it. And it was hard…really really hard…but I think that being there and helping really made a difference. If I had just seen it and then had to walk away and cope with it all, I would have fallen apart. Being there and being part of the effort and feeling productive made such a difference!!

It was a long day… I was going up with a group from Merrill Lynch. We met at 12:30pm and headed up to the Red Cross station in Brooklyn. First we had paperwork to fill out and then we were given badges that would allow us “Full Access & Ground Zero”. Then the put us on a bus to take us down to the sites where we would be working.

They gave us an orientation on the bus that provided us with the ground rules. No cameras because the area is considered a Federal Crime Scene and so highly restricted. Hard hats had to be worn at all times outdoors or else we risked a $2,000-$10,000 fine. We were also instructed as to the sites. Respite Site #3 was our first stop, and then some of us went on to Respite #1. Our job was basically to volunteer for whatever area we felt we could be of the most help and to remember that we were working at RESPITE areas so besides whatever task we were given, we needed to do our best to make the rescue workers, the NYPD, and the FDNY feel like they were receiving some respite from the horrific work they were having to do in “The Pile” (the term they use for the WTC). We were told to smile as much as possible, and make them feel at “home”.

There wasn’t much to see on the way there, but as soon as we stepped off the bus, the stench in the air was enough to knock you over. I don’t even think there’s anything I can liken it to… Something in the vicinity of rotten eggs, but that doesn’t even quite do it justice. The air was thick with it. All shoes had to be hosed off before anyone could walk inside of any buildings so there were people manning the hoses on crude wooden walkways. And badges had to be inspected by military personnel upon entry.

My first stop was Respite #3. I had my shoes washed down and then was taken inside where they gave us a run-down of the facilities. Respite #3 was the Marriott hotel located just behind where the WTC used to be. The first floor was a reception area where everyone entering the building had to come through to show their badges and then sign-in, if necessary, with the Red Cross. The second floor was the dining area (in the elevator the title was simply “Food”). The third floor was the kitchen and also a relaxing area called “The Oasis” filled with Lazy-Boy chairs and a TV and some areas sectioned off for cots where the men could sleep on breaks between shifts. They even had a massage area, a chiropractor, first aid, computers with email access, and Sprint cell phones that the workers could use to call home (free of charge of course). The fourth floor had showers and “Logistics” which was fully stocked with clothing (jeans, shirts, vests, etc.).

My first hour was manning the service elevator. There were a couple of walkie-talkies on which people on the various floors would call for me to run them up and down to the different areas. After which them moved me to greet at the front door, so I opened the door for everyone coming in and leaving. It was amazing how much I got thanked by all the guys!! I wasn’t long there, however, before one of the Red Cross managers asked if I’d mind moving over and working at Respite #1 as they were short-staffed. I gladly went with a few other volunteers.

We had to take a van ride over to Respite #1 which took us directly through The Pile. Seeing the remains of what was once the World Trade Center was one of the most mind-blowing things I have ever EVER experienced. The devastation was absolutely immense. There really are no words, and…I know you all have heard this before, but television truly doesn’t even begin to convey the horror and enormity of what is there.

The Saint Joseph’s University Student Center houses Respite #1 literally a block from The Pile and has pretty much all the same amenities as Respite #3.

The restaurant area was set up with tables holding condiments and in the center of each table were about a dozen cards and pictures made my children across the country that had been sent in to wish all the workers well and thank them for their efforts. Some were really touching!! Every card with a name and address on it receives a response and some of the volunteers spent their time writing back to the children and then having various workers, policemen and firemen sign them before mailing them off. Cards and letters were also posted all over the walls and stacked everywhere…

I was stationed in the warehouse area where the food for the restaurant is delivered and unloaded so I spent a good deal of time outside looking down the street towards the WTC. My best view was of the World Financial Center where the Merrill Lynch offices are located and where I spent a lot of time when I was there (my office was actually at 100 Church Street, just around the corner). The men coming in from the work area looked so exhausted!! Some of my time was spent just leaning against the railing of the walkway where the hoses were and just smiling and saying hello as they’d line up to have their shoes washed. It was honestly all I could do to not hug each and every one of them and I wanted to so badly!! Please pray for them…they have a job I wouldn’t wish on anyone, and it must seem never-ending at times.

I worked from 4pm till midnight…a long shift, but I would’ve kept working if I could!!! Words will never be enough to give you all a real clear view of what those 9+ hours were like, but today was both one of the best and hardest days of my life. I plan to go back and volunteer more of my time…in fact, I can’t wait. I wish you all could do it. It has changed me forever.

Forgive me for not writing sooner… For one thing, I was in Atlanta this past week and have only tonight returned. Aside from that, I had planned to write a full-scale update as soon as I had all the little wrinkles ironed out with what exactly I’m doing and where exactly I’m living, etc. etc. etc. But then Tuesday happened which has changed almost everything. I’m not sure if all of you knew, but Manhattan was my last permanent home prior to moving overseas. This hit way too close to home for me and I have been utterly devastated…as most of you know, New York was not only my home, but also my favorite city.

I’m not going to get into details about what I’m doing… I’m really way too upset to get into what I consider to be the relatively trivial details of my life right now…we all have enough to cope with. So to make a long story short, I arrived back in the States on Aug 5th and interviewed for two jobs. One was with Merrill Lynch in Northern New Jersey (which I have accepted). The other was with a company called Temenos which is located on the 52nd floor of the World Trade Center Tower 1…the first tower that was hit. I can’t even begin to tell you how badly it shook me up to think that I had been in the North Tower only a couple of weeks before this unspeakable horror occurred. Over the last few days this has really weighed on me and made me thank the Lord over and over again for His protection.

I’ve found myself regretting things. I regret having taken my time in New York too much for granted.

I used to come up from the subway every morning just down the street from where those huge, beautiful towers stood. I’d cross over Church Street, and walk to my office building which was just a block down on the left. On Fridays I would stop in at the Krispy Kreme shop on the corner of WTC 5 for my end-of-the-week doughnut. Most days I ate lunch from one of the vendors or deli’s or restaurants in the WTC mall under the Towers. On some nice days I’d sit in the courtyard in front of the Towers on the stone benches surrounding the fountain. I took it completely for granted that they would continue to be there…I mean, why wouldn’t they? I regret not looking up at them more.

Just before I left for Atlanta, I was going to go up to the city to meet some friends and see some colleagues from Merrill in the World Financial Center that I hadn’t gotten a chance to hook up with since arriving back. The morning I was supposed to go, I changed my mind…decided I was too tired… If I had known that would be the last time I’d have been able to be in those Towers and walk around that part of the city which had become so familiar to me, I would have gone. I regret not having gone.

These regrets may seem trite to you all, but they’re not to me.

Aside from the personal shock and sadness, I am heartsick for the thousands of Americans that were in the Towers last Tuesday and their families. I know we all are. I ache for the rescue workers as well…and, like so many of us, only wish I could help! I have also been so touched by how much Americans have all banded together over this! On the drive back from Atlanta today, I can’t tell you how many flags and homemade signs I saw… There were even several electric road-work signs which were programmed to read: “PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN”. Apparently stores all over the US have been selling out of flags and patriotic emblems. I do, of course, have a flag attached to my car antenna and a magnetic one on the trunk.

I wanted to pass along to you all the website of Hope for New York which is a ministry of my church in New York. They are working endlessly with other organizations in the city to cover the needs (both physical and emotional) of the people of New York and all the others that are there as a part of the rescue effort. They already get my money, but I thought I’d pass on their website to you all in case you’re interested… They even allow for online donations to be made in case you want to help (they are a non-profit organization and are listed with the United Way so they are legit): http://www.hfny.org

Well, as for me, I’m going up to New York tomorrow. In some ways I feel like I need to… I don’t think I totally believe that this has happened and I know that seeing it first hand will cure me of that. I have such strong memories of downtown NY in my mind, that I dread having them replaced by the reality of the situation, but I know that it is necessary. I also feel the need to spend some time with my friends who are there…not to mention this is one of my homes which is in a great state of grief and shock.

It has been an unbelievable last few days. I fear we have a long and difficult road ahead. The evil cowards who did this will get what they deserve… Of that I have no doubt.

My prayers are with our hurting country and our leaders as they have a lot of major decisions to make. What a weight they bear!! Please keep them in your prayers as well…and write soon!

God Bless America!