When I woke up this morning, groggy as always, to attend my 9 AM Czech class, I checked my Facebook, e-mail and Twitter, as I do every morning. This morning, I realized that I had slept through a major event in recent world history - the announcement that Osama bin Laden has been killed by US forces.
While I see my friends at home’s celebratory videos, pictures and Facebook statues (“going to drink an AMF at the 9-0 in celebration, #America,” “Every frat is blasting God Bless the USA,” etc.), I am just waking up and going about my daily routine. Two of my American teachers mentioned it in passing, and most other students have been finding out the news slowly during the day. And while I understand the importance of this announcement - hell, it’s been in the news for half of my lifetime- it feels especially strange to read about this news abroad. I’m reading it at a completely different time schedule than the American people are receiving it, and it has not had any real effect on my surroundings at all. Receiving Travel Advisories from the State Department for American living or traveling abroad made everything a reality. This pivotal event had happened, and would effect me as an American wherever I am. However, in a time of joy and unity for the American people, this moment is the strongest feeling of removal I’ve ever felt from my home country. This announcement - which will undoubtably be a flashblub memory for most - will always hold special significance for me.
(Source: futurejournalismproject)
