About a month after 9/11, I remember hearing statements from individuals in places out west, like California, that truly shocked me because of what seemed like tasteless insensitivity. Many people had proclaimed that they felt indifferent and disconnected from the infuriated patriotism the west coast, mainly New York City and Washington D.C., had been experiencing. It was hard to imagine there were Americans in the U.S. that did not feel touched in some way about the tragic events that occurred during 9/11. It was even more so shocking for me to realize that I was one of those “heartless, cold-blooded individuals.” \r\nI’d seen the flashes of shredded houses and frantic victims of Hurricane Katrina on television. Sure, I’d felt pity for them and their families, but, honestly, after the media stopped posting headliners of the disaster on newspapers, I’d let the event slip out of my mind and, of course, on to more important matters: getting ready for school and enjoying the end of my summer. Obviously, these were relatively insignificant matters, but these were my priories which were present in my surroundings. And for about a year I kept this frame of mind. It was horrifying what Katrina did, but really, it didn’t affect me. \r\nThis past summer I worked at TGI Fridays in New York City with a wait staff with a variety of different people. It just so happened that one of my co-workers was from Louisiana. I’d never heard a first hand account of what had happened in that area. My friend, Jacob, was discussing with me the possibility of his moving back to the New Orleans area. He had said that he left the area because after the Hurricane struck people began to act very impersonal and greedy. It became somewhat of a scare to live in the area because everyone started to carry around guns. I could not believe my ears. The thought that my friend had to live in those standards was absurd to me. I had not realize until then how fortunate I was to be living New York and Virginia. My friend has moved back home now because there are more job opportunities available there. New York City became too competitive and stressful for someone who came in with his few personal belongings and little cash. He hopes to work hard and eventually return to the city to pursue his dream of being a comedian. As for me, I gathered a more personal understanding of the effects and affects of a natural disaster. \r\n