9/11 remembered, one perspective

Last year 9/11 went by when I was traveling in Eastern Europe-in the Czech Republic I recall. The day passed with almost no mention of its significance. This year, in Korea, I doubt I'll hear anything of its import. But I thought it would be nice to recount my 9/11 experience since it was wrought with irony.
9/11 is the date of my county's (Nevada county) anniversary. My AP government teacher asked us all the week before to come to school early that day, and pass out cookies and cake for the other students, and enlightening them about the significance of the date for our little county. So, here we were, our entire 50 person government class passing out desserts early in the morning, but no sight of our teacher. Slowly the news trickle in about the attacks and I remember feeling confusion and uncertainty. Should we continue sharing our cookies, and exactly how big is this event that's going on?
We spent the day in front of the tv, watching and listening about the unfolding events. Ironic, I guess, that we were passing out cookies on the morning of 9/11...