More Obama Gushing

I'm pretty sure it will end eventually, all this Obama gushing, but I had to write one more post about him today.

This morning I received an email from a listserv I belong to focusing on Disability Studies. This is what it said:

Keith wrote "The White House launched a new website today and disability issues arehighlighted under the Agenda heading. The link is below. http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/disabilities/"

Louise responded, "Thanks, Keith. Isn't it wonderful? It's like being able to breathe again."

I don't think anything more needs to be said.

Oh Happy Day

This is the phrase that came to me this morning as I sent a text message to everyone in my contacts, telling them that we were there, being part of history. And that is what it was, a happy day.

I have been priveledged to experience one other day like this, nearly 15 years ago. It was April 27, 1994, the day Nelson Mandela was elected president of South Africa. I was 13 years old walking on the streets of Muizenberg, South Africa with my mom. I could taste the joy that those people felt having just voted for the first time after aparthied for their national hero. We were warned of possible violence, but what we saw was dancing in the streets.

On November 4, 2008 I felt the same sense of elation and good will between people. And this time, it was happening in my country. It was my election. And, now, it is my president. Today, I was among those dancing in the streets, cheering and full of emotion.

President Obama represents hope for the future because of his message and because of who he is. As so many people have pointed out, he embodies a little bit of each person in this diverse country... minorities, recent immigrants, people who have struggled, people committed to their families, communities, and even us, third culture kids. And today, I commit to memory what he has been so quick to remind us. He may be the leader of change, but we are the foot soldiers. It is up to all of us, in the many roles that we each play, to make that change happen.

Today we celebrate, tomorrow we work. Let's remind this to one another on those dark days when all we want to do is give up and go back to bed.

Here is our story and some pictures from our day.

We got on the bus at 6:30 am to get down to the mall around 8 am. Since we got on the Metro at the first stop, we all got seats, while people waiting at other stations weren't even able to get on the trains at all.

At the mall we stood with the Capital Building in front of us and the Washington Monument behind us, about 4 jumbotrons back. While we couldn't really see what was happening on the Capital Building, it was pretty incredible to see it at all. We also had a great view of a jumbrotron and fantastic sound...we didn't miss a thing.

And, since we missed the concert on Sunday, the 3 hours waiting for the ceremony to start went by quickly as they showed it on the screens and we sang along with the crowd. That was pretty cool.

Finally, I tried to upload a video of the crowd's reaction as people waited for Obama to come on stage. It was too long to upload, but it was amazing how you could hear the difference between the crowd's reaction to Bush and then to Obama.

PS Check out this blog and this article, so cute and so inspiring.

PPS Did you see my finished hat?

Some Views from Our Windows...

right now. It's snowing, the first real snow of the season. And, I get to be home to watch it.

From our bedroom, where I was when I first noticed the snow.

from my studio.

from the "tv" room.

from the living room.

Meanwhile, I'm spending the day preparing for tomorrow. We'll be spending the day at the mall, in the cold, celebrating change.

Last week, I was so upset about the person who wrote on our sticker I decided I needed something to show how excited I am about my new boss, President Obama. So I knit up this hat to wear to the inauguration.

Oops, it came out a little small (lesson learned...check gauge). So, I started a new one.

This WILL be done for tomorrow. I'm determined. Better get back to work...

Happy inauguration day everyone! I'll post pictures later this week.

Obama-mania

As we head into the most exciting presidential inaugurations during my lifetime, I was reminded today that not everyone is excited. Remember that awesome sticker on our car? Well, someone today decided that they needed to tell us how they feel. I have to say, I'm pretty upset about this. I mean I know that people feel that way and they certainly have the right to say how they feel, but to write on someone else's property like that? Wow. I'm just pretty surprised by it.

Juan's birthday

Having your birthday on January 2nd was not always fun. The anticipation and consummation of the holidays, both Christmas and the New Year, have drained most people of their celebratory mood. Not only that, but nobody feels like eating birthday cake after splurging on cookies, chocolate, roast, ham, eggnog and wine. But this year, it was different. Actually, the celebration started on the 31st with my in-law's dinner invitation. It was followed by a free lunch on Friday, courtesy of my co-workers. Saturday, I went skiing and on my return, was taken to a blues bar to spend the evening with friends. Finally, on Sunday, my wife made a delicious zukini chocolate cake. Definitely, this year broke the rule of a deflated birthday celebration. Thank you all!

Aliens from out of space