Wednesday, January 21, 2009

"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord."


January 20, 2009 was a historic day. After 8 years of lies, false hope, bad leadership and the total draining of America, we finally, as Americans, have a reason to be hopeful again. Hopeful for the future of our country, for the nations of the world, for our Earth and for each other as human beings. Barack H. Obama (who happens to be the first African-American President of the United States - HUGE, HUGE step for mankind,) represents all that is right with this country.

I feel President Obama has this country's best interest at heart. He wants what we all want as Americans - peace, equality, stability, the pursuit of our dreams. And, who better to illustrate the American dream than an African-American family from humble beginnings moving into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? Sure, he may not be as experienced as some would like. But, who needs a leader that is indebted to crooks and politicians? I, for one, feel safer knowing that we have a leader who will do things his way. Someone with no ties or debts to be paid in terms of favors. He is looking towards the future of our nation, not backwards. 

Sitting at my office desk watching the inauguration happenings all day I could not help but feel so inspired, so hopeful and so excited for this new administration. Everything was so peaceful and so right - it just felt right. Like this is everything we always knew we needed to steer us back on track. And, it says a lot that in a crowd of roughly 2 MILLION people, there was not one act of violence, no arrests. There was a common interest - the making better of our country - and that was it. His speech was literally breathtaking. Standing in a crowded cafeteria at work with all my co-workers you could hear a pin drop. Everyone - black people, white people, men, women, Christians, Jewish people, EVERYONE wanted to hear our new Commander in Chief. And everyone clapped at his conclusion. He is the one to bring us together. 

Here is to our new President - President Obama - and here is to the future of the United States of America. 

Oh, and how cute is the Obama family?

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy 2009!!

Another year has come and gone. And what a friggin year it has been. It has been one of the worst and one of the best years of my life. What a roller coaster, huh? But, with the stroke of midnight last night, we can all start fresh. Another chance to do what we always said we would, be who we always wanted to be, and live how we always wanted to live. 

I, for one, am going to write more. I started a story last week - might turn into something, but will probably turn into nothing. The point is, I am writing and it feels great! I start grad school this month, too, which I am super psyched about. I loved college and I cannot wait to get back in the classroom. School will definitely keep me writing. 

I am also going to take better care of me. No more feeling sorry for myself or getting down about things I cannot change. I just have to focus on all the great things in my life - all of the amazing people I love and the great life I live. If I have learned one thing this year it is that people change and you can either accept that change and learn from it and grow from it OR you can be bitter and miss out on incredible possibilities. It isn't fair nor healthy to alienate the people you love, the ones who have always been there for you, for reasons that have nothing to do with you.

 It is a tough thing to grow up and lose innocence - it hurts like hell to have to deal with real life problems. But, these are the things that shape us and help make us better people. It has been a tough journey, as I imagine life is supposed to be. But, it is MY life and I would not trade all the good for anything in the world. 

So, here is to you, you crazy year of 2008. I turned 25, got married, travelled to Europe, got my heart broken, got my heart mended, made great friends, voted in the most important election in the history of our country, loved so much it hurt, laughed so hard I cried, made goals for the future, and grew up just enough to know that life is what you make of it and nobody can take the away from you. 

May you have the happiest, healthiest, most prosperous of new year's! If you can dream it, you can do it!