Inauguration Day

I stayed with Rod who's friend, Derwin, was also staying. We went to Bohemian Caverns at the Stevie Wonder listening party and stayed to 1:30 and went to sleep at 3.


I woke them up like a drill sergeant at 4:15 am, started the car, took our zip lock bags of food that I packed like a soccer mom before we went to sleep(bags should only be 4x6x8 we were told)and drove to the Stadium metro station.

We got on a populated but not packed train and got off at Federal Triangle after a confusing time trying to figure out how to get there since roads were closed off.

We stood in the security line behind about 300 others waiting for it to open. Not too exciting and Very COLD.

We cheered as the troops went by at about 6:55 - 7:15. I was FREEZING and when the line opened people bum rushed it and took off past the people who had been waiting. I finally felt warmer as I was a sardine in a crowd of others. We finally got up to security and our apples were taken (can be used to throw) but purses and bags larger than 4x6x8 were allowed!! awww man, I could have brought more!

We get through security and were so cold we started running. I was too cold to really run my feet felt like bits of lead hanging off my legs. When we finally got inside the Wilson bldg it felt like they were melting. We were in the building where Mayor Fenty and staff works in an office with a view of PA Ave and 14th Street. Perfect for viewing the parade.

Rod is friends with Sean Fenty who showed us around Mayor Fenty's office. Fenty has some great pictures of him with the President. Pretty awesome, hopefully we can expect DC Statehood or at least, finally the end to TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION that has gone on too long in the city.

We basically watched everything on TV except when the president drove by from the White House on his way to the swearing in and on his way back in the parade (unfortunately he did not get out and walk in front of us but at the same time, we (hotel guests and ourselves) weren't background checked so it wasn't that safe).

During the day we were provided food and were warm. I feel sorry for those people outside who were cold and hungry and STILL didn't get to see the President walk in front of them. I did see Michelle Obama since my camera has a binocular like zoom but in the picture she's a brown, gold and white blur (skin, outfit and teeth). 45 minutes after the president drove past we went home. We were all so exhausted we went to sleep at 9 after getting pizza and seeing people freezing in dresses look for cabs.

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There were so many people there, so many people had connections - my friend Jennifer was sitting in section 12 and surrounded by celebrities for the swearing in ...but didn't bring her camera. My friend, Jabari's, father knew Joe Biden and was behind the scenes with him. But it didn't matter and doesn't matter because no matter the connections or the fame or absolutely no connections, like my sister and cousin who stood on the Mall, we are all one in shared excitement and shared hope and shared country. We are all Americans, and isn't that how a President should make you feel!

Monday Jan 19 2009 day before the new pres

Monday I woke up at 8:30 am super excited and ready to go! I called my mom who was going to volunteer with me. She and my dad picked me up at Lan's and took me to Florie's to pick up my dress and then to Rod's to drop my stuff off.

On the way to Rod's we noticed a street blocked off, while I took my stuff into Rod's my mom and dad were listening on the radio and Obama was volunteer for at risk youth around the corner from Rod's house! My mom wanted to stop by but we decided instead to go early and volunteer at RFK.

As we drove up to RFK there was a LONG LINE OF VOLUNTEERS. that sounds so sweet i'm going to say it again

LONG LINE OF VOLUNTEERS

wait. not just a long line of volunteers but a long line of SMILING volunteers who were helped by other smiling volunteers telling us where to go.

We stepped out of the car and the volunteers we talked to were excited 'Michelle Obama is in there!!'

So my mom and I hop into line both of us excited and chattering about how remarkable this is. You know in the past Republicans have said that we don't need big government when talking about social programs, because churches and the community will help but they didn't drive that. THIS is what its all about if you help someone and I help someone and my neighbor and friends help someone... Idealism is not for the stupid, its for the people who believe that they have a part to play, that however big or SMALL, they can change the world.

My mom and I with a call from our new President, helped changed the world on Monday. Once we got inside the stadium we sat down in a woman explained what we were going to do and did a little pep stuff. We did the wave. We yelled Obama said where we were from and who helped with the campaign. We were all smiles and jokes - a competitive family in front joked ' is there a prize for the group with the most bags created?' The atmosphere was exhilarating.

When it was our time we went into tent C - we were an assembly line. There were volunteers that put in toothpaste, journal, and a few other things while we went around with bags. It was like a long procession of trick or treaters and as I went by with my bag I would occasionally say 'Trick or Treat' as they put the various treats in our bags. By noon there were 35,000 care packages made. Senators and political figures stopped by and were announced on the loud speaker, otherwise music was playing and people were dancing and talking as they volunteered.

We each only spent 15/20 minutes in line and then were sent out to get gift bags and memorabilia and write letters to the troops. 15 minutes. Yep that's all it takes, IF every one does their part in making our world better you don't need a huge time commitment, it is EASY. Volunteering is easy and the more volunteers there are, the easier the task at hand. By the end of the day there were 80,000 care packages made for the troops.

While in line for our gift bags a volunteer said ' Do you know the Obama dance?
NO! we said
Do you want to learn it?'
YEAH! we yelled
And the young man led us in O O O O OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA O O O O OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA!!!!!!!

Young and old, no one was too cool - sing it with me y'all: O O O O OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA O O O O OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA!!!!!!!

My mom and I then went to write the troops letters. I rambled in my two letters telling them who I was, what it was like here and thanking them. Some people wrote more, the guy on my left said 'Dear Defender' while I said 'Hi!' but we all contributed in our own way to making someone feel better about what they're doing.

My mom and I left with a pep in our step talking about how THIS is what MLK would have wanted as a legacy, not a program immortalizing him through learning about him but instead Action and helping the community through service.

On our way to the Metro we were asked by public radio, a subsidiary of NPR, for an interview. My mom spoke while I interrupted a few times to get the point across.

After that we went to the Capitol so that my mom could take pictures before the big day. It was PACKED!! But as we were walking around the capitol we were talking about the protests and what this means to us. She said that protest happened and were led by many people in her day. She went to Talladega College in Alabama and one day she saw this male student taken by the police off campus. She ran to the president of the student union and reported it (apparently police often harrassed black male students ON campus) who told her to also tell the dean. And that day they marched. When my MOM was in COLLEGE. and now we have a black president. When people at CNN interviewed folks on the mall yesterday everyone said that this is a historical moment. It's more than that. Its inspiration. It's positive reinforcement to those of us who are idealists that we are on the right track. Its those of us who are cynics that maybe dreams CAN come true and the cave of cynicism now contains has cracks and sunlight beaming through. Its knowing that despite racism that still DOES exist - we ALL despite whatever conditions we are given can become whatever it is that we can dream. That's why 2 million people were on the Mall yesterday and more around the world.

After we took pictures around the capitol my mom and I hopped on the Metro at Union Station and went to Busboys and Poets. I couldn't believe the line we asked the women in front of us how long the wait would be. They said I don't know we're waiting to see Alice Walker speak. Alice Walker was coming to Busboys and Poets. I love DC. My mom and I waited for about an hour and then got to tired and cold and went to Creme where we talked about politics, history, volunteering, love and growth of ourselves and our country.

We were tired after that but still the air around U street was zinging and we saw another line at Ben's Chili Bowl as we headed for the Metro. Ben's Chili Bowl has a new sign with lights.

I went back to Rod's and the two of us went to The Diner and then to Bohemian Caverns (the upstairs called Mahogany) for the Stevie Wonder listening party. Rod knew someone who could get us in for free so we went and heard all SW songs. It was fun but hot, at one point a cheer for Obama ensued and of course I was right there along with everyone cheering his name. At another time a space opened up and these dreaded young people started throwin it down - dancing like they were going to hurt somebody. We stayed there until 1:30 and decided to get home for our early Inauguration day.

Sunday - Inauguration Concert

U2 is AWESOME!!! WOOO HOO! Florie and I left at 1 to go down to the Mall to see the free concert. Beyonce, U2, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, and more were there to celebrate the new pres with us. We got there and the WWII memorial was shut off. At one point Florie and I decided to break up while I scout ahead and lost each other. When we found each other we were like 'Why did you turn off your phone??...ohhhh THEY turned off our phones'. There was tons of grass near the WWII memorial where we could have stood so we were confused as to why they weren't letting anyone pass... UNTIL OBAMA showed up!!!! He wasn't supposed to come (or at least WE didn't think he'd be there)

Florie and I rushed to the Megatron(spelling?) that we across from and scooted our way in to a half way decent view. It started with Bruce Springstein and then Mary J Blige. I have to say some of the speeches were a little boring (probably better on TV) but some were exciting or funny like Jamie Fox and Queen Latifah. But the party really started when Garth Brooks got on stage singing 'Bye bye miss american pie' and we all joined in and then SHOUT. Then Stevie Wonder and Usher and Cheryl Crow. AND THEN U2!!!!! WE WERE ALL DANCING AND SCREAMING AND SMILING AND EVERY TIME THE CAMERAS WOULD TURN TO OBAMA WE'D SCREAM AGAIN WOOO HOOO!

Obama spoke and reiterated that he is going to make mistakes - he has to, the people who have come here, some think as my sister said 'that at midnight on 1/21 their lives will be better. They'll get their jobs back, their house back and money in their pockets'. So I'm glad he's stressing his humanness but his determination to help. So today my mom and I will go and help make care packages for the troops at RFK AND there is service for random acts of kindness
http://www.usaservice.org/page/event/detail/dayofservicejanuary19/4v9zp#rsvp

So of course (big cheesy smile) we'll be doing that too!


Florie and I left the concert and headed straight for Dukem's and just in time b/c right after we sat down there was a huge line. The line to Ben's Chili Bowl was a block long (Obama, ate there a few days ago. For those who don't know Ben's has been around for over 50 years I think it was here during the riots. It serves hotdogs and chili). We met these two young girls new to DC and new to Ethiopian while at Dukem's that was cute.

While at Dukem's Florie mentioned that Asians are always left out in this country its all black or white and that there was only one Latino on stage. That's true actually we both forgot the the guy from 'Harold and Kumar go to Whitecastle' and 'The Namesake', also spoke. But I do get her meaning and I don't know why that is - do Asians want to be separate and distinguished?? That's something as a group they'd have to determine and decide what to do, but I guess the problem is as a group they don't speak/act. *shrug* a discussion for another day

After Dukem's, my sister, and her friends and I went to her friends' cousins place where we watched a documentary on Obama and talked about how excited we were. Then I was off on the metro, to get my dress but barely made it to Vienna ( the metro closed at midnight, I thought they'd be open until 2 until after the inauguration - close call)

CHRISTMAS!

I feel like a little kid before Christmas. You know it's the weekend before Christmas and you're so riled up that you wake up suddenly and with a smile on your face? That's how I awoke this morning. I'M SO EXCITED!!! I don't think I can repeat that enough times so get used to it on this blog. I woke up at 8:30 (yes 5:30 California time)and immediately got on the web.

I decided that I couldn't NOT volunteer on the call of service day (MLK). I can't volunteer so much in California and use the excuse that I'm on vacation to not volunteer when I've been called to do so by my soon to be President. I have start off this presidency right and realize that I DO have to do something and that I CAN. So I WILL.

I signed up to volunteer at RFK making care packages for the troops for an hour. As much as I volunteer, I have never before done anything for our troops. THAT'S the first change I've seen in ME, because of Obama being elected. I can see myself as truly an American citizen and therefore those troops actually mean something to me now. How weird to have lived in a country all your life and never have truly felt like a citizen of it. I did in a way of course, when I returned from Japan after living there for 3 years I felt 'Oh my that was NOT my culture THIS is' but its different than even that.

When I was in junior high school my mom took my sister and I to Hawaii and at all the tourist events and luaus the guides looked directly at us and even picked my sister out of the crowd of kids as a reluctant volunteer. Until then we didn't know we had been invisible in Virginia - Obama becoming president is like that trip... and I didn't even have to go anywhere, I just had to vote.

Eeeeeeee!

I'm SOO excited. I'm so excited to be home. I love DC! this morning i woke up at 7:30 (overslept) to get my hair done at Urban nature styles near Howard. I have my hair in very prominent bantu knots. Rod picked me up and we went to Busboys and Poets. I love the vibe of that place... as does everyone else because it was packed! While there Rod saw some friends he worked with and we all ate together on comfy couches with the wind of the door opening.
Bosboys and Poets is on 14th Street and will be open for 24 hours during this weekend up to inauguration. It is filled with couches, a book store with books filled with African American history, culture, authors as well as books on Democracy. It is a truly DC place filled with white young professionals and black young professionals rocking' natural styles and their own unique styles - my 2 inch high bantu knots fit right in.

Rod knows Mayor Fenty and was able to get tickets to watch the parade from the Wilson Bldg on PA Ave. so I'll be warmer than I thought and may not have so many pictures of heads but may actually have a picture of our new President.

I called my mom who is so excited gushing over 'the Obama express' like Lincoln did and being here. You can feel it in the air the excitement...OK I admit maybe I can just feel my own excitement.

Friday 1/16/2009

I don't think I'll remember all this even a year from now so I suppose I should blog it.

I'm at Lan's working from home today. Lan picked me up last night saying "OMG Andrea, its crazy here. What's your plan?" Lan works at a hospital in DC and they are trying to take precautions for everything and b/c of the amount of people coming in they are required to come to work... but can they make it in? In Virginia you'll be hard pressed b/c of all the bridge closings.. OK this will mean nothing if you don't know the area well but get the heck outta here

• 14th Street Bridge
  
• Roosevelt Bridge
  
• Memorial Bridge
  
• Key Bridge
  
• Chain Bridge (Dude, Chain Bridge?? I've lived here all my life and I don't even know where that bridge IS, but its CLOSED!)
• South Capitol Street Bridge
  
• Southeast/Southwest Freeway
  
• New York Avenue - Open to all traffic, shwoo BUT
  
• 3rd Street Tunnel - Closed!
  
• I-395 north will be closed - hahahahaha this is crazy (THREE NINETY FIVE IS CLOSED)
  
• Eastbound I-66 lanes east closed
  
• The George Washington Memorial Parkway closed in both directions from I-495 to the 14th Street Bridge.
  

And Lan's supposed to be at work at by 7am.

Craziness.
So Ebony and Karen have a hotel in Chantilly and no car. I told them they won't be able to make it in.
Tomorrow i get my hair done at my favorite place in the city and maybe drop by the Native American museum. Since I'll be in the city I hope to feel the excitement... and wish inauguration's were in the summer.
opp, its midnight! 3 more days 'till the new president

Stay tuned...