Showing posts with label Inauguration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inauguration. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Looking Back at the Inauguration


Thank you for joining me during the four days I spent in Washington, D.C. It was an awesome time and it is hard to believe a month has flown by. I regret that I couldn’t post more pictures because the internet lines were soooo clogged. Sir was very sweet to stay up with me to the wee hours of the morning so I could post what I did! Just a few reflections I have left floating in my head:

Favorite line: While touring the Lincoln Exhibit at the History Museum a pre-teen girl asked her mother, “Do they have a video of when Abraham Lincoln was shot?” Her mother showed so much patience (as she rolled her eyes) and explained “Honey, they didn’t have videos back then.” The girl, looking perplexed, replied “Oh yeah.”


Favorite Moment: Several times I felt so insignificant. I was just one lone person on the vast and mostly empty street. Sure, Limos and Black SUV’s double parked outside the entrance of our hotel with body guards in and out the front doors helping the “important” people to their designated cars. But me? Just one more onlooker. But as I walked closer to The Mall, hundreds and thousands walked with me, side-by-side, with a purposeful march in our souls. Alone we were one, possibly insignificant, but together we made up an army. Together we became the important people. Thousands of us standing side-by-side, thousands of us crying for change, thousands of us witnessing history, thousands of us chanting together for a new song. At that moment, I knew in my heart, that each of us can make a difference. What ever our political beliefs or socioeconomic status, we can make a difference in the world around us.

Never before h
ave I been in a situation where so many “kinds” of Americans have come together feeling united not divided. Open, honest, polite, kind-hearted people of all different ages, colors, social stations and political positions came together. The fur-wearing third generation Washingtonian we met at Starbucks; the over dressed and really cold gentleman I stood next to during the parade; the cold, hungry, tired young boy who sat behind us during the parade; and the women who arrived at 4:00 am and froze just to get a seat at the inauguration. Everyone was full of questions. Where are you from? How long have you been here? Are you going to any parties? Balls? Do you have a seat at the inauguration? Did you see the parade? People in the past I would have possibly just walked right by or dismissed - now they were of kindred spirit.

However, flying home was a letdown. Leaving Baltimore, I still felt the buzz of the week. We all had a purpose – getting home from the historic week. Everyone was tired and cold but full of stories they wanted to share with those around them. Once we arrived in Chicago, we separated, getting on different planes to our final destinations, setting beside those who had not been there and didn’t care. Once again, I felt alone and possibly insignificant. But I closed my eyes and remin
ded myself that all of us can make a difference.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The Inauguration - Day 4 Black Caucus Foundation Ball

We attended the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inaugural Dinner and Ball. It was a much smaller event tonight. We had another great dinner and then enjoyed visiting different themed ballrooms. What a great way to end this exciting time in DC.



























The Inauguration - Day 4


Iwill load more pictures when I get home! The Woman On the Move will be home on Friday!














































































My outfit for the day!

Monday, January 19, 2009

The Inauguration - Day 3

A warm welcome from D.C. We woke up to snow this morning but that didn't deter us from getting out and being apart of the excitement. We spent most of the day on The Mall watching people, listening to music, observing the sharp shooters on the buildings, listening to the vendors calling for shoppers, watching yesterday's events on the big screens, jumping up and down at the TV station's booth hoping to be on TV (hope you saw us), touring the American History Museum and eating lunch at the Native American Museum.


Now I am resting and will be getting ready for all first ball tonight. I will put pictures of the ball on tonight or tomorrow morning. Here are just a few from today!













































































































Sunday, January 18, 2009

The Inauguration - Day 2

Greetings from cold, crowded and energictic DC! Wow! What a day we have had.

We started the day at brunch with our good friends, the Woods and the O'Briens. A Jazz Band played while we had scumptious food (I had grits - they were wonderful) and caught up on life!











Sir and I headed to The Mall to check out the action in the afternoon! The whole atmpsphere at "We Are One" was quite an amazing experience. The bands were great. The lawn was packed with people young and old. The minute Obama took the stand, you could of heard a pin drop.























Walking back to the hotel we saw so many interesting sights. Sir and I waited for over 30 minutes for the Obama's to return to Blair Street. While waiting, Sir meet Michelles hairdresser from Chicago. He was trying to get through security - out came the passports trying to prove his importance!!

Tonight we attended the Inaugural Celebration with Democratic Governors at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. We entered to a sea of music, food, drinks and people. We were able to to through the Richard Avedan Photography Exhibit. With JJ Grey and Mofro playing in the background it was fun to leisurely walk through the exhibit - his work is amazing! I saw the Governor of New Mexico, Bill RIchardson. I don't know who else I saw! There were so many people there!







We hopped a taxi home - our first of the trip - and I am here to tell you goodnight and enjoy the pictures!