2 months later

Once again, I start something with the best of intentions and then forget about it entirely (fail).

Obama said a change was going to come, and indeed much has changed between January 30th and now. For one, the epic cold spell is over. In its place is an inconsistent flip-flop between 75 degree flip-flop weather and pouring rain that my mini umbrella fails to protect me from (double fail). I blame the economy.

Most of the change has occurred within me. I have walked on ground where history has been made and been moved by its power. I have been challenged to actively and critically listen for the sake of pursuing truth. I have dealt with clashing work styles. I have clashed with my own work habits. I have mastered the art of making excel sheets (like a boss). I have learned that all is lost without love, unity, and togetherness.

In my final three weeks I will make it my goal to fill in the blanks of the last two months.

What's cooler than being cool?

...ICE COLD!

It's been relatively warmer lately, compared to the Inaug and the days it was sandwiched between. But warmer is like mid-30's, not even. So, it's still cold. I have learned and accepted the fact that I have never known cold until about 21 days ago, and that any previous use of "cold" was executed under a very naive, ill-informed understanding of the word, or just thrown in conversation as small talk. I have since been enlightened. I now know what it means to be cold. Of course, Obamsky thinks this winter is nothing compared to Chi-town. With all due respect, Mr. Prez, since I am from California and Indonesia, I believe I have every right to be a wuss.

You know it's cold when:

• You've just had dinner and all you want is a bowl of soup.
• There is no use for a refrigerator. You buy sushi in the morning, take it on the hourlong commute, and by lunchtime it's still as fresh as ever.
• Personal space is impractical. You will press up against anyone just to stay warm.
• Your face feels like it has a thousand needles in it.
• A shooting pain runs through your body, down to your fingers and toes, followed by a complete loss of sensation, and all you can think about is the movie "Alive."
• You're waiting for the DC Circulator (a bus) and after standing outside for five minutes, you begin to lose your mind and start singing "circulator, circulator, you're a circulator...OH!" to the tune of Britney Spears' "Womanizer."
• You've never been so excited to see a bus in your entire life.
• You...can...own...ly...talk...one....syl...la...bull...at...a...time.
• Your thinking becomes so impaired that amidst walking briskly with hands under your arms, you wonder "am I wearing any pants?" and look down just to check.
• You can see your BREATH.

The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Good news: It snowed today! First time actually seeing snow fall from the sky in real life. Just like in snow globes and "Home Alone."

Bad news: Lost my phone on the metro. While I was waiting for the bus, it started to snow, and I was so excited I wanted to text someone. Then I realized it was gone.

Ugly news: No phone means no alarm ... meaning - it is very unlikely that I am going to wake up on time tomorrow.

Wish me luck. (Preferably through email, 'cause you can't call me.)

Inauguration Day

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

- The 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama

10:30 am - A little late to just be leaving the house. No ticket. And only a disposable camera. But I'm not going to let that stop me.

11:00 am - Arrive at Pangea Cafe at 21st and I. Big screen showing coverage, but not really the big, excited atmosphere I was looking for. Ordered a soup to warm up.

11:11 am - See George Sr. and Barbara in matching purple scarves. Cute.

11:15 am - Bill and Hillary preparing to walk out. Her face always looks surprised/excited. Cracks me up.

11:30 am - Obama daughters walk out....what lucky kids. They'll have the best seats in the house.

11:35 am - Bush and the Republican leaders walk out. Lady next to me quietly boos. I later find out that the crowd was loudly booing. Cheney's in a wheelchair...odd. "Hail to the chief" starts playing. Hail indeed.

11:42 am - Joe Botox...I mean, Biden... walks out flashing his million dollar grin. I wonder if he ever gets tired smiling. I wonder if he's physically capable of not smiling. Dianne Feinstein walks out (announcer incorrectly pronounces it Fein-STEEN...I think they did it on purpose...FOX news...) Angeline and I comment about how disappointed we were in her not coming through with providing Pepperdine with Inauguration tickets. But we will move on eventually. Finally, "Ladies and Gentlemen, the president elect of the United States, Barack H. Obama." This is history. Merdeka! I wonder what must be going through his head. He must be craving some Topolombampo right about now. (I just really like saying/typing Topolombampo).

11:44 am - Rick Warren gives the invocation. He pauses after "our first African-American President of the United States" to the roaring cheer of the crowd. He probably saw that one coming. Applause during prayer though? Come on now. He then asks God to remind us that "we are united not by race or religion or blood but by our commitment to freedom and justice for all." Amen. Aretha in a crazy hat sings "My Country 'Tis of Thee" with her even crazier voice. Some in the audience cry. I almost want to. Then, Yo Yo Ma and others perform a John Williams piece.

11:57 am - Biden is sworn in. He does an impeccable job. Angeline turns to me and says "I wonder if they ever forget what they're supposed to say."

12:05 pm - "I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear..." Angeline's question is answered, as Obama pauses and needs Chief Justice Roberts to repeat a line. You'd be nervous too if you were taking over to clean up an eight year mess. This is further proof that the big O is indeed a human being.

12:09 pm - Inaugural address. In true Obama fashion, he perfectly outlines and sums up our nation, giving it to us straight: this is what's wrong, these are our challenges, this is what we can do, and this is what we will do. I truly hope and have faith that it is so.

12:25 pm - "This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed, why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath." How far we've come.

12:30 ish - After his speech, Angeline, Catherine, and I head towards the crowds, to feel the excitement first hand. They also need a picture to prove to their mom that they were there. We end up walking against traffic, since most people are leaving the capitol/memorial areas. Half of the United States must be here. FLOODS of people in the streets. Oceans and oceans of heads. Yet surprisingly calm and not so mob-like. I had more fear for my life at the Backstreet Boys concert in November.

1:00 pm - We had our own celebratory luncheon at Charlie Chiang's. Celebrating the diversity in this nation by being Indonesian and Koreans having Chinese food.

4:24 pm - Heard screaming and yelling in my hall, thought we were under attack. Some of my colleagues appeared to be yelling "Obama's downstairs!" but then actually found out they were yelling "Bono's downstairs!" Grabbed my coat and my house slippers, because apparently I was pressed for time. Walked outside and there seemed to be some kind of parade marching through our street, although there's no way the official parade would be coming through, since there was no kind of security or barricades set up. Walked back to my room unimpressed.

Happy MLK Day

"Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase." 

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

The inauguration will soon be upon us, and the anticipation in the air has been tangible ever since I got here, but only now have the crazy crowds started to come in.

It's been a long, exhausting, but eventful day. Woke up at 6 am to line up for the 2:30 pm free concert at Lincoln Memorial - the location of MLK Jr.'s historic "I have a dream" speech  - to kick off the inauguration festivities. Moment to moment, it wasn't exactly the most enjoyable, but it was definitely worth being there, and the performances and speeches were phenomenal. Absolutely unforgettable experience.

Details and pictures to come.

Decisions

It has been seven days since I landed in Obamaland, and the week was filled with directional challenges. Am I going the right way? Am I in the right place? On the wrong side of the tracks? On the wrong bus? Will the bus ever come? Literally and figuratively. This can lead to a lot of stress, obviously, but before I start to worry too much I take comfort in knowing that at the end of the day, I will always find my way home. Even when it takes a little longer and some wrong turns. Literally and figuratively.

The internship situation is still not 100% secured/finalized but I am at least now in a place where I am not worrying about having one. I will just leave it at that.

The only things that are certain in life are death, taxes, and that it's COLD. If I live through this winter to ever get back to the west coast, I vow to never again say the word cold while in southern California.

What it takes to be a nurse

Women Veterans of Vietnam

Anxiety.

Fatigue.

Compassion.

And above all, dedication.