Barack Obama is my President!

I am so happy to say it now that it is official. Obama is my president! I am proud, hopeful and elated. I just finished watching the inauguration here at work. I watched it with a classroom of students. His speech was phenomenal. I am inspired beyond words to be a better person and do my part. That is really what defines a great leader to me. It is a person who can inspire and lead others into something better...a collective effort. A person who realizes that he cannot do it alone and must lead the masses into change - and make every man and woman responsible for the change - is my new president! Hallelujah! YES WE CAN! YES WE DID!

P.S. Do metaphors speak to you? (Cheney in a wheelchair due to a pulled muscle)

Taking the time to celebrate!

The wonderful people in my life came over last weekend to celebrate that Barack Obama is our president elect! I knew there would be no better way to celebrate than with a party and with people I love. We had quite a feast! We drank blue and red cocktails. We all loved the pomegranate martinis the best! We watched Obama's victory speech again and even toasted him. Elyse brought Filet Mignon for the occasion! It is definitely a new day and I am glad I paused with loving family and friends to make sure that we didn't just let the moment pass. I am trying more and more to make sure I don't take things for granted and that I pause. I'm so glad I have intelligent, kind, tolerance, beautiful and informed people in my life!

P.S. We are still sad that Prop. 8 passed. We know it is a momentary loss, however.

That is a picture of Toni above. I love it! She came over with the celebration spirit!

Elyse enjoying a pomegranate martini.
Rebeka and Tim are such a lovely couple! So glad they joined us.

Al and the girls. Thanks for hosting our first of many political parties mom and dad!

Newell and Toni.
Leslie preparing her delicious patriotic salad!
Dinner time!

The 5th batch of pomegranate martinis!

Oh here is Leslie's salad. Yum.Look at Tamie! Isn't she beautiful? She found out days later that she is having a girl!

Abuela and Maggie enjoying the evening.Getting ready to hear Obama's brilliant victory speech.Tamie and I agreed that we should host a commentary show.

The O for Obama cheesecake.

Grrrr....McCain supporters stay away from our party or prepare to be attacked!

Thank you America for voting for my future...

The Sun is Shining on America!

WAHOO!!!! I am breaking the rules of all caps and multiple exclamation points tonight!!! I am thrilled, speechless, and emotional! Thank you America! So many of us believed WE could do it! Obama will be our president! Tonight I am filled with joy because HOPE prevailed and not FEAR. Today HOPE prevailed. It is a new day. This day is so meaningful to so many people in so many ways. I can't focus enough to outline it all! I can say that I almost dropped to my knees and sobbed (I did sob standing) when I saw the images of the people from a small village in Kenya cheering and the youth of America - the future of America - cheering and crying on my television. Thank you America for not letting fear and nastiness dictate our future!

YES WE CAN!