When DC freezes over

Snow on Tuesday.

The great freeze on Tuesday Night.

I saw this on my way to work Wednesday morning:

Chopsticks frozen to the cement.

Someone (me) needs to buy an ice scraper. I used my credit card (good idea Callie) to chisel ice off my car a few nights ago. I also learned the value of ice melt so clients don't fall and slip on their way to the office. I hope DC defrosts soon.

Innaguration

This post is a little bit late, but I have been a busy girl.

Last week I was ever so grateful to be a resident of the District of Columbia. Yes, it was out of control busy, but I also got to roam the streets with millions of strangers who had united with a common purpose and excitement.

The inauguration festivities started off on Sunday with a concert at the Lincoln Memorial celebrating the President-elect Barack Obama. I was standing with friends between the Washington Monument and the WWII Memorial, with thousands and thousands of people in front of us. It was freezing cold, but totally worth standing outside. The concert was great, which we mainly watched from the huge screens put up on the mall, but the excitement in the air was incredible. Chants filled the mall "O-Ba-Ma," there were readings from Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr. and Reagan's (?) speeches.

Monday night I volunteered at the New Mexico State Ball. It was held in the Native American Museum. I met new friends there and had an overall wonderful time participating in a ball. There were a total of 14 bolo tie sightings and a woman who made her dress completely out of Obama signs.

Tuesday my roomies and I woke up early to leave our house at 6:00 am to get to the mall and in our places for the inauguration. The crowd was ridiculous, there were people everywhere and it was fabulous. It again was brutally cold and it took us 3 hours to get through security. Many, I am told, didn't get in. I have never seen that many people united for a single purpose. Tears were shed by many as President Obama took his oath of office. We were fortunate to be in a decent standing section.

My favorite thing about our new President is his ability to unite people. He has a gift of getting people to be active in their communities and I feel he has the opportunity to mobilize people to help themselves and each other. I feel he showed this during his campaign and I hope he can continue to motivate the Country.

I really liked this line from President Obama's speech:

"To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

My weekend just seemed to keep getting better, and after the inauguration I had the pleasure of meeting two prominent church leaders. It was amazing to see the shift in power of the President of the United States, a government leader, and then have to opportunity to meet spiritual leaders.

I feel for you man. I really do.

Today while walking to lunch I saw a man pulling his van to the side of the road. Smoke was pouring from the hood of the van and anti-freeze was pouring from under the car, leaving a green puddle on the cold pavement.

This immediately made me think of car troubles I have had. And there have been many. In high school I drove a 1982 VW Quantum. We called it the Maserati. Yes this car was older than me, and no, it did not perform like its namesake.

Once while driving back from lunch in high school, the clutch pedal broke. Leaving me in a near death situation trying to slow the car down. We somehow coasted into this nice Latino family's driveway and they let us use their phone (this was pre-everyone has a cell phone craze).

The final breakdown was very similar to what I witnessed today. I was driving to school, when at the stoplight before the parking lot, my car filled with smoke and icons lit up the dashboard. I parked the car, went inside and called my dad, and went to class smelling like anti-freeze. At least it has a sweet smell, right?

9 for '09

Here they are. I am posting these here, because frankly I need some accountability. Last year I made a sorry attempt at completing my short list, I think I barely etched by on one goal. So here goes:

1 Learn a new language. I took a french class last year, I will continue the study this year.

2 Save money. I am thinking of a number... by the end of the year I want it to equal my savings account balance.

3 Bike a century. 100 miles. This will probably take me three days straight, but so be it.

4 Read a certain book every day.

5 Travel somewhere new and exciting

6 Volunteer.

7 Make my bed every day. For anyone who has lived with me, yes I do know how to do this.

8 Read 50 books. I read that G.W. Bush read 40 last year, I assume he has a tighter schedule than I do, so I'll add a few more.

9 Be able to point out where 90% of the countries in the world are on a map and be able to state each of their capitols. I am terrible at geography, and I think this will help me improve.