Shopaholic is almost here!!

So excited! If you haven't had the pleasure of reading these books, I strongly encourage you to do so. They are so witty, sarcastic, and surprisingly well-written for chick lit, and they're great for a beach read or if you're feeling in the mood for an entertaining but fast book. I'm a little disappointed they de-Britified it, because so much of the book's charm comes from the quirky U.K. jokes, but Isla Fisher is hilarious, and I'm sure it'll be great. So excited to go out with the girls and see it!

Yes, We Can!

I was able to watch parts of the Inauguration Day festivities between classes, most notably the swearing-in ceremonies and PRESIDENT OBAMA'S (yay!) inaugural address. The speech was fantastic, at once respectful but challenging, full of hope but realistic and sobering. Behind all of the hoopla - the parades, the songs, the trumpets and salutes, and the celebrations - there is so clearly a somber realization of what this moment means for American history, as well as an acknowledgement of the uphill battle we all face from tomorrow forward. As emotional as this is for me, I can't even begin to imagine what it feels like for those like Jesse Jackson or other civil rights leaders who fought with Martin Luther King and drank from separate water fountains. The pride, the joy, and the sad memories of those who didn't get to see this day were evident on so many faces, and I am so grateful and proud that I am able to witness this awesome, symbolic turn in the history of our country (and pretty dang jealous of my friends who were part of the 2 million plus crowd on the Mall today). 

Obama discussed America's relationship with the rest of the world, offering a message of peace and alliance to those who have become disillusioned and afraid of what our powerful country might do. He also talked about how our lives must reflect the opportunities and gifts we've been given, and how the progress our country makes is not just dependent on an administration, but on how each and every one of us decides to move forward, "roll up our sleeves," and live our lives in ways that speak to the peace and compassion our country should stand for. It's clear to me, from how the crowds and people across the world responded, that I'm not the only one moved by these sentiments. Most of all, it's so happy to think that the term "American" might no longer be something we want to hide or cringe at in fear of others' responses or reactions to what our country has done. In my lifetime, I haven't had one of these profoundly altering American moments (9/11 of course, but that's a different kind of event), and I'm so glad I know what that feels like now. 

This time, people from my generation can say they are proud to be Americans with emotion behind it, knowing fully what they are proud of, instead of just speaking words. Watching the tears, fist pumps, and flags waved by people of every color and background, I couldn't help but think, "This is what Americans should feel like, this is what our country is about." I've never considered what it means to be an American so carefully, and I don't think I've ever been this proud. 

And, I want this hat:

You rock it, Aretha!

Song Obession of the Week

A new year means new music discoveries! YAY! Love this guy.


Ray LaMontagne - "Let it Be Me"

Happy 2009!

New Years sometimes feels anti-climactic to me. After all of Christmas celebrations, dinners, parties, and services are over, sometimes I feel quite ambivalent about celebrating a new year...I mean really, doesn't it just mean that now we write 2009 instead of 2008? Not that exciting. Of course it's fun to celebrate with family and friends (and, if you're a Girgis, with a midnight family prayer session :)), to have a big dinner or go to a fun party, to toast and drink champagne. I think the reason it feels like a let-down to me is because I know that after January 1, the holiday season is officially over, which means taking down the Christmas decorations, the end of holiday parties, and a return to the real world of school and work. But really, it shouldn't be this way. After looking back on 2008 and reflecting about all of the great things it brought, it's exciting to think about what surprises, twists, and turns 2009 might hold. New friends, stronger relationships with current friends, progress towards career goals, learning, spending more time with family, facing triumphs and challenges with an amazing community of friends to fall back on, and, hopefully, a lot of growth.

I usually don't make real resolutions because I'm notorious for saying I'm going to make a big change, making it for about a month, and forgetting about it forever and ever. Oops. But I do think it's important to look at the next year of life with purpose and intention. So, in the optimistic spirit of New Years and a great start to 2009 so far, here are my resolutions:

1. Be more present. Instead of worrying about "next," instead of constantly thinking about the hurdles or challenges that I know are coming, instead of waiting for "real life" to start, simply living in the present and being intentional about each day, whatever I'm doing, whoever I'm with.
2. Stop overscheduling.
3. Get healthy. Period.
4. Continue to let myself be vulnerable with the people I love. I think I worked on this in 2008 but there is definitely progress to be made.
5. Read more! For fun. Break has been wonderful so far, one of the reasons being the fact that I've totally gotten sucked in to the ridiculous yet addicting Twilight phenomenon. Thanks, Hannah! I miss reading for fun.

That's it for now. A good start for a non-resolutions person, I think :)

Cheers to 2009!