Looking forward to the 4th of July.

"An intense anticipation itself transforms possibility into reality; our desires being often but precursors of the things which we are capable of performing."
~Samuel Smiles

I really love the 4th of July. I think I've mentioned that before. Yes, I have. Here. I just really love the relaxed feeling of this holiday on a warm summer evening with fireworks. I feel a little cheesy, but I've really gained a ridiculous affinity toward fireworks. Maybe I've always had it. I remember going over to the Presidio to watch the fireworks over the Golden Gate Bridge as kid, or just sitting on our roof and watching them... through the fog, of course. I guess I always have loved fireworks. I suppose I just expected that this intense liking and awe of fireworks might dissipate with age. I'm here to tell you it hasn't.

So this weekend, I'm looking forward to watching three nights of fireworks!

I'm also looking forward seeing and visiting with my cousin Amber, her husband Steve, and their girls this weekend.

And to eating a grilled hamburger.

And chips! (Who looks forward to chips? Someone who never eats them except on special occasions.)

And making (and eating!) Pearl Dean's strawberry peach ice cream. It's not the 4th of July if I don't make Pearl Dean's deeeeeeelicious ice cream.

And looking forward to seeing Britt, Casey, and their girls, now home from Deutschland.

And relaxing!

And singing patriotic songs.

And eating Pearl Dean's strawberry peach ice cream.

And relaxing.

And eating Pearl Dean's strawberry peach ice cream. Oh wait, I think I already said that.

Fireworks photo found here.

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Hope.

I've had many interesting conversations over the last week or so about the Inauguration and the transfer of power in our country. And quite frankly, I'm surprised at the divide among people in the state in which I live. Some have gawked at the pomp and circumstance that seemed to accompany the Inauguration. Others have overwhelmingly jumped for joy. Others have ranted about how much they keep hearing "Obama this, Obama that."

Might I remind you that every time there is an Inauguration of a President of the United States, there is pomp and circumstance. Eight years have gone by; it's possible you can't remember the last one. And, eight years ago, we did not have the same level of technology to express our views and share them with our best friend's brother's girlfriend's mother. Text messaging, popular online social networks, streaming online video, blogs, etc. were simply not as prevalent as they are today. Hence, we hear a lot more "Obama this and Obama that" because we have the media sources to bring it to us.

M expressed a concern, "The way some people are talking, it's like he has a magic crystal wand that turns everything to gold and ushers in an era of world peace. While that would be nice (having a wizard for a president), it's just not realistic."

I completely agree that it's not realistic to believe President Obama will work magic; we all know he is not some sort of magician. He, himself, spoke of the responsibility of a successful future for our nation lies with us, not just with the President, but with the people. His role is as a leader. Someone to lead and inspire us (the people) to do our best in aiding the nation to progress. He's just a man. Yes, he's a regular President. No, President Obama will not work any magic. He is here to inspire, persuade, and motivate US to action. The leader of any organization cannot bring his organization to a successful position alone. Every member is called to put forth effort.

The Inauguration publicity was grand. And it was that way because "the people" made it that way. People are proud to be involved. But the fact that we see President Barack Obama as a man, a "regular" President, is absolute cause to celebrate! He is an African American man, leading a country who used to enslave people with his same skin color. Keeping the history of our nation in mind, you cannot discount the fact that this is a milestone, an historic Inauguration by mere fact fact that we elected an African American President. I believe there is definitely cause to rejoice and be proud that our nation has made that type of progress.

Now once again, whether we "like" him or not, let's not be openly pessimistic and negative. There is no glory in putting down your fellow men. I am not saying that you need to love him or his policies or his position on controversial issues. I am saying that openly berating the man who swore that he "will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of {his} ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States" is simply not appropriate. Vote against him. Be upset with a decision he makes. Fine. But to mock the Inauguration of a President is not appropriate. Be an American. Let's be patriotic, for heaven's sake.

I am hopeful that President Obama will have the courage and tenacity required to lead our country into greater times. My daily prayers include him, and I would encourage all of you to consider doing the same, that he may be guided by God to make wise decisions for us and our country. Let's be hopeful. Let's not be pessimistic. I once heard, "If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought."

Barack is in!

Barack Hussein Obama is in! Read his Inaugural Address here.

You must admit that this Presidential Inauguration has caught your eye more than many others. It has mine. Barack is just a great speaker. Let's hope that his actions during his presidency instill as much hope and confidence in us, as his words do. But as he stated, the responsibility does not lie solely with him. We are responsible to sustain and support him and participate fully in achieving success for our nation.

"For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

"Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

"This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

"This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an
uncertain destiny."

Also, did you love the music "Air and Simple Gifts" by John Williams, performed by Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Anthony McGill and Gabriela Montero?!

And, I know I'm a "girl", but I love this photo of Barack and Michelle. Kissing is one of life's many joys!

And now, whether or not you wanted Barack Obama to be President, I hope that, as Americans, we will have the courage to support our new leader and pray for his success in leading our country and for his ability to make wise and good decisions, which will affect all of us. Good luck Mr. President!

I'm Proud to Be An American...

How many of you can honestly say you did not sing a single phrase from this classic '80s patriotic song yesterday?!? One can't go a 4th of July without at least hearing the song! If you didn't take this Independence Day as an opportunity to whip out your hairbrush microphone (or your thumb or a spoon, or whatever you fancy), I strongly encourage you to let loose and be proud to be an American. It's freeing just singing the words. :) Lee Greenwood would be proud. I think the song is actually titled "God Bless the U.S.A.", but I like singing the rousing chorus best:

And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.

And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.

And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land. God bless the U.S.A.

Every time I hear this song I think of summers at the Cannons and watching the Summer Olympics in 1984. (You know you're getting old when you can refer back, with clarity, to events that happened more than twenty years ago.) Yesterday, Lindsay and I resolutely (alright, somewhat in jest) stood and sang our hearts out. We tried to sing the verses, but really the chorus is what it's all about! :) Also, Agne and I learned all four verses to The Star-Spangled Banner, its history and sang it for my mom, KDJ, Linds, and Stephen. Then we also sang the Lithuanian national anthem. Fun times.

Having spent four out of the last six 4ths of July out of the country, I have a greater appreciation for the holiday and have realized how truly patriotic I am. I really am "proud to be an American" and recognize the myriad blessings I have experienced due to my citizenship of this great nation. Plus, ... who wouldn't love the 4th of July when spectacular fireworks shows, homemade ice cream, barbecued hamburgers, a day off work, and the colors red and blue (my favorites) are involved?!?! :) It's a no brainer, I tell you.

I hope all had a joyous 4th and that you, too, feel a deeper sense of gratitude for the privileges we enjoy.