At Last

I will remember this day forever, and will surely bore my grandchildren with the stories about the day the first African-American man took the sacred Presidential Oath. Just looking at these pictures, and saying the words "President Obama" makes me tear up.

I remember one year ago this month, when I was assigned to cover Obama's visit to Seattle. I attended a press conference, and sat 10 rows back. I got within a few feet of him as another reporter asked him a question. I still remember the way energy glows around him, how he can entrace you with his smile and laugh. Just being in his presence is something I'll cherish forever.
This is a man I can look up to, who's meant to inspire, to lead our great nation to magnificent heights. I saw him speak to a packed crowd at Key Arena, and I've never heard a crowd roar that loudly. Just think, just think what we can do as an American people if we are inspired, if we help our neighbors, if we work hard to lift this country back up.

I never thought one could feel this way about a political leader. I have a reverence for President Obama, and I could listen to him for hours. I don't expect him to weave miracles, I expect him to be true to his word, and try the best he can to accomplish his promises. I don't care if this takes years, two terms even, as long as he's in office and helping everyone achieve the American dream.

I feel so proud to be an American, and can't wait until the day the world looks up to us once again. As President Clinton once said,

"People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power."

Go, President Obama, lead the world to peace.

Horse Crazy

When I appealed to a Yahoo Group about ideas for activities in Mexico, the man who owns this ranch wrote me back. He says they'll take us on a 2-hour private tour (including riding instruction) in the lands around San Miguel de Allende. The man below is the Mexican wrangler, an expert apparently in both English and Western, especially dressage. He is bilingual, which will be good for my non Spanish speaking Mexican boyfriend.

I don't really know where I got my love for horses, these magnificent, beautiful animals. Maybe it was the ride I took with my mother and stepdad in the mountains in Banff, Canada, when I was 5 years old. I still remember trotting uphill, clinging to the saddle horn. I remember the spectacular views and eating pie on the deck of a mountain-side restaurant. I remember feeling the strength of this beast beneath me, carrying me safely through the trees.

I've ridden every since that fateful day in the mountains. I've ridden English and Western, done jumping and dressaged. I took several years of riding lessons, even winning ribbons in shows. I've fallen off 11 or 12 times, dented my shin, and been bitten and almost kicked, but I can't stay away from them. Sometimes I forget how much I love them until I see a picture, or an opportunity comes my way, like riding in San Miguel de Allende.

Why is it that I feel this connection with horses? Maybe its the way they're connected with me, a subtle pressure of my leg or slight pull on the rein can turn a 2-thousand pound animal 180 degrees. The horse will go over whichever jump I point it toward, trusting me to count the strides, to make sure the animal is balanced from neck to haunch.

I love their undying passion, their loyalty to their "chosen one" even though these stories can break my heart. I saw a video recently of an eventing course, which is an extremely difficult jumping course over outdoor terrain. The horse broke his front leg right below his knee after going over a jump. The rider (from Washington State) didn't know he was lame, and kicked him when he tried to slow down. This gallant horse kept going, moving forward at a canter, even though I'm sure he was in excrutiating pain. He galloped over that last jump, landing on that broken leg, until he crossed that finish line, then suddenly he stopped. His huge head hung beneath his knees, he pointed his leg on the toe like a ballerina. Then he was put down, his rider disqualified. I cried after watching that video. What other animal would do so much for their human, then die because of it?

Yes, its true, I am so in love with horses. The prospect of running with the wind in my hair over Mexican hills is just more than I can handle. I hope this dream comes true.

Boredom is in the Eye of the Beholder

I think like anyone, I get bored with my job sometimes. I get tired of the stress, the early hours, of pestering people to get interviews. I think this is a normal part of the human existence, being bored with what we have and reaching a plateau. But today, I realized (once again) how good I really have it.

Sleep was bliss last night, after waking up at 4am two days in a row. But it wasn't meant to be. The shrill shriek of the phone cut through my slumber, and I sunk deeper into my bed, my warm, purring kitty tucked into the curve of my arm. I was sure it must be 6am, David's work calling with a problem needing to be solved. He ran downstairs, then came up and put the phone on my lap.

"Your work called."

"WHAT??" I stared at the phone, that little devil that said "4am", laughing hysterically at my absurd attempt to SLEEP for one night in my life. After a few moments of contemplation, I called back.

"There's a missing woman at the ferry terminal," the editor said, "I need you to check it out."

"I'm not supposed to work until 9am," I said somewhat testily, but agreed to go. David, bless his heart, said he wanted to go as well, and quickly put coffee in the to-go cup and herded me into the car.

"This is exciting," he said as we sped along the curvy back roads of Bainbridge Island.

"Humghghgghhg", I said groggily, my eyes closing against my will.

Once we got there, it turned out there wasn't anything I could do from the island. The Washington State Patrol had left. The Coast Guard was no where to be seen. Most of the media is in Seattle, so that's where the Coasts Guard decided to hold its press conference. Nevertheless, I wrote up a quick live voicer to do at 5am.

"What a strange story, but so interesting," David said once again, "You have such a really cool job, if only it wasn't at 4am."

Later that day, I got word that I was to cover a rally in Olympia, then the Governor's Inauguration. Once again, I called David.

"That's so cool," he said

"Yeah, it is, but I'm tired and don't feel like driving to Olympia."

"People would kill for your job. Would you rather sit in front of a computer 10 to 12 hours per day?"

Touche. No, I would not rather sit in front of a computer all day. I would not rather answer phones. I would not rather write press releases. I would not rather drive a bus. I would not rather teach a class full of children. I would not rather work at Microsoft and make a much higher salary than I do now. I would rather write novels, but that's another story for another chapter in my life.

As far as careers go, I'm right where I'm meant to be. I've been so "into" journalism since my first high school class when I was 16, and I've been in love ever sense. Who else gets to go to the Governor's Inauguration, or look at flooding first hand, or interview celebrities. I've met the first woman President of Ireland, been within 5 feet of Barack Obama (swoon), talked to Salma Hayek, interviews Carly Fiorini CEO of Hewlett Packard, ridden in a B-17 bomber. Just saying my press credentials gets me interviews with the governor, senators, congressmen. I've met so many interesting people I can't keep track of them all. My job changes every day. I get to be creative and write. What more can I ask for?

Sometimes, it takes another person to convince us that we really have it good. Thank you, David, for reminding me I have the best friggin' job on the planet.

Two Things

There are two things I've been doing this entire weekend while David's been out of town: Played Zelda and researched Mexico like crazy, almost obsessively.

First of all, I have to say that Zelda for Nintendo Wii is an incredible experience. I almost hate sitting down on my couch, Wii remote in hand, Corona beer in the other, because I'm afraid I won't get up for 2 or 3 hours. And yes, it's true, it happened today. "I should clean, I should do laundry, I should go grocery shopping and make soup." It all went flying out the window as I entered this surreal world, where my missions are spelled out for me, where I get a rush from beating enemies. I think that's why video games are so addictive. You're transported to a new land, where you have never-ending lives, and endless adventure. I can swing a sword and ride a horse. I have mysteries to solve. I can tranform into a wolf. I can shoot a slingshot and swing a boomerag. If only real life could be so engaging, our choices in life as clear.

Luckily, I do have an adventure on the horizon, one that I'm looking forward to so much that I can't even put it into words. Sometimes when I picture Central Mexico, I want to cry with joy that 7 years later, I am finally goinig back.

This weekend I picked up 5 guidebooks from the library, and have been looking at Trip Advisor about hotels in Mexico City and Queretaro. For Mexico City, I'm considering staying in the new and trendy La Condesa district, which is near El Centro Historico. I've found a couple bed and breakfasts that are in old Mexican houses, but redone and decorated very art deco. They are within walking distance of bars and restaurants. One is $70 per night, and one is $85. If it seems a bit spendy for Mexico City, it is, but the price might be worth it. There are knowledgeable hosts, a good neigbhorhood, and Mexican breakfasts included. Or I could spend $40 or $50 and stay in a more touristy neighborhood, in a hotel with no character. What would you do? I'm a little undecided, but leaning more toward the B&B.

We already have 5 nights paid for in San Miguel de Allende in that private condo, so I'm glad I don't have to worry about hotel bookings for that part of the trip. I'm having so much fun planning this trip, and want it to be perfect. Do you have any travel websites you recommend for reading reviews other than Trip Advisor?

Oh the elements

I could have kicked myself for forgetting my camera today, as the sights of flooding were spectacular. The entire Snoqualmie Valley, which used to be farmland and pastures, turned into a glassy brown lake. Stands of trees were the only indications it used to be dry land, roads were covered with rushing water. I took a couple pictures with my camera phone, which doesn't do this scene justice at all.

I wanted to get to Duvall and Carnation, but they were turned into islands as all the surrounding roads became inundated with water, then closed down. The people there must be used to this, though, and probably have lots of food and water stored. I wish I had a canoe so I could paddle over, and see how people were managing.

I then went to Snoqualmie Falls where the raging floodwaters turned it into a frothy, muddy mess. I stood at the far distant lookout, and was immediately drenched with water. My jeans are still drying over two hours later. My bangs were plastered against my forehead, my face and glasses dripping with water. It was the combination of spray and cold wind and rain. The falls were almost blocked with billowing spray. My hands were immediately red and freezing. I couldn't believe the sight of that waterfall, and again, wish I had my camera.

Anyway, flood coverage has been exciting, although I wish things would get back to normal. I'm tired of all this crazy weather, going from 20 to 50 in just 2 weeks. I think our climate is really out of wack. As one British woman told me today, "We better learn how to swim."

It's January's Fault

It's almost 8am, and the light is just starting to creep over the land, filling hollow spots with a dusty glow. It's that dulled winter tone that makes the trees and ground look the same color. Colors are muted, tree tops long black hands raking the sky. It's this January darkness that's getting to me this month. I feel so tired every morning, even though I'm in bed at a reasonable hour. 7 hours of sleep should be the least I can get and still feel allright in the morning. Every weekend, when I allow myself to sleep in with the sun, I feel wonderful, rested, ready to face my day. But waking up during the week at 7am when it's still pitch-black is something my body is having a hard time rectifying. I'm tired of being tired. I like feeling wide awake, especially since my job is one where I need a sharpness and a creativity. I can't afford to feel like a hibernating bear. I'm also faced with this strange fact that I get a burst of energy around 10pm or 11pm, and just want to stay up reading.

The only good thing about the dark, difficult month of January is that it helps me look forward to the spring. I love it when the light begins earlier every day, when I can see tiny buds pop on tree branches, and flowers curl their heads from the Earth. That's when I wish I could awake, with all the plants and slumbering animals of the world. They all hibernate for a reason, why do we keep chugging along, all frantic in our daily lives?

I know this will seem like pointless whining for people I know who wake up at 2am or 3am to go to work. You, I hold in the highest esteem.

The Celestine Prophecy

I am completely in love with this book right now, which was a mega-international bestseller back in 1993. I've heard people discuss the principles of this book in depth, and I didn't want to be left out anymore. I downloaded it on my Kindle and have been pretty much glued to it; one of the reasons my blogging has gotten a little behind. It's one of the first times in recent history I've chosen to read a book more than stare at my computer on the ferry commute.

I don't think I can even do justice to the concepts of this book, but I do know that it almost puts me in a meditative trance state. Last week, when I got off the ferry and walked toward my bus, I noticed the vividness of the colors, the motion of people, the movement of time. My senses and perceptions were heightened, and I drank it all in. Quickly, I returned back to my normal state.

The book is based on ancient Eastern religions, New Age spirituality, and I think string theory. It talks about the energy that surrounds humans, plants, animals, and that this energy is created by vibrations. The book is set deep in Peru, where the main character is trying to find an ancient Manuscript that speaks of 10 insights. He's pursued by the government, so it also has action. It's about recognizing the energy field that encompasses all beings, and learning how to get energy without sucking it from someone else. It says that often, humans feel the need to control others to get their energy, because we've forgotten how to get our own.

Anyway, many of you may have already heard about the book, or seen the movie. I'm not sure if I want to see the movie, because I don't know how it can encompass all the concepts. I'm about halfway through with the book. It's like I'm realizing things I've known all along, but haven't been able to recognize. It's truly an amazing experience reading this book. Have you read it? What did you think about it?