Happy Thanksgiving!

I want to wish a happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I love this time of year. We are having friends and family over dinner and board games and I'm really looking forward to it. Our menu will include: Fried Turkey, Cornbread Dressing, Collard Greens, Butternut Squash Lasagna, Sweet Potato Casserole, Cranberry Relish, Dinner Bread Pudding with Pumpkin Cream Sauce, and Sparkling Apple Cider. That sounds good right??? MMMMMM. I love it. I also wanted to make Monkey Bread for breakfast, but there is just so much junk being eaten this week that I decided to wait a couple of days for that. I like the idea of having for Thanksgiving because you have to pull it apart and it feels very communal and family oriented to all pull a piece of the bread. I know that's corny, but I like it. I cannot wait to sit around our table and give thanks for all the blessings that the Lord has blessed us with. We are very fortunate and I'm very thankful for my life

Also, Aliyah enjoyed watching the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special which I think is very cool. My child is watching a cartoon that I enjoyed as a child? It is interesting to see. We both love the theme music, too. Friday there will be a post-Thanksgiving spa day for the ladies!!! WOOO HOOO! Lord knows I love a spa day. My friend from NY, my mom, and I will all be going to this awesome spa that I discovered near my house. It is a very Zen spa and I can't wait to just chillax. The men will stay at home with my baby girl and watch football. It is just perfect. Happy Turkey day, Ya'll!

I've been tagged!

I must say, prior to this morning, I had no idea what that meant in the blog world. Apparently being "tagged" is sort of like those emails you get from friends about "getting to know each other" type of stuff. Only its on blogs. I think this is a very cute concept and I am honored that my childhood friend Jenn tagged me. I'm a little nervous because I think I'm going to do something wrong since the blog rules are probably different from the email rules. Since I pretty much have hardly anyone who actually follows my blog, I'm getting over it pretty quickly. Plus, it's any easy post. I chose that pic above because 1) I'm sort of OCD about having a picture accompany each post and 2) it was in Jamaica, my absolute favorite place I've been to which may be a question in the survey. So, here it goes.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My dad, Jessie

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Oh man, I cry so much. I think it was Friday that was the last time in a moment of feeling overwhelmed.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? No. I'm always wishing it was better.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Ew ew ew. I hate lunch meat with a passion. I don't like any "meat" that is cold. I can eat a grilled chicken sandwich or a grilled cheese panini type sandwich, but not a cold cut sandwich.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes , well a kid, but I want more for sure.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? of course i would! I’m awesome. (I borrowed this answer from Jenn)
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Of course.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS. Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Been there and done that. Now I have a daughter and a husband to think about, so I don't think I would do it now.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? This is a tough one. I've been sort of off of cereal lately, but the last cereal I was very into was Grape Nuts Trail Mix with the almonds and raisins. I like cereals with raisins.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not usually.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically: I used to be stronger, but I'm working my way back up. Emotionally: Hmmm....I would like to think I am. I know that I said I cry alot (and I do), but I handle a lot of things and come through them pretty well.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Hmmmm...another hard one. I like coffee flavored ice cream...ice cream with pralines...and oreos. But, not all in the same ice cream.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? I think maybe teeth or a cute pair of shoes.

15. RED OR PINK? Pink. I like both colors, but I'm definitely a pink girl. The guy who checked my bag at the airport chuckled and called me girly when he pointed out that my cell phone, camera, ipod and all the cases for each item were pink. I didn't even realize that myself.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I’m lazy & I procrastinate. Is that the same thing?

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? I guess I will say girlfriends. I haven't had any real girlfriend hang out time in a LONG time!

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Am I sending this? I must have missed the instructions. Now I’m all stressed out. (i left this as it was written from Jenn...it is exactly how I feel too!).

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Barefoot

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? the part of aliyah's breakfast that she didn't eat. That is a bad mommy habit that I have found myself falling into.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?Aliyah playing with her toys.

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? I've answered this alot and my answer never changes (don't laugh Jenn)...I would be a pink crayon encrusted with Swarovski crystals. That would be just perfect. It would be a collector's edition crayon!

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? My husband's cologne and deoderant. I know that is weird, but it smells great! I also like the smell of laundry out of the dryer and cookies baking in the oven.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My friend Tanine...she is coming here from NY for Thanksgiving!

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes, very much! I'm so happy that after all these years I can still call her my friend.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? I guess football because it makes my husband very happy. Even though I usually am playing on the computer or sleeping while he watches.

27. HAIR COLOR? Black
28. EYE COLOR? Dark Brown

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes.
30. FAVORITE FOOD? I love Italian food and lately I've been on a mexican kick...quesadillas, enchiladas, yum! Also, I really love to have soup and sandwich. It is probably one of the best meals...a panini and some tomato basil soup! Yes....mmm, i'm hungry now. I didn't answer that question well since I gave about fifty things, but it is an honest answer.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? happy ending. I'm a sucker for a happy ending in movies and in life.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? OMG, my husband made me watch this movie called Kite Runner. It was very traumatic and hard to watch, but it was interesting and a very good story. I heard that it is a great book, too!

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? White

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter, because I find summer way to hot these days and you can wear cute boots and sweaters in winter. But, my absolute favorite is Fall. I LOVE IT!!.

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs.

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Again, I don't know. I'm realizing how very non-committal I am. I didn't know I was that bad. Okay, I like fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and I love those molten chocolate cakes that are cooked on the outside and gooey in the center.

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I don't know because not many people read my blog! Plus, Jenn already sent this to me so that counts her out. Hmmm....

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND. Pretty much everyone...hee hee!

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Eat, Pray, Love. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!! I've started it a few times now and I'm finally going to just sit and finish it.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don’t use a mouse pad. I use the little square on my laptop.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Some of the American Music Awards
42. FAVORITE SOUND. My daugther laughing (I got this one right this time Jenn! I read it correctly!)

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? I will have to say Beatles since I am more familiar with their songs. I'm not a real "fan" of either though.

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? I guess Hawaii since I live on the east coast now, but at the time we went I lived in California so that reall wouldn't be true then. In any case, I would like to say Jamaica becuase it was the BEST PLACE EVER!

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I don't think so. I consider myself to be a dancer but there is nothing special about that.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Phoenix, Arizona.

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? I would be happy to see anyone's answers who responds.

how’s it gonna stop at 47? much too random. I need 3 more questions. (YOU are so right about this Jenn! Makes me feel like there ARE 3 more questions that got lost or choppped off somewhere!) To make myself and Jenn feel better I am adding 3 more questions:

48. What is the last CD you bought? Alicia Keys

49. What would your three wishes be? 1)to be the healthiest person, 2) to write a successful book, 3) a large, happy, and healthy family (I wanted to wish for things that are somewhat achievable...of course you can't wish for more wishes so didn't bother).

50. What are your hobbies? Dance, Decorating, Baking, Scrapbooking, and Shopping!

I tag: Stefanie, April, and Wise Owl. I don't know how to hyperlink their pages, but they know who they are.

Aliyah - A Journey Towards God

Aliyah

Spiritually Ascending to Mount Zion

Lately, I have been asked a few times what my daughter Aliyah's name means. I thought I would share it here because I find the meaning to be quite profound. This post is dedicated to her...my little princess Aliyah. "Aliyah" which means 'to ascend' is 'growing in the knowledge and understanding of God by climbing a spiritual ladder.' A journey towards God (making aliyah before God) is a step-by-step spiritual journey (lifestyle) with the goal being to grow in spiritual understanding, knowledge, intimacy, and maturity of the things in the Kingdom of God. The spiritual understanding of "aliyah" is that you are ascending to a higher place in God -- a deeper knowledge and revelation of God -- than where you were previously. You are growing in the knowledge of God and therefore God is taking you into a deeper understanding of knowing Him than you previously knew of Him. Isn't that beautiful? I know having my baby girl has certainly progressed me further on my journey towards God and deepened not only my understanding of Him, but of also of myself. Motherhood is simply an amazing blessing!

Barack Obama's Election Night Speech

I want to end my "political rant" on this historical election by posting Barack Obama's speech from election night. I find it to be the epitome of who he is and who he will be as President. It may be one of those speeches that my daughter will recite in elementary school, just like the famous speeches by Dr. King, jr and Abraham Lincoln. I am going to return to blogging about any and everything which will include politics, but not be limited to politics. I'm still very emotional today as I continue to watch what a major impact this event has had on our nation and on our world. It is my prayer that our country can unite and give our president a true shot...a chance that he has earned and deserves. It is my prayer that the fear tactics and name calling and untruths of the McCain campaign will be set aside and that Barack Obama can be seen as a man. An American man. Not as a socialist, terrorist, extreme muslim, etc. etc. NONE of which are true. He was fairly elected by the majority of Americans across our Nation and he has earned the right to be treated with respect. I hope that he will get it. That does not mean that all of us have to agree with him in everything he does. It just means that he will be given a fair chance to lead. I hope that Republicans can follow the lead of John McCain and unite. He gave a very gracious speech in a shining moment last night. He called for us to cling to what we have in common, versus how we differ, and that is that we are all Americans .

The Speech:

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place
where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is
alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is
your answer.
It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and
churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours
and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they
believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that
difference.
It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and
poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American,
gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the
world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we
are, and always will be, the United States of America.
It’s the answer that
led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful,
and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and
bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
It’s been a long time
coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at
this defining moment, change has come to America.
I just received a
very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this
campaign, and he’s fought even longer and harder for the country he loves.
He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine,
and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless
leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved,
and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the
months ahead.
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who
campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the
streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice
President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.
I would not be
standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the
last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation’s
next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much,
and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White
House. And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother is
watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them
tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
To my campaign
manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign
team ever assembled in the history of politics – you made this happen, and I am
forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.
But above all, I
will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you.
I
was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with
much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls
of Washington – it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of
Concord and the front porches of Charleston.
It was built by working
men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and
ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the
young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy; who left their
homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from
the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock
on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who
volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a
government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from
this Earth. This is your victory. I know you didn’t do this
just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me. You did it
because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even
as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the
greatest of our lifetime – two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial
crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are
brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of
Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who
will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the
mortgage, or pay their doctor’s bills, or save enough for college. There
is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and
threats to meet and alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long.
Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one
term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we
will get there. I promise you – we as a people will get there.
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t
agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that
government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you
about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we
disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this
nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one
years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on
this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the
chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to
the way things were. It cannot happen without you.
So let us summon a
new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us
resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each
other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything,
it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers – in
this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.
Let us resist
the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and
immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember
that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican
Party to the White House – a party founded on the values of self-reliance,
individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and
while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a
measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back
our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We
are not enemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must not break
our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet
to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your
help, and I will be your President too.
And to all those watching
tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are
huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world – our stories are
singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at
hand. To those who would tear this world down – we will defeat you.
To those who seek peace and security – we support you. And to all those
who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved
once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of
our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals:
democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.
For that
is the true genius of America – that America can change. Our union can be
perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can
and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many
stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind
tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She’s a lot like
the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this
election except for one thing – Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She
was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the
road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons –
because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I
think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America – the
heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told
that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes
we can.
At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes
dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the
ballot. Yes we can.
When there was despair in the dust bowl and
depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New
Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was
there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved.
Yes we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in
Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people
that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.
A man touched down on the
moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and
imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a
screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best
of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes
we can.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so
much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask
ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters
should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they
see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to
answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our
people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore
prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and
reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we
breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who
tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the
spirit of a people:
Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God
Bless the United States of America.

YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!!!

He did it. We did it. It is done. Barack Obama is the next President of the United States of America. This is our next President. OUR President! I'm so beyond relieved and humbled and excited and thankful. Thank you Lord for letting me see this in my lifetime. Thank you for letting my parents see this in their lifetime. My father is a Vietnam war veteran who knows how it feels to fight for your country side by side with soldiers that you are not considered to be equal with. Then, to come home to a nation that still has "whites only" signs everywhere. What must that say to a young eighteen year old man? You must be nothing...worth nothing...dirt. You can fight and die for us, but, you can't sit at the same tables, enter through the front door, or pee in the same toilet. Going to war does something to a person. Watching your friends blow up in front of you does something to a person. Returning home to a racist nation after experiencing those things does something to a person. My father called me in tears tonight after Barack Obama was declared the President-elect. I could hear what it meant for him to see this while he is alive. I have been in tears all night long watching CNN and MSNBC, and every state that turned blue brought more tears. I am truly proud to be American. I am proud of the way that all different types of Americans came together for this campaign and I truly truly hope that all Americans will come together now and move our country forward. Although we all have differences, our one common thread is that we are Americans. I'm so glad to be able to tell my daughter that I worked and knocked on doors side by side with volunteers that otherwise seem to have nothing in common with each other. I know that this is the right time for Barack Obama to be president. This is the time that was set aside for this moment and everything about it was right. I see so much of myself and my husband in Michelle and Barack. There is something about the way that they look at each other and hold each other that is so familiar to me. I like that the world can see that in them. It is authentic and beautiful. I pray earnestly for their continued safety in what will undoubtedly be a very trying, albeit rewarding, next four years. McCain ran his campaign on fear. Obama ran his campaign on hope. Hope won. Dr. King....this is your dream realized!

Know your rights...vote!

AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! I'm so excited, yet so scared at the same time! I am excited to vote and to volunteer and help others to vote. I am scared because I know there will be drama at the polls. We have had our personal property tampered with in our own front yard and it is very unsettling. I know what hateful things people are capable of, but I sincerely hope and pray that the election can just go as smoothly as possible. I hope every vote can be fairly cast and counted. I know that ultimately it is not "us" that elects the president, but God who has the final say. The knowledge of that gives me peace.

Find out where to vote and how to volunteer on election day here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/nov4

Progress

Well, I finally got a video to play! If I could get one to play, I'm glad this is the one that worked! Please, Please, Please vote! There are too many people who went through so much just to be considered a human being and have a right to vote. It is just an amazing thing that Barack Obama is in the position he is in with a history that our country has. I'm so excited to be able to vote and participate in this moment in time. I'm excited to be able to share these stories with my children. I will be taking pictures of people voting in this historic election. There have been many stories of people over one hundred years old who are so glad to see this election in their lifetime! Please, watch the video and don't let the many people in our history die in vain.

Sabotage!

Well, we figured it would happen, and last night, the Obama yard sign in front of my parent's house was stolen. In fact, all the Obama signs in the neighborhood were taken. Conversely, all the McCain yard signs are still in tact. This is no shock to us which is why we only put one of the two signs we had out in the yard in the first place. So, we will be putting our other sign out today. A phone call to the police was made to notify them of trespassing and of the consequences the trespasser may face if caught in our yard again! I think it is disgusting that any person (no matter which candidate they support) would go on someone else's private property and vandalize and/or remove property that does not belong to them. I am truly rather nervous about what may happen on Tuesday or Wednesday. Either way the election goes, there may be backlash from the public. Particularly in the case of fraudulent behavior and sabotage. There are many reports of difficulty at the polls of those states that have early voting. I can only imagine what will be going down on Tuesday. I hope that this election will be able to take place in a fair and balanced matter. Whoever wins, wins. Period. My brothers voted last night after approximately a five hour wait in very cold weather. Not one person in line complained. They all felt proud to do their civic duty. It would be a shame for all the people in our country to go through the great strides they will go through to vote, only to have fraudulent behavior spoil the electoral process. I hope we all do our part to know our rights and volunteer wherever necessary to be sure that each and every vote is not only counted, but allowed to be cast and expressed freely.

UPDATE: Just FYI - After returning home to Philly, I was informed by my hubby that both of our Obama signs had been stolen from our yard. In addition, our Obama car magnet was stolen directly off the back of our car, which is just extra creepy. This was very upsetting to me and I immediately went to the Obama HQ and got new signs. I have cooled down now and just remind myself that this is a desperate attempt by people who are seeing themselves losing an election. It will not change a single vote. I will not get angry any longer. It is what it is.

The Price of Freedom...why this election is so significant

I couldn't get this pic large enough to read the text, though I could read it in my email. I received this picture in an email along with the following words:

Never forget the price paid for where you stand today. This was once a resume for Blacks.... None of us has had to experience the pain of separation or live with the disgrace and humiliation that comes with not being free. When you cast your vote for who will run our country, never forget your history and keep this bill of sale in mind. When we allow ourselves to forget our not so distant past, then we are destined to repeat these actions in our future. Stand for those who came before us and those who could not stand up for themselves. VOTE!