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There’s not a lot to write about the inauguration that adds much to the discourse, but this post needs an introduction, so here goes… As people keep saying, we’ll forever remember where we were on the historic day, so let me paint an awesome picture for you: me, in my bed, kept warm by an electric blanket, alone with my computer, at 2 in the morning. Aw yeah! Aside from some urgent, excited emailing back and forth with friends, it was a pretty solitary moment. I found it difficult to wrap my head around the fact that all of THAT was going on “RIGHT NOW,” as I watched on my little screen from very far away. I did feel extremely lucky to live in an era when watching the events in real-time was possible, recalling that a mere 6 years ago when I lived in Taiwan, I only had email access at work, and talked to my mom on the phone no more than twice in a year’s time. (We see each other on Skype nearly every other day now).

At 4:30 AM, when I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer, I decided to go to sleep. With my computer next to me—always my bedfellow—I napped for 3 1/2 hours until 8:00 AM, when I sprung up, puffy-eyed, ready to watch some more. It was now time for the inaugural balls, I had missed Barack and Michelle walking down Pennsylvania Avenue. Damn! After catching up on that footage I resumed with live coverage for as long as they provided it. Then, it was time to reflect… The swearing-in flub was my favorite part—once again showing Obama’s human side, the speech was obviously great (as expected), Aretha’s hat was incredible (but girls here wear bows that big any old day!), Cheney looked like Mr. Burns, the youngest daughter is ridiculously cute, the Obamas and Bidens together look like the cast for a TV drama about Washington…. brown can stick around, yellow will be mellow.

It’s not The New York Times, but it’ll do!
(Is this really the best picture they could find?)

To the Hat Haters I say, Aretha and her bow can rock it in my neighborhood any day!

The mess-up was my favorite part …

They’re almost too cute!

… someone who’s definitely not too cute …