20/365 : Patriotic pancakes

20/365 : Patriotic pancakes
Originally uploaded by mandy kaotik

To celebrate today's inauguration of our nation's first African-American president, a man who I believe brings much needed hope to my generation, I cooked a patriotic breakfast - blueberry and strawberry pancakes dusted with powdered sugar, served with vegetarian sausage links and a mimosa. It truly felt like Christmas morning. I sat in front of the television, enjoying my delicious breakfast, watching a parade. And I spent the remainder of the day glued to news coverage, my emotions bouncing between tears of joy and bursting disbelief.

I know Barack Obama is just another politician, bound to make promises he can't keep, but right now America needs to hear about change and hope. That positive message speaks to everyone, even a cynical, unemployed person like myself. The road ahead may be bumpy, but in the end, we will look back at this moment with pride.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

~ Barack H. Obama, 44th President of the United States, 1.20.09