Inauguration Weekend - Sunday (wtih videos)

I woke up Sunday early to meet my friend Pierre (visiting from Cincinnati) for breakfast. We went to the same spot as Durrell and I went! Andrea met up with us, too. We talked about whether we wanted to go to the concert that was starting at 2:30... Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am, Stevie Wonder and more! But then again it's soooo cold outside! I know my readers from Canada are used to this kind of weather-- and being that I grew up in Pittsburgh you would think I wouldn't mind it either-- but it is SO cold that it had me questioning how many inaugural events I really wanted to do. We went back and forth on whether to go or not--Pierre was saying definitely yes and Andrea was saying definitely no. I knew it sounded like fun, but I don't like to be cold! But then I would feel guilty about all the people around the country, around the world who would love to be here but can't and here I am living right here in the heart of it all and want to just watch everything unfold on TV? I kept going back and forth until I got this email from my mom:

Hope you're going everywhere and doing everything possible and watching the events elsewhere, such as...... Did you watch some of the Obama whistle stop train ride from Philly to DC? Hear any of his speeches. we are so excited, constantly teary eyed... It is just all so amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get thee to the Lincoln Memorial for whatever it is tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!! Lucky lucky you to live in that great city at this fabulous time. Get as close as you can to things. Breathe the charged air. Live! Wow! Oh to be thirty years younger... Have a blast for us! Mom

Well, that settled that! Stuart (in from North Carolina) joined Pierre and me. First I went home to bundle up. I put on two pairs of long johns and some ski pants, a silk undershirt, a thermal, shirt and a fleece; two pairs of socks and some hiking boots; a scarf, a hat, mittens and a parka and guess what?! I wasn't cold! LOL Then we drove to Target so I could buy a new camera (could NOT do the weekend without a camera!) and hopped on the Metro from there to head downtown. That was a bit scary as the crowds were pretty big (I can't even imagine how much more crowded it can get on Tuesday) but we made it! We got off at the Smithsonian stop and started walking towards the Lincoln Memorial. We didn't get anywhere close to the stage, of course, but there were jumbotrons set up and we, along with the thousands of people around us could see and hear everything. (I even ran into my co-worker!) There was so much energy in the crowd--everyone so joyful and full of hope and exhilarated to have the opportunity to celebrate this historic moment!! Here are some pictures of the day:






Afterwards, we decided to forgo the metro and walk uptown instead. We braved the now dropping temperatures and walked about 20 blocks until we reached one of my favorite Thai restaurants where we stopped to have dinner.

More celebrating! This is an amazing time in our nation's history!!