Yes, we can

Those three words are more powerful than I thought and now I realise why it became the heart of Obama's campaign.

I must admit I was moved when I heard Obama's speech the night he became president-elect. Moved by his words, but also equally by the reaction of the crowd. They were crying and I felt connected with them. I wondered when the Philippines would have a President for whom people will shed tears of joy and hope, instead of rage.

But back to America. Just watching the news and saw a feature on how Obama's story and victory is impacting young Afro-Americans. A group of students were interviewed and based on their answers, you could tell that they were all fired up with hope and inspiration.

An 18-year old spoke of how hundred of years ago they were slaves, but today are equals.

Another one admitted how most of his peers who lost their way are now seeing the path before them more clearly.

A 19-year old mother now looks at her little boy in a different light: 'He could be a president.'

That is so powerful. I felt the hair on my neck stand upon hearing that. Inspiring change, shifting perspectives, connecting not just with the cognitive but also the affective domain are hard goals to reach and measure.

Maybe Obama will succeed with his vision, maybe not. Maybe he'll be a better U.S. president for the world, or maybe it will be 'U.S. intervention as usual' in many developing countries. Maybe he'll live up to his promise to the American people, or maybe we'll see a Republican in the White House in 2012. Whatever the outcome, I believe the hope he has rekindled in the hearts and minds of Afro-Americans has already taken root. I sincerely hope it will flourish and bear fruits to feed the dreams of more young people and their nation.

Happy new year to me

Happy new year everyone!
And happy new year to me!

I've been wishing everyone else a new year full of hope and peace, but I don't think I've ever wished it on myself.

But now I do.
For the last few days I was fidgetting about how the holidays are soon to end, and that would mean, switching off my vacation mode and going back to work and being obssessive and anxious and serious and worrying about everything. I kept thinking about it that I even dreamt about work a couple of times! Argh, isn't that just the perfect way to ruin ones vacation?

I know it is, I'm such an expert on that.

But I realized soon enough that I neede to wish myself the good tidings of this new year. I have to wish myself a new year filled with hope. Wish it and want it. All the little worries that build up and take over my days -- I can wish it away. Better yet, I can lay them to rest with 2006 and begin 2007 anew. I mean, why not? Why not just do that. Just change. get out of the traps I build for myself, get out my comfort zone and realize that the world's not going to end if a plan or two don't work, or if I may mistakes, or if I can't see foresee everything. Stop perfecting my preparations and just go and do what I have to do. Work on my job during work hours, not compensate insecurity with days of stategic planning ;-p And so I propose:

I'll stop being afraid of the unknown and the unplanned. Stop being anxious and instead find that inspiration that once sent me to dizzying heights!

Get along better with beginnings and endings. I'm quite ok once I'm on the roll, but it's those things like mondays, waking up, leaving, changing, saying goodbye that get me.

Remember: a new year means days, hours, minutes, seconds of loving my husband, my family, my friends and cherishing the memory of those who are not with me anymore. Rejoice in the day, rejoice in the chance to love those around me. Stop thinking just about myself and start seeing them.

Fight for my passions. Don't let the corporate nature of my work take over the things that really move me.

Fight for my rights, demand what is mine, know that I'm worthy. Since moving here to the Netherlands five years ago, I've had to settle for less, start from scratch and compromise a lot of things. But I've done my part, I've done what the state required me to do and much more. I've studied (yet again) and gotten that precious Dutch/EU diploma and showd them the stuff I've made of. So now, I demand what is mine. I WILL NO LONGER SETTLE FOR LESS. I WAS A COMPLETE PERSON EVEN BEFORE I MOVED HERE; I WAS A PROFESSIONAL, SO I DEMAND RECOGNITION FOR BOTH PRESENT AND PAST ACHIEVEMENTS. I'll not let myself be exploited. Not by others, not by myself, not by ignorance.

I promise to have fun at work ;-p

I'll still go on living with these mantras of mine as these helped me a lot the past year:
I'll no longer create pain for myself.
Be calm. I am equipped with everything I need to face this moment.
Have courage, this too will pass. Let go.

And start again with singing Why Worry by Dire Straits ;-p

What else?...Uh, ok, I'll try to keep the house clean...or at least, try to keep the floor of my bedroom visible.

I'll be kind to myself and to others. I'll stay famished for wisdom, I will listen, I will hope.

I'll stoke the passons that fired the 19 year old delunna, I'll stay silly and laugh with the 9 QBs, I'll be brave like Sangga, and I'll still sleep with Kitty by my side.

And I'll go on sharing all of these with Mortain. ;-)

Happy new year to you and you and me!!! ;-)