US Senate Formally Apologizes for Slavery

Interesting article you can check out here.

This isn't the first time the US governments apologized for wrongs committed against a group of people residing within the country. According to the article in 1988, the US government apologized for the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and 20 years later for the treatment of Native American peoples.

Lawmakers know that this apology will not right the wrongs that slavery imposed upon the African American population. However they hope this is a step in the right direction. On the other hand, some people are not satisfied with this apology and instead demand reparations. Any thoughts?

Funny Link:

Yesterday I was watching the news with my father and NBC showed a clip of an interruption during President Obama's interview with CNBC-- thought I'd share the link. Kinda reminds you of the old Karate Kid days, huh?

Of course PETA couldn't leave well enough alone, and decided to give Mr. President a "humane way" to catch insects. Check it out!

Finding Meaning in the Stars

The stars have always been a subject of fascination for me. Whenever I travel I always get really excited when we reach a place where I can see the stars. Growing up with the pollution of DC, the only time I've ever seen the stars was in the sky over Lake Michigan when I visited my Chicago family. The stars have this deeper, spiritual meaning that I hold very dear to my heart.

Way back in the day, sailors used the stars to chart their course, for navigational purposes. The stars were a way of figuring out where they were and how to get to their next destination; a way of establishing one's location in the here and now. A lot of times the stars stand for a realization of the bigger picture: the stars, marvelous and enormous, in their own universe appear so small in our eyes. In staring at the stars, our problems and troubles seem so distant and so far away. So insignificant.

Spiritually, the stars represent the spirits of those we've lost and those who are yet to make their appearance on this earth. Some ancient cultures believed that when people died, they became a star in the night sky. Gazing at the stars is a way of establishing a spiritual connection with those guiding spirits that bear an influence on life. Looking at the stars puts me in touch with my spirituality in ways that put my soul to rest and quells any feelings of unease I might be stressing with at the moment.

New Beginnings: Inauguration 2009

So here we stand, with the inauguration of president-elect Barack Obama just hours away and I can honestly say that I am proud to be an American. On my way back home from campus, I noticed a few small things: never have I ever seen the city a) filled with soooo many people and b) so clean! I've never rode on the DC Metro, a transit system that I've rode for about ten years, and seen so many smiling, happy faces. It is truly a great feeling, to see all of these people gathered in the Nation's Capitol to welcome a New Beginning. I've honestly never witnessed a greater feeling of unity within this city and it truly amazes me. :)

Dear 2009,

You've finally arrived. After a long wait, you're finally here. 2008 brought me through a lot. But with every experience comes a lesson. 2008 taught me who I can trust and who really cares. It taught me that not everyone is in your life for the same reason: some people are there to reveal something about yourself. It taught me to live life on my terms, and not be concerned with what others think. Laughter is truly the best medicine. Life throws so many twists and turns, it's almost impossible to plan for everything: the best way is to just go along for the ride.

So to you, 2009, to you I say welcome to a year of new beginnings. 2009, you will not take advantage of me. Say hello to a strong young woman who knows her limits. 2009, I will not be broken again.

“Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.”