Back in Waco

We're back in good 'ol Texas!

And to think that this time last week I was frantically eating pizza, warming my toes and, oh yeah, writing a story on the inauguration of America's first black president!
A special thanks to all of you for the moral support. My responsibility to you and the readers of The Lariat gave me the determination to stand in that line in the freezing cold, walk a mile to the apartment Sommer stayed at on the Hill, and then write that story, despite my crankiness!

(Oh, and I have been informed that toe numbness is pretty common and doesn't mean you're halfway to frostbite. Good to know.)

Make sure you check out The Baylor Lariat for more news.

--Anita

Videos

Crowd Perspective of Inauguration Day

From the Silver Zone. Sorry this is shaky; I was cold and limited in space



Peace Rally
The night before inauguration day, I happened upon a sage ceremony, where people were celebrating the end of the outgoing president's term by throwing shoes at an inflatable George W. Bush and singing "Hey, hey, hey, Goodbye."



- Ashley

street savvy

Something always happens to Ashley and me when we make attempts to use the cab system here in D.C.

After lugging our suitcases who knows how many blocks to Union Station to catch a cab to the airport, Ashley and I were approached by a guy in a suit who asked us where we were going, then took our suitcases and told us to follow him. Thinking he was just your standard cab driver, we followed him, only to be led to an unmarked, ominous black Navigator with tinted-windows, parked on a curb. It looked like one of those government vehicles you see on movies. And as I looked at the guy closer, I realized he looked to be what you might call 'shady.'

After climbing hesitantly into the SUV, and settling into the plush seats, we realized there wasn't even a meter. As we pulled away, Ashley asked how much it would cost.

"45 maam," he said.

The whole reason we'd made the trek from our respective apartments to Union Station was to save money on a cab, but once again, our transportation experience was more than we bargained for.

As our Mafia-ish driver chattered away endlessly on his phone, frequently in different languages, Ashley and I looked at each other in the backseat, wanting to say something but too afraid that this was not the kind of guy you complain about a $45 fee to.

Once we arrived at the airport, he gave us a blank receipt. No company name, no price, just a blank slip of paper that read "taxi cab service."

I don't know if he thought we were the rich kind of college students who prefer this kind of service, or if he just thought we were naïve enough to go with him. Obviously, the latter of the two possible assumptions was correct.

The ultimate conclusion we've come to is that we've got to get some street smarts before we go out into the real world.

Just landed in Dallas.

--Sommer

Wednesday and Thursday Photos

Many of the participants of the march were children and teens brought by church groups or their family members.

Crowds pack the streets in front of the Supreme Court Building on Thursday. On the anniversary of the famous court case Roe V. Wade pro-life groups marched from the Capitol to the Supreme Court Building.

Officials said higher than normal amounts of checked luggage were part of the reason for the long lines for U.S. Airways passengers

Lines at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday exceeded 200 people in some cases

out on the town

In the Lincoln Memorial-- Julie's favorite! It's so pretty here at night. I'm glad to finally get to see it. Reading the words of the Gettysburg address engraved upon the wall made Tuesday even more special. We've come a long way. Didn't realize Lincoln was so far away though. I've seen the Jefferson, the Korean War monument, Vietnam War, and now I'm very cold.

Visited the Holocaust museum earlier. It's just unfathomable to me how so many millions of people could be killed so carelessly, so callously.

There's so much history here. I love it. Makes you stop and remember all the little things that you take for granted every day, like the simple fact that we even live in this country.

--Sommer

Stories

Here are the links to the Lariat stories we've done so far this week. Jordan had some AMAZING photos, which you can see if you download the PDF versions of the Lariat on the Web site. (Let me know if I missed any or if the link doesn't work)


U.S. Airways in D.C. packed
By: Anita Pere, Photo by: Jordan Wilson
Jan. 22, 2009

Inaugural speech, events seek to spread message of inclusivity
By: Sommer Ingram
Jan. 22, 2009


Economy top priority for new administration
By: Ashley Corinne Killough, Contributing: The Associated Press
Jan. 22, 2009


Energy of inauguration crowd more than media hype
*Column
By: Ashley Corinne Killough
Jan. 22, 2009

Obama takes office as 44th president
By: Anita Pere, Contributing: The Associated Press and Ashley Corinne Killough
Jan. 21, 2009


Meaning of historical inauguration goes beyond rousing rhetoric
*Column
By: Sommer Ingram
Jan. 21, 2009


Massive crowds invade Capital for inauguration
By: Sommer Ingram and Ashley Corinne Killough, Contributing: Anita Pere
Jan. 21, 2009


Baylor students at the Inauguration
By: Anita Pere
Jan. 21, 2009


Baylor ITS director goes to D.C. with enthusiasm, hope
By: Ashley Corinne Killough
Jan. 21, 2009

Alumnus performs in choir in D.C. for inauguration
By: Ashley Corinne Killough
Jan. 21, 2009


Alumnus Allan Marshall leads youths to D.C.
By: Sommer Ingram
Jan. 21, 2009

The end of all work and no play

Sitting in a coffee shop with Ashley reading while I wait for Anita so we can go sightseeing. There's great music playing, very soulful, the sun's shining, and it's warmed up to about 40 degrees. I'm just excited about this day! My list of things to see keeps growing longer. I think our first stop will be the Supreme Court, my future place of employment. Ha!

--Sommer

We're still here!

We don't leave til tomorrow, so don't forget about us! We've got a couple stories for today, and I intend to finally upload some video here in a little bit of inauguration day.

Well we attempted to go "out on the town" last night, but unfortunately, everywhere we tried to go was either closed, too crowded or too expensive, so we ended the night with some good conversation at Subway.

Sommer and I took a cab home last night. Our driver was from Ethiopia and very friendly. And as soon as he found out we were from Texas, the conversation became political.

"Ohhh, George Bush! Do you know him?" he asked. We said we'd heard of him. "He's going back to Texas. I bet he sooo doesn't want to go back," he said.

"Umm...he might be ready for a break," I said. "I get the feeling he doesn't have as many friends here anymore."

He asked if we were here for the inauguration, and we said yes. He then sang Obama's praises, talking for a few minutes about how if he had ran eight years ago we wouldn't be in two wars. He said he watched the ceremony on his 60 inch t.v. at home. We also talked about Hillary Clinton being confirmed Secretary of State. He then informed us that McCain's wife was cheating on him. "Really? When did this happen?" we asked.

"Ohhh, it happened during the campaign. She was caught cheating on him with a guy much younger. She's really, really rich, you know," he said.

I think the conversation soon died after that. We were a little surprised to hear this news update and were almost at our apartments. But apparently, according to our cab driver, Cindy McCain is a cheater. Oh well, he may have been misinformed but at least he cranked up the heat for us.

- Ashley

Here's some pictures I took in the crowd on inauguration day. Video to come soon!



Waiting in line




Getting closer--you can tell how crowded we are



This is Oral Ofori. I interviewed him after the ceremony, only to find out he also interned at Voice of America last year. He's an aspiring journalist so be looking for his byline!




Our final spot...post breaking through security and storming the area.

Because the quote got rave reviews...

I got a few compliments on finding a certain source for my Inauguration story.

I interviewed a guy who climbed on top of a port-a-potty to get a good view of the ceremony. He said it smelled, but it was worth it. Here's some footage I got on my digital camera of the crowd and the guy: (and sorry I couldn't edit it--imovie 08 won't work with MPEG 4 files. Still working on that...)




Here's a picture of another someone sitting on a port-a-potty:

tired ramblings

I still haven't seen the White House. There's something wrong with that.

I just saw an excerpt of Obama's speech on TV and it JUST now hit me that I was there. Watching the crowds on tv is just like... whoa. I wonder what I'll remember the most about this experience years from now.

Oh wow, apparently Obama retook his oath after the slip-up yesterday. It wasn't even his fault, but I think that's interesting.

Been working all day. My lack of sleep is slowly catching up to me. I think we're all so beat that we're just going on auto pilot. We are about to meet up for dinner though, and hopefully have some fun tonight.

As a side note, I cannot believe Denzel Washington was in the same city as me yesterday and I didn't see him! Maybe better luck tonight.

--Sommer

Working, working, working

I finished my column this morning and am currently working on a story about Obama's economic plan. The city seemed less crowded today, at least in downtown. Anita and Jordan went out to the airport, where it sounds like that's where all the people are. Today is even colder than yesterday!

We're all hoping to finish early tonight so we can eat real food for the first time all week and maybe enjoy the town a bit. Any recommendations? I'd love to show them Old Ebbitt Grill, but I'm afraid it will be way too crowded tonight.

- Ashley

Readjusting

Ashley and I are trying to find some place to work. Its not going very well. Everywhere is so noisy or crowded. We came all the way downtown to work and now are having to go back towards Capitol Hill, which is kind of throwing our schedule off. Things are less crowded, but still crowded enough to be stressful. So glad Ashley knows her way around this place.

Tonight my hope is to finish early and then eat some real food. Been living off of McDonalds, Cheese Its and fruit loops.

--Sommer

still cold!

My entire body aches. Yesterday took more of a toll on me than I realized!

To my fellow Lariateers who are here with me-- I know yesterday was stressful, but we did what we came to do, and I'm proud of us all! You guys are great and I look forward to the rest of the week.

Today should be less hectic than the past two have been. Last night we were all frantically working on multiple stories, plus I had my column due. I have a story for today, but I also plan on trying to find something else interesting to cover here as well. On my way to lunch with the gang. Still cold.

I'm looking forward to being able to experience more of D.C. with less of the inauguration insanity. While it was exhilarating, I must admit that it made me a little biased toward the city. Seems like everyone's always rush rush rushing around somewhere, and even if you aren't, you feel like you should be. Oh, and if you're going to stand on the escalator instead of walk, you better stay on the right side!

I also look forward to being able to go sightseeing at some point. There's so much history here. This city definitely makes you feel alive. Cold, but alive all the same.

--Sommer

Curse you, winter weather

Being in D.C. for the inauguration today was great, don't get me wrong. But I fear that my longstanding memory of this historic day will be tarnished by my discomfort.

I can't feel my toes, I thought to myself. What if it's frostbite? My hands aren't much better--how will I jot down quotes?

My Dad called right after the ceremony let out. I was practically in tears because my toes were making it so I couldn't walk briskly (it was like they didn't work. And to think that before today I privately questioned if they served a purpose.)

Naturally, it's supposed to be in the 50s Thursday and Friday.

I'm still not totally sure how we managed to work today under such brutal conditions (and roadblocks. See Sommer and Ashley's stories of the travesties they faced today. At least all that happened to me was I stood in line and practically froze to death, all to not have a spectacular view).

I didn't end up losing any toes, so it was worth it. To say I was at the inauguration of our country's first Africa-American President runs chills up my spine. What an exciting chapter in our nation's history.

Maybe it would have been worth it even if I had lost a toe or two.

-Anita

Pensive Ramblings

BIG thanks to the crew back in the Lariat newsroom! Thanks for working late and dealing with our scattered communication. Can’t wait to see the PDF!

Okay, now for a brief reflection.

If I could describe today in one word, it would be: I don’t know.

As in, I don’t know how to describe today in one word. There were too many unfamiliar emotions and unusual experiences--such as feeling like an ant. Being nearly 5’11”, that’s a comparison I don’t typically make. But when you’re treading along as one among a million at the bottom of an enormous hill with all the higher-ups looking down, it starts to make sense. You realize there are a lot of people in this world, and that you are absolutely nobody.

When a million people brave the biting winds and chilling air for hours and hours to catch a glimpse of you from a mile away, then you are somebody. You’re actually way more than somebody at the point. You’re a person with a unique responsibility to remember that almost an entire world is counting on your decisions. And the swearing-in ceremony today, with its grand prestige and massiveness, certainly exemplified such a task.

But there also were some other important people on that stage—Congressmen and women and Supreme Court justices. They too hold great power and play instrumental roles in our government. They too should bear the burden of the bad times and the praise of the good times. And I couldn’t help but think that while Obama does have some big issues to deal with soon, so do they.

We often wonder how Obama will handle this or how he will do that, but there’s other people in the cast of this sitcom. President Bush had sub-freezing approval ratings this year, but during the summer, the approval ratings of Congress hovered around 10 percent, which wasn’t nearly reported as much as the president’s dismal standing. While it’s much easier to focus on one person than a body of legislators, we should nonetheless avoid being out of touch with what the rest of government is doing—both the good and bad.

Apologies for digressing from an ant metaphor to an opinion. Perhaps my brain is still thawing.

- Ashley

Exhaustion has hit

More about the adventures of my day. The energy was electrifying as I stood in line for entrance. I honestly have NEVER seen so many people in one area. It was very overwhelming... when there are people lined up in every direction as far as you can see and it's not even 30 degrees outside, you know that you're a part of something huge. The whole city was literally buzzing with anticipation. I headed out at about 7:30 a.m. to the spot where I was supposed to enter the inaugural site. Turns out, the so-called press passes Anita and I got were not only for the press (oh, the deception); hundreds of other people were going through the same entrance as we were. You could just give up on the concept of personal space. We stood in line in the same spot for literally an hour, then moved inch by inch by inch. I did meet a woman here from Africa for the ceremony though. She made me realize that as big of a celebration as we're making this inauguration here, in her country it's even bigger.

"This marks a new time for my people as well," she told me. "The Americans have given my country hope by electing Barack. It is like a dream to us."

There were absolutely no police officers directing my group where to go, and 30 minutes before the ceremony was to start, we all discovered we'd been in the wrong place ALL morning, and that now it was too late to get in line. And they'd closed the Mall so we couldn't go there. Though I must point out that in the beginning of the whole process, we were all told that we were in the right spot. By this point I couldn't feel my face, my fingers, or my toes. For a brief moment I seriously thought I might have frostbite.

So for awhile, I didn't think I was going to get in to the ceremony. The crowds went absolutely insane. I went into panic mode. I didn't know where Ashley and Anita were, so all of these terrifying thoughts were running through my head about having to run an AP story about the inauguration because none of us could hear, or our fingers being too frozen to write, or the crowds rushing the stage at the Capitol in anger and getting trampled. I thought the people who just camped out on the Mall and had no tickets at all were going to be able to have a better view than me. The irony of the situation was almost enough to make me laugh. Then I remembered the 3 hours I stood in line.

But I ended up being able to go in, thanks to a merciful security guard. Obama is just as eloquent in person as is on TV. It absolutely blows me away. I thought about my new friend from Africa while I listened and knew that while we were separated by continents, this experience would bond us together for a lifetime. A thousand emotions were present, floating around us, within all of us. And as we stood there, half-frozen, on the lawn of the Capitol, we became a part of history.

--Sommer

Photos From Inauguration

An observer sheds a single tear as President Barack Obama takes the oath of office

President Barack Obama waving to the crowd along the parade route

Saluting the flag before saluting his new Commander-in-Chief for the first time.

Since landing in Washington D.C. I have gotten a total of 4 hours of sleep. But I wouldn't change it for the world. The city seems to create a feeling I've only had after overindulging in coffee. As tired as I am I still want to just go do something, see something, and become a part of something much bigger than myself. President Obama has four years to prove his worth in the office, but his worth as an inspirer is undeniable . You want to be an American. You want to love your country. You want to have hope for a brighter future again. And for many of the millions that were apart of todays events, that hope, that courage, and that love are now not just a part of ourselves, but of our country as well. Today is a wonderful day to be a citizen of the United States of America. 

By the way, shout out to the other three on this trip. It has been an amazing experience and I am very happy to get to share this week with you.

_Jordan

Delayed but not derailed

The crowd stormed a barrier and we got in. Bush just came on and everyone started boo-ing. "This is happening 8 years too late," one guy said.

Big cheers for Biden. Can't see the jumbotron but can hear the music much better. Still squished, can barely type.

Obama about to come on.

-Ashley

Expectations

Today has been possibly the most frustrating, yet exhilarating day. Nothing could have prepared me for this. The crowds were OK up until the very end...then the hostility broke loose. The thing that was awful was how disorganized everything was. To sum things up, I stood in line for 3 hours only to be told that I, along with hundreds of other people, were not even IN line to get into the inauguration. There were no police officers around to direct people where to go or to answer questions, much less to do any kind of crowd control. I almost didn't make it inside for the ceremony. Not to mention my feet were so frozen that I almost couldn't walk, my fingers refused to curl around the pen to write, and I was shivering uncontrollably.

After battling all of this and making it in for Obama's speech, I had to take a moment to realize that I was living a dream. Despite the 3 unnecessary hours in line, the bitter cold, and the claustrophobic-inducing crowds, the moment, this moment where suddenly none of that mattered, was everything I imagined it to be.

More later.

--Sommer

Still in line as inauguration gears up

I am still in line, surrounded by thousands of disappointed people, all with tickets in hand. We're trying to get to our designated area between the reflecting pool and mall, but security is channeling only a few people at a time. We're standing literally shoulder to shoulder. If I were to faint right now, my body wouldn't touch the ground. There's lots of pushing and shoving. In fact, that's the only option for movement. The bands are playing now.

-Ashley

Tight quarters

Took this while waiting in line for the swearing-in ceremony. And guess where I'm standing...on the steps of the Voice of America building where I interned this summer. Talk about irony :-)

I can't put into words how many people there are. We all had to wind around Capitol Hill through a maze marked off by closed streets and gates. I've already seen two people fall on their face. But some were nice and stopped to help.

I never thought I'd say this, but now I know how cattle feel.

-Ashley

Early Start

I'm about to head out to the inauguration, accompanied by mixed feelings of excitement and slight anxiety. It didn't help that as night fell, Washington became a madhouse--especially on Capitol Hill, where Sommer and I are staying. Security forces started closing streets. The crowds started multiplying. The pace on busy streets quickened from a casual speed to a chaotic rush. Helicopters were flying around Capitol Hill, and police sirens wailed all night long.

You can definitely feel something big is happening today. I got a text at 5:30 a.m., saying the metro stations were already experiencing "extremely crowded conditions." With all the people, sights and sounds, it will no doubt be a feast for the senses. History will be made here today in more ways than one.

-Ashley

A Dream Deferred...

This day is about more than just Obama taking office as the first African-American president of the United States. With him he brings his family, who has the power to serve as a role model for African-American families everywhere.

There is a book being published that is comprised of letters various women sent in giving their words of advice/encouragement for the nation’s next First Lady. I’ve been thinking about that today, and I decided to write my own letter to Michelle (though it obviously won’t be published). Here’s an excerpt:

“When I look at you, a whole lifespan passes before my eyes. I see the hands of old slaves, bruised and calloused, stained with oppression. I see their faces, hard lines carved out of determination around their eyes. I hear faint notes of the old Negro songs my grandmother used to sing when I was a child. I hear the timeless words of Langston Hughes and Martin Luther King, Jr, of Maya Angelou and Frederick Douglass. I think of the first-generation college student, of the single mother struggling to raise 2 boys, I think of the young minority child who can now see someone who looks like them in the White House. I see generations of strong women from Coretta Scott King to my own mother. When I look at you, I see me. I see everything I've always had the potential to become.

Tomorrow, standing on the Capitol, you will carry the weight of the world on your shoulders-- a history marred by oppression and watered with tears, you will carry the doubt and denial of those who do not wish you well, but most of all, you will carry an extraordinary hope. A hope whose seed was planted years ago in the hearts of our ancestors, the hope of a people who held onto a dream against all odds, who knew that without struggle there can be no progress. And as you stand before the thousands of others who see themselves in you as well, you will know this isn't nearly the end of our journey, but that when we work together, dreams do come true."

It's going to be absolutely beyond belief.

--Sommer

Simple Gifts

A brief introduction. Today, while waiting to meet up with Randy and Gae Woodruff, Ashley and I decided to wander around the Capitol building. As I came directly in line with the stage for tomorrow I experienced one of the most memorable experiences in my life. A violin started to play and I realized it was not a recording but instead, a sound-check for tomorrows inaugural events. The violinist was none other than Itzhak Pearlman, and legendary cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, quickly joined him. The melodious tunings quickly turned into the breathtaking song “Simple Gifts”:

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,

'Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd,

To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come round right.

 

This song is beautiful in its own right, especially when preformed by two of the greatest musicians of all time. But what that song represented in that moment for me will be more powerful than the music itself. Our days are filled with the struggles of the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and we many times feel disgruntled with the state of our country, our interactions, and even ourselves. But tomorrow, as I have the amazing honor of being a part of this inaugural process, I will take time to remember the wonderful gifts I have as an American. I have the gift to be simple; to take some time to myself, and just enjoy life. I have the indescribable gift of freedom, and the security of knowing that I live in a country that allows me to find where I ought to be, not where it wants me. And while we face many struggles as a nation over the next four years, we must realize that it is through these struggles that we will yet again turn and rediscover the America we all are proud to be a part of.

So tomorrow as I stand along Pennsylvania Ave., freezing cold and tired, I will remember the simple gifts that I am afforded as an American. This morning, I am honored to live in America, a country that for the last eight years has been led through some of its most trying times by a honorable and gracious President George W, Bush. And this afternoon, I will be equally as honored to stand along millions of other Americans and watch President-elect Barack Obama pledge an oath that I believe he already holds in his heart. An oath to lead this country, through its struggles and accomplishments, toward its loftiest potentials with the honor, dignity, grace, and humility that 42 other men pledged to lead with before him. Today, I am truly proud to be an American.

_Jordan

Protesters

A group of protesters inside Union Station. They were asked to leave shortly after we arrived.

_Jordan

My amateur photography

Nothing like a cup of inspiration.

Big screens working properly? Check.

The plaque noting the former office of Sen. John F. Kennedy.

People milling about on the mall around noon.

-Anita

Monday Photos

Back of the line to get into the Rayburn House Building

The front of the line to get into the Rayburn House Building

A proud Obama supporter displaying his commemorative Chicago Cubs "Obama 08" Jersey

Obama flip-flops for sale in Union Station

From Left: Anita Pere, Ashley Killough, and Sommer Ingram stand in front of the Capitol building.

_Jordan

Wonders never cease to amaze

This morning, I went with Sommer to Senate Room 385 to pick up her press ticket to the inauguration tomorrow.

After saying we were under the impression that the e-mail Sommer got allowed for two press tickets (devious, huh?), the woman handing out tickets told us there was only one for The Baylor Lariat. Bummer.

But...if we come back around 2:30 p.m., there might be extras. (I assume some newspapers applied for the credentials a month ago, only to take a second look at the budget and decide they couldn't afford to send a reporter after all.)

So we went back at 2:30. Things looked grim. We beggars were told to wait against a wall. Someone dispersing tickets approached me and asked who I represented.

"The Baylor Lariat."

He retreated to the a table along the other wall and started rummaging through papers and assisting someone else. Several minutes passed. Had I been snuffed?

I approached him at the table. My inner journalist practically salivated at the sight of a stack of tickets in his hand.

"Sir, should I should just keep waiting over there, or are you looking into my request?"

He started at me blankly and handed me a ticket.

"Thanks!"

Then I bolted out of there before he could change his mind.

-Anita

metro

Ohh, the crowds have arrived. In Union Station trying to get on a metro to Georgetown. It's crraaazzzyyy in here! Lines are insane and no one seems to know where they're going. Not to mention the group of protestors we stumbled upon laying on the floor yelling "arrest Bush!!"

I'm just trying to keep from being mugged!

--Sommer

Afternoon

Washington D.C. right now is like the host of the Super Bowl. Except there's only one team: Team Obama. People are wearing Obama hats, scarves and sweatshirts. They're lugging around huge tote bags with Obama's energetic face plastered on the side, with fireworks shooting off behind his big smile. They're selling Obama music CDs and Election Day newspapers.

We've heard the term all year, but this truly is Obamamania.

Coupled with the paraphernalia is the energy. People aren't just here for some tradition. They're here to celebrate something they seem to have been desiring for a long time. I spoke with a group of mostly-retired African Americans from Jackson, Mississippi who traveled by bus to get here. None of them thought they would live to see this day. With modest eager, they spoke with a sense of fulfillment, a sense of pride. They stood on the Capitol lawn, all wearing yellow Obama scarves, looking up at the stage.

Bro. Robert Barnes, Jr., a math professor, recalled when he realized on election night that Obama would be the next president. "My heart pounded so hard I thought it was going to pound out of my chest," he said.

If they could give Obama some advice? A pause. And then the answers flowed:

"Trust in God."
"Keep people first."
"Follow your heart."
"Don't underestimate yourself."

I don't mean to be cliche, but there's something about all this that really does seem more than just words, deeper than rhetoric. It's historic, indeed. But it's also futuristic. How Obama will do in office is up to him and the circumstances in which he finds or places himself. But for society, his election symbolizes a big step for anyone who has felt they had no other option but to self-underestimate. A better step. A step that, let's hope, will lead to new territory for race relations and opportunity in this country.

And to cross that barrier is definitely something not to be understimated.

***

I just picked up my ticket to the inauguration from Congressman Chet Edwards' office. After waiting in line for an hour, we made it into the Rayburn House Building. We had some very nice line partners: a couple from San Francisco with their preteen granddaughter. They have PhDs in education and public health, with one of them traveling around the world giving lectures and reviewing grants, and said the were most excited about Obama's ability to initiate community organizing.

Jordan and I also walked around the front part of the Capitol, talking with several people and taking pictures and shooting footage. I'm hoping to upload some video tonight. For now, here are some pics I took on my camera. Jordan has a much better camera and will probably post better photos

-Ashley

Protesting against abortion outside of Union Station




Security cars lined up by some House buildings

Braving the cold

Lunchtime! Anita and I are standing in line at McDonalds in the Air and Space Museum, and everything is overpriced.

It's been a busy morning! We walked out of Union Station after our early morning meeting and were greeted with snow! This was a little hard for me to comprehend, considering that it was in the 60s yesterday when I left Waco. I must say, I haven't been this cold in a LONG time. Haven't stopped shivering since about 8 a.m.

I got my press pass from the Senate building and the woman told me I will have an excellent view of the swearing-in ceremony. Then Anita and I walked around National Mall and the Capitol doing man on the street interviews. People came from all over the nation by train, plane, bus... It's insane! There are so many stories to be told here. I can't wait to unearth some of them. We asked one lady if we could interview her and she told us SHE was a reporter. So then we wondered if we should have recognized her from CNN or the Washington Post or something! Saw a crowd around an MSNBC station cheering and thought it might be Michelle Obama. No such luck though.

The city is absolutely buzzing with anticipation for tomorrow. There is this overwhelming sense of hope that pervades the atmosphere wherever you go. People don't expect Obama to be our Savior-- they just have hope for this new era that we are, as Americans, about to embark upon. And that is a kind of hope I think everyone in this nation needs.

Time to eat, more later!

--Sommer

snow!

it's snowing!and we're walking across the capitol. Just had a mini budget meeting in union station on stories for the day. On our way to pick up press credentials and swearing in ceremony tickets. Lots of protestors and obama vendors. One guy is even selling flip flops with obama bobble heads attached to each shoe.

-ashley

We're here!

We arrived in Washington tonight around 9 p.m. and are now scattered around the city.

Sommer and I had an interesting taxi experience. I guess any taxi ride is interesting when the driver is asking YOU how to get to the location. But we managed to weave our way through the residential streets, navigating for our navigator.

I can already feel the excitement in the air. My roommate told me people have been telling her "happy inauguration" as they pass by this week. It's like a holiday.

- Ashley

Realizations

In the midst of all the insanity of trying to find clothes befitting of the 30 degree weather we will be faced with in D.C., fit everything into one suitcase, and tie up other lose ends, I received perhaps the best phone call ever!

A lady from the U.S. Senate Press Gallery called to tell me that a few extra media credentials for the swearing-in ceremony had become available, and I was one of the lucky few to get an extra ticket. When you get these credentials, it means that instead of standing out on the National Mall with the millions of other people and only hoping to get a glimpse of Obama, you get to stand up close and personal!

We kept hearing that the number of requests for credentials was unprecedented for this inauguration, so I just feel extremely blessed to be given this opportunity. It seems surreal. This is something my grandparents and great-grandparents only ever dreamed of happening, and I'm just now beginning to truly realize that I'm going to experience it up close and in person. What an amazing feeling!

--Sommer

Adventures in packing

The countdown is on! We depart from Waco in about 24 hours. I'm doing laundry, making sure my camera batteries are charged and checking the weather in DC (and, just our luck, the high Tuesday is supposed to be 32. Brrr.) Wish us luck!

-Anita

Welcome to our blog!

We're excited to announce on our first post that Congressman Chet Edwards provided us a ticket for the swearing-in ceremony. This means one of us will report from Capitol Hill, and the rest will spread out around Pennsylvania Avenue and the National Mall to cover the parade and ceremony. We know there were 10 requests for every one ticket available, so we're very thankful for Edwards' help.

We have several story ideas and multimedia projects planned for inauguration week. The blog will really pick up once we leave on Jan. 18, so check for updates throughout the day, every day.

Feel free to send us any suggestions for coverage. We want to hear from you!

- Ashley, Sommer, Anita and Jordan