This inauguration is emotional for me, as an “American” mother of two boys and the wife of someone who was born in India. I feel so lucky that my husband and I could grow-up on opposite sides of the world and yet find one another. Even with walking on a cultural tight rope with his family, love transcended all barriers. We had a strong sense of hope in one another, just as we have hope in President-Elect Obama’s administration; Better things are ahead.
This inauguration means much to us on varying personal levels by definition family. It’s beyond looking into the eyes of our 3-year old, Nishad Isaiah, and full heartedly telling him that he can be whatever he so desires if he has dedication, education, passion and perseverance. It’s beyond looking into the eyes of our 1-year old Arun Nicholas, and telling him that no one can ever tell him that he can’t do something because of his ethnicity or the color of his skin. By the time our boys are old enough to really comprehend things, they will have grown-up in a free, global society, never knowing anything different other than we as a society, as a country, judging a person not by the color of his skin, but the character in which he or she carries. President-Elect Obama has made our jobs as teacher, as parents, so much easier.
This inauguration means so much to me as a citizen of the United States. For far too long, the powers that be have openly abused their power of office and imposed, in my opinion, something bearing characteristics of an imperial government upon its people. I have no doubt that President-Elect Obama will once again give weight to our Constitution and allow it to pave the path for our nation’s restoration. Under President Obama’s leadership, I have faith that he will take the necessary measures to allow us as a nation to persevere, to rise up and to once again be proud of who we are and where we are going. We the people have been left in the shadows far too long.
This past election also restored something in me that I haven’t felt in quite some time. It’s not that I wasn’t patriotic or proud of my country…but something definitely lacked in my heart in regard to my country. I think it was a confidence in regard to the land in which I love. This election has restored my confidence not only in my country, but more importantly in my fellow citizens.
No longer can we think of America being a separate entity. Our current economic situation has brought that topic to light. It truly is a small world. It isn’t how we became connected- it’s ‘that’ we are connected. For the sake of our future, the next generation and beyond, it was vital for our nations life line to act. We did. Though this may only be the beginning of a long road ahead of us, we the people, are not sitting on the side lines anymore; We are back in the game.
For far too long this nations politics have been ‘business as usual.” President Elect Obama has changed that face of politics forever. He consistently rose above and in turn, by example, we as a nation rose above. Someday, our children and their children will look back and reflect upon this time, this era. I am both excited and proud to be a part of a momentum that sets our nation on course for a better, more hopeful tomorrow. It is for these thoughts, and many more that my heart has composed, that I voted for President-elect Obama, and why this inauguration day means so much to me. It’s more than a history lesson, or a symbol, for us at the Kumar household, it’s the beginning of a new chapter for our family and this nation.

After dealing with our 2005 Dodge Durango “issues” (it only has 40k miles on it), $1,000 later (in four days) with no real answers or fixes….we opted to take a deep breath and trade it in for a new car. Safety…value…and dependability…all important factors in our book. Since we LOVE our 2004 Honda CRV, we decided to go with a 2009 Honda CRV. They each sit happily next to one another in the garage. The stress of the entire situation that shook our household has now been alleviated. I feel so relieved that nothing happend to Nishad or Ashish in the Durango. We did recieve a very good trade in amount for it (it’s rating ironically was 92!) though we did have to take a $3,000 hit (in addition to the $1,000) as American cars loose their value so quickly. Ashish vows to never, ever again buy an American car.

…And back to “routine.” I can’t believe two weeks came and went! I for one, really enjoyed having Nishad around. Everyday we planned on something fun in celebration of the season and the break from school. Arun really grew over break as well. We’re amazed at how fast he picks up things from his older brother. He is speaking more and more Hindi as well. I think because I know much more now and I’m able to speak to him, in addition to Ashish and Nishad.

On the last day of break, I managed to start and finish painting the main-floor bathroom, “cookie crumb.” It’s really like a sand color, but it is so much more exciting to call it by such a name. About two years ago, I painted a California cabana themed bathroom. I was ready for a change- something toned down a bit. I still kept all the beach photograhs I took while in California (when Nishad was 4 1/2 months old).

I’ve literally made a bout 9 loaves of bread while on break too. This last batch was divine! It was a honey cran–rainsin bread. It’s such a nice European rustic bread; hard crust, soft center. Needless to say, I have been enjoying my bread book!

We dropped the Durango off to the shop today. Something is wrong with it- not sure. Ashish is convinced that he will never again purchase another American car. We originally purchased the 2005 Durango because we wanted room for the boys car seats, double stroller, and well… the October visitors from last year.

I haven’t made any resolutions. This is the first year I haven’t done that. When I get “in the mood” I will reflect on my life, how I’m living it and what path I hope it leads.

With everyone sick right now, I feel so blessed none of us are! For weeks all I hear is how ill everyone is. I will surely keep my fingers crossed AND attempt to be even more so OCD about hand washing. My hands are so cracked, red and dry right now. I need to be more diligent about putting Burt’s Bees on them…Ahhhhh…soothing thoughts. I’m being extra picky not to have play dates right now with the germs in full swing. It’s enough that Nishad is at school. We also didn’t get our flu shots this year. I thought I would try something different as every year we get our shots, we seem to get the flu! How is that fair?!