martes, 20 de enero de 2009

Mi America, Tu America, Nuestra America

The 44th President of the United States of America: Barack H. Obama

"My fellow citizens:


I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition. Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace.


Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents. So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans. That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood.


Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet. These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics.


Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights. Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real.


They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics. We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things.


The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.


In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.


For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth. For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn. Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.


This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.


The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.


Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans.


Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage. What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply.


The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government. Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill.


Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good. As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.


Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.


Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint. We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations.


We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you. For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.


We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.


To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.


This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath. So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood.


At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:


"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."


America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."

CHICAGO'S PRESIDENT


lunes, 19 de enero de 2009

I Pledge

MySpace Celebrity and Katalyst present The Presidential Pledge

I have a dream...

45 años despues del famoso discurso del Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parece que ese sueño esta a punto de materializarse.

Mañana tomara posesion como el Presidente numero 44 de los EEUU Barack Obama. Por fin se va Bush para nunca mas volver, nos deja 8 años de mala administracion, la peor podria decirse, entre su legado 2 guerras y la peor crisis economica-financiera despues de la gran depresion.

Mañana sera un gran dia. No puedo esperar!

jueves, 15 de enero de 2009

Sobreviviendo el invierno

Nuevamente estamos enclaustrados.

El martes pasado el servicio meteorologico emitio una alerta invernal de nieve para el miercoles y frio extremo para el jueves.

Ayer amanecio ya con la tormenta de nieve, estuvo nevando sin parar hasta las 4 pm, no lleve a mi hijo a la escuela, estaba del nabo. Por si fuera poco la noche del lunes se chingo la calefaccion, el martes en la mañana le avise a mi primo que es quien nos renta el depa y paso a checar el martes por la tarde despues del trabajo, el pensaba que era un sensor pues ya le habia pasado antes, le hecho mano, le movio no se cuantas cosas y prendio, juramos que el problema habia sido resuelto, oh que equivocados estabamos. Por la noche se volvio a apagar para ya no prender y asi ayer ademas de la tormenta de nieve que nos caia ademas estabamos congelandonos. El depa estaba helado, practicamente estabamos como en refrigeracion. Le avise de nuevo a mi primo y a eso de las 9 am me llamo para decirme que en una hora llegaba el tecnico a arreglarla. Como dice la cancion, "y se dieron las 10 y las 11..." y el tipo ni sus luces, le llame de nuevo a mi primo ya con los dedos entumidos y despues de contactar nuevamente al tipo me aviso que segun llegaba a las 12, que habia mucho trafico y le estaba tomando mas tiempo del normal llegar. Por fin, a eso de las 12:30 pm llego. Yo de plano ya le habia dicho a mi marido querido que si la calefaccion no estaba arreglada para eso de las 4 pm a mas tardar yo agarraba mis cositas y me largaba a un hotel con el niño, que ni de pedo me quedaba un rato mas en ese congelador con forma de departamento pues con lo que anunciaban para el jueves seguro no sobrevivia la noche. En fn, que el tecnico le cambio el dichoso sensor, le movio unos cablecillos, le cambio un filtro y ta raaaaan la calefaccion volvio a funcionar.

Hoy, tal como lo predijeron, amanecio a -33C, con viento, he-la-di-si-mo, es segun los noticieros, la temperatura mas baja registrada en 10 años, las escuelas cerraron y de plano advirtieron que si no tenias nada urgente por que salir de plano te quedaras encerrado en tu casa, asi que aqui seguimos, enclaustrados, invernando, en pijamas, tomando te, viendo pelis, jugando x-box, leyendo, navegando en internet, viendo la nieve por la ventana y extrañando mas que nunca el verano.

sábado, 10 de enero de 2009

ZONA DE PROMESAS

Mama sabe bien, perdi una batalla
quiero regresar solo a besarla
no esta mal ser mi dueño otra vez
ni temer que el rio sangre y calme
al contarle mis plegarias.

Tarda en llegar, y al final
al final hay recompensa.

Mama sabe bien, pequeña princesa
cuando regrese todo quemaba
no esta mal sumergirme otra vez
ni temer que el rio sangre y calme
se bucear en silencio.

Tarda en llegar, y al final
al final hay recompensa...
Tarda en llegar, y al final
al final hay recompensa...
Tarda en llegar, y al final
al final hay recompensa...
Tarda en llegar, y al final
al final hay recompensa...
...en la zona de promesas.

Nieve, nieve....

Ayer alrededor de las 6 de la mañana empezo a nevar, son las 12:25 pm del dia siguiente y sigue nevando, incluso mas que ayer cuando empezo.

Oficialmente el invierno comenzo el 20 de Diciembre pasado, no llevamos ni un mes y ya estoy hasta la madre!

Ayer, me tomo 3 horas 20 minutos solo para llevar a mi hijo a la escuela y regresar, un trayecto que en condiciones normales me toma 1 hora y media. Estacionarse es un pedo y "desestacionarse" aun peor, los carros se atascan, se patinan y de plano manejar es toda una odisea.

Estamos enclaustrados en la casa en pleno fin de semana.

Les dejo unas imagenes para que se den una idea de lo que estoy hablando.

Con dedicacion especial para mi querida W.

lunes, 5 de enero de 2009

BIENVENIDO 2009!!!

Pues ya estoy de vuelta. Despues de todo el ajetreo de las fiestas de fin de año ya todo volvio a la normalidad.

Sin afar de ofender, que gusto me dio que te fueras 2008, ya no veia la hora, aunque trajiste cosas buenas, creo que te ensañaste con las malas y la verdad que con excepcion de 2 o 3 cosillas estas para olvidar.

En cambio tu 2009, no sabes como te esperaba, con ansias, con esperanza y gran expectacion, estoy segura que seras un gran año en mi vida.

Por lo pronto y para estar a tono, comence con mis resoluciones que este año en particular y por primera vez en mi vida no son resoluciones de año nuevo, sino de vida nueva, asi es, esta vez mis resoluciones son para toda la vida.

Con todo el tiempo libre que tengo y ayudada de la nostalgia que te invade cuando se cierran ciclos, los ultimos dias del 2008 hice una evaluacion de mi vida, lo que no me hace feliz, lo que si y lo que quiero. Lo primero que decidi es que quiero una vida mas sana asi que ese fue mi proposito numero 1, de ahi el cambio global,ya saben mente sana en cuerpo sano asi que no podia dejar atras mi mente y espiritu.

Ayer fui a inscibirme al gym y visitar al nutriologo, con tanta tragazon de las fiestas este primer mes va a ser como detox, sin exagerar! mucha pachanga, mucha comida y mucha bebida, pocas horas de sueño y mucha actividad. Muy en el fondo ya pedia esquina y deseaba que la normalidad volviera a esta casa que es su casa.

Hoy fue mi primer dia de gym despues de añoooos de no pararme en uno ni por error. No estoy exagerando cuando digo años, de hecho no digo cuantos porque aunque si llevo la cuenta me da pena confesarlo. Estaba nerviosa como cuando es el primer dia de escuela. Aparte me daba nervios el no saber usar las caminadoras y cagarla en frente de todos los asiduos. Le hice una llamada a mi maridin desde los vestidores para preguntarle como funcionaban las caminadoras y me encanta porque me contesta "nomas la prendes y ahi le vas dando" 'uta que ayudadon compadre! en fin, me arme de valor y ahi voy, caminando como si fuera mi rutina diaria desde hace 25 años, muy como si nada, escojo una caminadora que no tenia nadie cerca y me trepo, ay gracias al cielo que ya hacen estas cosas a prueba de neofitos como yo, para no entrar en honduras escogi un programa de caminar y listo, n'ombre que cosa, solita hace todo, yo nomas tuve que caminar y caminar, solita fue subiendo la velocidad, la inclinacion y la fue bajando al final del programa y todo, genial la cosa esa! en fin que yo sali encantada de la vida, de haber sabido que me iba a gustar tanto desde cuando me hubiera metido a un gym, hasta se me despejo la mente. Sali tan entusiasmada que hice una parada en una tienda y me compre un tapete de yoga para tomar la clase a partir de la proxima semana.

Hijole, si asi me va con la dieta, sere la mas feliz del planeta!

Por otra parte sigo con mi busqueda de empleo, que hasta ahora no ha dejando ningun fruto, la verdad es que las cosas todavia siguen flojonas y yo creo -espero- que a mas tardar en unas 2 semanas mas las cosas se empiecen a mover mas, que empiecen a aparecer las ofertas y que me hablen de las que ya he aplicado, no vaya a ser que me acostumbre a estar asi, nomas cocinando y yendo al gym y entonces si pobre de mi marido pa' que me mantenga jajajaja

Hoy recorde cuando dejaba mi zapato junto al nacimiento en casa esperando la llegada de los Reyes Magos, en Guadalajara no te traen juguetes, en esos entonces eramos clientes del Niñito Dios que nos traia regalos al nacer la media noche del 24 de diciembre, pero en casa siempre dejabamos los zapatos y los Reyes siempre nos traian chocolates, galletas y dulces, especiales de esta epoca, aaahhhh que recuerdos!!! Hoy aunque no tengo nacimiento, ni deje mi zapato, si les pedi que este año fuera mucho mejor que el que se acaba de ir, espero que me hayan escuchado.

Feliz Dia de Reyes!!!