Barack Obama is Officially the 44th President

Today, at a little after 12 noon, Barack Hussein Obama took the Presidential Oath and was sworn into his office as the 44th President of the United States. Obama is the first Black president, as well, which made this day even more historic.

This is one of those days that you try to document because you know that you will have to tell your kids exactly where you were when the inauguration happened. 

Unfortunately, I was in class, but I was able to watch everything. It was so moving to see my campus stop completely to watch this momentous event. I don't think we will see something of this magnitude ever again. Obama is truly one of a kind. 

I was brought to tears when I realized that he has willingly taken the massive weight of an entire world's hopes and dreams upon his shoulders - and he carries it all with grace and a smile.

Nothing can bring down this day. 

However, it is sad to say that people have tried and probably will not stop trying to sour this achievement.

Several students at the University of Florida received a mass text message stating, "The monkey got out of the cage."

This simple sentence has caused turmoil and unrest among the offended students. Nobody opened their cell phone expecting to see such a horrible message against our will. I personally wrote the editor of the school newspaper, The Independent Florida Alligator and the CNN News Room. 

There will be more updates to come. However, let us not let this negativity and any others ruin this day. 

Check out this unique song which eloquently summarizes Obama's achievements

Yes We Did! - Mr. Magnum

The Truly Beautiful Reading List: Life Lessons

Reading for leisure is something that gets more and more difficult as we get older, especially once you get busier at work or you are so consumed with studying textbooks that you can't read anything else. Yet, leisure reading is something that we should never sacrifice no matter how hectic life gets. There is just something about getting lost in a book and letting the author take you to another place or teach you something new.

Make a pact with yourself to read at least one book a month that you don't have to read. If you read a few pages a day, you can easily make this goal a reality!

TB Tip: Reading books will enrich your life and give you an excuse to take some time for yourself and relax. Get lost in the book and distract yourself from your stresses. Try reading on a park bench or near a lake for some added relaxation!

Here are some books that you should check out to kick start your journey! In particular, these books will help you along the way by sharing life lessons and guidance.

1) The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

This book is the last lecture of a popular professor who was diagnosed with cancer. He maintained a positive outlook on life, despite his prognosis and sought to inspire those around him by sharing his lessons learned from his life experiences. The special on ABC made me cry because it was so moving to realize that we complain everyday while this man was so happy even though he was dying. It made me think. This should definitely help you to see life from a new perspective.

2) Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

This book is at the top of my reading list because it details the keys to success. It talks about what separates the best from the rest, plain and simple. I think that this alone should inspire you to improve your daily routine and truly develop and utilize the talents that you have.

3) Become a Better You by Joel Osteen
Joel Osteen is so inspirational. I love to watch his broadcasts on television because they always seem to pertain to something going on in my life. His book gives you daily inspiration and a guide to becoming a better person by improving yourself and relationship with others and God. It's definitely worth reading, especially if you like religious books without excess preachiness (made up my own word!).

Barack Obama is the President of the United States!

Until a man named Barack Hussein Obama joined the race for president, I never thought I would see the day come so soon that a Black man would become the President of the United States. This day, which once seemed like a mirage, became more and more real as time went forward. I must say that the difference with Obama is that he inspired a nation, more than ever before, to do something instead of just complain. He told us that we were the change we sought. We became it. He told us that we could - and we did.

The volunteers on the ground all over this country sacrificed their time and effort, and it paid off in the most extreme way. Obama won Florida. Wait, no. Obama won Miami-Dade County. Anyone from there should know how serious that feat is. I have witnessed their efforts firsthand and just saw the results come into fruition.

Now, with this night - we have all made history. If you voted, got someone to register to vote, went out into your community or even gave someone a ride - you own a piece of this moment.

Personally, I'm in shock. I sat and thought how I would react in the event of Obama's victory. I thought I would cry, jump up and down and run into the streets screaming with utter joy and hope for what we all can become. I haven't done any of the above - yet.

Obama himself might be in shock. I can only imagine how bittersweet this moment is for him. In the shadow of the loss of his grandmother - he carried on. I admire that so much. I understand how it feels to just drop everything to go to your grandma. I did the same thing this past summer, but my commitments were nowhere near as serious as a presidential campaign. That's how I knew that Obama was a man to be respected beyond measure.

This victory doesn't show the power of one, but the power of us all. It goes to show that anything is attainable, against all odds as long as one maintains hope, positivity and a strong belief in the power of a change for the better.

It's been a long time coming, but the time is now.

TB Exclusive: The Fabulous Michelle Obama will Visit Gainesville This Week

It has come to my attention that Michelle Obama is coming to speak in Gainesville on Wednesday, October 22 at 2:30 pm, at the Hippodrome Theatre (25 SE 2nd Place Gainesville, FL 32601).

The purpose of her visit is to inspire people, but especially the large student population, to vote early and vote for the change America needs. The first day of early voting in Florida is Monday, October 20th.

People can begin to arrive at the Hippodrome starting at 1 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama!

This morning on NBC's "Meet the Press," retired General and former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for President of the United States. Powell described Obama as "a transformational figure" who is ready to be president.



I honestly didn't see this coming. Not that I thought Powell would endorse McCain - after all, he is a smart man - but I thought that he would stick with his party for political reasons. I was dead wrong.

I'm glad that now one more person, especially a life-long Republican, is added to the roster of Obama supporters.

Hopefully this will give Obama the push he needs right now to surpass the string of negative attacks, as well as the ignorance and hatred shown by people like these:

The following is extremely hateful, racist and ignorant. I knew there were people like this, but it's different seeing it. Field trip back to 1961 much?



Your vote is ultimately your choice, but make it based on common sense - please! Look at the big picture of what this country needs. Look at the candidate who is clearly more presidential - Barack Obama.

Who is Joe the Plumber?

Tonight, the final presidential debate between Senators Barack Obama and John McCain was held at Hofstra University on Long Island, NY. I must say that it was quite hilarious, but this time I had even more fodder for laughs than usual. 

Besides McCain's weird facial expressions, excessive blinking and robotic smirking, "Joe the Plumber" made me roll with laughter. I totally think this tops Palin's shout-out to the third graders, "dog-gone-it."

According to CNN, the mystery plumber was mentioned 11 times during the debate. At times, Joe was addressed directly through the TV screen. 

It turns out that Joe is your typical everyman from Toledo, Ohio, with a wrench and a dream. He wants to purchase the business where he has worked for several years, but is concerned about taxation of high-grossing small businesses. McCain accused Obama of hindering Joe's quest for the American Dream. However, Obama wants to give tax cuts to low-income and middle-class families so that they can eventually be in a position to open businesses and patronize companies such as Joe's.

Did you watch the debate? Who won it? Sound off.

UPDATE: Sooo.. it turns out that Joe isn't actually a plumber! He doesn't have his license, therefore he is not a real plumber in my eyes. Also, it gets better. He owes almost $2,000 in back taxes. Now all of his business is on Front Street (every news web site that exists). 

Life Lesson: Don't speak out at a public rally, on camera, and make yourself fodder for media exploit if you have dirt under your rug.

[News You Can USE]: Barack Obama Wins Iowa

Last night, Barack Obama achieved the improbable and won the Iowa caucus in a decisive victory over Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and the other Democratic candidates, in the race to become the next President of the United States.

Check out an interesting profile on Obama and learn a little bit more about the man that could be our next president.

Click here for the article.

Educate yourself before you state your opinions or cast your vote.