Obama Presidency

(This was supposed to be written when Barack  Obama initially became President...however it is now almost 5 months later...)

Where to start...me and politics DON'T go together...AT ALL! This Presidential election was one that will be remembered forever. It's one of those "you'll always remember where you were when you found out." Just like the Columbine shooting, or the September 11th attack, as clear as day I can remember where I was when I heard the news. And just like the shooting, and the terrorist attacks, when news of Obama winning the election hit, I was in a classroom. In fact, my professor was in the middle of a lecture in my night class and a few students started receiving text messages, "OBAMA WON!" Next thing you know, I'm being told to take the rest of the night off and go celebrate. My 3 hour night class was over in 50 minutes. But wait a minute, what if I'm not excited about this, what if I'm not a Democrat, what if I didn't want Barack Obama to take office??? I found myself walking home that night, I just wanted to be alone and think. What did this mean for our country? Was it as great as everyone thought it would be? I mean wow, I can't believe that I was able to witness the 1st African American become President of the United States, that IS awesome, no doubt about that! Maybe not everyone has broken down those racial barriers, but as a nation we have. 

It's okay Davina, he's going to do great. Everyone loves him and they're excited about what he's doing, and plans that he has. So why is it that I can't join in the celebration with everyone else? What's wrong with me? Then I realized it's so much deeper than all they hype, deeper than him becoming the first African American President, because why should that matter? Aren't we all human, made in one image? I realized that no matter what, I can't sway when it comes to MY morals, MY beliefs, and MY values. There are some issues that Mr. Obama and I don't see eye to eye on. I'll leave out details for the sake of unnecessary debate, but bottom line, I'm not the biggest Obama fan, and I didn't have a smile on my face the night that I got out of class early. 

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!?!?

"Happy Cinco de Mayo"! What the heck is that supposed to mean? Well, then again, people say Happy St. Patricks. I still don't quite understand why it is that the United States celebrates Cinco de Mayo...or at least the non Hispanic folks. Is it just an excuse to get wasted off of Mexican beer and Tequilla shots? Please, somebody tell me, I really am curious! It's amusing because people in Mexico don't even recognize Cinco de Mayo as a holiday, actually, it's not even that big of a deal to even celebrate. Many people believe that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day...well, amigos sorry to disappoint you, but THAT is September 16th. That is 4th of July for Mexico. Here is a little history for you to share next time someone says, "Oh yeah, isn't today like Mexican Independence Day?" on May 5th...

http://clnet.ucla.edu/cinco.html

http://www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm

Mexican Flu

Yep, that's what they're calling it. The Swine Flu is commonly found in pigs in the midwest U.S., Mexico, Canada, South America, and a few other countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. It's uncommon that such an influenza would pass from pig to human, but, it has happened before. It's been nearly 90 years since such a thing has happened. 

This year's Swine Flu epidemic has people scared, mainly because we have no idea of the origin. Claiming almost 50 lives, and over 1,000 infected, how do we stop it, what should we do in the meantime? It's slowly beginning to make it's way around the world, starting in Mexico, and making it's way to the southern parts of the U.S. including Texas and California, spreading throughout the states, and spilling over into other countries. (So far no confirmed in Hawaii). People are being asked not to travel into Mexico, and with summer just around the corner, Mexico will lose a lot of business to it's tourist hot spots.