Notes From a Native Daughter

Robert Pattinson is beautiful but should not be allowed to open his mouth. Hilarious.

Tonight, on the way to Jiffy Treet to fulfill our weekly frozen yogurt craving, one of my roommates said that she had totally forgotten it was Veteran’s Day, because we didn’t have the day off. My other roommate replied that we don’t get it off because no one cares.

Well, I care.

We’re currently in the midst of two wars and there’s only been a hint of optimism since Barack Obama won the election last week. It’s easy for us to go on about our lives, without giving a thought to those who are serving for us. The only change in our lives has been an increase in gas prices (although, I just paid $1.89 in Kentucky) and a growing national debt.

While many of us are fortunate to not know many people serving, I think it’s fair to say that a large majority of my generation’s grandparents served in World War II, the Korean War, and a slew of others before our lifetime. I’m proud to say that both of my grandfathers did.

I never realized the extent of their sacrifices until I fell for a soldier. If all goes as planned, he’ll be deployed in summer of 2009, and will hopefully be of the cycles sent to Iraq before 2011—when Obama hopes to have all troops out of there. However, there is a war in Afghanistan that needs to be fought, one that he may be sent to instead. I will spend every day of that 12-month period mentally honoring and thanking him for protecting our country—363 more days than our national calendar allots to doing so.

So as we stress about resumes and cover letters, the depleted economy  and banning gay marriage, let’s take a minute to genuinely cherish those who have served  or are currently serving.

And now, my three favorite military men:

My Grandpa David, a WWII veteran.

My Grandpa Lee, a Korean War veteran.

And 2nd Lieutenant Jim Handley, a soon-to-be Iraq/Afghanistan War veteran.

Thank you to all three of you for your service and for being such a great influence on my life.

This was the view from where I was standing. I couldn’t see anything.

Me in the 2.5 hour line.

More line.

President-Elect Barack Obama.

I was there, where were you?

I scored a ticket to Grant Park tomorrow, where I will be celebrating Barack Obama’s victory with hundreds of thousands of my closest friends. I invite you to follow me as I update from my BlackBerry.

How does one smuggle champagne into Grant Park? Help?

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!