The night of November 4 of 2009, our country elected the first African American President of the United States. I admit, once it was official, I cried hysterically.... no.... seriously.... I BALLED my eyes out. The tears couldn't stop flowing, I couldn't catch my breath, I just kept saying (or trying to say), "Oh my God". About a half-hour into my sob-fest (I'm not exaggerating either, I cried for about an hour straight), it hit me:

Those were 400 years of tears I cried. Those were the tears of my ancestors in Africa who were brought here against their will to be slaves. Those were the tears of my ancestors, who once upon the time only counted as 1/8th of a person. Those were the tears of my ancestors who were raped, beaten, lynched, burned, whipped, chained, sprayed with hoses, spit on, maimed and everything else you can think of while living in this country. Those were the tears of my ancestors who walked, marched, and protested for equal rights. Those were the tears of Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, JFK, and Dr. Martin Luther King. Those were the tears of my cousin who was brutally murdered for having a white friend. Those were the tears of my mom and dad, who had rocks thrown at them while pushing me in a stroller walking through a predominately white neighborhood. Those were the tears I cried when I was younger, thinking I was "second best" because of my skin color. Those were the tears I cried when my brother and I were called "niggers" while walking to the library on the corner Denver Street.


January 20th of 2009 is the day Barack Obama will be sworn into office. January 20th of 09 is also my birthday. I am planning on attending the Inaguaration with my best friend. I already know, I will most likely be crying again, but these tears will be a bit different. These are the tears I will cry when I am able to tell my children and my grandchildren "anything's possible". It will truly be the greatest birthday present I could EVER receive: the gift of equality, and the gift of knowing my ancestors did not die in vain.

God bless,
Wu Gambina

Labels: best friend, birthday, obama, politics

I'M GIVING UP WINE COLDTURKEY....

This is gonna be SOOOO difficult for me. In the past year, I have taken on a new job that has been a tremendous challenge for me. I love this job, but it requires SO much from me, and I find myself needing to display characteristics I thought I didn't have (i.e. assertiveness, firmness, authoritarianism, etc). I'd find myself leaving work emotionally exhausted, but with my mind racing uncontrollably at the same time. Happy hour with my best friend or with co-workers seemed to be a great "moment of serenity" and a great way to shake off my work stress. Somewhere along the line though, drinking began to shift from social fun to a vice. On payday, I'd be sure to hit up the local Liquor store and stock up on Beringer like there was a hurricane-a-comin. There would be days where I'd be at my desk at work thinking "Damn I can't wait to get home and pop that cork, I deserve it today"!

Looking back, I feel it would be best if I just fall back and learn to cope with my "struggles" without the wine. Going to work with a slight headache and dehydration on a regular basis is NOT as fun as it sounds. Besides, most importantly, although "my wine" does give me that "fuck-it" attitude and helps me fall asleep, I still wake up to the same struggles as well as problems I have to deal with and solve both inside and outside of work. I've also noticed a bit of weight gain which is ALL the more reason to chill (I lost 20 pounds in the past year and a half, and I think I've gained 10 back, not good). I'll still be game to hit up a Happy Hour now and again, but I'm gonna be the (corny) girl drinkin the Cranberry Juice rockin her BIG-OLE cheesy smile!
So, goodbye Beringer, thank you for the memories, the laughs and the headaches, but I think moving forward without you will be best for me.
Thank you for reading, I will keep you posted on my progress
xo

Labels: best friend

This is what I was listening to before I went out to meet Christine this afternoon. We went up to the North End (Little Italy) for some Pizza, shopping, and "sight seeing". Today was SERIOUSLY the perfect day for it!

Labels: best friend, linkin park, music, pizza, shopping