Election Euphoria
Once in a lifetime…
This photo was taken by photographer Daphne Johnson as we entered the Kurhaus Hotel along with my friend Lisa for the “Who’s the President?” Breakfast just before 5:00 a.m. CET.
At that moment, it felt like a dream. Unfortunately, once inside, the mixed crowd’ s level of enthusiasm was a buzz kill; mild, not wild. I had expected more from the crowd of over 1,000 extremely early risers. We were among the last to leave, unsure what to do next? What to do with yourself when your dream has come true? When the world has changed? When everyone else is going on about their business, to work, to school, etc.?
I would have given anything to experience this momentous occasion at Grant Park. (I had been sulking in the office the day before when Barack didn’t call to invite me). The big screens in the hotel showed people filling the streets in cities across the US. It was a movement and I longed to be part of it. Unable to assemble enough people for a street parade in Scheveningen, despite having some big decorations from the event in our possession, we proceeded to our office for a Champagne toast. Even with a nice bottle of Gossett, it was difficult to entice people away from their Wednesday morning work routine.
Going through the day in a daze, I ended up spending a lot of time in the car. Wanting to be in motion, I called the babysitter to say I’d pick up my son from school and offered my husband a lift to the airport. Proudly sporting my Obama Gear and tireless grin, I encountered the change on the streets. People were making eye contact and even smiling. This is not done in the Netherlands! (Maybe it was my cheesy plastic stars and stripes hat that made them smile?)
The biggest and most surprising response came from the parents at the French school. As a group they are not overtly friendly, but there were cheers and congratulations all around from people I’ve never met before! It was electric and it seemed that just by seeing me (a token American) there at that moment, they felt connected to the day.
One mother told me that she had watched the election results that morning before school with her son instead of cartoons. She was explaining about Barack Obama during his speech when the boy suddenly got very excited and said, “Mama, look he smiled at me!” When a five year old French boy who doesn’t even speak English, sees Barack Obama for the first time and believes that Barack Obama is speaking directly to him, it makes perfect sense. Barack Obama has broken through the noise and reached people of all races and nationalities in a way that no one else has ever done, not in my lifetime!
It’s All Greek to Me!
In case you were wondering if I extended my holiday in Crete, I will tell you that we did love it enough to go directly to a real estate office on the 2nd day, with a long term extension in mind.
My husband had declared a “topless holiday” policy. Hold on, it is not what you might be thinking. Although the South coast of Crete has always been popular with Hippies and Nudists, we were in the North and the topless rule meant “No Laptops”. Although I had protested to this rule, I realized that he was not alone in thinking I needed a break from my laptop when my friend, who happens to be a psychologist, asked me in a very clinical manner if I was experiencing anxiety symptoms about going “laptopless” prior to departure, which I will admit I was.
Once we arrived in Crete and found our way through the mountain roads and olive groves leading to the Villa it was after midnight. We were instantly impressed by the house and pool. But the real treat was waking up in the morning to the magnificent views overlooking the mountains, the Bay of Chania and nearby islands. I must have walked in and out of the house hundreds of times in the week, but I was stopped in my tracks every single time, captivated by the views. Do you think I missed my laptop? Not even for a minute.
I had spent hours online searching for the perfect house to rent, and to everyone’s surprise, my research and hard work paid off! No trick photography- the villa exceeded our expectations in every way! My husband’s hiking research was less accurate- read about the Escape from Samaria Gorge tomorrow! Continue reading »
Filed under Inspiring, Just for fun | Comment (0)Reiki for Skeptics
In my business, consulting start-ups and small business owners, I regularly work with holistic and alternative practitioners in the booming wellness sector. If you are looking for any of type of meditation, yoga; from sweaty to spiritual, pilates; with or without the torture devices, aromatherapy, dream therapy, naturopathy, or even flower therapy, just give me a shout.
In general, these individuals are very passionate about what they do. I am equally passionate about helping them establish and expand their businesses, but I never fake a personal interest in their individual treatment methods. In most cases, it becomes apparent in our initial meeting as I down my third cup of black coffee while they sip a Rooibos that I may be a bit too Type A to benefit from the treatment on offer. Continue reading »
Filed under Entrepreneurship, Inspiring | Comment (0)Make Your Own Moment!
Just a few days ago, Barack Obama made history in Berlin. The images of Obama delivering his speech at the Victory Column and the crowd of 200,000 will not soon fade away, by design of course.
The entire overseas trip bore a close resemblance to a state visit. In Berlin, Obama followed in the footsteps of previous American Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Regan, as nearly as he was allowed to anyway. Many compared the event to a rock concert. Some critics commented that the speech was too vague, but they missed the point entirely. He nailed it with both audiences, in Europe and the US. In Berlin, he addressed the audience as Europeans, expanding his reach beyond Germans, and gave them what they came for, an opportunity to see the man they crave as the next American President and to hear his eloquent and inspiring speech in person. While the International Herald Tribune estimates that 4-6 million Americans live abroad, it is unlikely that all 200,000 living in Germany were in attendance to greet Obama. Continue reading »
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