Today is a New Beginning

Over the past two weeks, we have hunkered down and hoped that the news would not be filled with  more reports of violence, hate and despair. We have prayed that the president would leave office quietly and that we can all have a smooth transition, going in to the new presidency with hope and decency. And today, the day came and it was great. 

The children and I watched most of the inauguration, pulling them away from their school work as this moment in history had to be seen so that we can all remember it. May our daughters' eyes grow wide with possibility, their imaginations run wild with visions, their hearts beat quicker with potential, and the blood in their veins thrum with equality. This is their future. The women of this country fought for this for centuries, they broke hard new ground, and our generation is creating a new standard for representation that our daughters will govern. Luckily our daughters will barely remember a day when a leading woman was not in the White House. 

As Jen Hatmaker said so well: "The day belonged to women of color. Dare I say, the day belonged to women." Thus, it is fitting that on Monday we celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. and listened to his famous speech I Have A Dream. Certainly, dreams and hard work are paying off for Kamala and all the rest of the women of any race or color that will follow her. Thus, I am proud that my bi-racial daughter can witness this and know that she can achieve anything she dreams of and that she can be an equal to any man in this country. 

The 46th president of the Unites States, Joseph R. Biden Jr., will have a tough road ahead to unify the country, tackle the Covid-19 crisis, rebuild a decimated economy and repair international alliances. But he set the tone of what is to come and what we expect of him in his inauguration speech: "Politics doesn't have to be a raging fire destroying everything in its path. We have to be different than this. America has to be better than this. I will be a president for all Americans. I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as those who did." 

Here is to a new beginning!

A Sad Day in America's History

Today, my heart is heavy and it hurts looking at footage of the Capitol from yesterday's riots. There are no words (or maybe too many words) to describe what happened on Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 in the capital of the United States and I have no support or respect for the people and the people who incited them. Partially, I actually had to look away from the news. As an American, it is a disgrace and total embarrassment to watch and to know that the sitting president stirred those rioters on to break in to the building. It was the first time in recent history that the Capitol was breached and it took several hours to secure. The ceremonial counting of the electoral votes had to be paused and members of the  Congress brought to safety after the mob stormed the building. 

This is the first time in the USA’s history that the Confederate flag has appeared inside the halls of the Capitol. The image is significant because of what the flag stands for –– white supremacy and the social and political exclusion of colored people. This is outrageous and should not be accepted. 

Later in the afternoon, Trump called on supporters, who protested in his name and whom he had encouraged to march to the Capitol, to “remain peaceful” and “respect the Law”  but he also refrains from telling them to go home.

What is most shocking to me is the police respond to this riot when compared to peaceful protests by Black Lives Matter protesters in June at the Capitol. It took hours to get the National Guard mobilized yesterday but in June, protesters were met by National Guard members, armed and camouflaged. 

"When Black people protest for our lives, we are all too often met by National Guard troops or police equipped with assault rifles, shields, tear gas and battle helmets," the group (BLM) said in a statement. "Make no mistake, if the protesters were Black, we would have been tear gassed, battered, and perhaps shot." 

Once the Capitol was secured again, lawmakers returned from lockdown to the House and Senate chambers, to continue counting the votes nearly six hours after the crowd wreaked havoc on America's symbol of democracy. The House and Senate declared that Biden won the Electoral College by 306 votes to 232 for Trump. Minutes after that a statement from the White House was released that Trump "commits to an orderly transition of power".

On a positive note, on Tuesday Democrats won control of the U.S. Senate with victories in Georgia’s two runoff elections.

It is hard to comprehend why it has to come to this and when this craziness will finally be over. But thru all of this I keep praying for hope and community in our country. We must stay strong together. And teach our children that we don't hate each other just because we differ in size, race, sexuality, religion or opinions but show respect and accept defeat graciously. 

Sources: 

1. https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/us/police-response-black-lives-matter-protest-us-capitol/index.html
2. https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/politics/trump-biden-us-capitol-electoral-college-insurrection/index.html
3. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/01/06/us/georgia-election-results
4. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-significance-of-the-confederate-flag-waved-inside-the-us-capitol-7137213/
5. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/trump-commits-orderly-transition-statement-after-mob-stormed-capitol-n1253223

My 2020 Book Review

Overall last year, I read 25 books and listened to 35 audiobooks. Below you can see a complete list. I will only highlight the ones I highly recommend but most of the books were pretty good. 

Books:

1. Night Road Kristin Hannah ★★★★
2. Firefly Lane Kristin Hannah ★★★★
3. Crenshaw (Read aloud)   Katherine Applegate ★★★★
4. The Paris Orphan Natasha Lester ★★★★
5. The Story Keeper Lisa Wingate ★★★★
6. The Boy on the Wooden Box Leon Lyson ★★★★
7. Flight of Dreams Ariel Lawhon ★★★★
8. The Christmas Promise Donna Vanliere ★★★★
9. Noel Street Richard P. Evans ★★★☆
10. When in Doubt, Add Butter Beth Harbison ★★★☆
11. Someone We Know Shari Lapena    ★★★☆
12. The Simple Art of Flying (Read aloud) C. Leornardo ★★★☆
13. Wir sehen uns unter den Linden Charlotte Roth ★★★☆
14. Girl in the Blue Coat Monica Hesse ★★★☆
15. The Lost Girls of Paris Pam Jenoff ★★★☆
16. Tell me 3 Things Julie Buxbaum ★★★☆
17. The German House Annette Hess ★★★☆
18. The Librarian of Auschwitz Antonio Iturbe ★★★☆
19. Room Emma Donoghue ★★★☆
20. Alaskan Holiday Debbie Macomber ★★★☆
21. Call Me Mrs. Miracle Debbie Macomber ★★★☆
22. Mr. Miracle Debbie Macomber ★★★☆
23. Emma in the Night Wendy Walker ★★☆☆
24. Candy Corn Murder Leslie Meier ★★☆☆
25. 1225 Christmas Tree Lane Debbie Macomber ★★☆☆

Audiobooks:

1. The Huntress Kate Quinn ★★★★
2. The Tattooist of Auschwitz Heather Morris ★★★★
3. The Hating Game Sally Thorne ★★★★
4. 99% Mine Sally Thorne ★★★★
5. Giver of Stars                                          Jojo Moyes ★★★★
6. The Subtle Art of Giving a F*ck Mark Manson ★★★★
7. Echo Pam Munoz Ryan ★★★★
8. Night Elie Wiesel ★★★★
9. Hannah's War Jan Eliasberg ★★★★
10. The Power of Habits                C. Duhigg ★★★★
11. Code Name Helene Ariel Lawhon ★★★★
12. The Mother-Inlaw Sally Hepworth ★★★☆
13. Educated Tara Westover ★★★☆
14. Sharp Objects Gillian Flynn ★★★☆
15. Evvie Starts Over Linda Holmes ★★★☆
16. The Friend Zone Abby Jiminez ★★★☆
17. Where'd you go Bernadette      M. Semple ★★★☆
18. The Most Fun we had Claire Lombardo ★★★☆
19. The Goldfinch          D. Tartt ★★★☆
20. The House of Kennedy James Patterson ★★★☆
21. The Turn of the Key Ruth Ware ★★★☆
22. My Southern Journey Rick Braggs ★★★☆
23. The Dutch House Ann Patchett ★★★☆
24. Atomic Habits James Clear ★★★☆
25. Braving the Wilderness Brene Brown ★★★☆
26. Chasing Harry Winston Laura Weisberger ★★☆☆
27. Atomic Girls Janet Beard ★★☆☆
28. The Year of Less                                   Cait Flanders  ★★☆☆
29. Little Women Louisa May Alcott ★★☆☆
30. Talking with Strangers M. Caldwell ★★☆☆

If you never tried listening to audiobooks, I highly recommend it. I use the Overdrive app and borrow the books for free thru my local library. People also like the Libby app. I now listen to the audiobooks on 1.25 speed, which took a moment to get used to but now sounds normal. My two most favorite books of 2020 were the audiobooks Echo and The subtle Art of Giving a F*. The first one was just superior because of the music. It would not have been the same if I have read it. Go listen to that one. The other one I listened to twice in a row as it provides very good advice and has a few informative anecdotes. 

Of course, all the other books with a 4-Star rating, mainly historical fictions surrounding WWII, and some romance novels (Sally Thorne's books) were superb as well. Usually the hubby reads with the kids at night, but in the beginning of the year, I read aloud a couple of books to them during the afternoon. One of our favorite books is Crenshaw. 

I also discovered a couple of new author's I liked: Natasha Lester, Sally Thorne and I continued my love for reading Ariel Lawhon, Debbie Macomber (Christmas books only) and Lisa Wingate's books. 

If you want to see last year's list, please click here. Now, here is my advice:

My Goals for 2021

Well, with 2020 behind us everyone is looking forward to 2021 being a much better year. I mean, can it really get worse than last year???

Before I focus on 2021, I want to review my goals from 2020. Obviously, it was a year no one expected and thus, most of my accomplishments did not align with the goals I had set. Honestly, I didn't even focus much on them expect for my book and running tallies (priorities😀)

1. My word for 2020 was PRIORITIZE and my focus was supposed to be on: family, well-being/ running, work, reading more and focusing more on the blog. Well, with everyone stuck at home and trying to work and support the children's schooling, sometimes it was hard to prioritize. However, we did spend much more time together as a family and I did focus on my well-being. So I still call it a win. 
2. We had planned to visit several new cities this year and explore more of this great country as well as travel to Germany.  The only new area we explored was Pickwick Landing State Park and Atlanta for a day. Better than nothing ☺
3. I read 25 books and listened to 35 audiobooks; thereby, exceeding my goal of 40. You can see the list of all the books here.
4. My goal was to run 400 miles but during the pandemic I upped that goal to 700 miles as running was what kept me sane during these past few months. I actually ended the year with 752 miles (1,210 km) and that includes my first ever (virtual) half marathon.
5. I did not become a cook or baker during the pandemic and always eating in and feeding all of us sometimes even became annoying. However, I still added some new recipes to my repertoire. 
6. Let's just say I maintained the blog but still have some catching up to do. 
7. I was supposed to spend less time on social media but I probably doubled the time I was on there during the pandemic. I'm sure I was not the only one.

Now, on to my new goals for 2021. I did not have anything spectacular in mind when I set those as I'm sure the pandemic will lasts a while longer and it will take time to find our "new" normal afterwards. So, this year, my goals are fairly simple and straightforward. And very similar to last year's goals.   

1. The word INTENTIONAL came to mind the other day and I think, it will be a great word for this year. While last year, I did prioritize more and we spent more time as a family together and I focused on my well being, I sometimes was not very intentional about it. So I want to ensure that the time spent together is truly quality time and my focus is geared to the one thing I'm doing at that moment. 
2. Working on strengthening the relationship with my daughter. She is growing up too quickly and often our attitudes collide, so being more understanding and more in tune with her hopefully will build a stronger relationship before the teen year's hit. 
3. Travel to Germany and also visit a couple of new cities here in the US. 
4. Focus on bringing the blog up-to-date as this is my scrapbook and hopefully something for my children to read when they grow up. 
5. Spend less time on social media. I already put my Instagram account on pause and only will update my running account once a day and check it only once in the morning and once at night. This should give me more time to read ☺
6. Read/ Listen to 40 books.  I have books waiting on my bookshelf and will read more of those than borrowing ones from the library. When exercising, I usually listen to an audiobook so I usually can finish quite a few books that way. 
7. Run 800 miles, including another half marathon and a 10-Miler this year. But to be proactive and prevent injuries, I will also need to focus more on stretching before running and at least one strength training a week. 

2021, we all expect greatness from you and I put my best effort in to reaching my goals this year.

20/20 Hindsight

Now that 2020 is finally over, we can take a look back at how the US compared to my family did in these past 12 months. As the saying goes: hindsight is 20/20, which means: It's easier to analyze and evaluate situations when we're looking back on them in the past, than when we're in the present moment. The word hindsight refers to looking back or reflecting on things in the past, and 20/20 refers to perfect vision. While I'm not going to analyze each situation, I just want to bring attention to the ones that consumed us the most during that specific month. 

JANUARY 2020:

During the first week of the year, tensions between Iran and the US escalated and the president pushed us almost to the brink of another war. Also, the tragic helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and his daughter as well as 7 others on board.

Derrick and I were lucky enough to buy some tickets to see Hamilton live at the TPAC. One of two the only two date nights for us this year. Amelia and her class during the annual school fundraiser run and Elliot's 100th day of Kindergarten: 

FEBRUARY 2020:

On February 21, first responders responded to a bee sting in Texas. While responding, the first responders were attack by a swarm of 40,000 bees. The bees stung a total of 7 people before a beekeeper was able to safely remove the hive. (CNN) Shootings across America continue with the mass shootings in Milwaukee at the Molson Coors factory being one of the deadliest with 5 fatalities. 

The hard work and training paid of for Derrick and his little league basketball team as they won the season 10-0. We also attended a Mother-Son and a Daddy-Daughter dance. 

MARCH 2020:

A series of tornadoes slammed into the Nashville area in early March, leaving behind incredible heartbreak and destruction, ultimately killing 25 people, including 5 children. All the while, the Coronavirus is spreading like wildfires all over the globe. 

Before the first lockdown began in the middle of the month, all the Kindergartner's had their music performance at school. This was the last outing before our our quarantine life at home began on March 14th.

APRIL 2020:

Most of the country is in a lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19; however, the government is downplaying the severity and is not taking enough measures to get the spread under control. 

Unfortunately, first Elliot, then Derrick, and now myself caught the virus (most likely from school) and I spent almost 4 weeks this month trying to get better. It was one of the worst illnesses I ever experienced. 

MAY 2020: 

A long-lived line of thunderstorms, known as a derecho, brought severe wind gusts to Nashville and surrounding areas. The intense storms caused straight-line wind damage along a path that stretched for more than 600 miles, and in Nashville, the winds were clocked at up to 71 mph and leaving more than 130,000 in the city without power. The country was outraged by the violent death of George Floyd and soon Black Lives Matter protests began all over the country. 

We welcomed a new family member: Ella and ended the abruptly shortened school year with a "field trip" to the strawberry patch. 

JUNE 2020:

While the protest get more violent and the government, once again, continues to spew gas in to the fire, the pandemic is far from over even though people are getting less careful and defy government orders. 

We spent lots and lots of hours outdoors (gardening, running, biking, swimming, catching fireflies) that month all while adhering to social distance measures. 

JULY 2020: 
All 50 states issued a warning regarding the suspicious packages of seeds being randomly delivered to homes. With the Trump administration pushing for colleges and schools to reopen, many are worried the reopening could worsen the current racial impacts and exposing students and parents to the virus, making the pandemic worse. 

We celebrated 10 years of marriage by trying on my old wedding gown and celebrating with the kids,  music and a glass of wine on the front porch. We also ventured out and visited Kentucky Down Under, adhering to social distancing, and spending lots of hours at the Y pool and the lake fishing. The children had one week of normalcy, each attending a summer day camp. 

AUGUST 2020:

While the president denies that climate change exists, it can be seen and felt everywhere. From record setting heat in Phoenix (100F+ for 144 days), hurricanes battering the southern States (including Hurricane Laura which made landfall as a Cat 4) and dumped lots of rain on us in TN, and raging wildfires on the West Coast. 

Due to the pandemic, we were not able fly to Germany and attend my father's wedding. The kids started virtual school, which was a huge learning curve for all of us but they preserved and we are making it work between helping them with school and tackling our full-time jobs from home. 

SEPTEMBER 2020:

It is election year and it is a nightmare: between States suing USPS for false statements, the president claiming that mail-in ballots will cause fraud only if he looses the election, and the first presidential debate. It was a disgrace to see a sitting president act like a toddler by interrupting and shouting at his opponent. 

We enjoyed a much visit with some of our favorite people: a quick and safe visit from Uncle Lee and Ryan and a zoo trip with Mrs. Ingham. 

OCTOBER 2020:

Various states reported record-breaking numbers regarding early votes ahead of the November 3 election. The pandemic is far from under control and cases rise to new record braking numbers all across the country this month. Due to not adhering to social distancing measures or wearing a mask, the president and several of his entourage are testing positive for Covid-19. He downplays the severity and continues to put his staff at risk by driving around in a min-parade around the hospital. 

After being cooped up at home for the past 6 months, we needed to get out. Two nights at a cabin in a State Park and a quick visit to Atlanta to renew our German passports was just what we needed. I also ran my first ever half marathon (virtually). 

NOVEMBER 2020:

After several days of waiting for all ballots to be counted, it is finally official: Joe Biden will be the new president of the United States of America. This also makes Vice President-elect Kamala Harris the first female VP, as well as the first African and Asian American to win the title. However, Trump continues to dispute the results, claiming election fraud, despite loosing lawsuits he filed against certain States.

We celebrated Friendsgiving with our "pandemic-pod" (Bettina, Dominik and Evie). This year, we needed something uplifting and started to decorate for Christmas early. 

DECEMBER 2020:

By 12/31 the pandemic continues to escalate and the US officially surpassed 20 million coronavirus cases and over 350,000 deaths. Tennessee is taking over the number one spot for daily new infections per capita. On Christmas Day morning, a suicide bomber detonated a RV bomb in downtown Nashville, TN, injuring eight people and damaging more than 40 buildings; thereby, destroying an ATT data center, causing  days-long communication service outages for many Tennesseans. 

Despite limited advent activities this year, we made the most of this holiday season: watching Christmas movies together, playing games and spending a relaxing Christmas together. After the stress and anxiety of the past few months, we are more than grateful to end this crazy year being healthy, together under one roof and well-fed. After 10 months of being cooped up together at home, we might be a bit (stir) crazy but we still love each other and will be come out of this pandemic stronger than we were before.

What a year 2020 was...lucky for us, I don't think 2021 can beat that. Having high hopes that most of 2021 will bring be health, happiness and some normalcy back to our lives.