Ok, so first off… HOW MUCH DID YOU ALL ENJOY THE INAUGURATION YESTERDAY?! Wowow. It was just amazinggg. I loved it… This was the first inauguration I’ve ever watched, so I didn’t know how long it’ll be and when everything would take place… but I kept my eyes glued to the television just taking in every moment! I jokingly told my sister that I would tell my kids that I was there… because nothing could tell me that I wasn’t… Lol… when they told everyone to stand, I stood. When it came time to pray, I bowed my head… and most of all when everyone got excited, so did I. I jumped around and screamed so much that I eventually ended up with a major headache and feeling dizzy. Lol — but it’s alright, because I enjoyed myself!

… So what were our new first daughters doing while their parents were out making rounds at all their Inaugural Balls? HAVING THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES!!!

The girls had a slumber party with some of their closes friends! They started the night off watching two new Disney movies, “Bolt,” and “High School Musical 3,” in the theater, … after the movies the girls went on a historic scavenger hunt around their new home guessing the answers to trivia questions about the White House. When the girls got down to the final question and opened up the final door, they were in for a huge surprise when they found their favorite boy band “The Jonas Brothers” behind the door!!! How fun does that sound?! I’m sure that they had a BLAST!

The Inaugural Balls looked like such fun too, I enjoyed the performances. Everything was just beautiful! It felt so good to witness such a historic event, and to know that I’ll be able to say “I helped make that happen” years from now when my grandchildren are reading about it in their history books!!!

YBS would like to share in celebration the historical event that has taken place on this day, January 20, 2009! Together with the United States, we welcome Barack Obama and the First Family into the White House as our new President Barack Obama takes on a very important role in our nation. We hope that you all have had the opportunity of watching the inauguration today on television. You can check out footage of Obama’s speech below.

Yay for the Obama’s and a new beginning for our nation!!!

See the video below that our (very near) future First Lady put out about the National Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday January 19th!

Click HERE to find out more and to find an event to volunteer at in your area, or organize one yourself. There’s also a YouTube Contest that you can enter; the winner will receive a personal phone call from First Lady, Michelle Obama! To enter, you just have to record a short video about what you plan to do on National Day of Service, to serve your community. Find out more about that HERE.

I think it’s great to have a day like this, and even sweeter to have it on the same day that we celebrate the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I believe in giving back and helping others and I also agree that the only way that we can really renew America is if we work to do it together.

I’m very excited to have Barack Obama as the President of the United States in less than one week! I hope he does great things for this Country.

“Feed the Dream; Starve the Nightmare”
- Unknown

I love this quote because it puts things in perspective. When you have a vision, there is one of two things you can do: succumb to your fears or take proactive steps to realize your vision. A lot of times, we either feed or starve both which gets us nowhere, but when we are able to truly commit ourselves to being proactive in achieving our goals and blocking out any negativity and overcoming obstacles, we are capable of being successful realizing our dreams.

Submitted by Mari Levros

Have a favorite quote or a story that can motivate others? Send it to us at: contribute@youngblackstarz.org

As Good as New

Written and Submitted by Mari Levros

Lynn rocked back and forth until she was able to hoist herself up. She used the rail to balance as she gave the room a once over. More determined than the last time, she scanned the room again.

Grunting her frustrations, Lynn threw herself back on the mattress pad, only to lift herself up using the other rail. Hoping to find what she was looking for, she screamed at the top of her lungs, thinking: Lyssa is gone.

Wallowing in her own misery, Lynn sat down and cried, hugging herself, knowing that Lyssa should have been in her arms. Unable to hold it in any longer, she screamed… hysterically.

Lynda walked in Lynn’s bedroom and was greeted by her tear stained cheeks. Lynda rushed over lifting her daughter onto her hip. Attempting to access the situation, Lynda routinely checked to see if her diapers were full, if she was hungry, if she was sick, etcetera, but nothing seemed to be the matter.

Giving up, Lynda carried Lynn to the laundry room. As she loaded and unloaded, Lynn watched intently as Lynda placed the garments into the washer. When the tedious task was completed, Lynn paid close attention to the basket that Lynda was carrying and noticed something familiar: it was Lyssa.

Lynn squealed with excitement, stretching out her arms, reaching far as she could for her beloved bear.

“So that’s what the fuss was about,” Lynda concluded, removing the bear from the bundle. “Here you are,” she handed Lyssa to Lynn. “As good as new.”

If you wrote a poem or short story that you would like to share email us at contribute@youngblackstarz.org.