Cafe Victoria

During the Democratic primaries, I was one of those 18 Million people who voted for Hillary. After learning more about Obama and his wife, and Joe Biden, I am still on the course to elect Obama. Even days after John McCain announced Sara Palin as his pick for the V.P., I kept repeating to myself: “stay the course, stay with Obama”. But, recently, there has been talk about who Obama really is for not picking Hillary.

Now, after watching the SNL skit with Amy Poehler who played Hillary and Tina Fay who played Sarah, I am really pissed. Amy and the writers nailed it by having the Hillary character say what we’ve all been thinking. Hillary worked so hard and then out of blue comes a woman, that NO one knows and did little work, who is now one seat away from the White House. Isn’t it crazy to think the amount of energy, time and sexist crap Hillary put up with for the last 18 months, and now she has to watch a female possibly become the next Vice President? What happened, Obama? I can understand that you had no idea McCain would pull one out of left field. But still… you could have been the one.

I am still on the course with Obama, but deep down inside, I am thinking and feeling exactly what Nancy Gibbs of Time Magazine is. Check out her editorial from Thursday, September 4, 2008.

“Can Palin Escape the Parent Trap?”, By Nancy Gibbs

Almost overnight, Sarah Palin replaced Hillary Clinton as the screen on which we project our doubts and hopes about women and success. In noisy public forums, everyone seemed suddenly certain of beliefs they used to reject: of course a woman can manage five kids and the vice leadership of the free world, said conservative defenders previously known for asserting a woman’s need to submit to her husband. Of course she has no business putting her family through this, said liberal opponents better known for insisting women should submit to no one.

But in quieter places, such as my inbox and my subconscious, there has been nothing like that kind of certainty. Instead, it has been the conversation that never ends — the one about how we juggle and who we judge — and I don’t think I know any woman, working or not, who feels she has gotten it exactly right. I do know we share a deep revulsion at having choices made for us and values thrust upon us, which is why Palin has our instincts tied up in such intricate knots.

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Whatever you are doing, take a moment to pause for this historic week. For the first time in American history, a man of African descent has been awarded the Democratic nomination.  I’ve been watching the speeches all week. Michelle is so inspirational. Hillary simply rocked and Joe Biden was real. Tonight, Miss is coming over with pizza to watch Obama’s speech.  It’s pretty awesome to see history in the making.  I trust that Obama has good intentions and  will impress us all.

• Watching Season One of “Spaced” the awesome British comedy from the late 90’s. It’s by the same guys who made “Shawn of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz”.

• Discovered a new love for Bath and Body Works. Try “Wild Honeysuckle Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Soup with Green Tea Extract and Shea Butter”. Love it!

• Shoes!! They even have heels :>)

• Lots of new students! The fall semester started on Monday. The best part is our enrollment is up by 23%. Go Outreach!!

• Marta is now living in the San Francisco. I can now say I’ve got a friend in the city!

Tonight, I gave a presentation to the College’s Board of Trustees about Student Life. I shared my annual report from the previous school year and talked about what I thought was the backbone to making ASB so successful at Napa Valley College. One of the board members asked me what was one or two things I have learned while being in this job for the last 6 years. I answered with “I learned that I am a great leader and I know how to build teams. In the future, I think I would make a great Vice President of Student Services. . .”

As I was driving home, I thought about what I said. Did I step out too far? Was I too honest? Is that what I really want to do or did I say that because I felt confidence and powerful in my outfit? But then I read something in this month’s Oprah Magazine about how there are many us out there who constantly keep looking for more. That for some crazy reason what we have already achieved is not enough. The author called this behavior as “Self-Deprecator” The author recommended self-deprecators to write down “100 things you’ve accomplished that are valuable to you. Not anyone else. Just you”

For today, how about 10

1.    Confronting a co-worker who was frustrated with me
2.    Calling my parents every week
3.    Have a strong relationship with my sister
4.    Making time to be with my husband
5.    Being there for my students when they needed me the most
6.    Taking care of my health
7.    Taking care of my car, and paying the bills on time
8.    Staying in touch with friends
9.    Starting and finishing my education
10.    Co-Creating NVC Day at Napa Valley College

There are lots I want to do in my life time. But for my life right now, it feels great to WANT to do something more than feeling I NEED to do something more. I want to focus on owning a home and starting a family.
I know that if I wanted to go after the job of Vice President of Student Services some day, I would be pretty good at.

The summer games are officially here and so is China. Wow, the opening ceremony blew me away. I loved learning about the history of China and how harmony became a huge part of their culture and survival. Bravo. However, it also reminded Matthias and I that we better start learning some Chinese if we’re going to keep up with China. Did you see the number of drummers? Wow!

We’ve h4x0red ur blog, Victoria!

Now that I have finished my masters, I feel like the world is an open door. However, I keep asking myself when will be the right time to use it and the right door to walk through? Should I use it towards a new job or let it come out naturally in my life right now?  Yesterday morning, I was reading from a daily devotional book, that my good friend Jenn recommended to me, and I found this particular reading answering my question. I wanted to share it you.

“When you are unsure which course to take, totally submit your own judgment to that of the Spirit of God, asking him to shut every door except the right one. But meanwhile keep moving ahead and consider the absence of a direct indication from God to be the evidence of His will that you are on His path. And as you continue down the long road, you will find that He has gone before you, locking doors you otherwise would have been inclined to enter. Yet you can be sure that somewhere beyond the locked doors it one He has left unlocked. And when you open it and walk through, you will find yourself face to face with a turn in the river of opportunity–one that is broader and deeper than anything you ever dared to imagine, even in your wildest dreams. So set sail on it, because it flows to the open sea.”

–Horace Bushnell, July 31 in “Streams in the Desert – 366 Daily Devotional Readings”

Here I am pitting for my Dad as he races at the NCK Karting Nationals in Portland, Oregon. My Aunt Marie, and Cuzs Ryan, Danielle and Serge, who live outside of Portland, joined us and are now officially hooked on racing.