Sonoma State students at the inauguration: Photo Album

Inauguration Question - Raleigh Souther

undisclosed@pressdemocrat.com (sonomaobama) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 20:21:15 EST

As I had mentioned in an earlier post I was able to score some Inauguration tickets from my local Congressman. As happy as I was to be able to attend the swearing in ceremony, it was only afterword when I saw the map of my location how far away I really was, over a mile to be exact. I'm conflicted on whether or not I even want to go to the event or just stand along the parade route and maybe get a better view of something along there. I just don't know if I want to be apart of the Inauguration crowd to just say I was there or join the parade route and get a much better view of Obama. Am I here for the history of the event or to just be able to see the first President I have ever seen in person? any advice people can offer would really be appreciated.

It's Cold!

undisclosed@pressdemocrat.com (sonomaobama) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:55:49 EST

It's my first day in Washington DC. I am here barely 24 hours and already I can tell it is going to be a major experience for myself. Waking up at 6AM and entering into the harsh cold that is the capital can be a little overwhelming if you do not know what to expect. To begin, whatever you have heard about the cold weather conditions that take place in DC multiply it by ten. The local weather reports do not do any justice to the way the freezing temperatures feel. Walking around the city makes me thank everyday that I was able to grow up in the warm and temperate California. After getting past the weather we rode the metro train to the auditorium where we would begin the class. Once at the auditorium we went through over 4 hours of ice breakers and a general overview of what we would be doing over the course of the next several days. Towards the end of the class we had the opportunity to listen and ask questions to CNN Senior Correspondent Dana Bash, who was able to talk to us about what it was like covering Capital Hill. Although I did learn a lot over the 4 hours of listening in at the auditorium, the whole process would have been a lot more pleasant if not for the sweltering temperature of the the theater. Your only choices were to either freeze or fry. It wasn't until afterword when we got on the bus tour of the local monuments that the fun really began. Traveling throughout DC and Virginia, stopping everywhere from the Marine Core Iwo Jima Monument to the Thomas Jefferson Monument. I really felt I got a big feel of the history of the city and all the history that has taken place here. As of day one that has been the highlight of the trip.

Derek Pierre: Hitting the Ground Running

undisclosed@pressdemocrat.com (sonomaobama) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:51:32 EST

Wow... Finally here in Washington DC- After much anticipation, hesitation, and excitement we have all arrived and hit the ground running. I mean running. Everything has gone by so fast my body is still barley adjusting to the huge rush. I just arrived on Friday evening and feel that I have toured the country, seeing so many monuments, national sights, and memorials. We start off the day by meeting in the lobby at 6:45am (which is 3:45am in California) to meet at the auditorium at the University of the District of Columbia. The guest speaker today was the one and only CNN's Dana Bash. This was really interesting to hear from someone in person that is in the center of everything that was going on in the presidential campaign. According to Mrs. Bash, George Bush is a very different person when the cameras were not rolling and the he was very "articulate". I would have been really interested to know some of the conversation that she had with him that gave her the impression that he was "articulate". - Derek Pierre