January 28, 2021

This entry is going to be about the inauguration of 2021. A day I have waited for, for more than four years. Without getting too political, it is safe to say that I was not happy with the previous government. On Tuesday, November 8, 2016, I was teaching my sections at the University of California, Riverside, as the election results started coming in from the East Coast. It was strange how something as ‘simple’ as an election and whoever is the president could so profoundly affect me – I am just a small individual in society.

But it indeed did! I finished teaching at 8 pm – as the polls closed here in California. It had been some long three hours, and while I usually do not allow electronics in my classroom, the students were allowed to bring up their phones so we could keep track of the election. My mood slowly declined, and so did my teaching. I biked home. I went over to my neighbor and asked if I could borrow his big wolf-looking dog, and then he and I went out for a long walk! While the walk helped me clear my head, it was apparent that I needed something more substantial. I called up another friend and went over there and had a rum and coke and nearly cried. I just couldn’t believe it. People back home had repeatedly asked if I would come back to Denmark if Hillary didn’t win, and I had brushed them off and said, oh stop it, of course, she wins, so you don’t need to worry! Ah… I was wrong…

Now four years later, I cried again – this time tears of relief. I did not expect it to be this emotional and finally felt I could breathe differently. A big deep breath... It can only get better from here. I woke up at 7:30 am and got ready to turn on my Ipad at 8:30 am, just as Amy Klobuchar announced that Biden would be the next President and Harris the new Vice President – and that was when I teared up the first time…

The inauguration brought several fantastic moments… while I applaud the artists for their performances, the real stars were, besides Biden and Harris, Amanda Gorman and Bernie Sanders, who both stole the show. It was also wonderful to see the Obamas again. Since the inauguration, I have been watching YouTube videos with interviews with the Obamas, particularly Barack’s last White House Correspondents dinner (Obama’s out: https://youtu.be/NxFkEj7KPC0) and other videos with the Biden-Obama bromance which never fails to cheer me up. Obama’s sense of humor is inspirational.

I join the choir, when I chime in with how amazing Amanda Gorman delivered her much-needed reminder about what humanity and civic duty are all about — neatly performed in the style of the famous Hamilton musical. I was lucky to watch the Hamilton musical in LA a few years ago, and subsequently on the TV. Amanda has received much-deserved attention by now, and it will be thrilling to see what else she will come up with - and hopefully run for president in 2036 as she promised Hillary. By that time, I should have my citizenship and can vote for her.

Following the swearing-in and the meaningful speeches – the internet started flooding with Bernie Sanders images photoshopped into an endless amount of some of the most creative images I have seen in a long time. AND I LOVE IT! I love Bernie! I would have loved to have seen Bernie get sworn in, but Biden (Obama’s older brother!) is definitely my second choice. I have currently collected and saved about 150 (of the best) #Berniemittens memes, and they keep coming in. I am seriously considering ordering a ‘coffee-table book’ full of my favorite memes… stay tuned.

On that note, I just downloaded a pattern on etsy.com – and yes, I will give the crocheted version of Bernie a shot as well! Fingers crossed… I went to two rallies with Bernie back in the fall of 2019 – and I even got to shake his hand at the last one, where I managed to push forward when he was doing his rounds following his speeches. He is a Rockstar!

In this ongoing pandemic, where many people are struggling to make ends meet, leave it to Bernie to take advantage of the situation to improve the lives of others. I have already ordered the now-sold-out sweatshirt (https://store.berniesanders.com/products/chairman-sanders-crewneck?variant=32787050004551) that Bernie and his team quickly turned around where 100% of proceeds go toward Meals on Wheels Vermont – and look at the turnaround (https://apnews.com/article/bernie-sanders-mittens-memes-charity-3f8afd8e8a5a0b8b9709dd6d4d30ec13) this is amazing. So, it goes without saying that if you want souvenirs with Bernie on it – buying them off his campaign page is the best way to do it.

The past four years will soon be remembered as a footnote in the bigger scheme of things, and I will instead focus on the next eight years and the task we have ahead of us fighting the good fight for justice and equal opportunities for all. Biden is taking the lead and has already, in his first week, made monumental changes. Here is to a brighter future…