1. Saved the collapse of the American automotive industry by making GM restructure before bailing them out, and putting incentive money to help the industry

2. Shifted the focus of the war from Iraq to Afghanistan, and putting the emphasis on reducing terrorism where it should have been all along

3. Relaxed Anti-American tensions throughout the world

4. Signed order to close the prisoner “torture camp” at Guantanamo Bay

5. Has made the environment a national priority, and a primary source for job creation

6. Has made education a national priority by putting emphasis and money behind new ideas like charter schools, but speaking directly to school children in telling them they have to do their part.

7. Won the Nobel Peace Prize

8. $789 billion economic stimulus plan

9. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court

10. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles…

11. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans

12. Renewed dialogue with NATO and other allies and partners on strategic issues.

13. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force… this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.

14. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops

15. “Cash for clunkers” program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulates auto sales

16. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan

17. Closed offshore tax safe havens

18. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan

19. Ended media “blackout” on war casualties; reporting full information

20. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts

21. . Ended media blackout on war casualties and the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB.

22. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules

23. Ended previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings

24. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports

25. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has created 2.1 million jobs (as of 12/31/09).

26. Ended previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions

27. Ended previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back

28. Ended previous policy on torture; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards

29. . Launched Recovery.gov to track spending from the Recovery Act, an unprecedented step to provide transparency and accountability through technology.

30. Ended previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry’s predatory practices

31. Ended previous “stop-loss” policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date

32. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources

33. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient

34. Established a new cyber security office

35. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children

36. Expanding vaccination programs

37. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses

38. . Provided the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with more than $1.4 billion to improve services to America’s Veterans.

39. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research

40. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools

41. Responded with compassion and leadership to the earthquake in Haiti

42. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters

43. . Launched Business.gov – enabling conversation and online collaboration between small business owners, government representatives and industry experts in discussion forums relevant to starting and managing a business. Great for the economy.

44. Improved housing for military personnel

45. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals

46. Changed failing war strategy in Afghanistan.

47. Improving benefits for veterans

48. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants…) after years of neglect

49. Donated his $1.4 million Nobel Prize to nonprofits.

50. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program

51. Provided tax credits to first-time home buyers through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 to revitalize the U.S. housing market.

52. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel

53. Increasing student loans

54. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return “home” to visit loved ones

55. Cracked down on companies that deny sick pay, vacation and health insurance to workers by abusing the employee classification of independent contractor. Such companies also avoid paying Social Security, Medicare and unemployment insurance taxes for those workers.

56. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000

57. Limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House

58. Protected 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals, librarians, and counselors through the Recovery Act that would have otherwise been lost.

59. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration

60. Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act on February 4, 2009, provides quality health care to 11 million kids – 4 million who were previously uninsured.

61. Lower drug costs for seniors

62. Making more loans available to small businesses

63. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration

64. . Signed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first piece of comprehensive legislation aimed at improving the lives of Americans living with paralysis

65. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans

66. Announced creation of a Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record for members of the U.S. Armed Forces to improve quality of medical care.

67. New federal funding for science and research labs

68. New funds for school construction

69. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending

70. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices

71. . Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals.

72. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren’t even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan

73. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions

74. Provided tax credit to workers thus cutting taxes for 95% of America’s working families.

75. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic

76. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research

77. . Helped reverse a downward spiral of the stock market. On January 19, 2009, the last day of President Bush’s presidency, the Dow closed at 8,218.22. In February 2010, the Dow closed at 10,309.24

78. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel

79. Restarted the nuclear non-proliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols

80. Provided attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles.

81. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters

82. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy

83. Unveiled a program on Earth Day 2009 to develop the renewable energy projects on the waters of our Outer Continental Shelf that produce electricity from wind, wave, and ocean currents. These regulations will enable, for the first time ever, the nation to tap into our ocean’s vast sustainable resources to generate clean energy in an environmentally sound and safe manner.

84. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program

85. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards

86. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced

87. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job

88. The FDA is now regulating tobacco

89. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date.

90. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010

91. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying

92. The “secret detention” facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed

93. US financial and banking rescue plan

94. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast

95. . Signed the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act to stop fraud and wasteful spending in the defense procurement and contracting system.

96. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office

97. Improved relations with Iran

98. Improved U.S. policy on climate change

99. Set timetable for exiting Iraq (already started removing troops)

100. Improved relations with Russia

101. Improved relations with the Islamic World

102. Made progress towards greater cooperation on limiting nuclear proliferation

103. Economic stimulus plan has created jobs. (Unemployment rate decreasing)

104. Drastically slowed down the recession

105. Saved Wall Street

106. Passed the Lilly Ledbetter Act (equal work for equal pay)

107. HEALTHCARE REFORM

108. Ordered the military operation that killed Osama Bin Laden

Too many people have allowed themselves to remain in situations that are unproductive. As you mature, you outgrow interests, hobbies, habits and even people. The process of elimination works the best. Especially when you’ve exhausted all attempts to make it right. The more you stay in a negative situation, the more you need to start blaming yourself. All of this blame we place on everyone else for the things we’re unable to do for ourselves are becoming a bit tedious. Blah. If you ask me, I think it’s all a crock of shit. I know for a fact that you know at least one person who was raised a certain way and exposed to certain things and have become the total opposite of what’s been instilled in their mind. Aren’t you one of those people?

If you have the desire to do something, then do it. You will feel much worse if you never did. Then you’ll be living your whole life wondering the “shoulda, coulda, woulda”. Sometimes, we reach a point where we can finally tolerate the downfalls of life, yet are unable to cease it or prevent it from happening again. The only way you will successfully end it all (the negativity, the disappointments, the frustrations) is to stand up for yourself, and stand up for what you believe in. Quit settling & start your search for what you truly deserve. More than likely, your stress is caused by you compromising yourself, to suit others or a particular situation. I know that’s what caused mine. And I’ve ended that cycle. For months I’ve been catering to certain people’s incapability of handling problems the right way, or even their own stress, only out of hope, respect & love. But where was my dignity? Where was my ability to take charge & do what’s right? May have took a few months to achieve that goal but guess what?…I’m here. And the goal was to be able to survive on my own.

When you overcompromise, the only one that is left worn out is yourself, trying to meet the demands of others. You should only pick up after yourself, and pick up your own boulder and carry it yourself, and believe in yourself when you do it, in order to follow through and complete it.

There will be rough times, difficult situations, things to fall into & out of, major obstacles and forks in the road all through your mission. My mission is to allow people to feel how I am feeling by providing my story, followed up with my personal suggestive solution. The power I have to make people open their eyes and see what they couldn’t see before makes me happy on levels beyond my normal reach. I do it because I believe I can do it. I’m not ashamed to tell my stories about my past experiences, shortcomings & failed relationships. Flaws and all, I am honest about who I am.

Finding your inner peace is better than peanut butter.

Why do people act like their life suddenly becomes *aMaZiNG* when they enter into a new relationship? Why put so much emphasis on the relationship and having a girlfriend or boyfriend? When the relationship ends, what then? Your life is a pile of shit not worth living anymore??? Try getting to the point where you are happy with yourself before you try to be happy with someone else. Never depend on other people for your own happiness, cause you’ll just end up miserable.

But what makes a watch special? Is it because someone gave it to you? Is it because it’s a family heirloom? Recently I’ve seen some beautiful Michael Kors Watches that I actually wanted to collect, and not because it goes well with an outfit. The whole point of great watches is how they are made. BlueDial.com has a great collection of uniquely created watches that will definitely stand out if someone approaches you to ask for the time. They make great gift items for Mother’s Day or for your personal collection. It’s the perfect idea for a male or female and you’re unsure of what to get as a gift!

Check her out singing it acapella. You can really hear the talent in her voice.

[Intro:]
It doesn’t matter if you love him, or capital H-I-M
Just put your paws up
’cause you were born this way, baby

[Verse:]
My mama told me when I was young
We are all born superstars
She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on
In the glass of her boudoir

“There’s nothing wrong with loving who you are”
She said, “‘Cause he made you perfect, babe”
“So hold your head up girl and you’ll go far,
Listen to me when I say”

[Chorus:]
I’m beautiful in my way
‘Cause God makes no mistakes
I’m on the right track, baby
I was born this way
Don’t hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you’re set
I’m on the right track, baby
I was born this way

[Post-chorus:]
Oh there ain’t no other way
Baby I was born this way
Baby I was born this way
Oh there ain’t no other way
Baby I was born this way
I’m on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Don’t be a drag ‒ just be a queen [x3]
Don’t be!

[Verse:]
Give yourself prudence
And love your friends
Subway kid, rejoice your truth
In the religion of the insecure
I must be myself, respect my youth

A different lover is not a sin
Believe capital H-I-M (Hey hey hey)
I love my life I love this record and
Mi amore vole fe yah (Love needs faith)

[Repeat chorus + post-chorus]

[Bridge:]
Don’t be a drag, just be a queen
Whether you’re broke or evergreen
You’re black, white, beige, chola descent
You’re Lebanese, you’re orient
Whether life’s disabilities
Left you outcast, bullied, or teased
Rejoice and love yourself today
’cause baby you were born this way

No matter gay, straight, or bi,
Lesbian, transgendered life,
I’m on the right track baby,
I was born to survive.
No matter black, white or beige
Chola or orient made,
I’m on the right track baby,
I was born to be brave.

[Repeat chorus + post-chorus]

[Outro/refrain:]
I was born this way hey!
I was born this way hey!
I’m on the right track baby
I was born this way hey!
I was born this way hey!
I was born this way hey!
I’m on the right track baby
I was born this way hey!

[Fade away:]
Same DNA, but born this way.
Same DNA, but born this way.

My daughter at 10 months. She’s 13 now. Boy, do I miss these days.

October 8th.
Hiked up Stone Mountain for the first time on Monday. 3 miles. My asthma was kicking my ass. I had to stop 3 times to catch my breath. Random show-offs were running passed me having a heart attack. Nevertheless, I did it! I did not let my asthma defeat me. Especially with the support I got from my fiance and my cousin. They’re the ones that pushed me to go all the way to the top. I feel proud of myself. Last night, we went again and it was much better this time. I had my bottle of Gatorade, I paced myself, and I ended up only stopping once. I’m going to do this every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. I hope this speeds up the weight loss process.

I posted that blog 5 months ago. Which was also 20 pounds ago. That was when I decided I needed to change my life. Change my eating habits & started an extreme body workout. Since I’ve started working out, I have gained a LOT of energy. I used to be so exhausted. My health was deteriorating too (I had a tooth removed in June, then I had a polyp removed from my uterus in September, and now I have gallbladder disease). Diabetes run in my family as well, so now that I’m 33, I want to get a head start of living healthy to prevent anything else from happening, before it’s too late. Maybe I will get that beach body I’ve always wanted. Even if I don’t, I will still be proud of myself.

I used to drink a lot of soda. Eat a lot of cookies. Bread, bread, bread! Everyday, all day long. McDonald’s, Burger King, Chik-Fila. Now, I drink 2 bottles of water everyday. Now, I eat small portions of fruit and fiber. Now, I eat McDonald’s once a month (To treat myself, lol). Each task that I do at least once a week: hike 3 miles up & down the mountain, walk 5 miles around the mountain, 15-20 minutes on the elliptical machine, 200 reps on the leg weight machines, 200 reps of arm exercises with my 5 lb weights. I will update you guys in 3 months with my 90 day review with how much more I’ve lost and updated pictures.

This is me now. And I’m not finished yet.

This is a guest post provided by Fitness Alliance.

I’m glad you didn’t fight for me.

Because of your absence, I am strong. Because of your absence, I am able to respect my grandmother (who I call Mommy) more for all that she’s done for me. Because of your absence, I’ve learned how to raise my daughter. I just did the complete opposite of what you’ve done.

I’ve never respected you. If anything, I’ve felt sorry for you. Every time you come to America with your sob story on how you want to just start your life over again, you suck everything out of me. I give you clothes, I buy you things, I feed you, shit…I feel like I’M your mother! A few years ago I washed my hands off you. I swore that I would never help you out again. But here comes 2012 with your sob stories on how your husband gave you a black eye. That’s why I tried so hard to help you this year. I paid for your ticket to come from Jamaica so you can get away from the verbal/physical abuse and start over here in the U.S. Here we are, 2 months later, and you’re packing your things to go back to Jamaica to be with the cheater beater husband of yours. I literally took care of you for 2 whole months and you had the audacity to catch an attitude with me because I didn’t buy you something to eat tonight. I’m the only one out of everyone in our family that gave a shit about you. Not anymore. I’m tired of it. I’m tired of you.

I’ll never forget the day (I think I was 16) when you said you wish you aborted me. Such loving words from an ugly bitch that didn’t raise me.

I’ll never forget another day when you spread rumors about me throughout the family. You’re so awesome.

I can only imagine where I would be today if you raised me. Your attitude is disgusting. Your way of life is shameful. You’re childish. You’re a freeloader. You act as though people “owe” you something. You think everyone likes you, but the truth is no one likes you. You’re a headache. You said I’m jealous of you because you’re married, but the truth is the only reason he married you is because he needed a VISA and a human punching bag. And the only reason you married him because you didn’t want to work or pay bills anymore. Yes, I am very jealous. You’re such a phenomenal role model. Bum.

I don’t want you near me nor my daughter ever again. I will be perfectly fine going the rest of my life never seeing you again.

You make me sick.

What happens for most couples is…

For some mysterious reason in the process of “settling down”, we lose all or most of this excitement and powerful feelings of love and attraction we felt for one another. We settle into comfort and routine and those intense feelings get so watered down that we have trouble finding them. Most of the people who begin to question whether they want to be in the relationship they’re in or not (and the ones who are living with the question of whether to stay or go tell us that what happened for them is what happened for many couples. Somewhere along the line they lost the passion, spark and desire that they once had. It all sort of faded away and they ended up wondering “what just happened?” We’ve discovered that it doesn’t have to be this way. While you probably don’t want those exact feelings you had when you were first in love (we don’t), but what you may want is a more seasoned hybrid of it. In other words, you may want a little more spark than what you have now without all the drama and intensity that’s over the edge.

The good news is that you don’t have to get divorced or go find a new partner to find it. Here are 4 ways that we and other couples use to fall in love over and over again with each other¹:

1. Go on a no-criticism diet

If there’s one thing people tell us that kills love and passion, it’s constant criticism, even in your mind. Criticism is one of those habits that we learn from our early care-givers and others–and we keep on doing it sometimes in the guise of “helping” our loved one become a “better” person. Criticizing another person also might help us feel superior or better than someone else–for a moment at least–even though we may not be aware that that’s why we’re doing it. The only thing criticism actually does is let that other person know that you don’t think they’re okay the way they are. And that pushes the two of you away from one another and certainly kills passion. If you can recognize that criticism is an unhealthy pattern in your relationship, put an end to it. If one person is doing it, both of you are probably guilty of it. So start with you and pay attention to where you are automatically thinking or saying that your partner is wrong. And then stop–and suggest that maybe the two of you could take the no-criticism challenge together. Substitute something you like about him or her in place of the criticism you have.

For example…

Your thought–”Why doesn’t he/she ever close the cabinet door?”

Your substitution–”I like the way he/she sat next to me on the couch last night when we were watching one of my favorite shows on TV.”

Of course there are times when you do need to talk about things that are bothering you and give healthy feedback. We’re not saying that that never happens. What we’re saying is to monitor your thoughts and what you say for even one day to see where you are focusing on what you don’t want rather than what you do want.

2. Get curious about your partner.

In order to fall in love again, you have to look with new eyes at your partner and at your relationship. This might take some doing if you’ve been hurt in the past but if both of you want to recapture what you had, you’ll need to wipe out your preconceived ideas about him or her. We all change in every moment and we might think we know what our partner’s thinking and feeling but we really don’t. Instead of making up stories about what we think is going on with our partner, be open to listening from a very different perspective. It’s a perspective that says we really don’t know what our partner is thinking or feeling and that we’re open to finding out–without getting defensive. One of the “magic words” that we use a lot to open both of us to listening more deeply and lovingly to each other is this phrase:

“Tell me more about that.”

Instead of jumping in and taking over the conversation with something that was our experience, when we use this phrase, we’re saying to the other person that “You are important and I want to know more about what you’re thinking and feeling.”

3. Fall in love with yourself.

The old adage is true–you can’t love another until you love yourself. If you’re constantly thinking you’re not worth loving, then these thoughts put up walls between you and others. We’re just not open to fully loving others when we’re overly self-critical. So instead of thinking that it’s a lost cause because you have so many faults and shortcomings (we all feel a little of this). Start finding ways to love yourself. Remember what we said about going on a no-criticism diet? Well that goes for criticizing yourself too. Most of us feel like we are our own worst critic. While it’s certainly healthy to see what you may be doing that hurts another person or yourself and then make changes that would make your life better. It’s not healthy to have a string of constant criticism that says “You’re stupid,” “You’ll never succeed,” “You can do anything right,” or whatever it is that you tell yourself. Start monitoring your mind to find out what you say to yourself about you. If you’re constantly putting yourself down, tell yourself something that is true about yourself and will take you in the direction you want to go. Do something nice for yourself every day–something pleasurable–and really bask in the pleasure of it. That’s loving yourself. And it’s true. When you can love yourself more, you open the door for others to love you more.

4. Open yourself to finding a common passion together and do things that take you beyond what may be comfortable for you.

We can get in a rut and when we do, all passion withers and dies–whether it’s in the bedroom, our work or in other areas of our lives. If you want more passion, you have to prime the pump. You have to find some new ways to connect–possibly the way you used to when you were first together. It might also be some new ways that possibly could stretch your comfort level. The other day the two of us explored a new area of the bike path that’s near our house. Now we love to bike together so that wasn’t new but that day we rode further than we had before–spending the afternoon enjoying each other and the day. The ride turned out to be really fun for the two of us but we may not have done it if we had planned to ride for 14 miles that day. It was a little out of our comfort level and a little different from our regular rides. The point is to find some things that you like to do together and be open to some surprises. You can fall in love again. It may not happen overnight but it can happen. We’ve seen it happen.

But it won’t unless you take that first step toward it.

Source: ¹