michelle obama is my hero
28 Oct 2009 Leave a Comment
in general Tags: dating, inspiration, michelle obama, strong women
Don’t you just love Michelle Obama? It’s almost unbelievable that during Barack’s campaign there were concerns in some quarters about his wife’s suitability for the role of First Lady (do you remember the “proud American” quote that was scrutinised and blown out of proportion?). Now, whenever Michelle opens her mouth she amazes and charms.
Latest case in point comes from an interview by Glamour magazine, celebrating Mrs Obama in its Women of the Year issue. This lady knows her self-worth and she encourages and inspires other women to discover their own as well.
Forget the martyr role: Michelle knows that in order to be your best you need to make time for yourself. “I have always tried to put my kids first, and then … put myself a really close second, as opposed to fifth or seventh,” she explains. However, one lesson Michelle has learned from men she admires was that “they don’t hesitate to invest in themselves”.
She also has dating advice, delivered in her typical straight-talking style. “Cute’s good. But cute only lasts for so long, and then it’s ‘who are you as a person?’. Don’t look at the bankbook or the title. Look at the heart. Look at the soul,” Michelle says. “When you’re dating a man, you should always feel good…. You shouldn’t be in a relationship with somebody who doesn’t make you completely happy and make you feel whole.”
Sing it sister! She could have written He’s Just Not That Into You!
michelle obama says it right again
08 Sep 2009 2 Comments
in general Tags: family, fashion, michelle obama, motherhood
Barack and Michelle Obama at the Inauguration Ball
Having tied the knot earlier this year, I’m particularly conscious of the fact that my husband and I are now a family in the true sense of the word. While kids aren’t on the cards just yet, getting married (and the prospect of turning 30 next month) has heightened my sense of responsibility.
I’ve become a little bit obsessed with what we eat. Chris could happily live on sausage and mash for the rest of his life, so I’ve started sneaking greens into everything I cook. A handful of green beans tossed into a pasta sauce when he’s not watching, sexed-up asparagus stylishly arranged on a plate, peas cleverly disguised by referring to them as petit pois…
Dental checkups, recycling, learning new things and getting involved in the community have all become more important to me in recent years than frivolous things (although fashion and celeb gossip have their place in my life too). However, I drag myself away from mindless, time-devouring exercises like playing silly Facebook application games and instead I try to read more newspapers and books that matter.
There are a few women in the public eye who I admire for managing to strike a balance and get this right. They don’t pretend that it’s easy and they display steely determination and discipline for the benefit of their own wellbeing and that of their families. Michelle Obama could easily top this list. As a woman in her 40s, Barack’s First Lady has got things totally sussed out. Here are a few excerpts from an interview Michelle gave to Women’s Health mag that I thought were so inspirational…
“I do love a good burger and fries. French fries are my favorite food in the whole world. If I could, I’d eat them at every meal — but I can’t. My whole thing is moderation. If I make good, healthy choices most of the time, then having what I love every once in a while won’t hurt.”
“Dad’s office is just downstairs, and it’s rare that we don’t have dinner together. No matter what’s going on, he sets aside that time. Dinner time is at 6:30 p.m., and he comes in, we sit down.”
“For me fashion is fun, and it’s supposed to help you feel good about yourself. I think that’s what all women should focus on: what makes them happy and feel comfortable and beautiful. I wear what I love. Sometimes people like it, sometimes they don’t. I’m fine with that.”
No wonder the US President is so in love with her – she’s simply amazing!
