Sasha and Malia to Attend Sidwell Friends

By michelle o. on 11/28/08 11:15pm
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Saturday, November 29th
11:04am

Dear Diary,

I got so caught up in everything going on lately, I forgot to write that we chose a school for Sasha and Malia to go to!

We decided that the girls will attend Sidwell Friends, the Quaker school. It’s too bad that they can’t go to a public school, but since the schools in the DC area are notoriously known as the worst in the country, Barack and I recognized that we have to put them in a private school so they can get a good education. Plus, 4 out of 10 children are of color, which we feel is important factor. I think that it’s detrimental for any child to attend a school with children of all one race. Moreover, Chelsea Clinton, Al Gore III, and the Nixon girls all attended this school, which means that the school understands the unique personal and security needs for prominent children.

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Reconsidering Barbara Walters Interview

By michelle o. on 11/27/08 11:15pm
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Friday, November 28th
9:21am

Dear Diary,

After watching Barbara Walter’s preview of our interview, I have to say, I have mixed feelings. She thinks we’re “cute.” I guess that’s fine. I would rather be considered friendly and astute, but I suppose cute works for now. She also said that we’re funny, describing that mortifying lipstick incident as “funny” and how that shows Barack’s sense of humor. Barack was just trying to be nice by making sure I look my best. But it certainly was not funny. Just embarrassing. Ugh, I’m still annoyed that that was published on national television. But I guess I have to expect that kind of publicity now that I’m the First Lady.

Barbara also made me out to be a bit of a tyrant in the family. I can’t believe she went back and quoted Barack on this preview, saying that I always get the last word because when “Mama’s happy, everybody’s happy.” I suppose that’s true, and I do get the last word. But it certainly didn’t need to be put on national television.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

By michelle o. on 11/26/08 11:15pm
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Thursday, November 27th
9:15am

Dear Diary,

Happy Thanksgiving! Today is going to be a bit of a stressful day, though I’m glad we’re getting the meal catered. I don’t think I could cook a Thanksgiving dinner for 60 people and maintain my sanity. This way, I’ll get to be sociable and enjoy my Thanksgiving too.

And I certainly have a lot to be thankful for. Of course, the most basic things: a home, food, clothing. But more than that, I live in a society that respects women, and that allows us to pursue our dreams and live freely. I’m thankful that I live in a country founded on the tenets that all people deserve liberty and justice. Even if we’re still working on realizing those goals, at least they’re our fundamental rights.

Personally, I’m thankful to have a loving husband and two beautiful girls. Barack, Sasha, and Malia are so wonderful, and I’m a lucky wife and mother. Plus, I grew up with in a loving family with a supportive mother, father, and brother.

And I couldn’t be more thrilled to be the wife of the President of the United States. I know Barack will do a great job, and I’m thankful he’s been elected – by such a large majority too!

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Obamas with Barbara Walters

By michelle o. on 11/26/08 3:36pm
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Wednesday, November 26th
4:21am

Dear Diary,

Just re-watched Barbara Walters interview with Barack and me. It all went smoothly, but god, when he rubbed the lipstick off my teeth and Barbara insisted that we leave that in – I wanted to die. That does not need to be aired on television, and I can only imagine all the jokes that will come of that.

I also appreciated him talking about breaking out of the bubble that exists around the President. And this was based on my suggestion too. I told him that he needs to be able to get information outside of the ten or so people in his office. Nice to hear that he’s taking my advice seriously, though I would have appreciated some credit for this during the interview.

We also talked about our girls, and how we both want them to have a normal life. We just want them to understand that while they’re special to us, they’re still going to be brought as normal kids, and not like the spoiled brats that most celebrity figures have become. As I told Barbara, those girls are still going to have to make their own beds and clean up their rooms.

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My "Momification"

By michelle o. on 11/25/08 2:09pm
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Tuesday, November 25th
9:03am

Dear Diary,

Those feminists are at it again and they’re driving me crazy! All this bunk about how I’m a disgrace to working moms because I’m choosing to support my husband and my family. All this talk about the “momification of Michelle Obama” is out of control. And I’m not going to leave my children in the dust – I care about them! It’s unbelievable that I’m being criticized for supporting my family. Of course I have to become the First Lady – my husband was elected President of the United States! And why wouldn’t I want to become First Lady? Don’t those feminists realize the platform that’s been handed to me? This is an honor and an opportunity!

Look at Eleanor Roosevelt – she was a huge advocate for civil rights, she co-founded the Freedom House, and was a delegate to the United Nations! That’s huge! If anything, I have more power than ever now that I’m First Lady. I can do so much more because of my position!

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Newsweek reports!

By michelle o. on 11/24/08 12:53pm
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Monday, November 24th
1:05pm

Dear Diary,

I’m loving this Newsweek article by Allison Samuels. I’ll have to remember her the next time I want a major publicity stunt to boost my ratings. Perhaps when I begin my campaign for the presidential nomination… But that’s such a long ways off – at least 8 years. For now, I have this article to read. And re-read…and re-read… And what an article! Never was much of a Newsweek fan, since they’ve done so many positive pieces on George W. Bush. But my opinion of them has certainly gone up, since they’ve been reporting so positively on Barack and myself.

Samuels writes that I’m going to “become the world’s most visible African-American.” YES! And not only that, she writes, “But perhaps more important – even apart from what her husband can do, Michelle has the power to change the way African-Americans see ourselves, our lives, and our possibilities.” YES! That is an amazing honor, especially considering the fact that I’m not even President yet. My husband is.

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Michelle in the News

By michelle o. on 11/20/08 9:39am
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Thursday, November 20th
10:55pm

Dear Diary,

Just picked my Chief of Staff – Jackie Norris. She’s a very smart and strategic woman, and that’s just the person I want for this position. I love that I get to have staff as the First Lady.

Also, I am insulted! The nerve of this LA Times columnist to write about my butt! There is no reason to start discussing big butts like some rap song. She actually wrote that I have a “humongous butt!” Let me tell you, it looks a lot bigger on TV than it does in real life. But that is not the point. Regardless of the fact that this woman is obviously insanely jealous of my figure, there’s no excuse to talk about the First Lady-elect in this style. My statuesque physique is one thing, and I certainly like reading all those articles about my style. But to comment on my butt?!

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Say Goodbye to George W. Bush

By michelle o. on 11/19/08 7:13am
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Wednesday, November 19th
8:30pm

Dear Diary,

It’s incredible to think that Barack has won the election. But he’s certainly not in office yet. George Bush still has 60 days left in office, and I think that it’s only fitting that we write letters to him. After all, he presided under one of the most divided eras of our country, and many of us have mixed emotions as he departs office. I certainly do.

After finding a website named http://goodbye.us that compiles goodbye letters to him, I’m going to write one, and I encourage everyone else to do so as well.

Yours always,
Michelle

Originally posted in The Secret Diary of Michelle Obama

Back in the Spotlight

By michelle o. on 11/18/08 3:43am
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Tuesday, November 18th
6:45pm

Dear Diary,

Just re-watched the interview Barack and I had on 60 Minutes, and I felt that it went well. Barack and I did a nice job showing that we’re a relaxed, loving family with a sense of humor; while maintaining an important focus on the issues. Though I must admit, I was a little peeved about Barack’s jokes about having to get along with my mother. She is a great woman, and he should feel lucky to have such a great mother-in-law. Of course, I couldn’t say that on 60 Minutes since it would not have looked good to get upset. But those remarks were uncalled for, and I certainly told Barack so once the interview was over.

I did talk about how I want to become an active First Lady once the kids get settled. After all, I’m not going to just sit back and let my husband do all the work. I have to take advantage of this opportunity! I’m hoping to become the Eleanor Roosevelt of my time.

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The Obama girls

By michelle o. on 11/17/08 9:31am
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Monday, November 17th
11:54pm

Dear Diary,

What a whirlwind! It’s been almost two weeks since I’ve last written in my diary. Since election night, actually. And what a night! Barack made an amazing acceptance speech, and I was truly proud to be his wife. And good for him for getting going on his cabinet. I don’t want a lazy president for a husband.

I’m still very troubled about all the anti-gay legislation that was passed, and I’m hoping that there’s some way to overturn that. It concerns me to think that while our country has come so far as to elect a black president, that we still can’t allow everyone to have same rights. Perhaps we will finally win on this issue when Sasha and Malia are my age.

Whew, I can’t imagine my girls in their forties! I can’t even picture them as teenagers! I worry that growing up in the White House will somehow damage their good upbringing. But I can’t imagine that the celebrity status would go to their heads.

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