Revitalization from President Bush

As of March 5, 2007 I have officially worked for the Department of Agriculture for one year. I can't believe it's been so long. In some aspects, it seems like the past year has gone extremely slow, but at the same time, I can't believe it's already been a year!

Yesterday was a great reward for all Political Appointees though. We were treated to a speech from President Bush, on what he expects of us over the next year. I don't know if this happens every year (if so, neither me, or my boss were there for it), but it was a great way to invigorate all of us.

We got an extra special treat during the event being greeted first by White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, followed by First Lady Laura Bush. It was an AMAZING!

(added tidbit here - Tony Snow made us do the Wave, twice. It was mentioned in the Examiner today: Snow tries new crowd approach
We always knew the White House press secretary was a cheerleader for the administration, but not literally.
Before President Bush delivered remarks to political appointees and federal government employees Wednesday at Constitution Hall, Tony Snow took to the stage and warmed up the audience by using two foolproof motivational methods.
1. Make fun of the press. Our source reported Snow saying the following during this closed-press event: “Lots of people have asked me why I took a pay cut and agreed to work longer hours, but this is actually a lot better than working in the media. Because really, who wants to talk about Anna Nicole Smith all the time?”
2. Get the crowd to do the wave ... twice. That’s right, Snow made the gathered assembly do the sports stadium favorite in order to pump them up.
When the crowd initially paused, Snow implored them, “No really: Get up and do the wave!”
And everyone did, Cabinet members and all. Then, before he introduced Laura Bush, he made the crowd do another wave, to get them “really geeked up.”)

With no media present, we were able to see a side of President Bush that you just don't see very often. He was "unedited," comical, and really just, natural. Although there was a prepared speech for the day, he often deviated from it with stories, and his own funny quips. At one point he was so free as to use the term 'duh' and another to stick out his tounge and go "ptbbt." It was great!

His words were inspirational though. This man faces criticism from the media, the public, and the world on a daily basis, but yet his optimism does not fade. He of course has goals for himself and us over the next two years, and he has no doubt that we can reach them. It is easy to see that he has realized that he doesn't have to step out on the campaign trail again, he can just work on what is important to him. One of the funnier moments came when he was telling us about the books he's read over the past year (he said he doesn't watch television) ... he has read 3 biographies about George Washington (the first George W. he said). He said that he realized something while reading these biographies ... they are still analyzing the first President, how can he be worried about what will be said about him, he's # 43!

Hearing his optimisim and goals for the next two years, again made me realize how special my job is, and just how lucky I am to be a part of this Administration.

(My pictures were a little blurry - darn new camera I'm not used to - so thanks Karla for your pictures!!)