Hawaii Respite Concludes for Obama

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: Washington Post

President-elect Barack Obama bid adieu to his native Hawaii on Thursday, wrapping up his 13-day pre-inaugural vacation here with a morning workout before returning home to Chicago.

Obama is scheduled to arrive in Chicago early Friday morning and will spend just over 48 hours at home before moving his family to Washington on Sunday, in time for his daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, to begin classes at Sidwell Friends School. The future first family will stay at the historic Hay-Adams Hotel, just steps from the White House, before moving to Blair House on Jan. 15.

Obama concluded a relaxing respite in Hawaii during which he remained largely secluded at a seaside vacation compound with his wife, Michelle, their two daughters and several friends from Chicago and their families. The president-elect maintained a relatively low profile in Hawaii, some days venturing out in public only for his morning workout at a Marine Corps base.

Making his last stop at the gym Thursday morning, Obama was greeted by about 20 onlookers. "We love having you with us," one woman told the president-elect. Obama shook hands, posed for pictures and signed autographs with a red Sharpie. "I wish I could hang out with you, but I've got to go home," Obama told the crowd....

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/01/AR2009010101496.html?hpid=moreheadlines

[machI]

1. I hope the vacation was good for President Obama, he won't get another for eight long years

[jazzjunkysue]

2. Agreed. It seems from my point of view like he had some rest and quiet

family time. They all needed that.

I hope the stresses of D.C. don't weaken his family ties. The job will re-focus his attention, of course, but the girls can keep him grounded.

I hope we don't tear the family apart with all of our huge economic problems. Michelle seems uniquely prepared for the job. We'll never really know how much her impact will keep our president clear and centered.

He's got everyone rooting for him, though. That's one thing the economy has done for him: Everyone wants to help him dig us out of this hole.

[elleng]

3. Yes, we're rooting for him.

I'm particularly rooting for Michelle this 'weekend,' as she's got to get the girls and all their things organized and ready for school MONDAY! I have huge empathy for her, and only a slight understanding of the task, as I've got 2, one out of and one in college. Of course, she's got the kind of assistance none of us have.