Parachutes Landing

Welcome to America, where black people are president, gay people are senators and smoking pot is legal.

President Obama's inauguration into his second presidential term marked a cultural change that was just as deep as the political one, and I was there to see it. From January 17-22 I was in Washington DC with the Close Up foundation and for the first time in my life I gained a whole new perspective on what this country stands for.

As I stood on the National Mall, below freezing weather waiting for Obama to be sworn into office for the second time in a row it dawned upon me just how far we have come as a nation. Only 50 years ago no one would have even thought about putting a black guy in charge, because that would have just been absurd. But there I was, smiling at the one time I was glad to see history repeat itself, also the fact that it was MLK day AND the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation really made it icing on the cake.

It was funny to see what the Republican party put out as a fantasy become a reality; what was seen as a fluke in African American pride and youth enthusiasm made it crystal clear on what this nation wants. Well at least half of the nation.

America is ever changing. The white men, which are the base of the GOP, are becoming a shrinking minority, and those so called hooligans are the people everybody is counting on...Yes, the Democratic party has a long way to go before it can reach that sweeping victory that it's looking for, but our folks on the right side are going to be doing a lot of wandering around looking for that upper hand they need to win in 2016. The future of the GOP now relies on its ability to adapt to the new liberal America...America 2.0.

Let's see how that goes.

I just want to give a Thanks to Close Up for making this the best week ever, and my three room mates Melissa, Claire, and Evelyn who were a blast to stay with!

Follow me on Twitter/Instagram @vivalajamz

On January 7th the Bachelor is back with the super hunky Sean Lowe as the sucker who fell for the idea that this show actually works, so just like last time I have gathered the pictures and bios of each of the contestants (Thanks ABC!) and at the end of each bio I'll put in my opinion.

So to start this mess off, here is Sean:

And the women:

What is your favorite all-time book and why?
The Shack - it's emotional and humbles you.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why? How would you use it?
Teleport - I wish I could go to and from places in the blink of an eye. It would be so much easier than traveling

What was the most romantic present you have ever received and why?
I was offered a prada bag or the same amount of $$ donated to a charity that we would volunteer at (I went with the second)

She looks the sporty type, normal, but we all know that can't be true since she's on the show.

If you could have lunch with one person, who would it be and why?
Adele, I want to hear her story behind her music. Then I'd have her sing to me the rest of lunch.

What is your most embarrassing moment?
Back in the Britney Spears low jeans day...I was dancing & my pants ripped along the butt, middle butt seam. I had to stand against the wall until a friend gave me his shirt to cover my butt!

How long does it take you to get ready to go out for a big night on the town? As long as I'm allowed. I could easily take 3 hours.

Breaking news! Adele seen serenading Bachelor contestant, she may be off the market...

Would you consider yourself adventurous or conservative?
A bit of both; There's a time for work and a time for play.

What was the most romantic present you have ever given? Why?
I love to cook and anytime I do I make the mood beautiful and serve with candles. I'm simple and I believe you don't have to spend thousands for romance.

What are your favorite foods?
Anything prepared with organic products; but I love everything!

That's great that you like organic, but you plan on marrying a Texan.

What is a typical Saturday night like for you?
Going out with my best friends and their fiances/husbands. Whoever/whatever. My 2 closest GF's all do dinner and get ready together.

Would you say you're more of a country or more of a city person?
Both Totally! I love living in the city while I'm young and single but would be just as happy living in the country with my family.

Do you condier yourself a romantic and why?
Yes! extremely I wear my <3 on my sleeve and tend to let my emotions rule over my head and romantic attention (I am a Leo).

3rd wheel much?

Who do you admire most in the world and why?
Anyone who can look beyond themselves and unselfishly help others. Giving more than they may have. They are an example for us all.

Do you consider yourself a romantic and why?
Absolutely. Love is the best and expressing it to someone is so special.

What are the top 3 things on your bucket list, and why?
To eat traditional pasta in Italy, to go skiing in the Alps, and to ride an elephant in Thailand.

She sounds like Sean's type. You know the giving type with aspirations.

Do you consider yourself a good cook?

Yes, I'm good at making most dishes. My specialty is lasagna that will melt in your mouth!

What is your favorite memory from your childhood?
Teaching myself how to ride a bike after asking a neighbor to take the training wheels off my bike.

What is your favorite holiday and why?
Birthdays, I love celebrating life with friends, family, and lots of fun/cake.

This girl looks like she got some sass!

What are your 3 best attributes?
My positivity, drive, heart.

What is your most embarrassing moment?
Falling flat on my face in High School in front of my biggest crush!

What is your ideal mate's personality like?
Funny, sweet, driven, smart and charming.

Well, that was boring.

If you could be someone else for just one day, who would it be and why?
An Olympic champion to know what it feels like to physically work so hard to be the best in the world at something and have all that hard work pay off.

What is your favorite all-time book and why?
"Eat, Pray, Love" because it's a personal journey of overcoming and finding love and happiness along the way.

I love it when my date...
Isn't trying to be someone else or act different to impress me. When they can be candid and goofy and let the date proceed naturally.

Anyone has the ability to be a champ. Believe.

If you could be someone else for just one day, who would it be and why?
Taylor Swift, because I can't sing and I would love to know what it feels like to be extremely talented.

Do you prefer team sports or solo sports, and why?
Solo sports - I never played on team sports. Skiing and golfing are the two I enjoy.

Do you consider yourself a romantic and why?
In a lot of ways yes, but sometimes if it's too corny it makes me uncomfortable. But I love to be treated like a lady.

Go ahead, be Taylor Swift, but with her track record, you will never get married.

Who do you admire the most in the world and why?
My mom, she's been through a lot and she's still the most kind, giving, patient person I've ever known. Dedicated a lot of time to volunteering and helping people.

What is your most embarrassing moment?
I'm pretty clumsy so I fall a lot. I had my blood taken once and was blacking out while my mom was taking me back to the car. Apparently I started screaming and sat down on what I thought was a chair in the waiting room, no chair just an old lady!!!

Which US city is the most romantic and why?
New York during Christmas time. All of the lights, the snow, and horse carriages are so pretty!

That old lady got more action than you ever will on this show.

Do you like being the center of attention, or do you prefer being more mysterious and why?
I don't mind attention being on me but I maintain an air of mystery, I think. I don't share everything with everyone.

What is your favorite television show and why?
I'm obsessed with all things Food Network and Cooking Channel. I haven't had cable the last year, though. Also, Extreme Makeover - Weight Loss and Biggest Loser make me cry like a baby.

What is the best trip you have ever been on and why?
I spent 3 months in Spain and it is one of my favorite places on the planet. I lived in Madrid but really love the Southern region.

She's actually really pretty, but she seems like the tree hugger type,

Who do you admire most in the world and why?
Anyone who can live their lives without caring what anyone else thinks. That's a huge thing I'm working through right now.

Would you consider yourself adventurous or conservative?
Adventurous. Life is boring without risks.

What is your favorite all-time book and why?
"Sassy, Single, and Satisfied" - it's a book about loving who you are first and foremost so you can cultivate the best in all your relationships.

Cruise Ship Entertainer sounds...suspicious.

What is your greatest achievement to date?
Going back to college...I moved to a new state, made new friends, had multiple jobs and had a blast while keeping an honors scholarship, high GPA and finishing with a degree in 4 years!

Do you like to go out dancing? If yes, what is your preferred type of dancing?
Salsa! I looooove Latin dancing. So fun and such a workout!

What does being married mean to you?
It's a commitment, a friendship, a devotion of honesty, truth and true love. It's also a willingness to be less selfish and accept someone as your other half.

You definition of marriage is nice, now lets see if you can keep it up if you win.

What are your top 3 all-time favorite movies?
1. Something's Gotta Give
2. Dirty Dancing
3. Father of the Bride

Do you prefer team sports or solo sports, and why?
Solo - because I like to control my own destiny. However, from a business standpoint - I love working as a team.

Describe your idea of the ultimate date.
My ideas are endless, I imagine exotic places, where love literally fills the air. I picture me and my date, exploring a tropical city, doing crazy adventurous things - all about the romantic paradise setting.

How does participating in solo sports mean you can control your destiny. All ABC was asking was if you like sports more like golf, or sports more like basketball. They were not asking anything pertaining to your inner light, nor business.

Do you like being the center of attention, or do you prefer being more mysterious and why?
I prefer being more mysterious. I'm an observer and like to analyze the room before I do anything crazy. I can be the center of attention if it's around a small group I know well.

Do you consider yourself a romantic and why?
Recently yes! I would choose to stay in & cook and be romantic with a boy then go out and socialize with others. i would love to take a romantic trip with someone.

What's your worst date memory?
Getting picked up and having no plan and then driving around arguing what to do or where to go.

They did not capitalize the 'I' in the 3rd sentence of the 2nd paragraph.

Who do you admire most in the world and why?
My parents provided a great life for my brothers and I. Taught me strong values and prepared me for every type of situation I may face. They provided a solid foundation for my life.

What is your favorite all-time book and why?
"The Best Advice I ever got" compiled by Katie Couric. This book is full of great life lessons from people in all career fields.

I hate it when my date...
doesn't offer to pick me up from my house, texts me and doesn't come to the door to let me know he's there.

Oh God! Katie Couric!

What is your favorite memory from your childhood?
The whole thing in its entirety. The love and care of my parents, my sisters and the friends i had. My childhood was perfect.

What is the most romantic present you have ever given? why?
I would always leave notes for my last boyfriend to find...in his dress drawers, on his pillow, in his car, in his suitcase when leaving for a trip...

What's your biggest date fear?
Talking to a brick wall? I usually go out with people I've met at least once before.

Political consultant...Well, since Sean is from Texas, I'm going to assume he's Republican, and since she's from Arizona she may also be Republican. Hmmmm...NAH!

Would you describe yourself more as "the party-starter," "the wingman," or "the laid back one"?

I honestly thing I am a bit of all three but if I must pick one I am "the party starter." It is important to me that everyone has fun :).

What's your worst date memory?
I got sent on a blind date with an old man!

What is the most romantic present you have given? Why?
I made my ex-boyfriend a drawing book when he studied abroad because he loves to draw. He loved it!

I'm not understanding how someone gives a drawing book. I mean if she went out to buy paper and then binded it and all that, that's kinda cool, but at that point I would just go out and buy one from the store.

What is the most outrageous thing you have ever done?

Going on a stake out to stalk my friend's ex-boyfriend.

If you wanted to approach a man you had never met before, how would you go about it?
I'm not shy. I will go straight up to the person, tap them on the shoulder and say hello.

I love it when my date...
and I are clearly into each other. He is sweeping me off my feet and wanting to "court" me. I love chivalry.

She sounds like the type that would stalk you if you dump her, and then when you find out she comes and eggs your house.

What was your college experience like?

Finding the right college was tough for me. I tried fitting in several university "type" colleges - even rushed for a sorority. But it wasn't a fit for me - so I transferred to art school.

Do you have any pets and if so, what kind?
I have a 2-yr. old French Bulldog named Leo, after lion - not Leonardo Dicaprio - although he's incredibly handsome. Leo's not just a pet, he's my son! He even comes to work with me everyday.

I love it when my date...
Compliments me!!! - Guys are forgetting how important it is to tell a girl how she looks! She spent a long time getting ready for you. Tell her you notice!!! Calls me rather than texts, plans the whole date without asking me anything. Gets creative, teaches me something new, shows me who he really is. talks and initiates great conversation.

Why did she assume that I assumed that she named her dog after Leonardo DiCaprio. No one cares.

If you could have lunch with one person, who would it be and why?

Oprah, just because who wouldn't want to have lunch with Oprah and pick her brain for an hour.

Who are your top 3 favorite group/artists & why?
Jamey Johnson, because he's an incredible song writer. Miranda Lambert because her music and voice is incredible and Rihanna because she gets me pumped.

Do you consider yourself a romantic and why?
I am a sentimental person, but wouldn't consider myself romantic.

I like her, because she likes Oprah.

If you could have lunch with one person, who would it be and why?

My future soul-mate! I just want to meet him already. Someone who it is just as naturual and we are best friends!

Do you like to go out dancing? If yes what is your preferred type of dancing?
Yes! I love to dance - I'm a dancer, been dancing since I was 3. I love all kinds of dancing.

Do you consider yourself a romantic and why?
I like to be a romantic at times, I just haven't found someone who i can share that with yet.

Doesn't having dinner with your soul mate ruin the whole idea of finding him.

Please excuse the 2 white boxes...ABC had it like that. I don't know how to fix it, but go with the information that feels right to you. Let the picture speak to you.

If you could be someone else for just one day, who would it be and why?
This might sound weird but I think being a homeless person. To see how they truly live their life and the struggles they go through and how they got there. So one day, I can help change the number of homeless people that end up living on the streets.

Do you consider yourself a romantic and
why?

Yes most definitely. I think I'm a hopeless romantic, I do a lot of little things which are I think key and giving and planning to make something special and romantic.

Do you prefer a man who wants to be pursued or a man who pursues you, and why?
Ideally I would like a man that pursues me. I feel like I'm always the one pursuing and it would be a nice change for once. I want a man that's so in love with me and he can't imagine life without me

Can I just say that being homeless in the United States should be counted as a blessing. If you think about it, that homeless man standing on the corner of the street probably collects at least $100. It's just that they don't spend it wisely. So, Leslie, if you want to see real poverty, come with me the next time I head to Africa, you may want to take back your answer.

Personally, I'm rooting for Catherine, Katie, and Selma (because she likes Oprah).