Sometimes I get lucky. January 15th was one of those times where I lucked out along with my husband in receiving an invitation to the Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama. Let me take you on my awesome adventure!

The invitations were received on the 15th, Thursday afternoon. Tickets were in the orange section, about a third of the way from the Capitol, front and center. The invitation packet included: Guidelines For The Inauguration Ceremonies, Inauguration Invitation, Inauguration Program, Portraits of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, and Inauguration Ticket.

Centerfold of Inauguration Program. This year happens to be the 200th Anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday – February 12, 1809. What a coincidence!

The Night Before the Inauguration: Went to bed early, but who could sleep worrying about possibly oversleeping and missing the bus the next morning? I mean, besides my husband.

Morning of the Inauguration: Woke up at 1:30 a.m. We finally left to catch the bus at around 4:15, and waited for the bus for 1 and 1/2 hours. (Bus was supposed to come at 4:00!) It was still dark and around 25º. It was also breezy so the temperature was probably in single digits. It was so cold I thought I might fall over the bench in a fetal position.

Metro Station/Pentagon: Caught this metrorail. Note how crowded it is inside the train; people squeezed in to clear the doors. A fellow on board said it reminded him of being in Beijing.

Arrived 7:36 a.m. at Metro Station/Capitol Southeast: Got off metrorail to be part of this crowd. Metro should be commended for a job well done. A woman over the PA system gave the drill, “Keep it moving, keep it moving, keep it moving, walk through the gate.”Crowd was in an upbeat mood and laughed. People began repeating the drill as well.

Being slightly under five feet tall, here is my perspective being in the crowd. It was worse inside the train – my face was up against my husband’s back.

7:40 am: Going up the escalator to the upper floor.

Entrance of another longer escalator.

7:49 am: Going up the escalator to the ground level outside. Light at the end of tunnel!

7:51 am: Off the escalator to enter C Street; the southeast side of the Capitol.

8:07 am: Standing in meandering line at a nearby park to get to the entrance of the Capitol.

8:53 am: Nanook of the North. Okay, thought I looked fine until this picture was taken. Need to replace the mirror at home. Was holding hand warmers in clasped hands and was still cold!

9:05 am: Picture taken of the crowd below as I stood in line at the park above. Tents are security checkpoints to get into Capitol. Music began playing at the Capitol.

9:24 am: Long lines to the latrines. Husband was in one of them. Afterward he confirmed that yes, it was gross.

9:55 am: Seated and view of the Capitol.

10:09 am: Photo taken from seat.

10:31 am: View further back from seats. Washington Monument far off in the background. People standing on the mall in front of the monument were given flags and were waving them. Spectacular sight; area appeared glistening from the Capitol!

Closer view of Capitol.

12:07 pm: Obama being sworn into office. Michelle at his side.

12:09 pm: Obama gives speech.

12:27 pm: Marines line the rows as program ends and people begin to leave.

As we were leaving the Capitol grounds, former President Bush appeared on the Jumbotron leaving the White House as well. President Obama and First Lady Michelle were saying their goodbyes to the former president and Mrs. Bush as they boarded the presidential helicopter. The Obamas waved goodbye as the helicopter took off in the Jumbotron. Then as if in a 3-D movie, the helicopter appeared over the Capitol building and flew over the crowd. Everyone looked up, stunned that the former President Bush was flying directly overhead in close proximity. The crowd cheered and waved goodbye. Or maybe they were jeering and waving him off — because oddly enough, there was also much laughter.

For more about the Presidential Inauguration, go to new WhiteHouse.gov.