The vastness of White House mesmerized Michelle. There were big rooms whose windows were “fitted with bomb-resistant glass” and a staff made of florists, housekeepers, ushers, chefs, painters, electricians, and plumbers (Obama 260). Michelle states that the luxuries afforded to Barack and his family were significant because his [Barack’s] family's happiness was "tied to his; protected for one reason…if our safety was compromised, so would be his ability to think clearly and lead the nation (Obama 261). Michelle asserts that life in the White House was not only different but came with real change. Perhaps best of all, Michelle and her daughters enjoyed dinner with Barack, contrary to life in Chicago where Barack could seldom join them for dinner.

Michelle reminisces sitting in the hall of the House of Representative waiting to for Barack to arrive to address a joint session of Congress. The author states, “From where I sat, I could see … an ocean of whiteness and maleness… the absence of diversity was glaring” (Obama 265). Michelle further states “there were just seven nonwhites…none of them African American and only one was a woman” (Obama 265). The author also talks about how her White House garden idea was resisted, however, a few months later the garden became a reality (Obama 270).