First lady Michelle Obama turns 50 on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014.

Michelle Obama has spent the first half-century of her life breaking barriers and checking off a series of firsts. Now, as she reaches her milestone birthday Friday, the nation will be watching to see in what other areas she will leave her mark.

Five years after moving into the White House, and without a re-election campaign to worry about, she has more room to relax in her role and, political watchers say, possibly become more vocal on political issues in the three years left in office.

So far, critics have complained about Michelle's silence on issues where they expected to hear her voice: Last year, at the start of her husband's second term, she disappointed advocates for tighter gun-control measures after she failed to push harder on the issue in response to the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. She also disappointed some feminists who wanted her to defend their causes instead of falling back on her self-described role as the nation's "mom-in-chief." Nor did she handle racial issues during her second term, as some had expected.

"The most important thing to remember is, whether you are black, white or Hispanic, you're the first lady and the president of all the people in the United States. That's a huge melting pot, so to reinforce that she's African American over anything else would not be wise," said Anita McBride, who directs programming and national conferences on the legacies of America's first ladies and their historical influence at American University.

Valerie Jarrett, a top White House adviser and a close friend of the Obamas, said the first lady doesn't want to " _ "

"She really wants to have a maximum impact and to do that in fewer areas," Jarrett told the Associated Press. "That, she said, "is better than trying to take on every single possible cause."

But Robert Watson, a Lynn University professor, said he expects Obama to "go a little harder at issues" over the next several years. "Second-term first ladies usually feel more at ease to speak more forcefully about issues close to their heart," he said.

Myra Gutin, a Ryder University communications professor and frequent lecturer on first ladies, said she expects Obama to continue making both of them a priority in her remaining years in the White House, given their success. Michelle launched the "Let's Move" campaign in 2010. It in particular has gained widespread support, ranging from the National Football League to the Sesame Street franchise , which even gave permission to the produce industry to use its licensed characters for free on fruits and vegetables.

"There's no such thing as a traditional first lady, not anymore in this technology-filled world. Is Mrs. Obama cutting edge? Is she an activist? No. As first ladies go, I think she's been politically careful because she does not want there to be a major flare-up that would require her husband to use his political capital to clean up," she said. "But she's not exactly just sitting in the White House pouring tea and having receptions, either." What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. Who is Myra Gutin?
2. Which campaign did Michelle Obama launch in 2010?
3. When did she turn 50?
4. What have critics complained about her silence on?
5. What massacre did she fail to push harder for gun control in response to?
6. Who is Valerie Jarrett?
7. Where is Robert Watson a professor?
8. What does he expect over the next few years?
9. What does he say about 2nd term first ladies?
10. What has gained support from the NFL to Sesame Street?
11. Did Sesame Street charge money to use it's characters on fruits and veggies?
Answer: 1. a communications professor
2. Let's Move
3. Jan. 17, 2014
4. issues where they expected to hear her voice
5. Sandy Hook Elementary School
6. a top White House adviser
7. Lynn University
8. Obama to "go a little harder at issues"
9. Second-term first ladies usually feel more at ease to speak more forcefully about issues close to their heart
10. the "Let's Move" campaign
11. No

CHAPTER IX JOSIE INVESTIGATES

"Well, what luck?" asked Mary Louise, as she came into Josie's room while her friend was dressing for dinner.

"Not much," was the reply. "I'm not at all sure, Mary Louise, that this chase will amount to anything. But it will afford me practice in judging human nature, if nothing else comes of it, so I'm not at all sorry you put me on the trail. When are we to see Ingua again?"

"To-morrow afternoon. She's coming to tea in the pavilion."

"That's good. Let me see all of her you can. She's an original, that child, and I'm going to like her. Our natures are a good deal alike."

"Oh, Josie!"

"That's a fact. We're both proud, resentful, reckless and affectionate. We hate our enemies and love our friends. We're rebellious, at times, and not afraid to defy the world."

"I'm sure you are not like that, dear," protested Mary Louise.

"I am. Ingua and I are both children of nature. The only difference is that I am older and have been taught diplomacy and self-control, which she still lacks. I mask my feelings, while Ingua frankly displays hers. That's why I am attracted to her."

Mary Louise did not know how to combat this mood. She remained silent until Josie was dressed and the two went down to dinner. Their visitor was no longer the type of a half ignorant, half shrewd sewing-girl, such as she had appeared to be while in the village. Her auburn hair was now tastefully arranged and her attire modest and neat. She talked entertainingly during dinner, enlivening her companions thereby, and afterward played a game of dominoes with the Colonel in the living-room, permitting him to beat her at this, his favorite diversion. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. Who was Josie speaking with?
2. Is she her friend?
3. Who's coming to tea?
4. When?
5. Who is she like Josie or Mary Louise?
6. Does Mary Lousie think Josie is like Ingua?
7. Is Ingua original or like everybody else?
8. Name a Characteristic of Joise?
9. Name one more?
10. Is masking feelings something Josie does?
11. How about Ingua?
12. Is Josie attracted to Ingua or repelled by her?
13. Who went to dinner?
14. Who was in a mood?
15. Who had auburn hair?
16. What game was played after dinner?
17. With who?
18. Where?
19. Who won?
20. Did someone let him win?
Answer:
1. Mary Louise
2. Yes
3. Ingua
4. Tomorrow afternoon
5. Josie
6. No
7. Original
8. Self-control
9. Affectionate
10. Yes
11. No
12. Attracted
13. Mary and Josie
14. Josie
15. The visitor
16. Dominoes
17. The Colonel
18. The living-room
19. The Colonel
20. Yes