Well, I think it's about time I talk about the election. Tuesday night in the US was Wednesday morning here, so after I woke up, I came straight to the internet cafe and began streaming MSNBC.
I have never been as homesick as I was that morning. After the results were announced, I really just wanted someone here to share the joy with. Someone to hug and cheer with. I tried to tell the guy working at the internet place what had just happened but I'm pretty sure he had no idea what I was talking about.
Obama is fiercely popular here but a lot of people sort of thought he was already the new president. I have only met one person who preferred McCain, a Christian living in Yogya who believed Obama was a Muslim.
People here often ask me what I think about America. And that was a hard question to answer before. I didn't want to be overly negative of America but at the same time, I couldn't lie about the fact that I felt the country was moving in the completely wrong, destructive, and immoral direction. To have a president who actually believes in freedom, as an abused concept as that may be, fills me with a pride and patriotism that I haven't felt since immediately after Sept 11. And this time I'm an adult and the pride is coming from a joyous occasion rather than a tragic one. Not to mention the beautiful and historic significance of finally having an African American in office. When people ask me about America, I can finally say that I am proud of my country. That sounds trite, but it's huge and amazing and I want to keep this feeling. Obama has a long, difficult road ahead of him, and things are not going to change quickly, but I finally feel that the future might not be worse than the present.
This was sort of a rambling post, but you get the idea. Obama!JOY!
8 comments:
heather i really love reading your blog and looking at all you pictures!!
Dear Heather,
We really enjoy reading Your Blog. I don't think I could make it over there without all the things We have in America.It makes You Appreciate all the Things We have. The Pictures are really Great too that You take.I Guess some Days You really are Homesick. You are doing a Great Job. We Miss You, Love, Aunt Lorey & Uncle Bob
Hi Gillian, glad you like it and glad to hear you're reading : )
Lorey, you're right some times I'm homesick, but usually it's ok. I'm glad you're reading the blog!
Miss you too!
Wow, Heather...I really had no idea that any members of the immediate family, except for me, were Obama supporters! I drove 150 miles through an intense snow storm to vote and was so happy watching election results come in on my computer that night.
I'm sorry I haven't communicated before now; my dad has a link to your blog on his desktop, and it's just great! You're really a good writer...and a good cook...and an Obama supporter! We should get together when you get back in the US.
I'm going to keep close tabs on your blog from now on! That link about the kidnapping is really scary. So's the preparation of your hair... the end result was great, though.
Your cousin,
Jenny
Hi Jenny! It's great to hear from you. Actually, believe it or not, my Mom is an Obama supporter as well!
We should definitely get together when I get back. I have sort of vague plans to drive across the country with a friend or two and if that happens, Yellowstone will definitely be one of the stops. If not, well, we'll find another way!
I'm glad you like the blog and really glad to hear there's another Obama supporter in the family! Your voting experience sounds...harrowing, but it's a good story. Keep in touch!
hey you two - don't let my rebublican brother find out I've crossed over, he may never speak to me again. :-0
Mom
Well he did and he just let the cat out of the bag to me too!
Little Sis
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