In the Papers

In one week my roomie and I have been in the local Chennai paper twice! And both times we are pictured with Obama--yahoo!!!! Oh, how that happy that makes me, especially since I have family, exes, and friends that surely did NOT vote for Obama! Shocking I know, but it's true!

Admittedly, the first picture only includes my arm and refers to Hamsa as a local high school student. But the second picture includes both of us, plus our friend Rajitha in an article about ex-pats living and working in Chennai. Nowhere are we quoted or even interviewed for the article, but apparently they liked our posed shots with Obama's cut-out enough to use it twice in one week!

OH-BAMA

Where were you when Obama was declared president? When he gave his acceptance speech?

Last week was historic and it was celebrated around the world. Early on Wednesday morning (late Tuesday in the US), ex-pats, local high school students and local Chennai residents congregated in a conference room at the Taj Hotel, a five-star luxury hotel. The U.S. Consulate had organized a huge election returns event for 1000s of people. They had live CNN feeds, political analysts, a fake voting booth, life-size cutouts of Obama and McCain, and red white and blue balloons everywhere. It was the most patriotic event I’ve been to in years and I was giddy and nervous with excitement as the returns came in. While the main room with the large screen TVs was exciting, the young ex-pat (dems abroad group) crowd migrated to another room with couches and lounge chairs. About 25 of us crowded around a large screen TV and watched as the CNN predicted that Obama had won. We were ecstatic; there was cheering, clapping, and tears. When Obama finally gave his acceptance speech, the room went silent. We clapped and cheered with the live crowds in Chicago and a few people shouted out “Yes, we can”. As I looked around at my fellow Americans, all living and working in the Chennai, I saw tears of joy and expressions of relief – change has happened and America will remember this day forever.

For the first time in 8 years, I felt proud to be an American. I’m proud to be from a country that could recognize the need for change and work toward it. I’m proud to be from a country that is trying to look beyond race and instead at the qualities of a candidate. And I’m proud to be from a country that has a dynamic new leader ready to take on the problems left by the last administration. It is an exciting time and I look forward to watching Obama lead in the coming years. After his acceptance speech, with tears in my eyes, I turned to my friends and said ‘Now, I can go home’. With a new competent leader in the oval office, I won’t dread returning to US soil – cringing and closing my eyes as I walk by the huge portrait of W hanging on the wall in the immigration halls at airports. I look forward to my next flight home and proudly walking by the portrait of Obama – a true leader and someone I can be proud to call my president. The day after Obama was declared president, I woke up early and ran to buy all the local English papers. Living overseas provides a unique and interesting perspective to American politics. Amazingly, most Indians know more about our system of government than we do. And the international excitement and importance of Obama’s win was explicit as the front pages of all the major newspapers were dedicated to America’s 44th president.

Congratulations Democrats

...for stealing back The House and The Senate!! Wow, maybe the last two years with "he who must not be named" won't be so tragic and horrific afterall (maybe).

And Congratulations to my Aunt A for scoring a democratic victory in her hometown! Hooray!

When do we start addressing you as "Your honor the mayor?"

It's Time to Vote!!

A year ago this week, I accidently deleted my blog! To celebrate one year of blogging (on the current blog), over 10,300 hits, and over 112 posts, I'm posting a POLL!! The future of my blog depends a lot on my future. I won't necessarily base my decision on the results, but I'll take it into consideration!

And for all of you out there who read my blog on a regular basis....and I know you're there because I have a stat counter, please vote, and please feel free to leave comments!

Before you vote below consider these points:

1. I've just started an MA program, if I stay I can continue paying for my course and finish the coursework in Japan (while still saving money & living well).
2. I really want to see more of the world.
3. I really want to work in the Middle East.
4. I'm very comfortable here! I love my apartment, and I enjoy my job (usually).
5. If I stay, I can snowboard for another year.
6. If I stay, that will be more money in my savings account to do more later.
7. If I leave, my finances will be tight, and I'll have to take a leave of absense from my MA program.
8. If I stop my MA, I may not start it up again!
9. If I stay, I can theoretically learn more Japanese.
10. If I leave, I can start learning Arabic or another language.
11. The dating pool here has been drained!
12. Who needs a date, I love living alone!
13. I have a really good online study support group.
14. I love eating school lunch (usually).
15. I hate packing. I mean I HATE packing!

Should Kirsten stay in Japan for a 4th year?

Yes, of course!! No way, get out while you can. Flip a coin, there isn't a bad decision Travel the world for a year, I'll send monetary donations to support you!

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