Inaugural Ball for Democrats Abroad!

I consider Inauguration Day one of my favorite days every four years. It ranks second to Election Day for my favorite days. Call me a true political nerd. 

I had found out about the Inaugural Ball that was occurring for Democrats Abroad upon my return to London following winter break. Zaina and I decided to attend without dates because we also wanted to meet new people outside the MPA program at LSE. 

The evening started off with a happy hour before the three-course meal. We did end up running into a few other MPA students  for the happy hour. From there, the three course dinner served. We wound up at a table with a bunch of Americans all in the United Kingdom either for education, work experience, or just a change of pace of life. Jessica, the girl who sat next to me, is actually going to be starting a part-time course at LSE in human rights. She was currently working for a non-profit. 

Zaina and Me

Post-dinner, the Executive Board of the UK Democrats Abroad had a few speeches about the accomplishments of Obama's first term, the 2012 election, and the hopeful progress that can be made during the second term. The crowd erupted when the goal of taking back the House in 2014 was stated. Enthusiasm was felt all around the world which allowed for a transition to the highlight video of the first term. From there, the Inauguration speech was played on a loop before the dancing began. 

Overall, it was a great way to celebrate Obama's second inauguration. I had watched the inauguration online earlier in the day, but being able to celebrate with it with a roomful of proud Americans and even foreigner was a great experience. It's something that I will never forget!

Oh, and if you forgot. Here's the photo showing Obama and me, future president. 

#WALPOLE2040

Election Edition!

For those who know me well, I'm a huge political junkie. It's comparable to those who get super into fantasy football. It's an obsession that largely formed when I was younger. A lover of JFK biographies, the Cuban Missile Crisis, history books, and MSNBC made me who I am today as well as influence my intended career path. Thus, yesterday, November 6th, 2012, was a holiday to me. Second favorite day of the year- my birthday also known as St. Patrick's Day- still wins.

I registered to vote before I turned 18 in 2008, so I would be all set to focus my attention on the 2008 election. First year of voting! I remember the election very well. It was my first semester at Syracuse, and I remember camped out in the lounge on my floor in the residence hall. A bunch of us-"the six"- grabbed takeout from the dining hall and crowded around a television to watch the results together. Once the election was called for Obama, Ashlie, Jordan, and I ran to the quad to celebrate with other members of the Syracuse University community. Insane, joyous, and memorable are just a few of the words I would use to describe that post midnight celebration that night.

When I was abroad in 2010, it came to vote in the midterm elections. Sending in an absentee ballot, just as I had in 2008 and 2009 (local elections), it was weird not at least being in the United States to send in an absentee ballot. Yes, I still got to vote, but I was traveling during the election. There was hardly a time to sit down and read results outside those I actually chose to concentrate my thesis on.

And, yes, before we begin, 2011 was an absentee ballot again.

This year, living abroad for a presidential election was entirely different than that of 2010. Of course, the world views a presidential election in the US slightly higher than a local/state election and even a senator election that was held in 2010.  For the past several weeks, I've been stopped by non-Americans in and out of my program asking me if I voted and for whom. They wanted to make sure that I expressed my right to vote- something that many countries still do not have the right to do so. Don't worry, my ballot got there. Trust me.

Being five hours ahead of the EST coast was hard. I stayed up till 5am yesterday, and woke back up at 7am to find out Obama had officially been declared a winner. Sometimes sleep and time differences to trump my love of politics. Nevertheless, the emotions that I felt being here yesterday were and were not comparable to what I felt in 2008. Of course, I was thrilled that my choice for President won (re-elected), but even celebrating with some Americans through the evening with the early closing states, it was different. We tried to create an atmosphere that felt like "home." The LSE party was held in too small of a space, and so, we crowded into a lounge with others in a dorm room. Explaining the electoral college- or trying to explain the electoral college to non-Americans was my favorite part of the evening.

Going back to my point about it being different was that it was different in a good way. Thanks to technology, I kept live updates from Twitter. I watched Mike Allen on my computer at 4am. And this morning, I woke up to iMessages, tweets, and Facebook updates from friends and family members. Being connected helped me feel as if I was at a huge rally on the quad or an election party. Being abroad doesn't take the feeling away of being part of democracy. Sure, it would have been nice to have a Bud Light, a hot dog, and a slice of apple pie to watch the returns, but that is the point of choosing a grad school abroad. I wanted to experience different things- gain different perspectives. Yesterday, I did. I can honestly say that 2012 will not be forgotten. 

Furthermore, this morning as I left to run to finish homework, I heard so many British people discussing the results on the bus, the tube, and even in Starbucks.  They were happy with the result. Of course, the newspapers that I saw this morning had been printed before Obama had been reelected. That means I need to grab one tomorrow to supplement my 2008 election and 2009 copies.

And, yes, I wore my donkey pin proudly. 

Monster Mash!

Everyone has his or her favorite holidays...and his or her least favorite holidays as well. My favorite? St. Patrick's Day (yay birthday!), Christmas, and Mayfest (Syracuse "holiday"). Least favorite? Halloween.

Most are surprised when they hear that I don't like Halloween. To be honest, I just don't like dressing up. Decorating, yes. Baking, yes....Martha Stewart aspects of the holiday, I'm fine with. Come to think of it now, maybe I should have dressed as a Pinterest board...hmm? When I was little, I had awesome costumes, though. That horse/princess combo outfit...still my favorite Mom. And, that year I dressed as a nun and led prayer sessions for chemistry in high school...

But, despite my opinion towards the holiday, there was a MPA Halloween Party this past week. Naturally, I did need to come with a costume.

But, before we get there, we need a story.  A story that precedes this  past week...even precedes college.

When I was 10 years old, I dressed up as Susan B. Anthony. Yes, I wore period clothes, hair back, glasses on, with a sign. Sister Suffragettes! Clearly, my aspiration to make a difference, emulate powerful women, and be opinionated came from a young age. Thanks, Mom and Dad. Anyways, that Halloween, I went trick-or-treating, and a man did answer the door, refused to give me candy, and shut the door because I dressed up as Susan B. Anthony. Humorous story, to this day.


Yes, I know this song by heart....

Thus, this year, when it came time to decide what to dress up, there was really only thing to dress up...

#bindersfullofwomen

Political, check. Funny, yes. Not an extreme costume, check!

#OBAMA2012

With the election coming up in two days, it was fun.  Party was a lot of fun, but I did cut out early as I did have class early the next Morning. Oh, and with the election coming up, don't forget to vote!