seeing democracy in action just isn't the same from across the pacific: a partisan post

I really underestimated how sad it would be to be out of the country for the election. I mean, don't get me wrong, it has been the most inspiring and memorable experience of my political life, but that is exactly why seeing democracy in action from across the ocean just isn't the same. I think I totally underestimated how affecting the election would be because I'm a cynic when it comes to our political system. I was really scared that Obama would lose and we'd have another 8 years of the same policies, so I was kind of expecting to never want to come back to the states ever again and thought I would be laughing at everyone who was still stuck there with another 8 years of republican leadership.

So, as it turns out, the jokes on me. This is perhaps the first time in my life (but hopefully not the last) that I am proud of my country and want to go home to celebrate with my fellow Americans. I'm pretty sure I will never be running for a national office, or married to anyone doing so, so I'm not afraid to say that. Anyway, I was so excited that I wanted to have people down in the streets knocking pots and pans together like they did in DC and San Francisco and NY and everywhere. Instead, everyone went about their business and the Americans here gave eachother high fives and got drunk. Not the same. I wished for a moment that I was teaching English in Kenya. How awesome would that have been?

Missing you all. And missing America a bit more than expected.
love,
beth