The news of Obama’s victory came via the Internet, about 11:30am on Wednesday morning in Bandung. Motorcycle helmet still in hand, I went straight into the computer room at my school, checked the latest news, and let a huge WHOOP!! When startled co-workers looked at me, I yelled “It’s all over! Obama is the next president! Woohoo!!” My fellow teachers congratulated me all day, and shared in my excitement and happiness. For the first time in a long time, I felt proud to be an American. In a way, Obama’s victory feels like an announcement to the world: “Sorry about Bush, but we got it right the second time”.
All throughout the day, I shared the great news with students, some of whom had already heard. We shared impromptu cheers of “OBAMA!!!” and talked about the results.
- http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/11/07/obama-victory-inspires-ri-youth.html (RI means Republic of Indonesia)
- http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/11/05/menteng-students-overjoyed-with-obama039s-win.html
It also makes me very happy to see teachers from other countries share in our joy. Russell and other teachers from England, Australia, and Canada have been very supportive. It’s a victory for them too. We toasted Obama’s win many times in the pub that night.
On Wednesday, I really wished that I could be in the US for just one day. Here’s why:
3 responses so far ↓
1 Debo // Nov 9, 2008 at 9:53 pm
How neat to fun to share this historic event with friends from several countries. We rejoiced with Native American friends. Obama doesn’t forget to name them in his speeches.
Thank you for the video from Seattle. We hadn’t seen it.
2 Debo // Nov 9, 2008 at 9:53 pm
How neat to share this historic event with friends from several countries. We rejoiced with Native American friends. Obama doesn’t forget to name them in his speeches.
Thank you for the video from Seattle. We hadn’t seen it.
3 Andy // Nov 11, 2008 at 5:46 am
I remember I was in Sri Lanka
(also with large Muslim population) when bombs started dropping on Iraq. It was the completely opposite feeling. I was actually glad that I wasn’t in the U.S. at the time, and a wee bit nervous about where I was…
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