A new day.

Edited: I know many people out there may strongly disagree with the new choice for President and I fully respect your personal decisions. In the same vein, please be respectful of my desire to document certain parts of my life from time to time on this blog that may not fit with yours. At this time I am closing the comments as there is a fair mix of positive and negative that is most likely representative of the mixture of emotions that people are facing today.


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Thank you for all the birthday wishes yesterday. It was quite a day around here as I am sure it was for many of you throughout the United States.


For me it was exciting and stressful and emotional and amazing. 


Chris and I spent some time checking-in at local election headquarters for Obama, Jeff Merkley (US
Senate candidate) and Kitty Piercy (local mayor). Witnessing the energy and the excitement of the volunteers who were tirelessly calling and walking and continuing forward was a really cool way to spend the day. 


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In the early evening I watched the returns coming in on CNN up until the announcement that Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the United States. The three of us then headed down to the Lane County fairgrounds to watch the local and statewide returns, listen to Obama's speech, and celebrate with others in our community.


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Here's to looking ahead to the future. 


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[ obama rally at university of oregon : may 2008 : photo by local news photographer ]


I will never forget waiting in a room at the Oregon Convention Center back in September 2007 for the opportunity to meet Senator Obama. Meeting him that first time will always be one of the most memorable moments in my life.


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Yes we can. A new day has begun. Let's get to work.


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Two giveaways coming in a new post later today.

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76 thoughts

  1. Avital says…
    11/04/2008

    Congratulations!!! You've got yourself an awesome birthday present :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. corinne says…
    11/04/2008

    Ali I cried like a baby when I saw the news today, I am so happy and I am not even an American! You have met him and have a picture to prove it, wow thatis amazing! Love the piture of simon in the crowd as well.
    corinnexxx

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Silvitanova says…
    11/04/2008

    I've stayed up all night (in our timezone) to watch the news. I'm so happy with this president. This will effect the rest of the world to; in a positive way!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. katharina says…
    11/04/2008

    WOHOOO!
    We saw it coming and it came: BARACK OBAMA will be the next president and we see so much in him!
    BUT NEVERTHELESS: i want to congratulate (belatedly but from the heart) to your Birthday! WHAT A GREAT DAY!
    Lovely greetings from over the ocean
    Katharina (;

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Alice says…
    11/04/2008

    Hey Ali ! I woke up this morning with the great news ! I'm french, and i'm so happy Obama has been elected ! My family is really involved in politics in our town (near Paris), I have been really disapointed by the last french presidential elections, and by the last mayoral elections in my town (my father was candidate, and unfortunately wasn't elected). I realize that the election of Obama won't change anything in France, but for me it means that we're allowed to hope for better days !
    Thanks for sharing you joy about this election. I love the photo of Simon in the crowd !
    Take care
    Alice

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Kari says…
    11/04/2008

    Hooray!!! I am so excited and hope the country can keep this momentum.
    I am so glad that my son is just old enough to understand a bit of what is going on. It is truly a turning point in history.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Anthea says…
    11/04/2008

    Hi Ali,
    Happy Belated Wishes. Yes, a new day has dawned. Never, as an aussie, have I had so much interest in the election of an American President but from way over here in Australia it was just as exciting. I like to think that the feelings I feel are the same as what my parents felt with the election of JFK in the 60's and his acceptance was so inspiring almost wished I was American.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Sarah M says…
    11/04/2008

    LOVE the photo of Simon in the crowd!
    Barack's speech was one that brings tears of hope to this nation. May we all come together as one. May all the United States come together and believe "Yes We Can".
    Thanks to Chris for his service and what he will do in the next four years to be a part of this!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. beck says…
    11/04/2008

    Australia is excited that Obama won! Happy birthday :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. anna says…
    11/04/2008

    I am not an American, but I am one very happy UK gal, who stayed up most of the night to see history in the making. The UK is so proud of America, looking forwrad to a brighter future and a more peaceful world

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Heather says…
    11/04/2008

    What an emotional night, but what a great night for America!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. ToneF says…
    11/04/2008

    Big congratulations from Norway!!! This is a great day for the entire world, I am so happy about Obama becoming President now! What a man!
    This is fantastic!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Laura M says…
    11/04/2008

    What an amazing night! A new day has begun!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Jay says…
    11/04/2008
    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Sandi says…
    11/04/2008

    Hello Socialism
    Goodbye work ethic
    Goodbye personal responsibility
    Goodbye free trade
    Hello higher taxes on every area we are taxed
    Hello sex education taught to kindgarten children (yes he is for it)
    Hello civillian police force as big as the army????
    Goodbye coal industry
    Hello Bill Ayers
    Hello Rev. Wright

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. elise says…
    11/04/2008

    yes we can.
    yes we can.
    i am so ready to work.
    and i really hope the Obama Administration continues to send daily emails.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Maryangella says…
    11/04/2008

    Woot! Woot!
    I am besides myself.
    I now know that the sky is indeed the limit for girls. No longer do I have a doubt that we can not achieve anything we want as a minority. YES WE CAN! His speech moved my and change is coming. Thank you for posting this wonderful news, lots of people like to keep quite about this, so THANK YOU!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Brigitta says…
    11/04/2008

    Congratulations on your new president. I'm Dutch and I think most Dutch people are pleased to see this change.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Maritza says…
    11/04/2008

    We are so blessed. Here is to hope, change and President Obama.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. sue says…
    11/04/2008

    Belated Happy Birthday Ali! I hope your birthday was a wonderful day for all of you!
    Sue

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Kate says…
    11/04/2008

    January can't come soon enough! So relieved and so excited!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Jeane says…
    11/04/2008

    Ali, we will always disagree on politics . . . I am a conservative. This is the question I have . . . Obama is not for the right of the unborn child. Everyone stands up for the rights of the women, but who stands up for that baby. We have just set our country back years . . .I just pray that God has mercy. I don't believe he is the great hope, no man is.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Carolin says…
    11/04/2008

    Congratulations on your new president! YAY! :o) I am so happy for all you Americans. I am from Germany and spent the night in front of the TV here. I had goosebumps and tears in my eyes when President Obama delivered his acceptance speech. This is so right. I so hoped you'd elect him for your new president and this change will affect us here in Europe as well. I lived two years in your beautiful country and the United States and her people are dear to my heart. I am beyond glad you finally got rid of Bush. Really looking forward to Obama's presidency. Great job, America! :o)
    Oh and by the way Ali: I LOVE your blog! Thank you so much! ;o)

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Bea S. says…
    11/04/2008

    Yep, end of an era allright!
    End to Capitalism
    End to freedom
    End to talk radio
    End to Strong national defense
    End to the best Military in the world
    End to me visiting your web site. I thought this was a Scrapbooking site, silly me...

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Beth Nixon says…
    11/05/2008

    Yes we can!!
    And I so believe it right now!

    Reply 0 Replies

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