Obama 08

Today is the Wisconsin primary. I don't know if I have ever been as excited to vote as I was today. Perhaps my first primary vote a few weeks after my 18th birthday tops today, but I'm not sure. I am really excited about this primary. I am really excited about Barack Obama and the hope he can offer this nation. I am super stoked that the Wisconsin primary actually means something for once. Usually by this time, the nominations have been long decided and Wisconsin left in the dark. But not this year. The delegates were all campaigning very hard in the state for the last week. I got to see Obama speak twice last week-- Wednesday night in Racine and again Friday morning in Milwaukee at the Midwest Airlines Center. Ian and I went together Friday and we were in the FIFTH ROW! He's amazing. I really really hope he gets the nomination and then also the presidency.

I wrote this in myspace after seeing Obama Wednesday:

I went to see Obama tonite in Racine. He already had my support, but wow, he really earned my enthusiasm. I had also been a fan of Ron Paul (yes, I know they are very different candidates, but I think both are excellent, though its quite certain Ron Paul will not be getting the Republican nomination) but my enthusiasm and conviction has really been increased and solidified in Obama. I truly feel he is the change we need in this country. I know a lot of my friends on here are out of state and have already voted in their primaries, (and scott, i know you voted for hillary...) but to my friends here in Wisconsin, I cannot encourage you more to vote for Obama on Tuesday. I have never been behind any candidate for public office the way that I am behind Obama. And hey, its pretty damn exciting that Wisconsin's primary is for once an important element. Your vote counts in this presidential primary. We're not just showing up for aldermans etc, we are showing up for an important presidential nomination. Seize this, as we haven't gotten a chance like this. In this disgusting winter where we all want to hide until the sun comes out and the three feet of snow melts, we can find hope in Obama (and the fact February is halfway over and my birthday is coming up soon!)

I was super stoked. My poor mom had to listen to me for a half hour on the phone go on and on about how awesome he is. She just called me a few minutes ago to see if I had voted today. Silly woman. She didn't say whether she voted for Obama, so I am guessing she did not. But she did not vote for Hillary, this I know. My mom's racist so maybe she just doesn't want a black president, though he's only half black...

In other news, Fidel Castro resigned as president of Cuba today. A big day for news. I have his autobiography somewhere, as well as a few other Cuba books. I went through a phase...

Its eleven degrees outside, so I am in coffee shop rather than outside selling ads like I should be. Tonight wind chills are expected to reach below -30 degrees. Its February 19. Spring is only 30 days away. (the day comeback kid plays chicago, so all-around a good day 'cuz I should get to hang out with Jeremy) My birthday is a mere 20 days away! Yay! I can't believe I am going to be 26. It sounds so old. But I'm not worried. I feel pretty confident in myself and my accomplishments thus far. I am by no means doing what my 16 year-old self would have imagined, but I am doing good. I pictured myself with some glamorous, important job saving the world or making it a prettier place. My 10 year old self probably pictured myself married, potentially with children. I wouldn't have thought that I wouldn't have had a boyfriend in my twenties. I think its kind of humorous. Not that I am against the idea, I love the idea. But i haven't found anyone I want to love like that. But had I settled, I doubt I would be the accomplished and confident girl I am today. (I just typed and deleted "woman" in place of "girl" about 5 times. it just didn't seem right, so I went with "girl") I own a house. I have a good job. I have the best friends in the whole world.

I was thinking about that today. I was chatting with Tim (high school boyfriend) online this morning and he offered support and encouragement. I realized how frickin' blessed I am with the people in my life. Last night my friend Lindsey and her boyfriend Evan stopped by and left me with some homemade soup. As they were walking in the door, my friends Ryan and Elizabeth from high school called. They were in the area and stopped by for a few hours. And my friends Larissa and Suzanne also called up and came by. It was a great night, full of laughter. Warming us up on these cold winter nights.

Overall life is good. My job is majorly sucking right now and I'm not seeing much in commission (and therefore not much in my checking account) but I'm not letting it stress me out anymore. The weather still sucks, but I am keeping focused on the glorious approach of spring sometime soon. Sure, its not supposed to get above freezing until Sunday (a mere 33) and snowfall to follow again Monday and Tuesday, but when we've already gotten over 80 inches of snow, what's a few more, right? Yeah, last week I burst out crying from the snow. But today I feel like maybe, just maybe, I can endure for a few more weeks. Then bring on the sunshine and warm temperatures!