It's been a while since I've posted...but I need to back up a bit and update about the election.  We all knew this would be a historic election, but I never knew it would be to this extent.  That morning, I went to the local library to cast my vote.  I had to wait 30 minutes in the rain - incredible!  The man behind me had two sweet kids in line with him who randomly burst out with American the Beautiful.  It was so appropriate and perfect.  The highest voter turnout ever...and Barak Obama as president.  Holy crap I'm excited!  Throughout the night I got text messages from my family talking about how proud they are.  

Mom: 8:16pm 11/4/08

I'm so proud.  Tears are running down my face.  It's like independence day. President Obama!!!!!

Dad: 9:26pm 11/4/08

Wow! What an amazing speech.  I will never forget this moment.  I am proud to be an American at this moment in our history.  My tears are those of incredible joy.

I had planned on going to the Sullivan's house to watch the election with a my dad and some of the Sullivan's friends.  But that afternoon, I found out that Qualcomm had 4 free tickets to the Madonna concert and Dan Sullivan had given me the opportunity to take them!  I was so excited and immediately called Denise, Teresa, and Becky to join me.  We arrived at the park and called the guy at Petco who came out and handed me 4 tickets, letting me know that if there was anything in the way of our view that we could trade them in for different seats.  We found our seats near the front of the stadium and were SO excited.  There was a speaker that was partially in our view, but no way were we going to complain about free seats!  About 20 minutes before the concert started, a woman from the park asked me if we'd like floor seats instead. Umm...YES!  So we got our wristbands and headed onto the floor.  There we ran into some friends of ours and found our seats - just one section from the stage (maybe 50 feet away).  The concert was incredible and Madonna was beyond elated.  She announced to the crowd Obama's victory (although I already had text messages from dad and Mike to let me know).  She must have said "I'm so happy right now" about 4 times.  During Ray of Light, she forgot the words to her song and stopped to laugh letting us know it was because she was so f*ing excited.  Before the last song or two, the whole crew came out wearing t-shirts with Obama's face that said "express yourself".  She saw the empty spaces from the aisles and said we should fill up all the empty space immediately.  Security held their ground and Madonna insisted Security let us through saying, "Let us celebrate together for once in our lives!"  We ended up running forward about 5 feet from the stage and each time she mentioned Obama the crowd erupted. 

It was certainly an incredible night that I will never forget.  Part of me wishes I had been with my dad and listened to Obama's speech that night live, but nothing will change the fact that I voted for Barak Obama on November 4th, 2008.  I sure hope he lives up to our expectations.

Hope.  So many thoughts/emotions surrounding the election results from yesterday.  Foremost is the hope that Obama will bring.  More on that later.

For tonight: I feel a bit lost.  In a funk?  Unsure of myself.  Lack of confidence? yuck.

Today I picked up Chris Martin from the airport.  Back from the Navy for the first time in months.  I felt honored to be able to pick him up and hang out with him tonight.  It's also Kevin Lambert's birthday so we celebrated.  I wore my "That's What She Said" T-shirt, Chris wore his "Skyline" T-shirt...and we had skyline for dinner.  It was awesome!  Unfortunately, I didn't take good care of Chris' car while he was gone and so his battery was dead.  But we learned something new!!  Chris and I went, bought a new battery, and installed it.  I took photos!

Just a few minutes looking through old notes reminds me where I come from and what amazing people I am surrounded with.  Every single card and note (there had to be over a hundred) made me smile, laugh, or cry.  All because of wonderful, encouraging, people I've been blessed with over the years.

I can't explain the feeling of being at a live concert. I just went with Becky to see The Swell Season.  It was incredible.  These folks know how to put on a show (along with Iron & Wine who opened).  It's not only their incredible music, but their interaction with the audience.  They asked us to sing along, listened when people yelled comments, laughed with us, and even asked two girls to come on stage in dance because they noticed them in the audience.  They described their music and what it was meant to convey which added so much to the experience.  They talked about life issues like politics and your heart versus your brain.  And they made jokes and we all laughed.  I felt so connected.  There's nothing quite like music to speak to your soul.

Two weeks until I head back to Miami.  I can't hardly stand the waiting.  I want to be Oxford with my mom and my favorite dog on the planet.  I want the small town feel of running into people you know no matter where you go. I want to experience fall and the chill in the air.  I want to see those friends who know me to the core and I feel 100% myself around.  I want to see my favorite choir sing and be able to stand up next to them and join in something bigger than myself.  I want to eat Skyline and Bagel & Deli. I want to feel at home.  I'm looking forward to October 24th.

Miracles.  

Jamie & Andrew discovered today that they are expecting a precious little girl.  As soon as I received Jamie's text my heart twisted and tears formed in my eyes.  What a little miracle!  I can't explain the feeling in my heart aside from the fact that Jamie & Andrew are going to be fantastic parents.  I am beyond excited for them and hope that they will indulge me and allow me to share in their excitement.   I can only imagine finding the same news for myself someday and the emotions that will precede and follow.  What a gift!