How the Hers Spent Historic Noverber 4, 2008

We are so proud to say that we were part of this awesome day! Kong and I both took the day off to make the most of and contribute to this historic milestone. After taking the girls to school we got in line to excercise our civic duty and voted. At our voting station we learned that the power was out and our ballots would be scanned at the end of the day. We were very concerned that our vote would not count. We thought this might be the work of the GOP. It turns out there was a big accident down the block that caused the power outage. Hmmmmm??????

After we voted we drove over to Obama's campaign office in Frog town to volunteer. We didn't know if they needed us but we were so moved that we had to do something. The office was over flowing with people who showed up to do a last minute, get out the vote campaigning. We were given an assignment on the East side of St. Paul and coincidentally it was our old neighborhood. We talked to people we hadn't seen in years and had a really great time door knocking. I talked to a few young Hmong men who were still undecided. We discussed why I was supporting Obama. We talked health plan, taxes, education and the environment which are the issues that are important to me. The best part about this experience was that Kong and I did it together.

We canvassed for a few hours then headed over to the Kids Vote office. Our task was to set up stations for kids to vote at polling sites. We spent the rest of the afternoon manning the Boys and Girls Club site on the East side of St. Paul. After school we picked up the girls to help us collect ballot boxes. This gave them the chance to vote. Here are pictures of them casting their votes.

To wrap up the evening we enjoyed snacks at the Kids Vote polling headquarter's celebration party. We headed home around 8:30pm.



We let the girls stay up and watch the election unfold on CNN and MSNBC. Taylor was glued to the TV and each time McCain's Electoral vote count increased she stressed. She just couldn't believe that anyone would vote McCain/Palin. We explained to her the beauty of a democracy even though quietly we were thinking the same thing. Taylor fought hard to stay awake. She was able to watch McCain's concession speech which was gracious and heart felt but fell asleep just 10 minutes before Obama's : (



My only regret of the day was that the girls didn't get to go vote with us and canvass. I know they would have enjoyed it and it would have been a wonderful learning experience.

No posting would be complete without a video. Taylor was at a birthday party last Saturday so with nothing to do Ayden played in a big pile of leaves Kong and I raked together. Here are some pictures and video from that afternoon.

President Elect Barack Obama!

Okay, I'll just complain for one moment then I'll updated the blog with some nice pictures and recount what our family did the day Barack Obama was elected President of the United States of America.

Sad to say that some do not share the same sentiment when it comes to this historic event. I went to Fox News just to see what they were saying about the Obama victory. I read some blogs and comments for articles and I'm so disappointed to see so many people missed the importance of this election. How divided we still are.

First and foremost, Obama is the first African American President. This is of great importance considering our country's history. We are a nation that was built on the blood and sweat of slaves. It was only a few short decades ago that blacks were not allowed to vote let alone eat and drink in the same places as whites and that blacks counted as only a fraction of a human being. This victory is monumental. This is not to say that we have accomplished all we need to on the front of race but it speaks volume. Let us also not forget that this is not just monumental for African Americans but for all minorities.

I think just as important, Obama was elected by the people, ALL people. I've been seeing many people write and say that Obama was only elected because blacks voted for him just because he is black but that could not be further from the truth. Obama being black was significant symbolically for African Americans but he won because of the content of his character. White, Black, Asian, Latino, old, young, poor and rich all voted for him. We are all ready to be lead by someone who knows he does not know all of the answers but believes in the power of the American people and what we can accomplish when we work together. We are ready to be lead by someone who inspires unity instead of divide with fear and ignorance.

Barack's charter transcends his color. If you are one of those people who saw this as blacks voting for blacks then you should question yourself . Your unwillingness to see a person for what they offer and not what you see. Think about when you voted in the past for a white man. Did anyone accuse you of only voting for that person because he was white? Think of the double standard when whites support whites vs. blacks support blacks.

I've read postings stating that now we have a black president we need to get rid of all affirmative action. I say to those people, 1 out of 43? Is that really fair? Only once we have had people of color presidents and women that make up 43 consecutive presidential elections and when we have equal representation in the highest offices such as CEOs, Board Presidents, and Government officials could we truly say it is fair now and there is no more need for affirmative action.

Anyway, I will not let the haters taint this victory. This is a victory not just for the US but the entire world. Today we are a new America. No amount of sore loser, cry baby whining can take away the importance of this Obama victory. I was proud to be an American yesterday!