The Next Day

I was taking a regular public bus home from my university today. Its a cheap bus, but its an hour into the city, so they put a TV on it. I enjoyed watching the Olympics on this TV in August, but have not enjoyed it since. Usually its some loud program that just gets in the way of my ipod music. Well, today, I looked up and saw Obama on the screen. I pulled my headphones out and listened. Just then the woman next to me nudged me and asked if that was my country. A huge smile came to my face, "Yes, yes it is!" She asked me if I liked Obama and I said yes, I am happy he got elected. She said we Chinese people all like him. I told her I like all Chinese people.

On a regular day, I get asked on average three times what country I come from from random people on the street, people sitting next to my on buses, food vendors, etc. Today was the first day I said I was American with a big proud smile on my face. They knew why; they told me Obama was 'hard-core' because he's the first black president (most common response) and because he represents the world, not just America (my personal favorite).

I guess a lot of Chinese people rode TV-equipped buses and saw his speech. Or they watched from home. But as I was on a bus in the middle of Harbin and saw his face, I knew that he represents so much more to many more people than just Americans. And here we have the first President who really understands and articulates the position of global inter-connectedness we are in. In my idealistic view of the world, I hope that everyone-American or not, Democratic or Republican or Other-can understand how we need a new kind of leader for a new kind of leader for a new kind of world. Obama may or may not be able to undertake that task, but I think he is at least a starting point.

Ok, after today, I promise not to continue talking about this. I just need a few days to calm down-and to find out what kind of dog the new First family-elect gets.

American Election in China

I knew the Steelers' Monday Night Football victory was a good sign. Just a few days ago a friend and a self-proclaimed 'die-hard Skins fan' told me he would be rooting for the Steelers Monday night. He called my attention to the fact that in each of the past 17 presidential elections, the outcome of the Redskins' last home game before the election would predict whether the incumbent party would win (if the Skins won) or lose. So, in short, if the Steelers won on Monday night in Washington, Obama would also win. A pretty good scenario in my world. The two things I've missed the most about not being in the US this fall have been Steelers football and presidential campaigning. Its in my Pittsburgh roots.

For as long as I can remember, I accompanied my parents to the polls and got to pull the levers they told me to pull. The last election I worked in a polling station in rural Maine and saw children accompany their parents. I hope those kids get as excited about elections and getting to vote as I do. I've been distracted by this election for the past few months. I anticipated this would happen and I had originally dreaded being in China for an election season. What I have found instead has been the opportunity to talk to many different Americans in China about the election. Its been an interesting fall and a good experience to hear different perspectives.

More importantly, however, I have see how China has reacted to this election. When I first got here, people already thought that Obama had won, that he had beaten Hillary Clinton. Then they learned about McCain and the real race. Recently, people have been obsessed with the idea that America could have a black president. They think America is a very racist society and are amazed that we can have a black president. We owe it to them to prove that we can take on this task.

Race aside, I have been coming to China for the past 8 years and have talked to a wide range of Chinese people about American politics, particularly foreign policy. I have seen many people here become increasingly angry, disappointed, and even disillusioned with the US because of of foreign actions. The Chinese are pleased with the prospects of 'Change' in foreign policy with the election of Obama. I know the US has a lot of domestic problems, of which foreign policy may not seem urgent for voters. But what the US does affects the world. And I know that (just about) 1.3 million Chinese are pleased with the election results in the US.

Oh and I should add that just about no one knows anything about the NFL or American football here. But its OK because some things are just more important.

Its Snowing!

This is short and sweet. I made it back to Harbin on Friday and was surprised at how warm it was. My friends all told me the earlier part of the week had been much colder and it had snowed. So when I exited the airport, I was pleasantly surprised. Progressively, its gotten colder since then. Tonight I walked outside to come home after being in most of the day working and found snow. Its wet snow that melts on impact, but snow nonetheless.

Also, I am thrilled to report that China does not participate in silly changing-the-clock rituals. Its still the same time here (despite what American electronics my try to tell you). So I am now 13 hours ahead of East coast time, instead of the easy 12 hours. Its already getting dark here really early so if it got darker any earlier, I would not be happy.

But I am happy to be back, snow or no snow.