Oh heyyy, America

So I got into Grammie's on Saturday, and had a good few days with her, the twins, and Ollie. Got all of the pre-employment logistics out of the way (with HUGE help from Michelle who took me to get my criminal record printed out after Grammie and I had spent the better part of a morning trying to figure out how I could get to the state police's office without a $100 cab ride), and then went down to Boston to visit with some wonderful people there.

Since I was pretty warmed up from my usmile experience, we posed for pictures:::





The top photo is Ayanna,Casey, me and Holly -- and then the bottom photo is Rob, me and Rachel (Rob is from MV, and went to Emory; Rachel is my friend whose boat I lived on two summers back).

I also got to see Julia, Whitney, Zach, Tonelli, and Chloe -- and it was really great to hear about what everyone is up to.

So now I'm staying with my friend Meredith, and probably leaving on the boat Sunday or Monday. She's dog-sitting right now, and we're staying at a really great house with a very pretty field in the backyard::



some flowers to prove it's spring::



and a very endearing heart-rock collection --



I'm so happy to be back, and feel very at home even though I'm camping at other peoples places right now -- but obviously I do miss Thailand, and especially the people there mak mak.

Love to you all,
Paige

Damn it feels good to be American

I've always been very proud to be an American --- but never this proud.

I've never considered putting an American flag in my room - but I might.

I'm just so proud of the American people for moving forward, demanding change, and creating history. Absolutely thrilling.

When I went outside the campus to jump up and down, cry a little etc (I got in trouble for being too outspoken earlier this week.. I'm learning..) a couple of guys came over to see if they couldn't sell me a motorbike ride and/or check if I was having a total meltdown.

I told them that Barack Obama had just been declared the next president of the America. They looked bored - said they figured this would happen - and double-checked to see if I might want a ride.. "only 10 baht?"

It might not have been thousands of people screaming and crying together - but I was at least glad that they assumed Americans would put Obama in office.

What an amazing moment for America, and what a wonderful opportunity for progress, hard work, and growth. yeahyeahyeahyeah!!!