I voted today...October 4, 2012.
I placed my absentee ballot today, a month early, from 9000 miles away. It was a party atmosphere, complete with food, music and high security at the American Consulate in Dubai, UAE and all the Americans that are currently residing in this middle east city were invited to participate.
It was a little different experience than I was used to. No one asked for my name or ID, or had me sigh for my official ballot. The voting was held outside in the consulate courtyard. People were eating, laughing and visiting. We sat around tables and filled in our votes. Shoulder to shoulder, packed at tables, with out the secret voting booths or screens. I almost felt like I was cheating.
This time around, the voting was different, meant more to me. We as Americans have always had the right to vote and I think we take it for granted. In fact, many of us don't vote and take advantage of the amazing right we have been awarded. Since living in Dubai, I have had the chance to speak with people from all walks of life, many of them that do not have the right to vote or have limited opportunity to vote and possibly influence decisions for their country.
In May of this year Taeler, Jeff and I sat at dinner with some friends and listened to Ahmed, our friend from Egypt, with tears in his eye and alot of emotion in his voice, express the overwhelming joy he felt that day for being able to vote in the Egyptian elections for the first time in his life. He said, it may not be perfect and the candidates may not be the best, but my country took a big step forward today." Ahmed's exuberance and emotion was so powerful. The right to vote meant everything to him and that will always stick with me.
People from all walks of life and countries want to discuss our politics, our candidates and always ask, " who are you voting for They are not just asking to make small talk, they sincerely want to know. A taxi driver a few months back, surprised Taeler and I of his knowledge of the US politics and candidates, he then explained our influence on his small country. Many of them know more than I do about the candidates, have done their research and want to give their opinion, feedback or find out about ours.
I have never before realized, so profoundly how our vote and selection of candidates impacts and influences the rest of the world. Eye opening.
On this day f absentee voting, there was excitement in the air and not only the Americans were excited for the opportunity to vote. Our friends from other countries, wished us well and encouraged us to "vote for the right person". Americans had to be at the consulate between 3:00 - 5:00 and no wanted us to miss our opportunity.
I wish I could have taken pictures of the voting party at the American Consulate, but due to high security at the Embassy's and Consulate's, not only did I have to walk thru a middle detector and show my passport, but my purse and all of its belongings, including my camera were confiscated and held by the Marines, until I left the building, but the memory of that voting experience is etched is my mind.
I am a little ashamed that I had to move 9000 miles to really appreciate the right we as Americans have to vote but more grateful that I finally get it.
Get out and vote....no excuses !
I placed my absentee ballot today, a month early, from 9000 miles away. It was a party atmosphere, complete with food, music and high security at the American Consulate in Dubai, UAE and all the Americans that are currently residing in this middle east city were invited to participate.
It was a little different experience than I was used to. No one asked for my name or ID, or had me sigh for my official ballot. The voting was held outside in the consulate courtyard. People were eating, laughing and visiting. We sat around tables and filled in our votes. Shoulder to shoulder, packed at tables, with out the secret voting booths or screens. I almost felt like I was cheating.
This time around, the voting was different, meant more to me. We as Americans have always had the right to vote and I think we take it for granted. In fact, many of us don't vote and take advantage of the amazing right we have been awarded. Since living in Dubai, I have had the chance to speak with people from all walks of life, many of them that do not have the right to vote or have limited opportunity to vote and possibly influence decisions for their country.
In May of this year Taeler, Jeff and I sat at dinner with some friends and listened to Ahmed, our friend from Egypt, with tears in his eye and alot of emotion in his voice, express the overwhelming joy he felt that day for being able to vote in the Egyptian elections for the first time in his life. He said, it may not be perfect and the candidates may not be the best, but my country took a big step forward today." Ahmed's exuberance and emotion was so powerful. The right to vote meant everything to him and that will always stick with me.
People from all walks of life and countries want to discuss our politics, our candidates and always ask, " who are you voting for They are not just asking to make small talk, they sincerely want to know. A taxi driver a few months back, surprised Taeler and I of his knowledge of the US politics and candidates, he then explained our influence on his small country. Many of them know more than I do about the candidates, have done their research and want to give their opinion, feedback or find out about ours.
I have never before realized, so profoundly how our vote and selection of candidates impacts and influences the rest of the world. Eye opening.
On this day f absentee voting, there was excitement in the air and not only the Americans were excited for the opportunity to vote. Our friends from other countries, wished us well and encouraged us to "vote for the right person". Americans had to be at the consulate between 3:00 - 5:00 and no wanted us to miss our opportunity.
I wish I could have taken pictures of the voting party at the American Consulate, but due to high security at the Embassy's and Consulate's, not only did I have to walk thru a middle detector and show my passport, but my purse and all of its belongings, including my camera were confiscated and held by the Marines, until I left the building, but the memory of that voting experience is etched is my mind.
I am a little ashamed that I had to move 9000 miles to really appreciate the right we as Americans have to vote but more grateful that I finally get it.
Get out and vote....no excuses !
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