Glued to My Computer

I'm dying for electoin coverage. No info for how many hours? C'mon! Give me exit polls! Give me stats. Give me results of how many people have voted early. SOMETHING!!!!!!
It's weird to realize that in about 15 hours, unless we have a repeat of 2000, we'll know who the next President of the United States is going to be. I'm trying so hard to not count my chickens before they're hatched. That was done last time, and I didn't get my man.

Today, I did a lesson on the election. By lesson, I mean a brief run through of the names Obama and MCain. I talked abouty how today all the citizens of the US will vote. (I realize voter turnout is never this good, but I want these kids to think all Americans realize how important it is to vote. My way of messing with their political system without touching it!) I told them that over 100 million people will vote (I've heard that 70 million have already voted, but so far I've been unable to confirm that figure.)

After going over the names, I wrote "Presidential Election" on the board. I explained how the new President will be in office for 4 years. I explained how he will run the country. I kept using the word "President" since one student, trying to explain the election, used the title "Chairman" which is a logical mistake here in China.
I also explained how if we want to do business with China, our President will be the one to visit, or he will decide who gets to come. A little over-generalized, I realize, but making them realize how this election can even affect them makes it important and more likely to stick in their minds.
I told them that either candidate could win, and that in January, Obama or McCain will become President Obama or President McCain. Right now, we're just choosing, and a few things need to happen before he can take over.

They have testing on Thurs and Friday so we reviewed and I threw in the new vocab I introduced today, too. I sneakily mangaged to pick the vocab words that would have to do with the election:

election, change, believe, vote, formal, remarks, nervous, speech, opinion, citizen, Washington, President, Obama, McCain (that one was harder for them to get!), pumpkin (to see if they remember last week's lesson)

I stumped them with "vote" and even had one student yell out, "Teacher, I will give you 5 kuai if you give me the answer!" I just about died laughing. Even the kids who often think my word games are silly or a waste of their time (and they either give me looks or do other homework) had their translators out.

I figure this election gives me opportunity to talk about how our governement works a little and come January, I can talk about the swearing in, etc. Ahh, current events.

I remember the 1996 election. I turned 18 just days before Minnesota's primary. My dad and I rose early and went to cast our ballots at 7am sharp. We waited in line, my anticipation growing. We had arrived at 6:45, and watching the minute hand slowly inch its way toward the 12 was excruciating.
When I was done, I got my first "I VOTED" sticker, which I proudly afixed to my dress. They tried to exit poll my dad, but he said, "Ask her. She just voted for the very first time." I was so excited and enthusiastically told the man everything he wanted to know.
When the time came 'round in November, I voted again and got my beloved red sticker again. More people in my classes had stickers this time. We wore them with pride. Our teachers noticed, too, and many commented. Many of them also had their stickers on.
I wish I got a sticker this time around.

I remember back in 2000, my roommates and I all gathered around the TV until far into the night. We had all voted for Nader. Not so much because we wanted him to be President, but because we wanted there to be real debates, opposing opinions, new ideas (good or bad), not just a repeat of the same ol', same ol'. We cheered, we booed, we danced, laughed, cracked stupid jokes, screamed, made signs, threw things at the TV.... we were passionate about that election.
In 2004 my friends and I were excited again. Not as much as in 2000, but still pretty excited. We counted our chickens before they were hatched and Kerry just dropped the ball at the end. My hope was crushed.

And now we come to 2008. We have Obama. He's fresh and inspiring. He's passionate. He seems like a human being rather than a manufactured product of our politcal machine. He has new ideas, new approaches. I'm not saying I agree with everything he says or stands for. I don't agree with everything any candidate stands for. My dad taught me well: choose your candidate based on the issues, not the party lines; know how you feel about the issues and why. I'm still listening, Dad.
Obama gives me hope.

There's talk of party plans for after class tomorrow. There's talk of skipping class if results aren't in by class time (2am EST). Either way, election fever is rampant among the CTLC crowd. I'm seeing energy I haven't seen in years. It could just be that I'm mixed in with a lot of people who aren't apathetic. I'm mixed in with people who are in their early 20s and aren't quite cynical about elections yet. Either way, it's wonderful.

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