yes we can...

As promised, here is a video of the crowd in Harlem at the end of Obama's acceptance speech.

the results are in...

I have been meaning to write on the outcome of the election but frankly I have struggled to decide how I feel about all of it. After a few days to really think about it, my thoughts are as follows:
The hope that I feel knowing President Elect Obama will be taking the reigns is great. I look forward to the changes he will bring but understand his journey, and ours, will be a difficult one. I can only hope that the country is able to unite in support of our new president. In order to succeed, we must acknowledge that he has a lot on his plate to deal with. He has said it before, things may get worse before they get better- but they WILL get better.
On election night, I was at a late dinner party with friends when the results were announced. We celebrated with toasts and cheers before taking to the streets. My friends and I found ourselves in a mass of celebration. Our parade of thousands stopped traffic and walked (chanting the whole way) from 116th and Broadway, Columbia's main intersection, to the heart of Harlem at Malcolm X Blvd and Martin Luther King Jr. High fives, hugs and screams were shared with strangers as people came together to celebrate such an important historical event. (I will post my videos/pictures soon) The excitement was palpable and as I looked around, we were making our own history. The rich, white, ivy league kids were celebrating with the homeless, people who live in the projects, people who we had been warned to avoid and who avoided us. We had not only crossed the line into the community we are so often at odds with, we had totally blended into a multicolored group of joy. We were not wealthy, poor, white, black, smart, dumb, at risk or successful. We were a united group of Americans coming together in our shared beliefs. It was a truly awesome experience to be a part of.
That being said, this voting season was bitter sweet for me. In California, many propositions were on the ballot- a few of them concerning topics that are very meaningful to me:
Prop 2 - Standards for Confining Farm Animals - passed
I was very happy to hear that Californians recognize the importance of animal life and that we have a moral obligation to reduce pain and suffering to the best of our ability. Of course this is no where near the end of the fight for animal rights, but progress is progress.
Prop 4 - Parent Notification Before Terminating Minor's Pregnancy - not passed
The right to choose is something I have struggled with for a while. Ultimately, however, I believe that it is a personal decision and the option should be available. By passing this law, we are saving many young girls from dangerous back alley procedures. Parents who have a problem with this proposition should instead look at their relationships with their daughters and consider why they need this law. I know that if I had a daughter I would want to know if she was in this position, but I plan on ensuring that by being a supportive and understanding mother- and teaching safe sex to begin with. You shouldn't need a law to ensure you know what's going on in your kid's life. It's called communication.
Prop 8 - Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry - passed (as of nov. 8)
This is where the words stop forming complete sentences. The bitterness cited above is encapsulated completely with the passage of this proposition. California, whether we like it or not, is the front runner in gay rights and liberal thinking in general. I have always been immensely proud of that but now- I am ashamed. This is not the California I love. The most difficult part, for me, is that gay marriage was legal. This was not an initiative to legalize it- to make progress. This was a proposition to take a step BACK in civil liberties; to strip rights from such an important community in our state. The LGBT community is not a hidden minority in the golden state; yes I take into account I live between San Francisco and Guernville. I just don't understand how something that was legal and not causing any problems (did you hear about huge protests and rallies against gay marriage?) could be so quickly taken away by the state in our union that is known for equality and progress. People who voted yes on 8 are not the Californians I know and love. This is not what California is about. If you voted yes on 8, I highly encourage you to move to another state- clearly you don't stand for what Californians are supposed to be about. A friend from the east coast asked me tonight, "if not California, then where?" His point was clear- California is a leader. We were doing so well to show the rest of the country that we can have gay marriage and be ok. What will they think now? We have not only ruined equality in our own state but deterred the hope for it in our country as a whole.

a moment of silence...

On November 4, at some point during the afternoon, Ralph lost his battle with his swim bladder condition. After being sick for a few weeks, we are able to express our thanks that he is no longer suffering. Together just over a year, Ralph will be remembered fondly. His body was laid to rest in Morningside Park on November 6th. The service was a private one - only a few close friends present. May he rest in peace.

In lieu of flowers, please take good care of your pets. A strong supporter of animal rights, Ralph's memory lives on with the passage of Proposition 2 in California.

if magic 8 balls were real...

Dear Magic 8 Ball,
Here is a list of questions I need answered ASAP. Thanks.
Your Friend, Camille

What comes next?
Do I want to go to grad school?
Where do I want to go if I do?
Will I get in?
What schools offer comparative psychology PhD programs?
What sort of degree is needed to work with animals in a zoo?
Where do I want to live?
Am I going to Europe in the fall?
How do you use a real washing machine that doesn't have explicit directions?
Health Insurance...wtf?
When can I get a puppy?
What about love?
Am I going to talk to these friends after graduation?
What about money?
How will I pay rent, bills, for a car, for food?
Why haven't I signed up to take the GRE yet?
Why haven't I done better in classes?
Who am I going to ask for recommendations?
What about all the things in life I'm not going to get to do?
Will my worst fears come true?
Can I run away to a remote island and live in a hut?
Please?