On Tuesday, November 8th, I woke up with the nerve-wracking feeling that somehow, today I was going to change the world. Today was the day that I was going to finally feel like a true adult and vote for the first time in my life. I went through my day just like any other Tuesday. I got up at 7:15 to get ready for my 8 AM class and worked out with my roommate after. I kept reviewing my sample ballot that I had filled out all day long because I kept telling myself that this was a really big deal and I had to take it very seriously. Obviously, I know I’m not the only college girl that voted on Tuesday, but since I live so close to home I was able to go to a local polling station in my hometown and vote like my parents have done for so many years and it was a really special feeling.
So after my afternoon class I met up with my mom and we headed back home. The polling place that most of my family members vote at is located in a church right by my house so we went straight to the church because I wanted to do it as soon as possible. I walked into the church a little nervous because I was completely unaware of what the process was going to be like. I waited in line and when it was my turn, I told the lady behind the desk my name and she gave me a number and then gave me my ballots. I went over to one of the desks to fill out my ballots all while my mom was watching and taking pictures. Since I had already filled out my sample ballot form, it was easy for me to quickly and carefully fill out my ballots and stick them in the ballot box and get my “I Voted” sticker which I was obviously very excited about. After turning in my ballots my mom and I went outside and took pictures of each other in front of the American flag they had hanging outside the church which I promptly posted on Instagram with the first caption on my mind being “I’m ready for ya Hill, and to buy the marijuanas when I’m 21”.
I spent the rest of the evening watching election results with my family at home but I eventually headed back to campus later in the evening and received the horrible news just as I was about to go to sleep. Hate won. I was heartbroken and stayed up for an extra hour trying to figure out how to be okay and when I woke up, I thought for a second that it was a horrible nightmare. Unfortunately, it wasn’t and I went through my day unsure of everything. I attended my cousin’s soccer game in Santa Rosa and saw my family which made me happy, but I couldn’t get over what had happened the night before. I got back to campus and the protest was in full swing and one of my roommates was somewhere in it. She called me and I met up with her and we walked for an hour until we all met at the Green Music Center and eventually went back to our dorm. Being involved in the protest gave me a much-needed sense of peace and made me feel like things were going to be okay. I still have faith that they are.
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If My Resume Was Brutally Honest http://www.hercampus.com/school/sonoma-state/if-my-resume-was-brutally-honest
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Hitting the Wall http://www.hercampus.com/school/sonoma-state/hitting-wall