America has always been the best country...Glad you are agreeing again.

As of yesterday, a new era has begun.  Whether or not you voted for him, Obama is it now, and I, at least, am looking forward to the next four years with cautious optimism.  I am hopeful that Obama can help get our country back on line, but understand that there is more than just one man involved in that process, and that four years is not a long time.  So we shall see!  One thing for sure is that Americans are walking around less apologetically than before.  Since I got here, when speaking to non-Americans, I almost felt like I needed to explain or defend (never apologize for) my country.  Everyone here thinks that Obama walks on water (which could be dangerous and also result in people needing to defend him in 4-8 years if he doesn't meet expectations), and it seems like everyone thinks he will solve the worlds problems.  I kind of laugh when I see this because I think back to only a few months ago when non-Americans were saying "Why does America think they can solve everyones problems?" or "Why does America think they are so great?".  Now they are looking to the same country to turn the world around.  Very funny to me.  

I did watch the inauguration yesterday on the big computer in the conference room and was feeling quite patriotic and missing DC terribly.  I think this was quite obvious and Joy and Ben invited me out for a pint after work which was very nice, and a nice distraction from my little homesick spell!

Side note - I've decided that the word "cold" does not exist in this country.  Cold as in, "I think I'm getting a cold".  Everyone here always assumes they have the flu.  Almost everyone in my office has had the "flu" twice so far this winter.  I want to enlighten them that it is highly difficult to get the flu twice in one season, but I decided to let them go on with their illusions.  Maybe we just developed all the good anti-bodies when our ancestors crossed the ocean?  Who knows.  

So I'm going to be very ambitious and join a gym this weekend.  Its right across the street from my apartment so I really don't have an excuse.  It does have like 12 tennis courts and a pool, so when you come to visit bring your rackets and suits!  I haven't played tennis since Mike, Liz and I took lessons one summer in Warren in middles, so its pretty clear that if you come and we play, its a guaranteed W for you.  

Tonight I am SUPER PUMPED.  Not only am I going to go buy mugs after work because my coffee maker arrived at my house this weekend (yay!!), but the season of Gossip Girl that is wrapping up back home is starting here tonight!  I only was able to catch the first four episodes or so before I moved over here, so now I get to catch up!  I can't wait to see what happens.  From what everyone has been telling me, its quite dramatic and very entertaining!  Dunkin' Donuts French Vanilla coffee and Gossip Girl.  What else could a girl want?