The election on November 4 was a big deal in our neck of the woods. All day, everywhere we went, the mood was electric.

There were tons of election parties in the evening. The one we went to was at an EB classmate's, in Berkeley hills with a soaring view of the bay, a swimming pool and a hot tub. Amusingly, there were "Obama for the Middle Class" posters plastered all over this decidedly upper-class mansion. We cheered from the pool as the TV announced each state falling to Barack Obama. When he gave his victory speech, people were crying and hugging each other.

Lucie proudly wore her I Voted sticker all day.