Honoured to be in your neighbourhood, America.

Never in my life have I followed a political campaign as deeply as Barack Hussein Obama’s U.S. presidential campaign. Listening to speech after speech, watching debate after debate, laughing at satire after satire on late night television. Gluing my eyes to the results coverage promptly after 7:00pm on November 4th, 2008…

And then of course, truly experiencing the chill down my spine and a loud-beating heart upon CNN’s loud and clear message at around 11:00 pm: Barack Obama Has Won.

Being a cynic and with all that has gone awry for me in my new life in Canada, I don’t find it ironic that I associate myself with a politician from across the border more than any uninspiring, sleepy and comfortably nestled and nurtured incumbent ‘leaders‘ of Canada.

Or perhaps subconsciously it is my silent cry for something to change in Canada – The country of my choice to be a citizen of, the country that I desire to call my only home for the rest of my life.

Having lost respect for America in the past decade, I hereby doff my hat to the Americans: The nation of opportunity and innovation has spoken, and spoken beautifully.

I am a fan of America again. And hope and wish that of all the countries and people in the world, it’s the neighbouring Canadians who should be inspired, reinvigorated and energized and woken up more than any one else.