Sitting, waiting, wishing?

Finding a seat was easy. Military ushers moved you to your spot. My seat was in Orange 16.

Sitting with me were former interns, people who work on Capitol Hill, President Obama campaign workers, donors and also Princetonians, including Jonathan Johnson '06.

It was cold and everyone sat waiting with excitement.

It was quiet, although we could hear chanting from further down the mall. As the dignitaries filed in many were met with cheers. Sen. Ted Kennedy received chants of "Teddy." The reaction to President Bush was slightly different, however. While the front sections were quiet, we could hear the crowds further down the mall singing "Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye."

When Obama arrived, the cheers were deafening.

-- Kate Benner '10