Being away from home keeps you humble. Being away from home during a national holiday is tough, especially since the 4th is a summery, picnicky, parade-filled day. There is nothing like being homesick when summer time hits. Celebrating the 4th of July here is a little like celebrating your own personal holiday in your head that no one knows about. I sit here at my desk and it’s just like any other day at the office: a little anticlimactic. It was the same way on Christmas Eve. We had school (it was a Friday after all), which was weird enough. Although a lot of Koreans celebrate Christmas, Christmas Eve isn’t a big deal. It was so strange being here 
teaching the day before Christmas when back home I would be getting ready for evening mass at church and a party at my aunts afterwards. But such is life in a foreign country. What else can you do?
I celebrated our nation’s independence from Britain by powering through a 45 minute workout before work this morning. I didn’t think I would wake up since I didn’t have a good night of sleep, but I was feeling energized and went for it. Thankful that it’s out of the way!
Hopefully if it doesn’t start down pouring on us (let’s face it, it’s a high possibility), I’d like to have a picnic outside on the river tonight. Maybe we can even purchase some small fire works at our local mom and pop corner store. They even sell fireworks in stationary stores here, it’s unreal!
Life abroad makes you realize that holidays are a state of mind and you can celebrate them however you like, wherever you like. Matt and I hummed along to a few renditions of America the Beautiful and the Star Spangled Banner this morning as we ironed our clothes for the day. Nothing like a little Ray Charles to get you in the patriotic mood!
Happy Independence Day to all Americans at home and abroad! Enjoy it in your own special way, as we will! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment