Fourth of July!

I am a big sucker for traditions, and consequently, a big fan of holidays. I love getting together with friends and celebrating - anything. And if it involves any sort of pomp and circumstance, all the better. I've had an irrational love for Fourth of July since a young age. I'm not sure why, but I can always remember getting really excited for it each year. I used to stand out on my parent's deck wearing a paper Uncle Sam hat and sing patriotic songs to people as they walked to beach. I don't know why, exactly, but I did!

Anyway... Needless to say spending the Fourth abroad was never something I imagined. It's strange not to be home, but I was determined to celebrate in style anyway. Luckily, a coworker of mine goes to Taekwondo with a sergeant from Alabama who was able to take us on the Army base on Friday! First of all, being on post was a strange experience anyway -- seriously, it felt like America, we might as well have been in Virginia somewhere. There were stop signs! And what's more, they were OBEYED! It was surreal. We found where there was music and food and enjoyed the night. There was an army band that played during the fireworks show, but we couldn't really hear them because there were squealing Korean children next to us drowning them out. (Oh well!) The fireworks show was literally right over our head! So fun. :) The whole night was really wonderful, and I am very grateful to have been on base for Independence day. It wasn't just like home, but we did get a taste of America on the Fourth, and even were given US dollars as change! So strang-ee.


Here's my video/slide show of the fireworks. You can sort of hear the music over the screaming Korean children. I mean, it's no A Capitol Fourth! hosted by Jimmy Smits, but hey... Enjoy!