What's Great about America

Independence Day Fireworks, Washington Monument, DC

 Happy 
     July 4th!

Living abroad is fulfilling, challenging, and often an adventure.  It also makes you appreciate America more fully because you realize that things that run smoothly and freely in the U.S. (without much of a second thought) may not be as easy, as accessible, or even available in most other parts of the world.  Having access to fresh fruits and vegetables, fair and free elections, drinkable running water, relatively clean air, great art, music, food (Americana and global fusion), movies, an open press and free speech--along with many other wonderful things that make America great--are often easy to take for granted if not faced with scenarios that counter expected American privileges, rights, and norms. 

In honor of America's U.S. Independence day, I wanted to mention what about our amazing country I miss while living outside of our nation's borders:

1. The food: fresh California salads, health conscious meals (not packed with oil), Mexican food, Trader Joe's, southern fried pickles and fish and chips (I know, the opposite of healthy), Diet Coke with splenda, organic fruits available year round (I miss this the most), fresh seafood (it's rainy season so right now we can't eat any raw veggies, seafood, or herbs), sushi, guacamole, dark chocolate and ice cream, artichokes, clean large supermarkets that smell of lemon disinfectant and fresh bread, smoothies, (and did I mention FRESH veggies/fruits/raw food?)  We've got it good with food selections in America, I promise, especially in cities with multi-cuisines.

A Delicious Family Tradition: American Flag Strawberry Cake

2. The holidays: Independence Day (fireworks), Thanksgiving (lots o' tasty sweets), Christmas (sacred or secular), Easter, MLK Day, the whole lot.  We have a holiday every month of the year, except August--and my birthday is in August--so we've pretty much got it covered.

3. The people: We have a huge variation of people from multiple ethnic, linguistic, social, and cultural backgrounds; regional variation in food stuffs and accents; pride of place; community neighborhoods and sacred centers; families of all kinds; and overall, I'd say, people are genuinely nice. 

Overlooking the Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.

The U.S. also has some of the most innovative, creative, and intellectually stimulating people in the world in fields that span art, thermodynamics, small business, and the academy.  Even though people do not agree on politics, religions, or the expectations of an educational system, we as a people overall get along, we talk about it, and, for the most part, we can exchange in dialogue peacefully.  We assume there will be no bloodshed between party members, that we can dissent in opinion, and we can come up with ways to make the U.S. better through community initiatives, laws, and voting.  Compared to many parts of the world, this is an amazing feat.  Seriously.

4. Americana.  We have some really cool stuff. 

Anyhow, just wanted to express a little U.S.A. cheer from across the mighty globe...
 
Celebrate Independence Day and appreciate all of the beautiful places, people, and amazing opportunities around you. 

                                                       We have a lot to be thankful for.

Ghouls, Goblins & Witches, My Pretty!

Happy Halloween 

    to all you celebrating the night of dress up,
      debauchery, and candy-coated disguise.                    Boohahhahahha! 

Polls show that the eponymous witch with the pointy-hatted costume (however old school and dated) is still the American costume de jour.  Nevertheless, I have heard that people this year will likewise be dressing up to match fast-fading trends: reality star and teen pop *sensations* such as the Justin Bieber, Ms. Kim Kardashian, the thing that is Gaga, and all things New Moon are in vogue.  With the tween-gone-mainstream phenomenon of television vampire entertainment (Twilight and True Blood and Vampire Diaries and The Gates, among others,) many o' persons shall be dressed as werewolves, she-wolves, fairies, shape shifters, and vampires (both diamond-y and of the scarier ripper variety).

"Finger Food Anyone, Anyone?"

In years past I have dressed as a skier (last minute!), a jester (lots of bells), Marilyn Monroe (hello blondie), Rainbow Brite gone bad (the teenage years), Jem of Jem & the Rockers (awesome star earring), Wonder Woman (middle school), a crazy chicken (el pollo loco), and alas, I will admit it, a vampire (sigh).  Needless to say, I find the time of dress up amusing.  What will you be this year?

Most countries abroad don't celebrate such a ghoulish holiday so I plan to relish it!  May your night be happily scary.  Woohahahha!  

                     Cheers to candy, 

                       cauldrons,

          and all the things that go

               BUMP

                                      in the night!