There's no place like home

Last month I was lucky enough to make a trip back home for a dear friend's wedding. 

While we were there, we stayed on through Thanksgiving and had

 ourselves a grand old time. 

There was inordinate amounts of food, lots of catching up with friends, and so many pet cuddles.

This is probably a very common observation, but I think it takes leaving a place to really understand how much it means to you. 

It turns out I missed home more than I thought- and not just because I can't get bean and cheese tacos or cuddle with Chester & Henry down here.

In true "home" fashion, being back there felt like I never left. Isn't that the best?

The first thing I asked for upon arrival in San Antonio was a bean and cheese taco (duh) and queso. My stomach said "THANK YOU SO MUCH I'VE MISSED YOU LIKE CRAZY OH MY GOD."

And of course I was delighted to be reunited with my furry friends. 

I got to catch up with all the people I love, which was so good for the soul!!

We even had Will's little sister there for Thanksgiving! She's studying abroad in Wyoming, so it was great to be able to show her what Thanksgiving is all about, not to mention meet my family. 

Thanksgiving was a success, as usual, and I ate all the things. I've yet to miss a Thanksgiving, so when I finally do it is going to be a very depressing day.

There was also the aforementioned wedding + time in Houston with some besties andddd a gender reveal party for Ronnie! It was a busy, blissful two weeks.

And for the icing on the cake, a seven hour layover in L.A. meant a nice stroll in Santa Monica plus delicious dinner and drinks with my dear Julianne.

It was a whirlwind, but so worth the trip back. I must admit it was a bit hard to leave, but I am still so thankful for this experience I am having. 

Until next time!

4th of July in another country

Living in another country can suddenly turn the most averagely patriotic person into a full God-bless-America-let's eat ribs-and-wave-a-flag patriot. 

Let it be known: I don't own US flag shorts. I love the USA, but I also think there are a lot of other great countries out there. 

However, spending 4th of July in Australia had me wishing I owned a ballgown made out of the US flag. 

Or at least some novelty shorts.

So what was there to do, other than throw an epic 4th of July party?

Always one to welcome other cultures, it became an Aussie-style USA party. It was held on a cold winter's night out at the drinking hut on the farm. And let me just say, some of these Aussies were way more prepared for an American party than I was. 

There were giant "AMERICAN STYLE" hot dogs with Heinz ketchup and French's mustard (thanks, Costco!) , a cake with a flag on it (you're welcome), and even some buffalo wings with FRANK'S HOT SAUCE (thank you, friends who regularly go to the US and love Frank's hot sauce as much as I do. Beer pong and flip cup were played, though I was told I took it way too seriously. To this I say, how can you not?! "Party in the USA" and other American themed songs were sung loudly and badly. There were "American costumes" worn.

All in all, an excellent night. America was celebrated well, and I think we did her proud.

I remember

9/11/01

Ten years ago...

Credit

I was a freshman in high school, changing out for my first period gym class.

I'll never forget that day, or what it meant.

Today, I remember and honor all those who were lost in such a devastating tragedy.

Hooray for America

My eagerly awaited three day weekend commences in t-minus 7.5 hours.

Thanks for gaining your independence, America!

I will celebrate you in this manner:



I'm so sexy in my flag ball gown and classy dyed hair.



Seeing as how I'm going home to San Antonio this weekend, how appropriate that this character is wearing an American flag while standing in front of the Alamo!

I think it would take several strong drinks to ever convince me to celebrate the 4th by traipsing around in front of the Alamo in this kind of get up.

But for humor's sake, just imagine that this is what I'll be doing this weekend.

I hope everyone enjoys this 4th of July weekend and eats copious amounts of hot dogs, hamburgers, and ice cream.

'Cause that's how we do it in Amuuuurica!

"We don't need no education"-Pink Floyd

Alright, time to get a little political. I am not going to spout my views or bleed liberally all over the blog, but I'd like to give my input on an upcoming event.
On September 8, President Obama is going to give a special address to the students of our nation to emphasize the importance of education, staying in school, and why it's all important to our country. Liberal or conservative, this doesn't sound like a bad idea to me. Which country has one of the worst education systems in the world? That would be us. So yeah, I think our leader talking straight to the kids is a pretty effective idea.
Now, I know people like to get riled up about pretty much anything a sitting president does, but this is the one event I was sure everyone could agree on. I was wrong. Parents across the nation are OUTRAGED that the president is going to speak directly to their children. They claim it is his way of "brainwashing" the youth of America. I'm sorry, but since when is the leader of the free world telling its FUTURE leaders to keep their butts in school a bad thing?? The chairman of the Republican Party of Florida rants that this "obligates the youngest children in our public school system to agree with our President's initiatives." Well, I damn well hope that one of our president's initiatives is to emphasize the importance of education. It's not like he's addressing the kids to talk to them about gun control, a woman's right to choose, or new healthcare initiatives. It's EDUCATION. It's something they're familiar with because they go to school every day. This is not rocket science. This is not controversial. This is our main authority figure taking the time to speak to kids as citizens of this country to let them know that getting their education and doing well in school is just the beginning of endless opportunities.
Despite all this, some schools are refusing to let their students watch the address, partly due to the fact that there are certain discussion questions that go along with it that some feel do too much to "glorify" the president. You know, they're right. Questions such as "What resonated with you from President Obama's speech" are clearly trying to brainwash all children to become bleeding liberals who worship Obama. My mistake.
In short, I really think the American people should stop wasting their time getting upset about trivial things like this that are meant to FURTHER our country. If you want to get angry, ponder our economic crisis, the lack of fair healthcare, and when all that social security money is going to run out.