an ex-pat Independence Day

The Fourth of July has never really been my favorite holiday. Don't get me wrong-- I love my country. And I am so incredibly thankful for the privileges that come with living there. But I'm just not wildly patriotic. Actually, I've really come to enjoy the ex-pat facet of my identity. It's kind of a fun thing for me, feeling at home even outside of my own country.

But then, I'd never spent Independence Day abroad.

Now, I know we (we, being the US. obviously?) declared independence from England, which is technically a part of the country in which I'm currently residing. Buuuuut let's be real here for a minute. We've established that Scotland and England don't play nicely together. In fact, most of the things England likes, Scotland hates, just to be contrary. So naturally, there's been an amusing amount of interest in America, and all things American, probably just because yesterday was the day we "told England to f*ck off" (co-worker's words, trying to understand what Independence Day was. Oddly correct and fantastically succinct summary.) Other reactions included:

1. This was years ago, but it remains my favorite story--a Scottish friend of mine sent me a Facebook message on the 4th of July, congratulating me on living in a country that had successfully managed to declare its independence from England. Poor Scotland.

2. Lots of "God bless Amurrrrica!"s spoken with truly delightful impressions of an American Southern accent.

3. Questions about what the point was. ("No, no, we didn't actually get independence that day. We just...um...told England we wanted it. Officially. On paper. And now we celebrate with fireworks. Don't worry about it.")

4. And, of course, the ever-confused look on American customers' faces when I wish them a happy Fourth of July and it slowly dawns on them I am in fact an American, too.

I've also experienced a bizarre phenomenon, in which I suddenly feel more compelled than ever to talk about my country. Like I said. I've never been particularly vocal about how much I enjoy the US. Now that I'm living abroad, however, it's like I think it's the greatest thing in the world. I jump at the chance to explain how fabulous the US can be (or how strange it can be. That happens a lot too). Maybe it's being so far from home that's got me a little homesick for the ordinary things--you know, like...Tide-to-Go pens. AND CHICK-FIL-A.

But then again, I've been having headaches when I don't wear my glasses, so dropped into Specsavers yesterday and had a free eye-exam/consultation with an optician, and came out with even more information than my private eye-doctor has ever given me back home, plus a prescription for new lenses that will be oh-so-freaking-cheap. So as far as trade-offs go, I think I made a pretty good choice. Ex-pat suits me...For now, at least!