USA DAY and Friends! And other deep stuff.

Thus commenced my first strictly American holiday outside of America. As I am not a hugely patriotic person, I wasn't expecting to really miss Independence Day. But as the 4th grew closer, I started feeling a little down in the dumps about missing out on the traditional barbeques, fireworks, and wonderful family get-togethers. Lucky for me, I have awesome friends!

 

What's more American than freshly baked apple pie? Anything? No, I thought not! And it was even better than it would have been back in the States because we weren't eating it in 100 degree heat! So ha! In fact, apple pie is best on rainy, winter evenings, watching movies! I know this now from experience. 

Besides this delicious pie, on Saturday I went to a BBQ (hosted by some other Americans. Go us!) with genuine American hot dogs and buns, chili, sparklers, and not one, but two USA flag cakes! Aaaand we sang "Happy Birthday" to America. Yup. I'm sure the other people at the park thought we were weird. But oh well.

Today (Sunday), the weekend finished strong with a friend's birthday party, dozens of new faces to become acquainted with, and, wouldn't you know it, MORE YUMMY CAKE! Wow. I'm only realizing this now, how much sugary stuff I ate this weekend. I think I'm going to have to diet next week. But it was worth it! Anyhow, I sat at a table in this bar (never been in a real bar, but have to say, I think Aussie ones are a lot nicer than American ones. It was pretty much a restaurant that just served more drinks than food.) and talked with a few different people for a good fours hours. The time flew by, and I listened and chatted and delved into several deep-ish topics of future careers, spiritual warfare, God's will, and faith in general. Super conversations with super people. I have come to realize that the friends I have made here have only known me, what, 3-4 months, and they already know me better than probably most of the people back home. I just connect so easily, and find it so easy to talk about myself and my feelings and fears and hopes and dreams. It could be (well, I pretty much know it is) because I basically forced myself to leave behind everyone and everything familiar, and in the chasm of my empty social life, my Aussie friends have filled the gap. I'm going to be so very sad to say goodbye in a mere three months, but am excited to go home and actually start taking advantage of the wonderful relationships I left behind. I have recently realized that I hardly put any value on relationships in the past. That is going to change, people back home! We are going to be so freakin' social you all won't know what time of day it is! 

There you go, my weekend in a nutshell! And a bit more from my soul. :) Hope you all had a wonderful Fourth, and that summer is not to terrible... 

... yeah, like that could happen. 

Loves! xoxo