| 01. The best July 4th Natalie has ever had. |
[05 Jul 2011|11:30am] |
I figured I should start this with something happy, shouldn't I?
I think this must be the best Fourth of July I had. My aunt and I drove around for an hour in the morning, looking for stores selling bubbles; once we found them we spent the next four hours gallivanting through Sleepy Hollow and the surrounding areas, blowing them all over the place. We were such kids, and a lot of people laughed at us especially at my aunt who's almost 30. But we didn't care because it was amazing.
We ate dinner with some of her friends at Lombardi's and then we went to watch Macy's Fourth of July fireworks... i think it was at the West Side Highway, but I'm not really sure. It was crazy! There were hundreds of people all over the place. WE WERE SQUISHED TO THE MAX. Someone's arm was digging into my back, someone's leg was pressed against my leg, and someone's sweaty armpits were on my head which I constantly tried to shove away, because eww. There was this small, cute girl in front of me that reminded me of my best friend, and when some tall, muscular guy tried to push past her, making her lose balance, I was pretty pissed. So I reached over her and pushed his shoulders, holding him back. In retrospect, if he was a jerk he could have punched me in the face for that... but at the time I was idiotic, and let my anger get the best of me, and I told him, "Hey hold on, what do you think you're doing, give her some space!" and I gave him the best of my glares and the "You Should Be Ashamed of Yourself" look. Seriously, right after I said that, I almost regretted it. But he stopped pushing at least, and I was glad I didn't get a black eye. Sometimes, I really do idiotic things without thinking it through first.
Anyway, everyone was noisy as they mingled with one another, but when the fireworks show finally started, everyone was united with their ooh-s and aah-s, and their excited shouts of joy. Everything was just beautiful. How the different, blazing colors began lighting up the sky simultaneously, the loud sound of it's cracking and booming, everything was just breath-taking. I just stood there, marveling at the colors and how I was part of such a beautiful event, celebrating July 4th and what it stands for. Looking back, I should've taken a video of it all, just so I can always remember it. Hm. After the show, it was only then that I realized I lost the hat I was wearing. So I immediately (another stupid move) tried ducking down to go on the floor and look for it (wtf Natalie are you stupid why would you duck and risk getting kicked in the face), and then someone almost hit me in the head but my aunt pulled me up just in time. We went home without my hat, and my aunt bought me a gallon of chocolate ice cream to make up for it. She's the best ever. ♥
Some of my friends used to make fun of me because I treat July 4th like Christmas, or close. I can't help it, I love this holiday; or rather, what it stands for. Freedom. Not many of us may realize it, but there are people in other countries who don't get to experience as much freedom as us. We do and say whatever we want so freely, without fear of anyone holding us back, while at some places, people still have to hold their tongue because their freedom is limited. A lot of people seem to have forgotten that July 4 means more than just bbqs, hotdogs, fireworks, and parties. Some don't even remember the event that happened that leads to this day. July 4, 1776, America's declaration of separation from Great Britain was made. Our forefathers gave their lives to establish the USA as a free country. I want us to be reminded, I want myself to be reminded, that once upon a time sacrifices were made to give this country life. Men gave of life and limb, watched sons, fathers, brothers and friends perish, left their homes, their wives, and their families to exist in brutal conditions within the army, and often watched their life's work go up in smoke. Too often, we forget the commitment that created the liberty we cherish. That's just the first step in losing it. I hope that's something that we'll always remember, even after this day is over.
And now I'm about to watch The Patriot... again. ♥ Man, I just love historical movies, haha. I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their day!
|
|
![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
