Remembering the Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays for a handful of reasons--day off from work, good food, long weekend, fireworks, etc. The main reason that I am  particularly fond of Fourth of July, however, is that it is arguably the easiest holiday to remember exactly where you were, who you were with, and what you did that particular day/night, even more so than the more popular holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.


For example, six years ago, the summer of '06, when I was part of a month long "Hiking Hornets" Camping Trip around the U.S. Western States with a class full of recently graduated eighth graders. We spent the whole day traveling via car across the state of Nevada, finally arriving at our campground located in North Lake Tahoe at dusk. That gave us just enough time to set up our smelly tents (yes, my tent was one of the smelliest) on the campground, walk over to the lake, and watch the fireworks show on the South side of the lake, over 10 miles away. The fireworks were tiny from our perspective, but sitting bundled up in the dark and cold, yet enjoying the satisfaction of our long journey and day with a brilliant fireworks display couldn't have ended our day on a better note.


Or how about three years ago, the summer of  '09, when I was studying abroad in China. We spent the entire day of the Fourth on an eight mile hike on the Great Wall of China, a hike that took several exhausting, sun-baked hours, steep inclines, narrow bridges and a swim in possibly the clearest, most picturesque river cutting through a valley. We got back into Beijing just in time for dinner, starving, and only then did we realize that it was the Fourth (stupid time difference) and decide to eat out at an Chinese-ized "American" Restaurant (as opposed to an Americanized Chinese Restaurant in the states) in honor of America's birthday. Granted, the food was really bad (it consisted of undersized, over cooked burgers and poorly executed cheese steak, but what do you expect out of a restaurant that was known to us as and was advertised selling "Beefsteak" ), and resulted in most of the group resorting for a second dinner at McDonald's*. Sure it wasn't the most traditional, or even tasty fourth, but it was a memorable one to say the least.


And my personal favorite, last year, the summer of '11, when I was spending the weekend of the fourth with my beautiful girlfriend in Seattle. We were blessed with perfect 70 degree and sunny weather (which is asking a lot out of Seattle), and spent the day at Seattle's Gas Works Park, only to conclude with what I have determined as the best fireworks show I've ever witnessed. GasWorks Park has its viewers sit on a hill, which overlooks the large and beautiful Lake Union, with the Seattle skyline in the backdrop in distance, and the fireworks launching from a large ship from the middle of the Lake. I'll always remember standing on the Gas Works Park hill looking up over Lake Union at the plethora of colorful flares and wheels lighting up the Seattle night sky, with my girlfriend under my arm, and actually appreciating Katy Perry's "Firework" blasting in the background for the first time. Best Fourth Ever.

This summer, I don't have huge plans for the fourth. I don't have the luxury that is traveling on this special holiday (stupid calendar/Wednesday), nor do I have the luxury of being in the company of my wonderful and loving girlfriend. I don't even have the luxury of staying at my home and host a gathering. I'll be chilling, grilling (hopefully), and hanging with one of my best childhood buddies and his family. Nothing too big, nothing too special, just a good, solid day with some awesome people.


Sure, where you are and who you are with will definitely make a large impact on how memorable or awesome your Fourth will end up being. But in the end, it doesn't really matter. Whether you are traveling, partying with friends, watching some fireworks with the girl/guy friend, or relaxing with the family, remember to live in the moment and have a good time. And while you definitely shouldn't do something you'll regret the next morning, if given the opportunity to do something truly memorable, go for it. After all, who knows, this year's Fourth could very well  be once again be filled with moments and memories that will be remembered for years to come. 


Enjoy the Fourth everybody,


--JTF


*(this was also the night we purchased li laoshi his large brown ceramic penis, for those who understand).