Fifty Nifty United States

Now comes the time of year that is a struggle for me: the time of year that I have to get rid of songs that have been stuck in my head for about two weeks. And you know what they are. Patriotic anthems such as “God Bless America” and “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”. Not that there is anything wrong with those songs. Definitely not! But now that the Fourth of July has passed, it is time I got some regular songs stuck in my head, like “Billie Jean” or “Once There Was a Snowman”. (wait . . . ) So in that round-about way, I have brought up a topic about which I can blog—my Fourth of July weekend.

It was a very good and successful weekend, I’d say. If there’s one thing Provo, Utah, knows how to do, it’s how to celebrate the Fourth of July. I would be hard-pressed to find a more patriotic city. (any challenges to that? Anyone?) On Sunday, Esther, Becky, and I went to a patriotic service where the keynote speaker was Glenn Beck, who was treated like a star the instant he stepped into the Marriott Center. You can have your own opinions about Glenn Beck, but I sure enjoyed what he had to say that night. I felt very patriotic, which I think was the point. The rest of the week went by pretty normally, and then Thursday and Friday afternoons, I took to the main streets of Provo with friends to cruise the market that they set up for the Freedom Festival. It reminded me of Saturday Market in Portland, only MUCH hotter and more crowded, since this kind of thing is such a novelty here. But there were some cool booths to explore, and a lot of jewelry set at prices I wouldn’t think of paying until I’m a little bit richer. Esther and I explored it together on Thursday, then Bethany, Becky, and Whitney, and I met up on Friday for some more jostling and fun. Bethany and I were in kind of silly moods (which happens a lot when I’m with her; she rocks), so we got our faces painted, which made us both happy. I got comments the rest of the day about how “festive” I looked!

Friday morning, I went to the parade that goes down University Avenue and up Center Street. My grandparents were in town, so I got to see them as well as other family members (mostly second cousins that I’ve never met). That evening, I went to a barbeque at the “Leisure Lounge”, which is the nickname for the house of some guys in my ward. There were chairs, a couch, and Mary’s Love Sack set up in the front yard, and it was a good crowd of people that showed up to partake of some expertly cooked meat (as well as some awesome desserts) throughout the evening. I was especially proud when Mary and I managed to begin an intense debate among all the people there about the best Disney princesses and princes. It was kind of our own private conversation until we asked David his opinion, and then it just kind of blew up from there. Amazing, what people will get passionate about. Disney princesses. Luke actually gave me quite the impassioned speech about barbeque-flavored chips as Mary and I took over a bag of cheddar/sour cream-flavored chips. Mike was quite vocal about his love for Mountain Dew, and Neal had no problem letting people know his negative feelings toward Coke. Anyway, people kind of came and went as they pleased, but there were still about ten or so of us who drove up 3rd south to find a place to watch the Stadium of Fire fireworks once it was around that time. They were a little far away, but I didn’t mind that much. When we got back to the house, Neal and Mike started “Independence Day” (appropriate) on a projector, and I relinquished my spot on the Love Sack, which I had pretty much commandeered most of the night. We didn’t start the movie until late because of all the traffic driving by, so it was around two when it ended. Half the people on the lawn were asleep, and I was pretty close to fading, myself. Fortunately, I was able to stumble the ENTIRE block back to my house, where I fell asleep on the couch at 2:30 and didn’t get up until close to noon the next day. How lazy. But a good Fourth of July, nonetheless.

The rest of the weekend went pretty well, too. Esther, Becky, Whitney, and I went out to dinner on Saturday night to another Thai restaurant, and, while it’s still no Thai Ruby, it was quite good, and we didn’t stop ourselves from getting a second order of Masman, even after we’d pretty much gorged ourselves on our original orders. Oink, oink on us! After that scrumptious feast, I went to a movie with Mary, Andrea, and Julie. Mary and Andrea are quickly becoming some of my favorite people in the ward, and I’m glad I’m finally making friends. It’s always nice to have them. I fully intend on keeping my friends that I already have, but it’s good to have more. Good friends. Great family. Food. A bed. Who could ask for anything more? (well, I could, but I think people are sick of me talking about wanting to bring a boyfriend into the mix.)

I dedicate this quote of the day to Sylvia, who has been set up on more blind dates in the last six months than everybody else I know has been set up on blind dates in their lifetimes COMBINED: “I’ve been on so many blind dates, I should get a free dog.” –Whitney M. Young

With affection and alliteration, Me.