I'm Feeling a Little Un-American

I've mentioned before that even though I'm a resident of the great 'ole state of Georgia, I'm only half American. That's right, half of my blood is tainted with tea and crumpets and those weird hats that the British guard guys wear:

Source

While finding that photo I learned that each one of those hats is made from the fur of an entire Canadian black bear. I wouldn't throw red paint on a good looking leather jacket or anything, but bear hats are where I draw the line. Weird.

So despite the fact that I drink tea with my pinky finger in the air and occasionally pronounce "tomato" oddly, I generally consider myself to be American. Over half of my life has been spent in the states (Hawaii, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and now Georgia), I have an American passport, I talk a lot and I own a fanny pack. Ergo, I am American.

So what's making me question my authenticity as a citizen? The date of our British Airways flight booked for this summer:

I know. Boo-hoo, someone call the waaaambulance because I have to go on a European holiday. Woe is me. I'm actually pretty dang excited for the trip, but did we really have to leave America at night on the 3rd of July and arrive in ENGLAND of all places the 4th of July? I'm pretty sure they don't celebrate "It's a bummer we lost that whole massive colony" day. At least not with fireworks and corn on the cob.

Last summer was hubby's first Fourth of July and we did everything right. Barbecue, fireworks, corn on the cob, watermelon, wearing red, white and blue, high-fiving soldiers and getting a little drunk. Just like we were supposed to.

This year? I can only imagine we will be in some place called Dottingly on the Bridge-ford-shire-town drinking tea and having scones with some Lords and maybe a Duchess. Feel free to insert any other British stereotypes in here as well. (Hey, maybe we'll be at the dentist! Or at a football match with a bunch of hooligans!)


What are some things that make you feel American? Or, if you live elsewhere, what reinforces your nationality?
I'll admit I'm a little bumbling when it comes to this. Sometimes I feel super American and other times I feel a bit lost. BUT - I love American politics and always feel really connected when reading/watching anything to do with that. I rarely feel British though. Tim always needs to remind me of my heritage. 


Do you have any summer plans in place yet?
I know it's early, but thanks to the London Olympics this year we needed to get tickets ASAP. For the record, I would not go anywhere near London during the actual Olympics. Crowded enough normally. We're spending a couple of weeks in England and Germany to visit family.