Happy Independence Day!!

Ahhh, July 4th, my absolute favorite holiday. The day is spent watching parades, catching candy, playing water games, grilling burgers and hot dogs, taking it easy with friends and family, and of course FIREWORKS!!! Every year for my entire life I have partaken in these activities, even on the years when I was working on the 4th of July. However, this year, my celebration of American Independence Day was slightly different.

Since moving to Korea, I have actually gained a new found sense of patriotism. No, this doesn't mean I go around thinking that America is THE BEST AND BADDEST NATION in the world. Nor do I find it necessary to bias compare the way Koreans live
to Americans and think that America is right. In fact, just by being a patriot I have not changed anything about me except I have enhanced another aspect of my identity. Often when I meet new people, foreign and Korean, the fact that I am American usually comes up within the first couple of minutes. Also, not only do I claim my American Identity more often now, but I have realized that America really does have many things that I truly love (and miss) that Korea just does not have. Example: common laws regarding work/wage compensations (don't get me started...)

Altho I have become more patriotic and proud to be an American, there is still plenty of things about America and it's culture that I do not like and don't miss at all. But the beauty of America is that for every thing I don't like about it, I can always find my place within another group of people, region, or choice that can be found within such a great nation. That really is that way most of the world is, but I do know that America is fortunate enough to accept and embrace all of us who differ from certain views and attitudes.

With that said, while in Korea I know it doesn't really matter because I will most likely only be a "visitor" here for 2 years or so....I still feel it necessary to embrace my patriotism and my rights to be who I am....especially today- The 4th of July

Waking up on this past Monday knowing that the 4th of July was happening this week, I made it a deliberate effort to wear either red, white, or blue each day to work. However, today I wore a bright red polo with white writing, blue capri pants, and white socks! It was rather gaudy by my standards but totally worth the effort. Once at my kindergarten, I instructed my first few lessons as normal. However, the class just before lunch I dedicated to informing my 6 cute little korean "tigers" (the name and mascot of my classroom) all about what July 4th meant to me. This 40 minute all about America lesson began like this...

Me: Class do know what today is? (points to the date on the board)
Students: July 4th, Wednesday, Sunny, Hot

Me: Yes it is July 4th. And do you know what July 4th is?
Students: Today, Wednesday

Me: Yes. But it is also American Independence Day. An important Holiday to Patrick Teacher because I am from America. Do you know what Independence means? (I write Independence Day on the board)
Students: .......

I then continued to explain over and over and over that Independence was when America became it's own country and gained their freedom. I then had to explain what freedom is...which in a nutshell turned out that my 6 year old will understand freedom as 'having fun and partying!" Yeahh freedom!

After practicing with them the words Independence Day, Freedom is fun, Looking at America and my home state of Illinois on a map I taught them all about the American Flag through a coloring activity. I handed out printed paper American flags and then showed them a big image of the real flag on the computer. By teaching them how to count to 50, I showed the class how each of the 50 stars was for each of the states. I did not bother to explain the 13 stripes...because the word Independence was already enough of a challenge!

Everyday I have an assignment of telling their Ommas (mothers) a message. To wrap up the class, I taught them Todays Message is " Happy Independence Day"...which 4 of them could accurately say. As for the other it was more like "Happy Indeenpensss Day"

So altho I did not see any fireworks this year, eat an burgers, or catch any candy...I still feel like I had a really good 4th of July. This weekend I am planning on hitting up some swimming pools in Seoul with a few friends (from the UK and Australia) and have a lazy saturday soaking up the sun rays. I may also hit up Itaewon- the foreigner district in Seoul, and see if there are any happenings going on for the night. I feel as if altho this weekend will be more of my leisurely 4th of July activities and festivities and will satisfy my summer holiday. However,  altho this particular 4th was different than any other, I know for sure that today will will always remain a great memory of my first (but maybe not last) 4th of July in Korea :)

As some of kindergartners would say to you all "Happy Indeenpensss Day!!"