Thursday, July 07, 2005

 
That comment, Carroll, proves why should come visit. Anyone who can weave sufjan into everyday life gets my stamp of approval.

I can't believe you don't know what Elephant ears are. Another reason why you should come visit. They're just big round pieces of fried bread covered in cinnamon and sugar. mostly consumed at fairs, carnivals, or Portland's Saturday Market.

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

 
Back from Mexico- blahblahblah.

Last night Natalie, Stephanie, Matt, Sean, Alina and myself all attended a rodeo south of town. I suggested it a few weeks ago as an alternative to just sitting around on the 4th, or just going to some friends' barbeque. Going to a rodeo is subjecting yourself to a whole different culture. I'm fairly comfortable with it because my dad's side of the family are all ranchers and cowboys and I've gone to rodeos before. We got there a little too early and then gave ourselves all sugar shock by buying things from the concessions stands: Natalie a caramel apple, Matt and elephant ear, and Alina, Stephanie, and I all got sno kones. Spelled like that.

The rodeo was fun. I enjoy watching a whole different kind of sport take place. Even the girls riding the horses is amazing to me because it's simply something I could never do. Matt asked if I had ever ridden a horse and I replied "yes. once on my grandma's farm, and all I did was walk around the pen". yee haw to that. I'm a real vacera.

So anyway. It's easy to forget how patriotic that culture is... The star-spangled banner was sung by a girl who must've gotten her singing lessons from Mariah Carey, because it was inceredibly ridiculous. I just thought "yeesh- you can't even sing the national anthem with some respect?" BUT! nevertheless the rodeo went onward with lots of applause for the flags of the sponsors: including Jack Daniels.

At the end were fireworks with the obligatory patriotic songs. So I sat there and thought about the extreme opposites I feel when thinking about the USA. On one hand I really hate a lot about our country: our materialism, our greed, our worship of celebrities, our definition of success. But then there was one "song" where it was just a guy speaking about why he loves our country-- and it was all about the natural beauty of America. I began to think about the fact that yes, the States are nice. We are lucky to live in a land like ours, where even if we don't like it we can express that. I know there are a number of other countries with these freedoms. Last night I felt proud to be an American, though. But not proud in that boastful way, proud in that "i'm kinda lucky" way. I have never really had to worry about my safety. Even with the numerous mistakes our country has made over the years, I think about the amazing individuals who define the American dream: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Hoover, etc. And all those individuals who aren't famous. People still come to this country in droves because it offers something.

So my feelings are mixed. But they're mostly good feelings. Long live the country rodeo. And sno kones.

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