The US Embassy here threw an Independence Day party last night. It's strange bundling up in parkas and gloves for the 4th of July but other than that, the event had all of the essential elements: hot dogs and pulled pork, cotton candy ("fairy floss"  in Australia), lots of red+white+blue, patriotic speeches and music, flag waving, games, and fireworks (at 6 p.m.--gotta love the winter early darkness!).

Happy birthday to the US of A! Sure do love you, my homeland.