Happy Fourth of July!!

This is a long post. Be warned!!



America declared its independence on 4th July, 1776.


This is only the second time in my life that I'm experiencing July 4th in America.
The first time I was here in 2004, I spent the evening with my friend Char, where she barbecued hot dogs for me, and we then went to a hill behind her home to see the fireworks.

Here we are, four years ago................





Ok, now to the present time - On 4th of July 2008, I went to Orinda, California, to take part in the 4th of July Parade, which happens to be its 25th Anniversary in Orinda.

The Church that I go to - LOPC, takes part in this parade and hold placards with the various activities of the Church




Here I am, telling the whole world that I'm still single (lol!!), and posing with a goat!! What was I thinking?!

Well, the Zimmermans from our Church, brought their goats to the parade.
They even made a sign that read "Even goats are welcome at LOPC"!!





Not only did we have goats in the parade, but we had a llama too - though not part of our Church group!!





And it is customary here in the US to throw candy to the bystanders. It was fun to watch the kids run and try to get as many candy as they could. Many of them were prepared with small bags to collect all the candy.





There was a huge turn out of people for the parade. I had great fun waving at people.





After the parade, I got home, and my house mate Cary asked me if I wanted to go with his family to a BBQ in the city - San Francisco. I accepted the invitation, and Cary, Nitzia, Braeden and I went to the city.....

Here's the city and the bay in the background..........




Argelis & Gary's neighbor Russell (in the picture with me) hosted the BBQ out on the street corner. It was fun to sit in chairs on the pavement, chat, and wave at the many cab drivers who slowed down to see what was going on here!!





Here's Gary, Argelis, Cary, Nitzia & baby boy Braeden....





Here's all the food.... We had some wonderful salads which I enjoyed (which might come as a surprise to those who know me and my liking for vegetables LOL!!), great sausages and hamburgers. We had lots to drink, but you know me, just some iced tea and juice for me!!





After the BBQ, we went to Argelis and Gary's home, and had some great time just talking, eating (this was dinner. BBQ was for lunch), and some dancing. Gary and I were the spectators. Here you see the couple dancing. I probably should have clicked a picture of Argelis, who danced the longest... Hmmmmmm. Maybe next time!!



Here's Cary and Nitzia on the dance floor!!




For those of you who have attempted to capture the fireworks on camera, you would appreciate the below picture!! It is not easy to click at the exact moment when the sky is lit up. This was in the San Francisco Bay!!



After we watched the fireworks, we dropped Gary and Argelis at their home and reached our home at about 11.30pm. Then I watched a movie till about 1.15am, and then spoke to my mom for another one hour, and by the time I crashed for the night, it was 2.30am - the longest I've stayed up in the US!!

And not to mention, I woke up today (July 5th) at 1.30pm, and wondered if I should have breakfast or lunch. Cary, my housemate teased me and asked "Alex, are you deciding to have top ramen for breakfast or top ramen for lunch?".

Well, what else could a bachelor who doesn't know cooking do? But I actually had some tea, banana, and some Creamy Chicken Soup that I made myself!!!
Well, I just had to cut the pouch, mix the contents in water, and boil it and eat!!

Thank you folks for patiently reading this long post!!