Happy Independence Day?

As most people know, yesterday was the 4th of July. A day that is held in a special place for Americans and Canadians alike. Sure, they may be differnet places in their hearts.... for Americans it is in that place where they are way to patriotic and proud of their country regardless of all the dumb stuff it does and symbolizes (i.e. many, many wars, Hollywood...) I would say that it is held at the top of their heart. Above their family and loved ones. Above their pets and belongings. Above food and water. If they lived in isolation in a concrete cell that had no ceiling (therefore being affected by all the seasons) with no food or water but they were in America, they would be as happy as a duck in a pond. Now for Canadians on the other hand, the 4th of July means something completely different. It is the day when we look at the Americans and laugh because we realize just how much more awesome Canada is than America. With our Canadian pride freshly refreshed from Canada Day (July 1st) it only makes us happier that we are indeed Canadian. If anything it is like a second Canada Day. Thank you America. If you were a really brave Canadian you might go to America on the 4th of July just to try to crash some Independence Day party. Maybe you blast O Canada on a stereo. Maybe you through red paint, maple syrup and bacon. Its up to you really. So you see, having been raised under the assumption that Canadians dislike Americans yesterday I went about saying that today was a rather silly day. Then the Americans questioned me and broke down those walls I had built making me think that America was dumb and made me realise that, while mocking them is fun... they are still human, even if it doesn't seem like it at times. I was also heavily out numbered and had to find another Canadian to help me.
All the students are hear now, they got here throughout the day on sunday. It was a great day that day. I sat outside just at the picnic table by the front entrance from 12pm til 5.30pm. It was crazy! There were just so many people and potential best friends to be made! The first person I saw come in was this girl with a Canadian flag on her backpack so I got all excited and ran out to her and she is from Kelowna! And she keeps wearing this KCS sweater and so I asked her if she knew Mr. Hildebrandt (aka Uncle B) And she said that she did! She never had him as a teacher but she knew of him.
I have told the story of why we have moved to New Zealand about 500 times. I feel bad for the staff members around me b.c there always seems to be one around when I get asked the question so they could probably tell it for me. :D
It is such a great group of people, honestly! It is pretty small, 34 students so I feel like I actually have a general idea of who most of them are.. or at least their names. We don't see them in the day but in the evening we can go and mingle and it is so much fun. Last night (seeing as it was the 4th of July and all the Americans couldn't let it go unnoticed and uncelebrated) we went to the river and made a bon fire. So here is another interesting, 'holy crap the world is so small' moment for you.....
I was walking with the Canadian and we were bonding about being Canadian and not being American and how great it is and he mentions that his sister went to Capernwray in NZ last year. So I'm all thinking trying to remember if Danae went last year or the year before and it was the year before. And we were all bummed cause that would have been some crazy awesome weird connection. But then I say, well my sister's friend from Canada went there last year. He's all, what's his name? I'm all.... Ummmm Zack Trigg? He's all NO WAY!! Holy crap. That is my sister's boyfriend. They met last year at Capernwray. So then there was a spazzing moment and even the group of people ahead of us who were just casual as listening to our convo are like "No way!" So that was pretty awesome. Gotta love those moments.
Anyway we bonfired. Ate glorious smores. Talked to strangers and made them friends. This is where the Americans had like an intervention with me asking me about my wall of refusing to see America as a real place. Just a fake place, you know.
OH! B the w, yesterday I also went on this killer bike ride. Like KILLER. It killed me then brought me back to life only so that it could kill me again... We went up to... Birnberg I believe it is called.. then through Oberhaus, Haus (which just means house.. so there is a town called House. How amazing??) and Lehen and back to Schladming. It was amazing and SO gorgeous. I felt so dumb b.c I forgot to bring my camera with me. I know!! But there will always be more bike rides and hikes.. maybe not up that hill though... :D
So this morning I woke up at 7.10am only to discover that my snooze button doesn't work. Yup. I set the alarm for 6.50am so I can hit snooze and wake up at 7am (yes I am one of those people..) but no. I woke up b.c the person on the bunk bed above me moved and squeaked. And I had to meet Maja at 7.30 to go get my Visa cause I am here longer than 3 months. So we get in the car, drive there about a 20 minute drive we get there and the other guy who was with us went first and they ask him for his Visa photo. I'm like... what Visa photo?! Yea.. So I was supposed to go get a photo taken and bring it with me.. But I forgot. So pretty much I sat there and watched him get his done. Then we went back. Maja laughing at me. But Maja has to go pick up the other guys one so I'll go with her then. Oh yea, and today was my day off... SOO instead of sleeping in I went for a joy ride. :D It was fun though I suppose. Okay well I've gotta go practice my slack lining and become a professional. Until next time! Adieu.


Oh and did I mention at some point that both of my roommates are American? And like to talk about their history a lot? Yea.. I leave the room..