I sat down to write the holiday edition with 4th of July on my mind. What is 4th of July all about? I obviously know from our history books that it's the declared day of independence. Beyond that there must more, so I did some digging.
The Philippines celebrates July 4 as its Republic Day to commemorate that day in 1946 when it ceased to be a U.S. territory and the United States officially recognized Philippine Independence.[30] July 4 was intentionally chosen by the United States because it corresponds to its Independence Day, and this day was observed in the Philippines as Independence Day until 1962. In 1964, the name of the July 4 holiday was changed to Republic Day.
The fourth of July is about declaring independence, and the celebration of independence. Therefore that's gonna look different for every individual in America and the Philippines.
To Americans, what the 4th of July is all about is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States.
To Filipinos? I have no idea because I just discovered this even though they've been independent for longer than I've been alive!
As a kid, I knew exactly what the 4th of July all about - it meant summer with no school! I would earn enough money from odd jobs like paper routes, and mowing lawns, so I could bike my beloved black Huffy bike to the fireworks tent with the neighborhood kids. Looking back, for all the fireworks and explosives I lit up, I'm incredibly lucky that I have no injuries or scars. I could definitely write even more stories about the crazy stuff I did without adult supervision from a gasoline soaked basal wood plane being lit and thrown to dissecting a dead frog with an M-80.
I digress.
As an adult, what the 4th of July all about is much different to me. Mostly, it was getting #starspanglehammered bitches!
In July 2008, I found myself in the middle of the divorce process, therefore a grieving cycle based on the death of a relationship. You see, in March of that year, my wife had declared she no longer loved me and wanted a divorce. I was released from a prison that I didn't see, touch or smell, and mostly didn't realize I was in!
While I was released from obligation of it, I didn't leave it. No, sir. For months I would be in the basement of my house being trapped by depression, self-loathing, and entertaining thoughts of harming myself. I received an invite from my friends in Phoenix to visit. What is 4th of July all about? Well, it's celebrating independence with your family, and friends, so I flew down there in a heartbeat.
But before I left I wanted leave my prison, declare my independence from it, and commemorate it in a permanent way: a tattoo. Think of it as "jailhouse ink", but not in the traditional sense of the phrase. I marched down the tattoo parlor, showed them my idea, and of course, the inspiration for it. The artist loved it. Simplistic words, yet powerful meaning: Keep Digging.
With the money I set aside for my ex-wife's birthday (it's on July 6th) I paid for this declaration. I was so proud to be sporting this new ink. It served several purposes.
So, Spaceship Earth, what is 4th of July all about for you? I would love to know! Please comment below and share your thoughts!
Until then, be good like you should, and if you can't be good, be good at what you do!
Mic drop *bOoM*
'los; out
What is 4th of July All About?
I bet you didn't know this, but the Philippines celebrates Republic Day on July 4th of every year! I'm half-Filipino so this was very interesting to find out. Here is the Wiki entry:The Philippines celebrates July 4 as its Republic Day to commemorate that day in 1946 when it ceased to be a U.S. territory and the United States officially recognized Philippine Independence.[30] July 4 was intentionally chosen by the United States because it corresponds to its Independence Day, and this day was observed in the Philippines as Independence Day until 1962. In 1964, the name of the July 4 holiday was changed to Republic Day.
To Americans, what the 4th of July is all about is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States.
To Filipinos? I have no idea because I just discovered this even though they've been independent for longer than I've been alive!
As a kid, I knew exactly what the 4th of July all about - it meant summer with no school! I would earn enough money from odd jobs like paper routes, and mowing lawns, so I could bike my beloved black Huffy bike to the fireworks tent with the neighborhood kids. Looking back, for all the fireworks and explosives I lit up, I'm incredibly lucky that I have no injuries or scars. I could definitely write even more stories about the crazy stuff I did without adult supervision from a gasoline soaked basal wood plane being lit and thrown to dissecting a dead frog with an M-80.
I digress.
As an adult, what the 4th of July all about is much different to me. Mostly, it was getting #starspanglehammered bitches!
In July 2008, I found myself in the middle of the divorce process, therefore a grieving cycle based on the death of a relationship. You see, in March of that year, my wife had declared she no longer loved me and wanted a divorce. I was released from a prison that I didn't see, touch or smell, and mostly didn't realize I was in!
While I was released from obligation of it, I didn't leave it. No, sir. For months I would be in the basement of my house being trapped by depression, self-loathing, and entertaining thoughts of harming myself. I received an invite from my friends in Phoenix to visit. What is 4th of July all about? Well, it's celebrating independence with your family, and friends, so I flew down there in a heartbeat.
But before I left I wanted leave my prison, declare my independence from it, and commemorate it in a permanent way: a tattoo. Think of it as "jailhouse ink", but not in the traditional sense of the phrase. I marched down the tattoo parlor, showed them my idea, and of course, the inspiration for it. The artist loved it. Simplistic words, yet powerful meaning: Keep Digging.
With the money I set aside for my ex-wife's birthday (it's on July 6th) I paid for this declaration. I was so proud to be sporting this new ink. It served several purposes.
- It prevents me from harming myself, because I don't want to be a hypocrite. How ironic would it be for me to do that, only to have the joke on me because I have the inspiration words that I didn't follow.
- It serves as a symbol of strength for me on my runs - if I pass you, then it means you need to keep digging to keep up with me. Or if you pass me, then I've gotta keep digging to catch up.
- It's a permanent reminder that I no longer be trapped in a prison of a toxic, and manipulative relationship of any kind.
- It's the final manifestation of what I've been doing my entire life without realizing it: always moving forward.
So, Spaceship Earth, what is 4th of July all about for you? I would love to know! Please comment below and share your thoughts!
Until then, be good like you should, and if you can't be good, be good at what you do!
Mic drop *bOoM*
'los; out
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