We celebrated the 4th of July a couple of days early, yesterday at school. The weather was cool but I still rocked my red and blue party dress. I think it's my patriotic duty to don a cute dress and sandals for this holiday. Only thing is, I had to top it off with a blazer. The sunglasses on my head? Unnecessary. That was clearly wishful thinking on my part.

[caption id="attachment_5156" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Happy 4th of July!"]<a rel="attachment wp-att-5156" href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5156"><img class="size-large wp-image-5156 " title="Happy 4th of July!" src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/DSC02689-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="461" /></a>[/caption]

The party was great fun. I ate a giant hamburger. Drank some beer. Danced my heart out--here's to the cover band Dirty Purchase!!

There's something funny about celebrating the holiday a few days early and in Bulgaria--it feels a little surreal. This year I was surprised by an overwhelming sense of nostalgia when the fireworks were going off. So I did the only thing I could think of--sang patriotic songs from my childhood with a few fellow Americans including the Star Spangled Banner, You're A Grand Old Flag, My Country 'Tis of Thee and I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy.

Happy (early) Independence Day!!