As today is the 4th July, I thought it appropriate that I dedicate my blog post to all things I love about the wonderful land of USA.
It’s the only country I would chose to live in outside of Ireland. I love it there and whenever I’m lucky enough to visit, always feel at home. Some of the big moments in my life happened over in the good old US of A. I fell in love with Mr H in the Floridian sunshine. I honeymooned over there for 3 amazing weeks. I celebrated turning 40 over there and somehow, it didn’t seem like such a big deal.
So in no particular order, here’s just some of the reasons why I love America.
They invented the Internet. That was pretty clever in fairness. And Facebook. 
Oprah Winfrey. Legend. Dispenser of great wisdom. Giver of cars to audience members. Creator of amazing TV moments. Who can forget this?
And that brings me seamlessly onto American TV Shows. The list here is not definitive because there are so many shows that deserve mention. Some of my favourites from over the years are Mad men, Fraiser, The Good wife, The Walking Dead, Sopranos, Lost, Grey’s Anatomy, The Cosby Show, Friends, Happy Days, Extreme Makeover Home Edition (yes I know its cheese on toast, but I’m a sucker for all that sentimentality and I always cry when they get their new home), Sex and the city….. I could go on and on and on……
Walt Disney and all things Disney that this imaginative and brave man dreamed for up for us. Generations of all ages continue to share in his particular brand of magic.
And speaking of amazing icons, America sure has given us a lot to love’, revere, copy and remember. Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Martin Luther King, JFK, Audrey Hepburn, Lucille Ball, Frank Sinatra and many more have given us a lot of joyous moments.
My iPad. Greatest invention ever. Apple are genius’s. Nuff’ said.
New York shopping at Thanksgiving. It’s a mass exodus every year come the 24th November or thereabouts as gaggles of Irish women and a few (un) lucky Irish men board Aer Lingus flights with empty suitcases, ready to do damage on Black Friday. Find yourself fighting over a Guess handbag marked down 50% in JC Penny’s or Macy’s? Well it’s highly likely that it’s a fellow Irish madser you are doing battle with. Cos’ God knows, there are more Irish in Manhattan every Thanksgiving than there are New Yorkers! And I’m usually one of them, along with my two sisters.
Award Shows. In fairness the Americans know how to put on a good show. The Oscars are one of my highlights every year. Armed with a glass of wine and nibbles I cannot wait till Ryan Seacrest saunters onto the red carpet to meet and greet the stars on their way in. What will the guna’s be like? Who will be this year’s fashion police darlings and disasters?
Tiffany’s. I can still remember the first time I received a blue box tied up with a white ribbon and the excitement that this vision brought me. What was inside the box was almost secondary. There is something magical about a Tiffany box, it evokes a feeling of nostalgia, magic, decadence, opulence and elegance. Nothing like it.
American food! As kids our parents would have American food feasts every Friday night. Mum would dust off her hostess trolley (we were fierce posh down Wexico way) and Hot dogs, Burgers, Caramelised onions, Heinz Ketchup and all the fixings would weigh it down, as it groaned its way into us excited children awaiting it’s yumminess. I love American food and it is the ultimate comfort food for those moments when only a cheeseburger will do. Followed by pie and cream. Or a sundae with cream. Don’t forget the Coca Cola. Hungry?
I know that the second I hit publish on this post I will remember so many more fabulous reasons why I love America so. But I will finish with this. The most important reason why I love American is because of the people! I think perhaps one of the reasons us Irish get on so well with the Americans is that most of them are actually Irish. Twice or thrice removed, but even so.
So Happy 4th July to all my American Friends and a special hug to my Agent Tracy Brennan and her family. I hope you all have a lovely day.
Carmel x
