Happy Sunday! Patti is the lovely hostess for this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge and the topic for this week is all about the art of celebrations.

The 4th of July this year was extra festive this year being the U.S.’s 250th birthday. The celebration lasted nearly the entire month of July with concerts, open-air movies, and other fun activities. Of course, the most important festivity (in my opinion) is the parade, which felt a bit longer than previous years and even though I didn’t attend the firework show this year, from what I could see from my bedroom, I could tell even the fireworks was a little different than previous years.

After residing in the US for more than half of my life, I no longer observe lunar new year. However, I sometimes can’t help but look back at my last lunar new year celebration and be amazed at the lights and the lanterns.

I’m going to close with a celebration of solo travels and the open roads. If there’s one thing I do not like, it’s back-seat drivers and that’s exactly what my mom is. I do not like to travel with her, particularly on car trips. She refuses to drive on windy roads and when I drive, she will often say things like “slow down” even though I’m moving at a crawl or “watch out” even though there’s nothing in front.

It’s why I enjoy solo travel. Though I enjoy solo day trips, once in a while, I wish I can do longer trips without one of the aunts or my mom tagging along. One day when that happens, it will be a celebration for me – to independence and the open road.