Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated with travel.  I remember sitting in fifth grade listening to a classmate recount her "boring" family vacation in Washington, DC and thinking, "I can't wait to go there..."  Fast forward fifteen years later and I'm thrilled with all the places I've been able to travel domestically and internationally and I am always planning my next trip...some trips have been to other industrialized countries, some are touristy trips and some have taken place in third world countries.  

Just a few months ago, I was so fortunate to be able to visit Haiti to document the work of doctors, nurses and surgeons and when I landed in Fort Lauderdale from Port-au-Prince at the end of my trip back to the US and crossed the line through customs, the border agent took a quick glance at my previous destination and said earnestly, "Welcome home, Whitney."  I literally started bawling right there in front of 500 people waiting to get where they were going...coming home never felt so good.

But no matter where I am, at the end of a long day of whirlwind travel and sight-seeing, I always have the same feeling...I am so darn proud to be an American and I think it's part of the high that I get from international travel.  It reminds me of what an amazing home I have, the freedoms I have been granted that men and women I don't even know fight for and I am reminded how lucky I am to be able to voice my opinion, run a business and vote for whomever I choose.  We should all be so lucky.

I read an interesting and emotional article in last month's edition of the Real Simple magazine...in short, the article interviewed a few women who recounted their stories and obstacles of becoming an American citizen...here is one quote that resonated with me:

                                            -Maria Yoplac

Happy Independence Day everyone!  Celebrate in style...oh, and everyone be careful playing around with fireworks!  ;)