I’m so not in the mood for Australia Day this year. I’ve got no plans for the day except to make some time for grocery shopping and a nice cup of coffee with my darling family.
In general, Australia Day or not, I tend to treat Australia as I treat the Catholic Church. I don’t have to publicly express my belief or values, views and commitment to prove that I’m Australian or a Catholic. It’s all in my heart. I don’t have to join large crowds and wear flags to express my commitment. So that’s what I do, I don’t go all patriotic just because of the date. I surely do go all patriotic when there’s a need to make a decision in support of the nation. You can be dead sure of that.
Although I’m an Australian citizen by paper I consider myself as much an Australian as the ones born or raised here. However, because I’m not one of the sheep mentality, on Australia Day you won’t find me joining a crowd of friends to watch cricket and footy or cheering for any team, and you definitely won’t find me flipping burgers on my BBQ which has been dormant most of its life. I hate dirtying my BBQ because I very much dislike having to clean it! Give me a park BBQ any time.
I certainly don’t own a flannel shirt and I very much dislike noisy Commodores. So I won’t be driving a flag-bearing Commodore today and sporting a flannel top.
To top it all, I won’t be drinking beer or anything traditionally Australian because I’m on a 90-day alcohol-free challenge while I try my hardest to shed some more kilos.
I’m happy and thankful to be here, in a country where I hope to always have FREEDOM of SPEECH and FREEDOM of CHOICE. I came to Australia for love… for a man, the Scientist. We weighed the opportunities between my birth country and Australia and you know now which one won.
I’m thankful for those Australians who fight for our freedom, and the very few honest politicians who listen to our cries for change.
And I pray that we can stop using the word ‘un-Australian’ to describe other Australians who have different values, priorities, traditions, obsessions and beliefs to ours.
Are you an average Aussie, as they say?
I wish you a safe and fantastic day, whatever your plans are.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I loved your honesty in this post. I’m not your typical Aussie either. Australia Day isn’t really a huge deal to me, but it doesn’t make me less of an Australian. But you already know all that after reading my post
My husband told me this morning that Australia Day has the highest record of assaults. It doesn’t surprise me but it does sadden me.
Grace recently posted..Is Australia racist or multi-cultural?
Thanks, Grace. I hope your weekend has been great.