It’s a really gorgeous morning. Pretty warm when you stand in the sun for long enough, but still cold with the remainder of the snow. On my way out earlier, I saw two little girls bundled up and playing outside – mainly jumping on a big pile of snow, all piled high in order to make it in and out of the driveway. We all have huge snow piles in our yards for that very reason. On the way back home, ( I wasn’t gone long) I saw the older girl still oustide playing, only this time she was kneeling smack dab in the middle of her driveway just staring at the payment. She could have been mad at her little sister, or sad that Christmas was already over, or….perhaps she was just interested in the way the sun shone on the pavement and made the little specks within sparkle.
the Olympics, of course. Friday night, David and I watched the Opening Ceremonies. I was wide-eyed and well impressed. It made me want to be there more than ever, though. I have a Chinese friend I met online (Hi Lu Fei!) And his blog is pretty interesting – you should read it. There’s a link at the bottom (Fareonline). One of the most interesting things he had to say about the opening ceremonies (all of it is interesting) is this:
…I think that is the moment not only for the world get to known the new China, but the moment that a new image of world standing China. from decades of people’s struggling and sacrifice, the China is not the way it used to be, it is a fresh new image of China which contain harmony, peace, economic developed, intelligent, huge population, open, good will, etc.
You have to remember his English isn’t perfect, though pretty good, I think. Anyway, it’s been great talking back forth with him.
So, tonight, so far, I’ve watch the men’s gymnastics team qualify 6th for the team competition, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh win their first beach volleyball match, Michael Phelps win a gold and Ryan Lochte win a bronze in the Men’s Individual 400, and Katie Hoff win a bronze.
I love our athletes. Seriously, the Olympics make me more patriotic: it’s the fact that individuals can have success at whatever level they want in whatever avenue they want in our country. And that’s true – whether you believe it or not. Whether you take advantage of your opportunity or not. I guess that’s part of it. It’s your choice.
And the Olympics also make me more hopeful for humanity. If athleticism becomes a language, it means we can at least talk to each other. And if something like sports can become a method of communication, it helps me believe that other things, like our common feelings, hopes, desires, and insufficiencies can unite us – not just for unity’s sake but for the goal of making us spiritual brothers and sisters.
