Did you see the opening ceremonies to the Olympics? A-MAZ-ING! I mean really, 2008 people doing EXACTLY the same thing?! It's like the world's greatest step show. I just don't know how London will be able to do anything like this in 2012. I've never actually been to Britain but the impression I've been given of this country where my dollar is worth $0.50 on a good day is bland food, lots of rain and much beer. Will they be able to present something as spectacular as this show? The largest LCD screen in existence, synchronization at it's best, culture, history, the bird's nest AND the water cube. I'm in awe of all of it.
Aside from the spectacular Olympic presentation of the Chinese in executing the world's largest sporting event, I'm also amazed at how suddenly, everyone I run into is a sports fan...myself included. I've been up past 11 every night since the opening ceremonies (my bedtime is really 10 o'clock and would be earlier if my husband would allow it). From beach volleyball to gymnastics (beautiful) and synchronized diving, which I didn't even know was a sport five days ago, I've watched anything that comes across the screen. I've diligently tracked the metal count (always hoping to catch the Dominican Republic on the list) and cursing when I see that China has 17 gold medals compared to the US's 7. And every conversation I've had has involved the Olympics.
I then find my mind wandering off to life as an Olympian and am definitely most interested in all of the little background stories presented throughout the games. Michael Phelps eats 8 - 10,000 calories a day! And it's still not enough to break 200 lbs. Aside from swimming, he eats and sleeps, he's lazy out of the pool. Shawn Johnson's gym in Iowa flooded so she trained in 2 ft of water until she was evacuated. One of the American synchro divers had her mom move to Indiana with her so she could train with her partner.
The life of an Olympian is some life. For someone like me who's been vowing to loose 20 lbs and study for the GMAT for the last two years...and have accomplished neither goal....the thought of putting everything aside and spending all of that time and energy on a sport and physical fitness just blows my mind. I mean, the type of endurance and mental concentration is baffling. And the sacrifice - missing middle and high school to train, having your mom move across the country with you (away from her husband) so that you can maybe be an Olympian. Would I go through all that if I were talented enough? Would my parents have even considered such a drastic change and financial commitment? My mom couldn't even be convinced to take me to softball practice (my Dad drove down to Jersey from NYC twice a week so that I could go). The whole thing is just....yes, I'll say it again....amazing. And really what I need to take from it all is some inspiration, a little nudge to plug away at my goals - don't have dessert and crack the GMAT prep book open. Because that's nothing compared to what other people do to achieve their goals.
1 comment:
so true! I love the olympic spirit and confessed i cried during the women's gymnastics individual all around where the US took Gold and Silver, even if China did try to cheat!!!
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