Olympics and World Issues

I so look forward to the Olympics every two years. Summer more so than winter, but I do enjoy them both. As a historian, the last few Olympics have been incredibly interesting to me in that they were held in significant locations such as Athens and dealt with issues of political question such as the dismantling of the USSR. This Olympics however has so many instances that make me one, thankful that I was born and live in the US, and two excited that many people are being exposed to world issues that they would have normally never realized exist. It is often nauseating how naïve people are to the world’s problems and the history that brought them about. Now, I am very aware that my sugar coated suburban upbringing has not made me well rounded, but I seek to learn of the world and its issues. Thankfully, I have a profession that allows me this opportunity from a young and often unbiased view.

Here are just a few issues that have been brought up during the coverage of this Olympics…

(I will not go into the human rights issues with China and Tibet because it would just be long...like REALLY LONG! There are too many links to connect you to here, so research it on your own. Please.)
1.) The simply incredible idea that this is even being held in Beijing! This is the place that is most often recognized for punishing people by death for speaking out for example Tiananmen Square. This is a country that is slightly smaller than the United States and holds tightly to traditions that date back to the 220 BC when the Qin dynasty united China. Yes, that is BC!! (Currently it is taught BCE – before common era- due to separation of church and state.) It is juxtaposition in every sense of the word. Completely modern cities next to winding villages of old tradition, small families in large urban homes with extended families squeezing into tiny country homes, traditional agricultural communities only 30 short minutes away from a Wal-Mart. The children of China may have no idea of how big a deal this is for their country. Sadly, the vast majority of Americans have no idea either.
2.) Despite the positives in China opening its doors, there are still glaring signs of the Communist state. The fact that China pulled the Visa of a stellar athlete because of rumors that he would speak of the issues in Tibet during interviews. Nothing athletic, nothing criminal, nothing “enhancing drug” related, but simply because speech is government controlled in China.

Beyond China…
3.) An Afghani athlete disappeared within hours of arriving in China. It is still being investigated.
4.) Saudi Arabia has a population of 28 million, but the delegation has no women competing, because they still need a man (father, oldest brother, or husband) to grant permission for them to either work or travel. This is illegal according to the IOC, so they may be banned from the London 2012 events if they do not change. This is religiously based, and I do not foresee them altering doctrine for the IOC.
5.) Only two women are representing the United Arab Emirates, and they are the Prime Minister’s daughters. Well, at least they are there! Side note – I was offered a job there 5 years ago and was told that because I was a woman, I would have two armed guards with me 24/7. Needless to say, I did not take the job.
6.) There are several countries that have citizens that are so poor it is horrifying. These are countries where the average YEARLY salary is around $150. I do not care if the cost of living is cheaper than industrialized countries, this is upsetting!
7.) Several countries have been war torn for years, and many still are during these competitions. What will these athletes go home to in a few weeks? There will be no Nike or Gatorade endorsements.
8.) Speaking of number 7, while our president (whom I like – sorry Eb) is chuckling with and issuing high fives to Vladimir Putin, the Russians are attacking Georgia. Literally, this is happening simultaneously. How quickly their friendship is on thin ice. Three days later, GWB warns Putin that this action threatens our relationship with Russia. Putin is mad that we flew Georgian troops back from Iraq. Yes, GWB took their soldiers out of the Middle East.
9.) Venezuela has lots of issues and we all know that their president HATES Bush! But just as an example of how odd Chavez really is, it was mentioned during opening ceremonies that he changed the entire country’s time zone to be just 30 minutes ahead of New York. What?! Weird!
10.) It has also been brought up, thankfully, how terribly unsupportive the government of Myanmar has been following the cyclone that hit several months back. While many stateside raised money for the people there, it was nothing like the outpouring of support for the tsunami in Phuket. This is because most countries knew the aid would not be distributed. When aid was issued, the government kept it for themselves. The people in that country are still homeless, without clean water or food, and suffering.

Despite all of the turmoil, questions, and suffering, each country replaces that with pride for the success of their athletes…medal or no medal. Hopefully, by the time that adorable little Chinese boy from the opening ceremony is an adult, the world will be even the slightest bit different. At least I hope more people will be aware of what is going on in the world.
Maybe that boy will run for president of China. Well, now I might just be getting crazy.

Christmas when I was 5

The feeling is just like that one you had when Santa was coming. You are so excited you can not even see straight. You have trouble going to sleep. You have been counting down the days for months, but it feels like years. Well, that is the feeling I have for the first day of my new job. So much so that I decided to start work this week. I do not actually have to start until the 18th, but I am READY!! I went in today for a couple of hours, and then came home and spread out my work stuff all over my living and dining room. A "BOOM" of stuff as Robyn says. This boom does not bode well for pictures of my productivity from the previous weeks. So...that was a really long excuse to say, "I will post my completed projects tomorrow. I promise."

For Eb...Good luck tomorrow, again. Play each shot as its own. The proverbial journey, not the destination. Love.

I am going to rehab

Find me one and I will check in. Not Amy Winehouse rehab. No! No! No! Not sad depressed rehab. I think that is a psych ward. Not rehab like that guy from Grey’s went to for calling the other guy a derogatory name. I think that is called think before you speak rehab. Not Lindsay Lohan rehab. I think that is called Jesus Camp. Nope. I am going to rehab for pack rats. I think it is called Clean House.

Since I was young I have known I am a pack rat. This is not an epiphany! Each time I go to an estate sale, which is every weekend (this may contribute to the problem), I think that I should clean out my house so that strangers are not milling about my home postmortem looking at crap from 1974. My house does not look like Clean House, but will begin to in five years. Maybe three.

There are three things that I contribute to my issue.

1.) I am single. Do not get me wrong, I enjoy being single. But, hell, I have four walk-in closets and two credit cards. A girl is gonna shop!

2.) I have an elephant like memory. Seriously. Everything I touch has a moment that I remember how it was acquired. I really do remember who I saw Just Married with on January 1, 2003. (Caitie, Ben, Brains...Caitie and Ben had just gotten engaged.) When I found the ticket for Anchorman, I immediately recalled that I was sitting next to Ricky and Eb called in the middle of the show. I remember picking out my first pair of glasses when I was 11 and yes, I did find them in my bathroom closet. Super hot! I have a 14 gallon Rubbermaid container filled to the brim with only newspaper articles from the fall of the Aggie Bonfire. Each and every set of bedding (four to be exact) since I was 16 is individually wrapped in “bedding bags”. This does not include my current master bedroom or guest bedroom stuff...therefore the total is 6 sets. I have not one, but two, TWO bags of bags. Now you may be thinking, what? Not kidding. At one point I thought that I would reuse every. single. bag. I ever received while shopping. I was going green before it was cool. Unfortunately, that just meant that I now have a collection of no less than 100 bags in my guest closet. Speaking of collections. Evidently, I truly enjoy chairs, despite the fact that I work, read, watch TV, eat, and sometimes sleep on my couch. Regardless of this issue, I have TWELVE chairs in my house! My two bedroom house. WHAT?! WHY?! No more than two of them are a matching set by the way. I also only have one outside door because my house is like a brown stone walk-up. Hopefully that door may see one of my five wreaths that are all handmade...handmade in 2000 when I moved into my college apartment. That means those wreaths have been moved five times. College apartment, mom and dad’s, mom’s, my new apartment, then current location. Five times! Do not even get me started on the cell phones, remotes, owner’s manuals, and cords that have not been used since Al Gore invented the internet. And OH MY GOD the craft supplies!! Oh, the craft supplies. Have I mentioned that I HATE crafting? But it all has so many memories to me. Memories back to my single digit ages. I guess I should probably get a journal. Oh wait, I have seven empty ones!

I get it; I have a problem.

3.) But I like to blame others. So, my third reason is because I am a proud American. We are the land of the free, home of the brave, and keepers of China’s crap. Even if it says Taiwan. (A little history lesson. We, being the US, actually recognized Taiwan as "China" for decades because of the oppressive government of mainland China. We refused to work with the mainland and would only work with the “independent” island nation. It is complicated, but there is a little taste. Just a bit of trivia to Tai-wan over. Badump cha. There are lots more where that one came from :)) We have created such awesome products as the hula hoop, skip-it, Rollerblades, and free weights in every size, shape, and color imaginable. All of these things were in one of my closets...covered in dust. We have kitchen gadgets like mix and bake bread bowls, apple coring things, juicers, and the “lean, mean, grillin’ machine” from George Foreman. I mean, who has not busted that sucker out at the dinner party? Classy! I own all of this crap!! Props to all the inventors out there because I will buy what you are selling. Oh, and the crazy sales people at the state fair. I can not wait to see you guys in October now that my cupboards are clear. 55 days people!!

Again, let me mention that most of this stuff has moved multiple times in its lifetime. What is mentioned here is just scratching the surface of the junk I have found. I mean rediscovered. Have no fear. It has all been tossed, sold, or given away. Ok. Most of it.

A short one

Alrighty. The projects are coming along...slowly. I am currently at that point where everything is much messier than when we started. You know, the supplies are purchased, but the room is not yet painted. The closet is empty, but the clothes are not organized. The tile is spread out, but the kitchen is not yet backsplashed. I do not know if you can make "backsplash" past tense, but screw it. It is my blog. I will post pics and more details later this week. Hopefully.

A bit of everything

This will be a little all over the place.

1.) I have GOT to go back to work soon!! I am not being as productive as I was hoping. Basically, my friend C and I are having the same problem. We need to be working, but are trading it in to sit by the pool and get some sun. But she is actually doing cool, crafty things. Check out Columbia Lily Designs.
2.) I have spent WAY too much money in my time off. This was a concern of mine back in April, but GEEZ!! I did not think I would buy a sofa just because it was on sale. Sooooo, does anyone want a red sofa for a dorm, 1st apartment, playroom, classroom etc? I got one if you are interested.
3.) Through this whole blogging thing I got to reconnect with a good friend of mine, Julie. We used to work together like three years ago, but then she moved.
:( We had a chance to get some BW3s (YUM) this week when she was in town for 24 hours. She and her son have convinced me to get a Wii Fit. I am scared. It was awesome to catch up. Miss yall!
4.) In my last two weeks before I really crack down and get to work, I need to finish a bunch of stuff in my house. I will post it when the projects are actually complete. Hopefully that will motivate me.
5.) I am making a deal with myself. There will be no more posts until half of my projects are DONE. Wish me luck. I may never see you again.


For Eb…
Good Luck Kiddo!
Just stay present and remember to have fun playing the game you love. :)
You can do this Caddyshack style. Love ya.

For Julie

Where have we been hiding him? To answer your question in one word...rehab. Long story, but we have had him less than 2 years and before that it was REALLY rocky. I can not wait to catch up with yall!

It just keeps getting better

I forgot to tell most of yall that I seriously love this new job!! It does not officially start for another 5 or 6 weeks, but I have been researching quite a bit in my time off trying to get ahead.

Well, a new boss was put into place a week or two after I was hired. I am not worried about it because she used to work at my old job (along with three other people in my new department), and she went out of her way to come down and meet the two new people (including me) at one of our May meetings. She is super nice and has a philosophy that is remarkably similar to mine.

Now, the even better part. She emailed early last week and asked if I would take my new kids camping in September!! Obviously, there will be plenty of other adults there, but HOW FUN IS THAT?! Camping is something that I enjoy, but rarely ever go out and do. I do not under any circumstance think that this will be like the relaxed camping I am used to with my friends, but I know that I will have a good time and learn a lot. Plus, they give us a week off of work to go! Well, sort of. We will still be working. Keeping track of the kids, going on ropes courses, etc., but STILL! HOW FUN!

I really hope this job is this exciting when it actually begins!

Decision made. And Holy Rangers!

I will not be attending the wedding. I weighed the options, had a nice, long phone chat with my mom (Really. It was nice.), and decided to stay home.

With quitting my job, not working this summer, and a recent death in my family, I thought it would be best to save my money so I can go up to MI a few more times this year. I know that those trips would mean more to my family than my presence would mean to Dan. Not to say that he would not appreciate me making the trip, but he is one of those friends that would totally understand. He would be cool with a visit later in the fall where we could all go out to dinner and a concert or something.

Plus, Eb called this afternoon and said he could not go because of the whole Friday night wedding thing. He is taking days off of work for more pressing things in his own life. Like tournaments. (Nothing snide meant by that) I am swelling with pride that he has recommitted to golf. I know how much he does love it. Even in the frustrating moments.

So there. Decision made. I emailed an ex and asked him to pass along my congrats and tell the old gang hello. I feel good about it. Done.

Side note...
I will spare you all the details of how the Rangers have been doing this season because I know most of you are not baseball fans. SAD! But I just wanted to reiterate in print that I will be at the ballpark for the World Series. (Even if I am 80.)

Debating

So I was invited to a wedding this weekend. It is one of my good friends from college (and during his post college days when he lived here in town). I RSVPed “yes” despite the fact that I HATE weddings!! But I do not think I am going to make it. I am upset about it for a few reasons.

1.) Danny was a great friend to me during some REALLY crappy times in my life. The worst two years of my life, in fact.
2.) I truly appreciate him as a person and enjoy hanging out with him and his future wife. I do want to support them in this new adventure. Plus, if I ever get married I would hope that Dan would be there when I “stand before God, family, and friends”.
3.) I will get to reconnect with old Dallas friends. I gave them to an ex boyfriend in a “divorce” of a breakup and would love to catch up with them. Yes, my ex will be there, (I think he is in the wedding) but we have both VERY much moved on in the past 2+ years.

Part of me thinks, go, it is just one night. The rational side of me thinks, save your money so you can go to MI and see your family. I just do not know. Plus, I would really like Eb to go with me. I have not spent much time with him in the past two months, and the last time we took a road trip for a wedding it was super fun! My old friends are as laid back as people can be and I know he would get along great with them.

I really just do not know!

Random

Alrighty...I know it has been a while, and I do not have a big post today, but I could not resist this one.

I never really watch The Bachelor/Bachelorette. Fine. I will admit it. I used to watch it religiously, but then Trista and Ryan just ruined it. They were too over the top for me. I decided to stick to Amazing Race and So You Think You Can Dance with a smattering of others when I am bored.

WARNING: SPOILER BELOW! DO NOT READ ON IF YOU ACTUALLY WATCH THE SHOW!

Well, tonight I watched it. A friend of mine is out of town so I DVRed it for her and got sucked in to the "reality" of it all. (I feel like I have to justify why I watched it.) Probably because the guy she picked would have TOTALLY been my pick too. Exactly what I would fall for despite the fact that I would know that I should go for the other guy. The stable, family man. Nope. I would fall for the crazy, fun guy that has a job you can only do while you are young, fun, and crazy.

I digress. This is not the point of the post.

The point is...can we please turn this into a drinking game?! Seriously! If I took a shot every time they said "amazing", "wonderful", or the phrase "falling in love", I would have my friends drawing a curly mustache on my face in about 15 minutes. Including commercials.

Could I please go on this show just to demonstrate to America the joy of a thesaurus? Someone please call ABC and nominate me. I will even give a pocket thesaurus to all the guys to use during their interviews.