Hello Olympics!

osource

We not the Opening Ceremonies absolutely fabulous?!
Well done, Danny Boyle, well done!

I am so pumped for these games.Despite the well covered glitches (thanks American media) that have led up to the 2012 Summer Olympics, I think London is going to show the world a good time.

I was in Taiwan during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Funny enough, in Taiwan they cover different sports and countries than they do in the States. Fancy that! More ping pong and the martial arts, less of the sports I really wanted to see (beach volleyball, gymnastics, etc). And all the commentary was in Chinese. I don't know why that was such a shock, but it was. It made for a unique experience.

Back to London.

I loved the transitions to the different eras of time--from the more pastoral era to the industrial age and then to the digital age. Amazing music (I think all the best music comes from the UK or is at least influenced by other artists from the UK). And that love story? So cute.

But my favorite part of the ceremonies was the parade of the nations. I loved seeing the athletes from the smaller, lesser known countries, bear their flags with such pride. It was interesting to see the athletes from the warring countries in the middle east that have been through so much, and yet are able to compete. I loved seeing Bolt carry the Jamaican flag. I loved that the Czechs were ready for the rain (those rain boots and umbrellas!). And I loved seeing "Chinese Taipei" march, despite not being able to participate under their real name--Republic of China.

I love the hope, the camaraderie, and the spirit of the Olympics. It's infectious! And I hope that London 2012 won't let me down. So far I'm pretty convinced it won't. I mean, they did chose Muse's single, Survival, as the official Olympic song. Can it get any better than that?


Muse - Survival - Official Music VideoMuse - [HD] by AceVideos

Homesick for Taiwan

I've been missing Taiwan this week. My cute students, the simplistic life-style of an English teacher, the people, the food...

Yeah, pretty much all of it.

I posted as much on FB, and one of my former students wondered if that meant I was coming back. So sweet! But, no. Not at this time.

While I was there in 2008 the film Cape No. 7 was released. It became so popular that it was hard to escape it's effects. It wasn't the most amazing film that I'd ever seen--I had some issues with the main characters--but it captured much of the Taiwanese spirit and culture. For that reason, I love it.

I remember coming to class one day and telling my students that I'd seen it. They then burst into song (I'm sooo not kidding). Each of them started belting out the song shown below. It was an amazing memory, of my wonderful time in a country I love.

Please enjoy.

A few things...

Three weeks!
We've had summer weather for three whole weeks!

That is definitely one thing to be grateful for...I think we had two weeks of summer last year, and then we went back to the frigid drizzle typical of the Pacific Northwest. Though, rain is what makes this place so beautiful!

A few things that made me happy this week:

The glorious sunsets. The one pictured above I captured on the way home from visiting my bro in Monroe. The sun's rays were absolutely amazing. I have never seen anything like it. Sunsets make me happy. Their beauty reminds me of how much God loves us, and that life is a gift.

Ilene. I can never say enough about this fabulous friend. We met while playing softball in 4th grade, and have been friends ever since. It's mind-boggling how long that has been. She's seen me through it all--junior high, high school, college, post-college living in DC/NY (she was in the Big Apple while I was in our nation's capital), and now back in Seattle. I'm lucky to have a friend like her. As she was giving me a much needed pep-talk this week (I've been struggling with post-diagnosis weight gain, and post-break-up life), she reminded me how much she knows me. And it's true. She truly does. We have history. She's one of my people. I'm grateful for her straightforward demeanor, for her talent of "telling it how it is." I'm grateful for her kicking my butt. I'm grateful for her making me realize how amazing I am, and that I deserve the best--things I know that are true, but are nice to have reinforced every once in a while.

Answers to prayer. Since my diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, I've received answers to several prayers. Yesterday was another witness to me of God's love. I went to Institute (a scripture class), and the class I chose was discussing Matthew 8-10. And it was exactly what I needed. In these particular chapters the Savior heals those with certain diseases and illnesses. I loved the discussion we had about those who were healed, and the great faith that they had. Miracles are evidence of our faith--a tool to reinforce it. Not that I expect to be healed of my diabetes, but it's amazing what the Lord can do if we have faith in Him.

Technology and medicine. I go in for my second eye surgery today (Hurrah!), and it's amazing to me that it is a 15 minute procedure. Only 15 minutes! I'm grateful to live in a country that is so advanced in both technology and medicine.

Running. I got the go ahead by my ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) to start running again, and I realized how much I missed it. It clears my mind, and I just feel good afterwards. After today's surgery, I'll have to wait another couple of weeks before I can run again, but I'll be looking forward to it! (This reminded me of this awesome book that I read by Ann Patchett called Run. Read it. You won't be disappointed).

Here's to life and it's wonders!

Once, my sister got married...

And it was great.

And I got a new brother in law.

That was great too.

It truly was a beautiful day, a sweet ceremony, and a rockin' party. Sadly, I didn't take many pictures. Luckily, I was able to snag these two, even though they aren't the greatest of the day.  

I'm so happy for Linds and Jason, and wish them all the best in their future together.

Here's to love and marriage, and all that mushy stuff!

Sometimes I do cool things...

But only thanks to Living Social.

I kid, but only a little.

A bit ago I found a great deal for a glass blowing class at the Redmond School of Glass, and jumped on it. I persuaded my friend Windy to join me (it wasn't too difficult--this sort of thing is right up her alley), and we had a fabulous time!

At the very beginning. I don't know how to take self portraits yet, can you tell???

I got up bright and early that Saturday morn, anxiously anticipating the grand adventure. I was not disappointed. Our class met up at 9 am in the showroom of the school. Various pieces of blown glass were on display, and we perused the displays until it was time to start. 

Our instructor gave us a quick tour of the studio, and then showed us the process we'd be using for making the glass ornaments  that day. Might I add that he was VERY attractive? In that moody, artistic, sort of way? Well, he was. 

The machine used for heating up the glass. It was boiling!

The whole process was a lot more complicated (and heavy) than I thought it would be. You have to be quick, and exact, and the actual blowing is a two person task (three for us beginners). 

Windy shaping her ornament while I blow.

It was an exhilarating experience, and highly addictive! Windy and I are already planning when we can go back. 

Here's to trying cool, new things!