one man, countless lies

This post has nothing to do with the theme of the blog, but I need a place for it ...

I’ve found it interesting how people have reacted to the Lance Armstrong breakthrough.

There’s the people who are personally hurt, even though they didn’t personally know him. His story erected emotions in them that were then attached to success, beating cancer, winning and all things good. He was accredited with stirring up a fire in them and igniting will and courage to fight. Now that it’s known he lied, it makes their fight, their story and their life…a lie. Yea, that’s personal.

There’s the people who are upset at him for ruining their first love: sport. He has made their sweat, pain, competition, early mornings, losses, championships, teammates, childhood memories, memories last week…insignificant. What is sweat, when you were training for a fixed match? What is pain, when your competitor is cheating? What is a win, when it’s not a level playing field? What is a loss, when it’s really a win? Then what has become of our love? Does the pure enjoyment and competition of sport still exist, he has left us wondering?

There’s those who are desensitized, who say, “Whatever, they were all doing it.”  This, to me, is the saddest of all. It goes beyond a personal brokenness or losing the credibility of sport. It’s the disillusionment of mankind. How easily we forget what kind of people in history have said, “Whatever, they were all doing it.” The Nazis must have agreed to kill millions of people in a similar fashion. The divorce rate is up to 50% now, because it’s become OK, and often because it’s become a rationalized and accepted act to cheat. Kids are picked on everyday in school, because it becomes normal, and to get ahead, you have to join in. To me, Lance Armstrong represents a large portion of what our world is veering toward. It’s not new news. But it’s the biggest disappointment that we have experienced --desensitization toward corruption -- being rubbed in our face. A big fat reminder, as if we need one.

…Or do we? Because that brings me to the last reaction I encountered: “I’m over it.” People who are sick and tired of hearing about Lance Armstrong. Tell that to the people whose lives now feel like a lie, who are questioning their greatest passion in life, and who have been affected by someone who has given into corruption. I guarantee you they aren’t over it. We can’t ignore the problems that face the society in which we live. We have to fight. 

It's that time for a rant

I know, I know. I'm terrible at posting. I'm just excited someone noticed my absence (shout out to Katie!)!

This post has nothing to do with my list. I am just inclined to post right now by the deep burning in my legs, from an hour and a half bike ride today. So on the topic of "bikeability," the point goes to Beijing, NOT Charlotte.

Top 12 reasons why:

1. No bike lanes. Oh wait, there is one bike lane that lasts about half a mile. Useful.
2. Per #1, must ride on sidewalk and endure a rhythmic bump the entire ride...with extra bumps every time you cross a driveway or street. My butt hurts just thinking about it.
3. Hilly.
4. Have to slow down crossing every driveway or street since the sidewalk is intersecting sooner, and since Charlotte drivers aren't very aware of those smaller than them on the road.
5. Tree limbs and overgrown bushes.
6. Rain. It's almost guaranteed to rain at least once every day during spring and summer. And it's near impossible to tell when.
7. Drivers don't want to share the road, walkers don't want to share the sidewalk. Fail.
8. Sidewalks randomly end. How much sense does that make???!
9. Sidewalks randomly do scenic detours instead of just sticking to a straight path next to the road.
10. In some awesome places around the world, big intersections actually have a "go time" just for bikes, where all cars are halted at red. Charlotte of course, does not.
11. No bike racks. ANYWHERE.
12. Also in certain awesome cities around the world, you can buy the perfect bike for about 20 USD, and then get it fixed for a few bucks on almost any street corner by the cute old man sitting on a bucket. My bike today got stuck in fifth gear for about half the trip, thereby requiring all of my energy to move just an inch.

And it is because of all of these reasons that it took me 45 minutes to ride 6 miles, and all I walked away with was jelly legs, a sore butt, wet clothes and a lot of annoyance.

GET IT TOGETHER CHARLOTTE (.../America?)

Just truckin' along...

My posting has been delayed due to a broken router, daggumit! I am in the CCDS (the high school where I'm coaching) library snagging their internet. I need to buy Clef Hanger tickets, a bridesmaid dress and a plane ticket and of course all shopping sites are blocked! I forget what it's like to be in high school. But I am pumped to coach these girls. We had the first strength and conditioning session today - gonna get their butts in shape. I'm extra pumped because CCDS is paying to send me to the 2012 US Lacrosse national convention in Philly!! There are probably 30 speakers who will be going over defensive strategies, offensive set plays, fast break scenarios, and even specialists talking about lower back protection (which I have been in need of for five years!!). We'll also get to be at the MLL collegiate draft, and there will be TONS of vendors and companies there. SO excited.

SO, from my list I have accomplished ONE thing, but it's a good one :)

23. Attend 10 UNC sporting events (each a different sport, and note: women's and men's count separately).
-football
-men's basketball
Went to the UNC vs. Texas men's basketball game right before Christmas with Kailyn and my sister. It was a BLAST. We got risers and basically UNC just put on a show. I loved being so close to John Henson and getting to watch his cute facial expressions.

And that's it! Hey, it was the holidays!

Just for fun, here are some trip ideas...

--GOING to Jupiter, Fla. for a QCS lax tournament. Hello, warm weather...and awesome tan lines. (Jan. 20-22)
--GOING to Philly for the lax convention. Anyone suggest anything in Philly? (Jan. 13-15)
--GOING snowboarding in Colorado with my family! (first weekend in March)
--GOING to an awesome bachlorette party for Kailyn, location tbd. Awesome ideas are welcomed! (early April)
--CONSIDERING going to see my grandma during the Final Four or Jazz Fest in New Orleans (April). And stopping to see Kristen and Mike en route or convincing them to come with me!!
--WISHFULLY THINKING it would be awesome to go with Esther to Taiwan and then a quick visit over to Beijing (spring). I can only do this if I get a full time job before then and can take the time off.
--KEEPING MY EYE OUT for a good mission trip. Maybe one week long. Preferably out of the country.

I want to end this post with a shout-out to my two top readers. It was a hard decision, filtering through all you guys, but in the end it came down to KAILYN and KATIE. *virtual high-five* Keep it up you two, or you may be surpassed by those trailing close behind you. EEK.

Blessed

OK I just wanted to do a quick post of 5 things I'm excited about right now...

(in no particular order)

1. Reading the Hunger Games. I don't read terribly often, but when I do, I remember why I don't, because I drop everything I'm doing and become obsessed. I could be asked out on a date with Bradley Cooper and I'd probably say, "No, sorry, I'm at a really intense part of the Hunger Games."

2. My sister is home for the holidays! We're going to bake lots and lots of cookies!

3. UNC-Texas basketball game Dec. 21st. Haven't been to a UNC bball game since I was a student, not to mention, could only watch like 3 games in China, so I'M PUMPED. And it's Texas, so that just makes it fun.

4. My new boots! ...and to be clear, that's TWO pair of new boots! I know, I should be shopping for other people...but they're so pretty!

5. Athletic Conditioning at the DowdYMCA. It let's me feel athletic and competitive again, and allows me to pretend I'm still an athlete. Somehow I've gotten worse since I started, but I'm convinced you just get worse before you get better. (?) Not sure it's intended this way, but I just love trying to push past the person next to me on sprints or watch the guy doing push-ups out of the corner of my eye and try to keep up with him.

Nothing to do with the list...

OOOK, so I didn't actually do anything off the little list I made for the lake house. Oops. However, I DID make the bomb.com stuffing, cranberry sauce, and again, pumpkin pie from the pumpkin (which I'm getting down to the tee now!). I don't get to cook often - when I do I really enjoy it. Speaking of cooking, my BEST FRIEND (and incidentally the only person that follows this blog) got me the best birthday present ever!!!! A rice cooker and my favorite Chinese sausage!!!!! Kailyn always puts this sausage in her fried rice, and I still remember the day in China, around my 7th month, when I ordered some random fried rice from what resembles our grocery stores, and there it was...my beloved sausage!! And now I have my very own, ahhh.

I'm pumped for the next couple of weeks. Tacky Christmas parties, high school lax cookie exchange par-tay, flag football starting up, work Christmas get-togethers - YAY December!

Life is getting better here in, what I used to call The States. Last night at bible study we were talking about (dis)contentment. For awhile I've been focusing on how awesome my life in Beijing was. I had like, 30 amazing friends from all over the world, a great church, a great small group, an exciting life style, I traveled every month...I could go on. I had been afraid that life, on the awesome scale, maxed out, and that I set the bar at its highest and therefore would never have such an awesome life again. But last night I realized that God can't work in my life when I'm discontent and telling him what to do. I also put my #firstworldcomplaints in perspective...how quickly I forgot how little some of my friends and neighbors had in China. Anyway, I'm excited to go into the holiday season and the new year with the right attitude.

Speaking of...OK there's no segway, this is just AWESOME...Kailyn is getting married!!!!!!!! Sooooo excited. She's not able to set a date yet, so planning is on a slight hold...but not having a date hasn't quite stopped us in the past :)

Per the title, this post has nothing to do with "the list." This is a stretch, but to stay focussed I'll reference #60...I bought the GMAT book! No, I have not actually done anything with said book, but WHAT dear friends is the rush??! I DID get the 2nd of the 3 Gardasil shots...I really hope I don't forget about the third...eeeek, I hope I didn't already forget about it and it's too late. Hm. Oh, next week I can check off #74 - The Nutcracker with my mom and sister! We go every year, but this year will be even better given I was in China last year.

I hope everyone (and by everyone, I mean my one reader, Kailyn) has a great holiday! Remember to spread holiday cheer by singing loud for all to hear, and remember WHY we're celebrating!

Thanksgiving update!

I thought I would naturally be checking things off this list left and right without even thinking about it, but I guess making time for yourself is a little harder than I thought. I'm going to try to look at it more often to remind myself of all the awesome things I want to do! I get so angry at myself when I just waste time on the computer (note: as I'm playing Hanging with Friends with Steph right now), and then I look back and think about what I could have gotten done. So I'm gonna try to be better about it. But hey, I think there is something to say about starting a job and new life - takes time!

COMPLETED:

31. Coach a lacrosse team again, preferably either high school varsity or college club. --> CHECK! I officially will be coaching at Charlotte Country Day in the spring! I had offers from other schools to coach their varsity program, but I accepted CCDS's JV offer because of how good the program is and how much I can learn from the varsity coach. I'm pumped for the season, AND about how much I'm going to learn. I've already met a lot of the girls from an elite team I've been helping out with this fall, and they're GREAT. Tryouts are at the end of January, but we'll start fall workouts right after Thanksgiving. (Don't think I'll be making it to the 6am Monday mornings.)

24. Attend UNC Homecoming all three years. --> 1 of 3! SUCH a great trip! First off, we had an epic tailgate with a little propane camping stove, hot chocolate and fried rice! And something called bacon explosion? Anyway, I didn't run into a whole lot of people like I thought I would, but I spent the weekend with my besties, and it was awesome. We had first row seats at the football game, and the best part was cheering for the camera boy that sprinted by every time the ball changed ends. The only thing the trip was missing I think was a trip to good 'ole Bubs. Next year!

29. Watch 10 movies that I have missed that always receive the "OMG YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THAT!?" response. (Independence Day, The Patriot, Gladiator, Armageddon, The Terminator, The Mummy...) --> Independence Day, check.

48. Make cornhole boards (and bags). --> The cornhole boards and bags were a two week production between my dad, Kailyn, John and I, but they turned out SWEET. One says "GO HEELS!" and the other says the same thing...in Chinese characters! I know, #jealous. Minor drawback, we forgot to cover them with a protective coating, so after having them out for about five minutes in the wet weather, we had to load them back in the car. Tailgate fail.

91. Organize a UNC Women's Club Lacrosse Alumni game. --> I can now officially check this off because the game was over Homecoming weekend, and it was a success! We had a few game-time fiascos, but that's nothing new. Man, reminded me of how stressed I was for the entirety of my last two years of college, and it also reminded me of how it awesome it is to play with all those girls. I played terribly, and I blame it on the disgusting amounts of tailgate food that I consumed the day before.

IN PROGRESS:

49. Wine & Design, preferably of the UNC Old Well. --> I have not done this yet, but I did buy a coupon for it off of Living Social.

46. Do P90X or CrossFit for at least a month. --> I'm going to change this one a bit because I joined the Y, which is doing wonders in my life. The Dowd is by far the best gym e-ver. I'm going to try out a few more classes and really get a hold on everything the gym offers and then come up with some kind of work out plan. It will definitely involve the "Athletic Training" class, which kicks my butt.

SIDE NOTE:

My family and I are celebrating Thanksgiving on Wednesday night, and then Thursday my parents are driving down to Mississippi and my sister and I are going to the lake with our cousins. I'm hoping to accomplish at least one of the below while at the lake...

22. Make something out of the Korean "paper" that I bought.
60. Study for and take the GMAT. (start studying)
77. Make homemade ice cream.

Well, now that I'm settled in my job I hope I'll do a better job updating. Hope everyone has a GREAT Thanksgiving!!

employed!

It's been awhile -- I was busy being not busy before my job started today! I probably should've capitalized on that free time to knock some stuff off my list, but I just wanted to relax! I did do a few cool things that weren't on the list...

-Made a pumpkin pie from real pumpkins and toasted the seeds! Surprisingly both were a success! The recipes will definitely be going in the alleged cookbook I'm making.
-Went to my family's lake house. Lounged around, read a lot, visited with family :)
-Bought the beginnings of my work wardrobe.
-Helped out with three lax clinics in CH AND played in my first post-grad lacrosse game (and...I did well:)).

My new job -- I'm not checking it off the list because it's only part-time. It's only been one day, but I think this a good thing I've got going on! We had a luncheon today for a BIG player in sports business, so I'm already learning loads. I'm going to be so immersed in the industry that I feel confident I'll learn a lot and make great connections.

Tasks I DID complete:

6. Buy a new computer & become proficient on a MAC (which hopefully means I will buy a MAC).
-LOVE it. Life is SO much easier. I'm just mad I didn't buy it sooner. I'm certainly not an expert on it yet, but I've gotten to know it a lot better, and even took a trip into Apple to the Genius Bar for a help appointment. We also use them at work, and I learned new tricks today. I think I know enough to check it off the list!

Tasks in progress:

10. Make at least one dish from all of the Asian countries I've lived in/visited: China, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Hong Kong (they have different food).
-Went to the Grand Asia Market and made Pad Thai with Zoe! It actually tasted pretty authentic! Real proud of us. Side note: I also went to an authentic Chinese restaurant with some laxers and ordered in Chinese!! It war really great to introduce them to that part of my life.

11. Read 100 books, including 10 nonfiction, and reread 3 classics.
-The Help. Amazing book. I have family in Mississippi and grew up going there a few times a year, so I've always known about the culture and history of the deep south. It was neat to see it in such honesty.