In My Life

I may not agree with everything the country I live in is about, but the Olympics are a time for putting politics aside and competing on something other than a battle field, though sometimes it may seem like one. I can't even describe how excited I was when Michael Phelps and the rest of the 4x100 relay team beat France in the last leg of the race (though my roommate might be able to). Swimming has never been so exciting, and I have probably never cheered for the U.S. more than during this Olympics. Because I enjoy sports immensely, any game I watch can be super exciting. Maybe I am just a competitive person, but I even was jumping on my bed when the U.S. beat the No. 1 team in water polo. That can seem strange to some, but it is such a great feeling to me to watch people accomplish their goals that they worked so hard for in the name of their country. 

This is odd, because I have never been so disappointed in the United States as I am right now. While I may not appreciate those leading the country, I have an immense appreciation of the people living in it. Especially since I live in California, which is such a liberal state, I see everyone questioning things and the way the government is run, and it makes me proud to live with such individuals. The games being in Beijing this year, it is a chance to witness a country and its people in a way we have never seen before. The Chinese put on an amazing show in the opening ceremonies, probably the best and most beautiful in history. They are also doing very well in the overall medals, winning gold after gold. But at what cost? 

When I was watching gymnastics, they did a story about how the Chinese female gymnasts are taken from their homes at the age of 3, told they are going to eat, sleep, and breathe gymnastics, and in return, their parents get financial security. I don't think I could live in a country that makes these types of decisions with people's lives, nor could I live in one where the citizens allow something like this to happen. One girl even told her parents that she didn't want to compete and hated gymnastics, but they told her to keep training because it gives them a better life. This bit of information made me appreciate the life I lead so much more, and the people who make it possible, my fellow citizens, because they keep the government in check. I have the opportunity to be and do whatever I want with my life, as long as I work hard to get there. Now, the Chinese women that won many golds are being investigated because they are suspected of being under the allowed age to compete. Huh. I don't mean to attack a whole country of people, maybe they just like to live the way they do, and have different ideals. I am just recognizing the fact that I am happy that I was born where I was. 

So despite the fact that we are at war, one that I absolutely do not support, have a president that has the IQ of a gopher (scientifically proven, no offense to the gopher), and created such celebrities as Paris Hilton and Miley Cirus, I am still proud to be an American and thankful for the freedoms we have (though always fighting for more). We have Michael Phelps, Shawn Johnson, and Jonathan Horton. Kinda makes up for the other shit. A little.