The Great Wall is usually a pretty crowded place, but during the Beijing Olympics, it was especially packed. I was there one day with my friends when it started pouring rain. We didn’t get a spot under a shelter, and with only one umbrella for three 18-year olds, we didn’t stay all that dry.
Michael Phelps’ quest for eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics was easily the most gripping sports saga I’ve ever watched, but my favorite race was the men’s 4 x 100 free relay. I love a little teamwork, so I was already primed to enjoy the race.
I spent a good part of the end of my senior summer watching the US women’s gymnastics team and having debates over my favorite gymnast. “Shawn or Nastia?” became a constant topic of debate among my friends. I was firmly entrenched in the Shawn Johnson camp for a few important reasons.
The 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens introduced my parents, two younger brothers and me to the glory and hilarity that is badminton. By chance (or fate if you ask my mom), we stumbled upon the women’s singles gold medal match featuring China’s Zhang Ning against the Netherlands’ Mia Audina.
Studying abroad in Beijing during the 2008 Olympics was an unbelievable experience filled with excitement, hilarious cultural differences and occasional frustrations. It was my first time in China, and I arrived a month and a half before the games began.
Growing up in a small town on the Mexican border, you learn to value the little things in life. As the son of two teachers, I realized that there was nothing more important in the life of our little town than those quietly crafted interpersonal relations that form the landscape of education.
I have to be honest; I was uncertain whether I’d want to take part in this point/counterpoint. This isn’t because I’m not a fan of “Lost,” but rather because I like a challenge. To me, this is just playing tee ball. Proving that “Lost” is better than “24” is like arguing that beer is better than a Shirley Temple.
So it’s Monday night and after a long day back in school mode, you can’t quite face the idea of doing hours of work. Luckily, you don’t have to. Jack Bauer does the work for you (well not your work—I mean he could, if he wasn’t busy fighting terrorism) while you get to sit back and realize that perhaps your life isn’t quite as stressful as you thought.
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