For two weeks, I was tired all the time. Why? I was glued to the TV set watching the olympics. I was so enamored with all the athletes and their skills and abilities. I felt a sense of comraderie and compassion for all of them, even the ones who won medals. I know the hours of work and the sweat, the tears, the injuries, not because I have ever been close to being an athlete of that caliber, but because I have interviewed many of them and understand the commitment and focus it takes to be a champion. I feel all the athletes that even make it to the olympics are champions.
I love it that the USA once again got the most medals in the olympics. I also know from talking to athletes around the world, wealthy countries who spend more money per capita on their athletes of course do better, so frankly I am also glad when I see the small countries get a medal.
I heard the American athletes were very upset the sprinters from Jamaica had won so many medals in an area where our runners excelled for a long time and I couldn't help but think this is probably the first olympic games were serious anti doping measures took place. This allows all athletes from all over the world, rich or not, to compete on a level playing field. I like that. For many years many East Europeans and even some Americans cheated by taking performance enhancing substances. It just robs the real meaning of being a true champion does it not?
As we wait to find out if the Chinese female gymnists were really too young to compete and thus medal, I can't help but think once again, it is not always the winners that are the heroes, but those who practiced, committed themselves to greatness, did everything in their power and used their god given talent to excell. The real winners have not always been the ones getting medals. Let's remember that.
As for the olympic inaguration in China. By far it was the best I have ever seen, and since 1972, I have seen all of them. Yes, I agree the chinese record on human rights leaves a lot to be desired but if I look at the ceremony itself, Hats off to all who participated. My mom who is 79 said we are watching history in the making! Who could top that ceremony? I feel sorry for London. The expectations will be very high.
Now on to the political conventions. I have always disliked the show anyone puts on and it gets worse every year. Did you see those politicians trying to read the teleprompter? the sign waving, the awful cheers and repetitive shots of people listening. I wish both parties would just be more authentic about their platforms and ideas. Those who spoke best were the ones who spoke from the heart. I wish all of them would learn to do so. All this after the real, authentic, exciting olympics. We still have next week. At least the Republicans tend to dress better!!
On a more serious note. I feel our nation is at a crossroads politically, economically and socially. This year we must vote. I pray we don't become apathetic one way or the other. I love my country and I want to see it thrive and prosper. Please do a favor to yourself and your children, vote this year. I am not telling you who to vote for, but I feel we must all wake up and get out and have our voice heard one way or the other. My grandfather used to say, a nation gets the government its people deserve. We can't complain or impact our future if we don't vote.
Thursday
My trip to Colombia
The other day I was trying to figure out how many countries I had been to in my lifetime. Mind you, I love to travel and I have "ants in my pants." I have to move every few months or I feel like I am dying! I have counted 47 so far. My goal before I die is to hit 80. My latest adventure was to Colombia. I have so many great friends from there and I wanted to be part of an international project which will change the world. It sounds far fetched but I really believe in it. We work with bright youth to give them an opportunity for greatness. I visited Cartagena, Santa Marta, Bucaramanga and Bogota. The first few days I was a beach bum in Cartagena and Santa Marta. Cartagena's colonial walled city and fortress were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 along with Lima. I spend lots of time just walking around enjoying the city. There are not a lot of tourists in Colombia as you can imagine and that's a shame. Their political turmoil and civil conflicts have lasted decades but in the past 7 years under the leadership of a very popular president Alfonso Uribe, Colombians are now feeling free to walk around and enjoy their country. Interestingly enough, there are very few popular leaders in the world. Why did this man succeed? He focused on security and keeping democracy intact. He became even more popular after the rescue mission of Ingrid Betancourt, 3 American hostages and several military and police personnel. It does help the US gives the Colombian government quite a bit of funds for the war on drugs, but that is another story.
I say if he can keep up the security, more tourists should come here. Yes, I had to overpay some so called tourist packages but for the most part I felt safe and secure. I believe because they don't get too many international tourists, the vendors are a bit abnoxious and testy but I just wore my ipod and always looked ahead!
As a journalist nothing was more interesting than participating in an unprecedented march in Cartagena. The demonstration was to celebrate the release of hostages (a long term painful problem for Colombians) and a cry for peace and justice. I felt I was engaged in an event which made history. Millions of Colombians took to the streets to protest. I wish we would do more of that here, but I guess we take our democracy for granted sometimes.
Living Smart continues its run. We are airing season 4 again. This week Barbara Elliott talks about compassion and why it is important to care for other, SMARTLY..The week after that green architect LaVerne Williams reminds us how to save money at home by thinking green and focusing on sustainability. In October we'll launch a new News Analysis show.
This trip made me very grateful to be an American. We have so many blessings. I understand the economy is bad and I worry but we are not even close to what so many people around the world experience. We have to just "tighten our belts," many have no belts to tighten.
I say if he can keep up the security, more tourists should come here. Yes, I had to overpay some so called tourist packages but for the most part I felt safe and secure. I believe because they don't get too many international tourists, the vendors are a bit abnoxious and testy but I just wore my ipod and always looked ahead!
As a journalist nothing was more interesting than participating in an unprecedented march in Cartagena. The demonstration was to celebrate the release of hostages (a long term painful problem for Colombians) and a cry for peace and justice. I felt I was engaged in an event which made history. Millions of Colombians took to the streets to protest. I wish we would do more of that here, but I guess we take our democracy for granted sometimes.
Living Smart continues its run. We are airing season 4 again. This week Barbara Elliott talks about compassion and why it is important to care for other, SMARTLY..The week after that green architect LaVerne Williams reminds us how to save money at home by thinking green and focusing on sustainability. In October we'll launch a new News Analysis show.
This trip made me very grateful to be an American. We have so many blessings. I understand the economy is bad and I worry but we are not even close to what so many people around the world experience. We have to just "tighten our belts," many have no belts to tighten.
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