Well, today was the first day of the big Sports Meet at the college that I am attending. They call it a Sports Meet. I would call it a track meet. Basically, it’s three or four days where students compete in track and field events. For the past two or three weeks, we’ve been made aware (on numerous occasions) that we would not have classes this week. The Foreign Students office also told us that today would be the Opening Ceremonies and that there was going to be a big parade that we were strongly encouraged to take part in. In fact, the Foreign Students Office called me three times at home to make sure that I knew when and where we were meeting for the "lineup" and to make sure that my wife and family would be able to attend.

Needless to say, we thought it would be important to show up. So we did. Bright and early this morning (8:30) we (me, Christa, Anna & Sarah) were standing outside of the Foreign Students Dormitory ready for instructions. I knew going into this situation that it wouldn’t be pretty for us. We were just told to come. We didn’t have matching T-shirts or uniforms, we had no marching instructions or catchy chants; heck we didn’t even suit up a mascot (unless you count Sarah.) I knew the Chinese students and officials of the school would not be caught off guard like we were. I wasn’t wrong. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves…

All I will add is that they did provide us with matching baseball caps with a Nike swoosh emblazoned on a bill that could also be used as scafolding. (That thing is just huge! Made me feel kind of like Daffy Duck…) The Foreign Students Office also lined us up based on height, so in that regard I suppose our processional was aesthetically pleasing. Other than that we were quite the motley crew, but I think we provided that certain Western panache that the school was looking for. The crowds certainly smiled at us a lot. (We’re not laughing at you, we’re laughing with you…) At this point, it’s nothing new. We’re getting used to it.

Another point I’ve failed to mention…the foreign students were also encouraged to sign up to actually participate in various track and field events this week. I didn’t sign up (as an experiment) so I’ll be running in the 400 meter relay later this week! Yeah, I guess I looked young and healthy enough so they signed me up. Even though most of my competition will probably be in their early twenties likely well-conditioned from running cross-country through the mountains of Tibet and will lap me in a matter of minutes, I thought it was important to "take one for the team" and see this through. My friend Bill went ahead and signed up for shotput and javelin throw. I wasn’t that adventurous.

Anyway, sorry to digress. The ceremony was quite impressive and walking the victory lap to cheering masses does something to boost the self-esteem. We are surrounded by a great "cloud of witnesses" after all. Might as well run the race in a worthy manner I say. Even if you do end up getting handily beat by a four-foot tall guy wearing pointy dress shoes and a black sports coat…

Enjoy the photos…I’ll tell you how my road to Beijing 08′ turns out later this week. After all the hoopla I imagine this has to be a qualifier, right?

p.s. I don’t mean to insult anyone, but I have a few readers who may still benefit from this info. You can click on any of the pictures below and it makes them bigger/clearer. No, seriously! Give it a try for yourself! Oh, the marvels of modern technology. {/sarcasm}