Thursday, February 18, 2010

On Being An Olympic Underachiever

Tonight while I was watching the men's skating I distinctly remember watching these type of events as a kid and thinking "What's the big idea, I could totally do that" (I was really good at spinning around and not getting dizzy). Remember when you were little and you thought "I wonder when I'm going to get MY gold medal?" Not a matter of "if," but "when." Turns out I wasn't the only one. The longer I watch the Canadian coverage of the Olympics, the more former classmates I see in the standings. I went to elementary school with 3 Olympians. How funny is that? We all survived french immersion together. I'm starting to feel like a real Olympic underachiever. And there's the French Immersion/Quebec factor again. Have you noticed how many Canadian Olympians are francophone? I'm sensing a relationship between complicated grammar and athletic prowess. But that brings me to the question - what's my problem? Why aren't I an Olympian. I'll mull this one over and get back to you on that.

But let's talk about my current favorite Olympian - Maelle Ricker. I got goose bumps when I watched Maelle Ricker receive her gold medal for the women's snowboarding cross for Canada. This was a very fun moment because Maelle and I went to elementary and high school school together, though I didn't get to know her until grade 11 when we played on the basketball team together. Maelle has got to be the nicest, hardest working person ever. This kind of success could not have been given to a more deserving person. I'm so proud of her. When the competition started I was just casually telling people "I know her!" which slowly built up to an emphatic "I totally know her!" which preceded an enthusiastic "We were like TOTALLY FRIENDS!" and finally a slightly hysterical, "She was practically in my wedding!"

She was never in my wedding. But our last interaction was so typical of Maelle. We ran into each other at 7-11 in the winter of 1996 (am I old?) and she said "Hey - come up to Whistler I'll teach you how to snowboard" and I was like, "Thanks, but I'm just so super busy." Isn't that the lamest story ever? I assure you that she would never remember this. She is just so nice that she would just offer things like this - time, skills, etc. to an old friend and leave a lasting impression on an Olympic underachiever like me. I love it when good people are rewarded for their success - like all is well in the Olympic world.

I guess I'll just have to keep figuring out what Olympic sport is mine (my thighs would indicate speed skating, but my buoyancy leans more toward ski jumping. Decisions, decisions).


*I'll post some pictures when I return home from this magical Olympic land.

6 comments:

  1. Don't you think motherhood is deserving of a medal? I mean, really.

    ReplyDelete
  2. i really identify with this post - i can't tell you how many times as a little girl i'd watch the figure skating and think, "big deal. lace me up some skates and i'll win the gold". then i actually went ice skating.

    suffice it to say, i was humbled.

    great post! love your blog. as a matter of fact, i am now a follower :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. so glad you had such a good time at the olympics. i am excited to see some pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Alisa!! Absolutely motherhood is deserving of a medal. In fact, in my opinion it's deserving of a national monument, statue, full-time masseur, chef and personal assistant.
    S+B - thanks so much! Your blog is so cute - and that baby of yours. Wow.
    Jenner - photos are pending. I need someone to make sense of my new camera. Don't get excited, it's just a low-budget point and shooter that I don't know how to work. This blog is in serious need of some pictures, for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  5. So I found your blog after my mom said she keeps up with you by reading it! What else did you go to at the Olympics? That was such a great experience! I wish we could have been up at Whistler in that amazing house at the same time. Did your dad go to the hockey game on Sunday? I don't know if my dad could have resisted if he would have been offered tickets.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I cannot believe you went to school with three Olympians. I'm completely jealous. I would rather know an Olympian than any other celebrity. Except Oprah and Tina Fey and maybe Stephen Colbert, but I can't see us really hanging out.

    Rose Salve is basically a tinted petroleum jelly that gives your lips a little shimmer. Apparently you can use it for cracked skin too.

    Does your new dress work and look good on you?

    ReplyDelete