24 August 2008

The Olympics Make Me Cry


But in a good way. I try to convince everyone I'm tough, however I'm sure anyone who knows me knows I'm a big old softie. This is nowhere more apparent than when I watch the opening and closing Olympic ceremonies. I missed the Beijing opening ceremonies because I was returning home after a long day of apartment hunting in Bellingham, but I caught the closing ceremonies this evening and I must admit to tearing up.

Part of it might be that, despite my degree in international politics, my political motto can best be expressed "Can't we all just get along?" The Olympics seem to have the same motto, albeit more eloquently expressed. So seeing all the athletes enjoying themselves after accomplishing so much makes me a little misty (although not too misty not to notice that the Ralph Lauren Polo emblem took up a third of team USA's shirts. Nice.). But I nearly broke down into real sobs when the big, red London bus made its appearance to promote the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Sometimes I forget how seriously I miss London and England and how intense my homesickness for that place can still be, especially as autumn draws near and I start thoughts with "Nine years ago today I was in . . . " I so want to go back.

Whilst watching the London presentation for the 2012 games, my heart actually started to hurt. I am not exaggerating. Does that sound insane to you? Because I sometimes question my sanity when I think back about how much I loved it there. Would it be committing treason to say I felt like I belonged in London more than any other place I have lived? Is it totally naive to think that I do belong there? Am I just waxing nostalgic and looking at the whole experience through rose-colored glasses? Is it crazy to feel more at home in a foreign country than in m own? These are questions I ask myself on a regular basis. All because, when I see a red, double-decker bus I start to cry.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Let's go to the 2012 in London! :D Or at least dream about it! You will be a teacher by then and can take your summers off!!! I love the Olympics as well because of the world-united feeling, sad they are over and I can't watch Micheal Phelps. haha

Treat Queen said...

So you're saying we need to be in London for the Olympics in 2012?Game on!

Scully said...

Yes. Parker is game too. Maybe we could get a special group discount or something.

Katie said...

Ok. So, I totally relate. My exact comment about the Olympics being in London next was, "They're in my home town!!!"

Heather said...

Sheesh.. we got a bunch of traitors on our hands!! :) Closing ceremonies was amazing. And I cried in opening ceremonies when Yau Ming (sp) came out carrying that little boy who was one of three who survived from his school class during the earthquake. It broke my heart.

Anyway.. I love the olympics too. But I have to say that I am glad they are over so I can finally get some things done and get to bed before midnight!

It would be unreal to be able to go to the London Olympics.. I hope you make it!

rmhogsett said...

I'm sorry Scully but you will have to convince me that you aren't a softy. I don't know if that damages your ego or not but its just something that I have come to know and love about you. That would be sweet if you could go to the 2012 Olympics. They sound like fun but it would be better if they were somewhere in Australia but I think I am biased there.

Heather said...

Hey! you'll never believe.. I have a BLOG! just 10 years later than the rest of the people on the planet!

anyhoo... it doesn't have a lot of posts yet, but it's www.kandhtown.blogspot.com

Missy said...

From all the late nights catching all the racing action, I missed the closing ceremonies! Drats. Tivo, all calls for Tivo?