Athletic Nationalism

Sunday - 08 May 2011

Day 76

I love soccer. All my life. I love American football too, but nothing compared to the greatness of soccer.

Ever since I began following the international game, all the different leagues around the world, along with the major international tournaments, I have always been jealous of Brasil. I guess you could add the big European powerhouses of Germany, Italy, Spain, and England…but still nothing close to Brasil. They are worldclass, and people fear them on the field. I'm sure fellow futebol fans will argue with me on this one, but I still think (over the course of all soccer's history) that Brasil is the best national team, and has produced the best exported players.

I was always sad that America didn't have anything like that when it came to the sports I followed. But after following some of the East Asian professional sports, I have seen American athletes in that same "Brasilian" light. Just walking around Seoul day to day, I see so many Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox, and Indians hats, jackets and shirts. There is more Yankees clothing here than Manchester United or any other European soccer club. When you watch Korean-League baseball or basketball, it is the few exported American players that are feared and respected. Just like the Brasilians of soccer, we have the aura of being top players.

There's not much more to say about this phenomenon, except that witnessing people's love and respect for American athletes has definitely made me more proud (and perhaps cocky) in being American. We still maybe be on the lower ranking when it comes to soccer, but at least we have basketball and baseball down (I don't count the sports that most of the world doesn't play).

America! F' YEAH!

Sorry for the long wait.

My apologies for the posting hiatus. I haven't posted in about a month, but I have been continuing to write. It'll all people up shortly.

Peace

Day 69 - Sunday - 01 May 2011

I have been in Korea for a little over 2 months now, and I can confidently say that I have fully adjusted to being a Seoul citizen. Although I haven't been keeping up with my studies, my ability to read, write, listen, and most importantly, speak Korean has improved greatly. All it took was dismissing any thought of embarrassment or nervousness, and simply giving it ago. Once you don't care that you might look or sound stupid, attempting to communicate as a foreigner isn't a big deal. Most people understand. I have also mastered the subway system, most of the main streets in my borough, riding/communicating in a taxi, and a little bit of the bus system. Life here isn't too bad, and I think after stay here in Seoul, I could survive living in NYC if I wanted to. But I don't. New York sucks.

I have talked with my family, friends, and employers and have decided to extend my 3 month contract to 5.5 months total. I will be here for an additional 3 months, which I am very excited about, but at the same time, I can't wait to get back to good ole US of A. I'm really happy about this feeling. In my earlier days here, I was worried that I would love/hate Korea too much, or miss/not appreciate American anymore. Loving my life here, and also missing home is a good situation to be in. I can enjoy the rest of my time here, and then peacefully return back to the States.

When I return to the US, I will be starting law school at the University of Oregon. Go Ducks! I know there are a million and one differing views on the existence/method/lack of fate and destiny in one's life, but whatever it is, I feel that everything that has conspired in my life for the last 7 years has happened for a reason. My switch in focus of my undergraduate studies from biology to "East Asian stuff" led to my involvement with Holt Camp and Holt Adoption Services, which led to my work with the Law Offices of Michelle M. Hughes & Bridge Communications, Inc. (I owe you Carmen!), which led to my interest in adoption law and attending law school, which finally built up to my yearning to come to Korea and see the Korean side of adoption and life. I feel that everything adoption related all started with Holt Adoptee Summer Camp, and it's comforting to know, and also curious when I think about the way things worked out, that the University of Oregon is in the same town as Holt HQ. It's where international adoption, as we know it today, started. Out of the 30 law schools I applied to, over the span of 2 years, some of which I was accepted, rejected, waitlisted, and given full rides to, Oregon fit perfectly with what was going on in my life.

With the worry about what I'll be doing when I return to America out of the way, I have found Zen. I can enjoy my last couple months here without any worries, except what color of bedsheets I want to buy for my dorm room. Blue of course!

To all those reading this: Cliché as always, but everything happens for a reason. All the good and bad sh*t that I have endured over the last 2 years, all the confusion of where my life was leading all led up to this point of happiness and peace. Life will always work itself out.