Sports Meet

We had Thursday and Friday off last week while the freshmen and sophomores attended a sports meet. I'm not quite sure what the real purpose behind this event was but I know that it was a good team building exercise and personal development opportunity.

For two days, we watched as they showed us their courage and determination in the face of some difficult circumstances. We were amazed to find out that for many of them, it was the first time they had done that particular event. These kids had been chosen by their teachers to compete in particular events based on their stature or some other equally logical criteria. Who needs natural ability? To make matters worse, many of them were picking up a shot put or throwing a javelin the very first time that day, as they are competing. No practice. No training.

The student bravely went out there though and did their best. When they didn't do well, they were upset that they had let their classmates down. And while they competed, their classmates were right there, at their side, as they ran. They were on the sidelines at the events and cheering them on, shouting "Jiayou!" (Come on!). They were there at the finish line as their classmate collapsed into their arms. They were there to bring them their little paper cup of hot water. Yes, hot water. Don't know the logic but I think the last thing I'd want is something hot when it was warm and I'd just exerted myself. Oh, and they punched your leg for you to help you recover.

The foreign language department came in 6^th overall and the girls’ team came in 4^th.

Speaking of sports, unlike our previous television habits, we have barely turned on the tv here. This is mainly because there is no English programing. When we do turn the tv on, there are many soap operas (I even found one dubbed from an Indian drama), home shopping network like shows and sports (table tennis, badminton and soccer).