Summer Olympics 2012

Um, so, did you know the Olympics start TOMORROW! Eee gads, I can’t wait.

I’m kind of an Olympic Junkie. I’ve loved the games ever since I can remember. When I was 12, I vividly remember watching Matt Lauer report from Lillehamer in 1994 and telling my parents that NBC really needed a kids correspondent to help explain the games in children’s terms. I had it all planned out. I’d write to ABC and NBC explaining my idea and they’d surely hire me and send me and my family on an all expense paid trip to Nagano for the 1998 games. See, I told you I’ve been scheming business ideas forever.

I grew up in the pool, so the swimming competition has always been a favorite. I remember watching the 1996 Atlanta Games during my summer lifeguarding job.  Lifeguarding in Seattle meant lots of rain, and lots of time to kill in the clubhouse. And though I never danced or cartwheeled a day in my life, I love the gymnastics competition as well.

My favorite part of the Olympics is the Parade of Nations during the Opening Ceremonies. I cry like a baby. Every.Single.Time. (I also cry during sporting events with mass participation; marathons, 5k’s, triathlons.) I think it’s the fact that there’s so much adrenaline and so many people who have trained and worked so hard. The Parade of Nations also holds a special place in my heart because I watched the 2004 Athens Opening Ceremonies with my paternal grandparents. It was the last time I spent with them before they passed away so it’s definitely a special memory.

Mr. Zoom and I are super excited for the Games to start tomorrow. We plan to watch with homemade hamburgers and french fries on the couch under the fan with the air conditioning blasting. I’ll be crying into my wine glass. Mr. Zoom will be giving me informative history lessons about different nations peppered with interesting facts about their athletes. We can’t wait.

*Yes, I stole each and every one of those images from Google Images. If you have a problem with it, contact me and I’ll get you the sources.*