Column 1
Not to brag, but I possess a wide array of skills and expertise. For example, I am practically an expert source on neuropsychology, Gauntanamo detentions and satellite imaging. Not to mention, I can French manicure my own
toenails and make a darn good panini. But there are two subjects on which my knowledge is severely limited: China and Sports. Here are the three facts I know about China: It boasts a huge population, a fortune cookie has 56 calories and China claims one of the longest unified civilizations the world, dating back to 1600 BC! (I’m sorry, but I think that is just crazy! It’s kind of hard to imagine. Such a small cookie and 56 calories?!?) Here are my three sports facts: Tiger Woods plays golf, one shouldn’t sit down in the outfield during a softball game and pick grass and juice boxes and ice cream bars are usually served by the athletes’ parents after each major sporting event.
So, where am I going with all of this mumbo jumbo? Well, I’ve always thought that a lack of knowledge on a subject should not be a reason to avoid it, but rather, regarded as an opportunity to learn. So when I learned that the Olympic News Service (ONS) was searching for volunteers from several journalism schools across the United States to assist reporters at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, I thought: Who better suited than I? They say ignorance causes fear, and if that were true, I’d sure hate to go through life fearful of Asia and athletics.
Seven months, one interview, a test and a mock debate later, I’m packed and ready for China, and even more, the Olympics. And I plan on bringing my experience back from Beijing through frequent columns to The Register over the next two months.
Some of you may recall the 2004-05 column I wrote during my year abroad in Italy. At the time, I was only 18, slightly immature, slightly overindulgent and enjoyed spending my time (and parent’s money) shopping, eating and visiting culturally enriching nightclubs. Four years later and a mere 15 credit hours away from receiving a degree in magazine journalism, you will likely find me much changed. I am now 22.
So, let me give you the basics and we can go from there. I leave July 1 to spend two months in Beijing as one of 600 worldwide, English-speaking volunteers (including 60 students from my university). I will work for the Olympics News Service, a internal news source that assists journalists by gathering flash quotes from athletes and coaches, writing previews and reviews of sporting events, attending press conferences and writing conference highlights. Each volunteer is assigned a sport or venue to cover and mine is and I will primarily be reporting on Mountain Biking, which was my second choice of sports, right behind Judo and right before the Ribbon Exercise.
While I’m not permitted by the ONS to write official news articles for any other publication and while I think I’ve clarified that I am not an expert in Chinese culture, I hope to give you an accurate perspective and fair observations on these controversial Olympic Games and the complex and fascinating country of China.
Last night at Kings Wok, which we all know is the epitome of Chinese cuisine, I took two 56-calorie fortune cookies from the buffet. I ate one right away, but I saved the last one to open when I finished my first column aka this column. The cookie was delicious, but I enjoyed my fortune more. Here is what is says: ‘Life is a series of choices. Today yours are good ones.” I sure hope so.
Not to brag, but I possess a wide array of skills and expertise. For example, I am practically an expert source on neuropsychology, Gauntanamo detentions and satellite imaging. Not to mention, I can French manicure my own
toenails and make a darn good panini. But there are two subjects on which my knowledge is severely limited: China and Sports. Here are the three facts I know about China: It boasts a huge population, a fortune cookie has 56 calories and China claims one of the longest unified civilizations the world, dating back to 1600 BC! (I’m sorry, but I think that is just crazy! It’s kind of hard to imagine. Such a small cookie and 56 calories?!?) Here are my three sports facts: Tiger Woods plays golf, one shouldn’t sit down in the outfield during a softball game and pick grass and juice boxes and ice cream bars are usually served by the athletes’ parents after each major sporting event.So, where am I going with all of this mumbo jumbo? Well, I’ve always thought that a lack of knowledge on a subject should not be a reason to avoid it, but rather, regarded as an opportunity to learn. So when I learned that the Olympic News Service (ONS) was searching for volunteers from several journalism schools across the United States to assist reporters at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, I thought: Who better suited than I? They say ignorance causes fear, and if that were true, I’d sure hate to go through life fearful of Asia and athletics.
Seven months, one interview, a test and a mock debate later, I’m packed and ready for China, and even more, the Olympics. And I plan on bringing my experience back from Beijing through frequent columns to The Register over the next two months.
Some of you may recall the 2004-05 column I wrote during my year abroad in Italy. At the time, I was only 18, slightly immature, slightly overindulgent and enjoyed spending my time (and parent’s money) shopping, eating and visiting culturally enriching nightclubs. Four years later and a mere 15 credit hours away from receiving a degree in magazine journalism, you will likely find me much changed. I am now 22.
So, let me give you the basics and we can go from there. I leave July 1 to spend two months in Beijing as one of 600 worldwide, English-speaking volunteers (including 60 students from my university). I will work for the Olympics News Service, a internal news source that assists journalists by gathering flash quotes from athletes and coaches, writing previews and reviews of sporting events, attending press conferences and writing conference highlights. Each volunteer is assigned a sport or venue to cover and mine is and I will primarily be reporting on Mountain Biking, which was my second choice of sports, right behind Judo and right before the Ribbon Exercise.
While I’m not permitted by the ONS to write official news articles for any other publication and while I think I’ve clarified that I am not an expert in Chinese culture, I hope to give you an accurate perspective and fair observations on these controversial Olympic Games and the complex and fascinating country of China.
Last night at Kings Wok, which we all know is the epitome of Chinese cuisine, I took two 56-calorie fortune cookies from the buffet. I ate one right away, but I saved the last one to open when I finished my first column aka this column. The cookie was delicious, but I enjoyed my fortune more. Here is what is says: ‘Life is a series of choices. Today yours are good ones.” I sure hope so.
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