Doug couldn't believe his eyes! The Chinese channel that had been featuring the winter olympics usually shows only the games where their athletes are competing in. But this morning, they were going to feature the USA vs Canada Hockey game! Doug started to jump in glee! It takes so little to make him happy!
Hockey to a Canadian is like basketball to a Filipino. Its in the blood. Its a national passion. It brings out the best and the worst in people. In Canada, kids play hockey on the streets and cars don't mind having to stop until they clear out. Canadians proudly declare: its our game!
I had never seen a hockey game until 2001. I could never see the puck and wondered why players liked bashing into each other and falling all over the ice. So much violence and yet so much unashamed affection in one game! Then we watched the winter olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002 where Canada won its first gold after 50 years! And the game was against the US team! The hockey bug bit me and I turned into a true-blue or rather true-red and white Canadian hockey fan!
Since then, the boys especially Ben have been keeping up to date with who's who in hockey. Names like Mario Lemieux, Martin Brodeur, Curtis Joseph became household names. These were then replaced by Sidney Crosby, Eric Stahl and others. When we were in Canada last 2007, Doug really saved up some money to enroll Ben in a minor hockey league. From not knowing how to stop on skates, Ben became the most improved player on his team --- even scoring a couple of goals in some games.
So it was really special for Doug to watch the hockey game yesterday. However, it was nerve wracking as well since the final score of 5 to 3 went to the US team. What a drag! But who knows, the gold medal is still a couple of games away. Until that time, its: Go Canada!
P.S. The doctor just told me that my hemoglobin is low and that I need to eat more protein in order to increase this. She gave me an appetite stimulant and hopefully this will work. Otherwise, I may have to have a blood transfusion. Not something I want really. So please pray for good appetite (some Filipino food at this point would be great!).
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Sometimes you don't have to look for happiness...it finds you! So even in China, hockey can be found, even if only on tv.
ReplyDeleteWhen you get home we'll prepare all your favorite food -- siomai, pansit, chopsuey...ay! Filipino food pala! Keep eating, my friend, you need all the protein to regain what you've lost. If you need a transfusion, you'll have more Chinese blood than you already have! Hahaha!
I miss you! Keep strong both in body and spirit. Just like Pastor Doug cheering on his hockey team, there are so many people cheering on our favorite Marla Team. Love you!