Exciting times

The Olympics has started so at any given moment I look like this..

http://fyeahgymnasticsmemes.tumblr.com/post/28239147722/spannytampson-this-is-me-for-the-next-two

I love the Olympics and I am a sucker for a whole enchilada. From the opening to closing ceremonies, I love the drama, the athleticism and the goosebumps I get from watching someone achieve their lifelong dream. They always leave me awestruck and inspired.

The artistic gymnastics competitions take place this week so my attention is being completely consumed by it. The free to air coverage leaves quite a lot to be desired. Quite a lot. Last night at 2am I was watching the men's qualifications and every time channel 9 cut to the table tennis I wanted to punch the TV. But it is slightly better than nothing. 

Having studied the form of the gymnasts in the years leading up to these Games, I can't wait to see who succeeds under the pressure. I am an absolute tragic/ student of the sport and I can't wait to see how this latest chapter of its history unfolds.

I would love for Lauren Mitchell to win Australia's first medal in artistic gymnastics at the Olympics, but I am worried that her problematic ankles may prevent her from reaching her full potential here. The US women's team are favourite for the team gold and they will be tough to beat, especially with their superior difficulty on vault. However, I suspect Romania will prove a dark horse main challenger. I love their mixture of classy, legendary, full grown women veterans in Catalina Ponor (triple gold medallist from 2004, has come out of retirement and is looking better than ever at 24) and Sandra Izbasa (2008 Olympic floor champion aged 22). They are joined by the very exciting 16 year old young gun Larisa Iordache and fellow sprites Diana Chelaru and Diana Bulimar.
 
I love Romania's team because they are just about a perfect example of modern women's gymnastics. The super stars are having longer careers into adulthood and hitting puberty does not necessarily end gymnast's career. Now that modern gymnastics requires so much power, being a little taller and a little heavier can be of assistance.

Izbasa, Ponor, Iordache, Raluca Haidu (not selected for Olympics), Chelaru
http://www.romania-insider.com/romania-strikes-gold-silver-and-bronze-at-european-gymnastics-championship-wins-title-after-four-years/57163/

*(For those who are not familiar with gymnastics; by a little taller I mean 160-165cm tall as opposed to 145-155cm, and heavier I mean around 45-48kg as opposed to 35-40kg. The gymnasts would only be as heavy as 48kg if they were around 160-165cm tall, many gymnasts are still about 150cms and 35-40kg. These are not healthy weights and heights for normal people, but what gymnasts are required to do in their sport is not normal either and their health is closely monitored by team physicians).

In other news, last week Mum and Dad made significant changes to the whole family's automobile situation. This change was very exciting and I am so incredibly grateful that they made a decision that will help make my life so much easier.

I was a little sad and nostalgic when it came time to say goodbye to the old cars. I'm not sure why. I think it's partly to do with the fact that they were one of the few remaining constants of life in Adelaide that we brought over to Melbourne. More recently I certainly had developed a close affinity with Dad's Camry, given that it is the car I primarily learned to drive in and finally drove alone once I had my licence.

I guess it was just one of those moments that has become an identifiable landmark of how the needs of my family have changed so much over the past few years and we have now moved into a difference phase of life.

I also got the news that the gymnastics club I had an interview with have taken me on in an emergency/ fill in capacity. This is exactly what the coach said I would be offered if I were successful and that I will be added to the roster when the new one is drawn up. I'm so excited to have this opportunity and I will be enrolling in the Gymnastics Australia course to become an accredited coach in September.

I've also come across a course that I think might be a good fit for me next year. Choosing to go out on a limb and explore paramedics was a great decision but it has put a little dent in my confidence when it comes to course selection. I'm starting to put together a crazy picture of my "dream" career in my head and this course may well give me the skills I need to pull it off.

I am feeling really positive right now. I have worked so hard to overcome a number of "challenges", lets call them, and am so thrilled that the results and opportunities I want are coming my way. There is still a lot of work to be done to reach my goals, but it is such a relief to feel like I'm gaining traction in the right direction.