Olympics Begin Tonight!

It's that time again! Once every two years, the world pauses and watches as thousands of athletes compete for those coveted gold medals. I must admit that the Summer Olympics are my favorite. I enjoy the winter games, but the summer ones, in my opinion, are just more fun to watch.

I do find it strange that I enjoy the Olympics so much, being that I'm really not a big sports fan. I can't explain it, maybe it's that we always watched the Olympics when I was a kid. Maybe it's all of the media hype. I don't really know. All I do know is that my DVR is going to get quite the workout in the next couple of weeks as I settle in to watch my favorite events. These would include swimming (go Michael Phelps!), gymnastics (how in the world can they be that flexible??), track & field (no one should be able to run that fast), and soccer (that's really more for Jeremy than me).

I also know that I'm ready to welcome Bob Costas back into my home so he can tell me the personal and "behind-the-scenes" stories of all of the athletes. How is it that he is such an iconic figure of NBC, yet we really only see him every two years at the Olympics??

I look forward to more memories being created. I'll never forget watching Kerri Strug being carried out by Bela Karolyi during the 1996 games in Atlanta, along with their memorable routine to "Macarena." Watching the "Dream Team" win the gold in Barcelona is another favorite memory.

So for those of you who are going to watch, what are your favorite events or favorite Olympic memories?

New Addiction

A few weeks ago, Jeremy and I decided to change cable companies. We had a plethora of reasons for changing, but mainly to save money. With our change in companies, we are now getting many more channels and spending less money. To me, that is a win-win situation. However, with the addition of new channels, comes the addition of a new addiction. I have discovered the fun that is Jon & Kate Plus 8.

If you have never watched this show, you should. It is so refreshing and enjoyable to watch because this couple, along with their 8 children (a set of twins and a set of sextuplets, all under the age of 8), are so real. The parents get frustrated with each other and aren't afraid to show it. The kids aren't perfect and discipline is key to teaching these children right from wrong. You can also tell from the very beginning that these parents love their children and desire nothing more than to give them a good life.

While I sing the praises of this show, the problem is that it has sucked me in! I'm addicted! I believe they are on season 4, so I've been busy trying to catch all of the reruns of past episodes. I think it's safe to say that Jeremy thinks I have a problem. I do feel guilty sometimes, sitting there just watching TV. But then, I remind myself that I am on summer vacation. I have worked hard all during the school year, many times 12-14 hours a day. Even now, during my "vacation," I am taking a grad class for 6 hours a week, tutoring 6 students, and working in my school's office every morning, M-F. So I think it's okay if I want to sit and watch a little mindless television. :)