Everyone has heard of those stories. Or at least, everyone knows someone who has a cousin who had it happen to them. The unexpected stroke of prodigiously good luck which ushers one into an ideal situation by no merit of their own. My friends, I was that person today.
Bridget said she loved a good backhand, so I obliged her
Today was the finals match of the Thai Tennis Open, a competition which boasted several of the world’s top ten players (Nadal backed out at the last minute, blast him). I had previously purchased tickets to the final match with my friend and fellow tennis enthusiast, Bridget. These seats weren’t in the nosebleed section, mind you- they were a row in front of them.
Anyhow, we are on our way to the morning church service when a friend sent me a text that simply stated: “I have a surprise for you when you arrive.” We arrive. Sally, the brilliant heroine of my life at the moment, came up to us beaming and with no further adieu, hands us two tickets. VIP tickets. Seats so close you can almost make out what expletives the players murmur under their breath after an overshot. We love you, Sally.
When the Prime Minister comes out for it, you know the sport is a big deal
There’s no doubt about it- tennis is a serious sport in Thailand. In fact, the prime minister of the country came out to hand the trophy to the winner; quite an honor for any sports tournament. So long story short, we had an absolutely fantastic time watching the Thai Open in the covered, air-conditioned facilities of the Impact Arena, a colossal sports complex I never knew existed until today. The games exhibited a level of prowess and ferocity I had not experienced even watching the women’s singles years ago at the U.S. Open. There were moments during the peak of the fiercest volleys that I barely dared to breath, leaving me gasping by the moment of the victor’s stroke. As a dear friend of mine would put it- absolutely brilliant.
Like a well-played tennis match (apologies to those who despise sports/life analogies), the month of September has had both it periods of intensity and endless periods of volley. Teaching has been at a high point for me. I feel as though I have reached a level in which my students are consistently learning from me. This may sound like a strange statement to make, but when you teach you only become more aware of how difficult it is to have people understand you. Especially when their barely over a decade, crammed in a room with a dozen of their friends, and English is their second language.
This coming week ushers in the frantic studying and taking of mid-term exams, and the next is the last week of the semester. Although this cliche is well past being simply overused, I constantly wonder where all the time has gone, it only feels as though we began the first class two months ago! The end of the semester sees us off on our long anticipated 2-week semester break, and in my next blog I will give more details concerning my upcoming travel plans. To convey how excited I am about them, I will say simply this: I scrapped surfing in Bali for them. Until then readers, play a game of autumn season tennis for me. And win.
AH! Chris, I can’t believe you were there at the Thai Open! I LOVE tennis too! Well, i don’t play it but I’m very much into watching the game.
Gotta say I’m very envious. 