Twenty-two and counting.

So, it's nearly my birthday. Big twenty-second official day of being out in the world, outside the biological protection gifted me by maternity. Some people might consider it worth celebrating on a massive scale - to imagine that one would have managed to live this long without falling deathly ill or gaining enemies from ill-gotten goods and activities - with friends, family, and whoever else happens to be around.

What's there to celebrate? Really, someone give me a clue here.

As far as I can tell, I've just managed to suck up resources, mainly time and money, from the people and world around me. The only benefit that I can see to it is such that I've been able to provide certain people services, labor or otherwise, that have impacted their short-term living. When people have questions, I try to listen first and answer when needed. Do I want to solve the problems of the world? No way. I'm much more inclined to let the world figure out its own solutions, let the people work out their own lives and be thus proud of having done it on their own. I suppose I'm a real stickler for making sure that an individual knows how to do whatever is necessary for them to do without relying on other individuals. Albeit, this isn't much for the juxtaposition in my mind of community/communal values, wherein all the participants contribute in some meaningful way, often enough using specific talents and abilities to better their quality of life. In a way, it's very problematic to suggest this, mainly because I have relied on the assistance and support of so many people that, without their contributions, I could not be here. I would not exist. Maybe I've just decided to credit humanity on its progress and simultaneously bemoan its ineptitude between divisions of class, race, creed, and the like. Simply put, learn to depend less on the things the world does around you. Learn to make your own way, learn to motivate yourself and get to the things you want to do after you've gotten to the things you need to do.

Seems like people would really like to celebrate me (as if I were something to celebrate). I don't see what the fuss about it is. To me, it will feel like any old Wednesday - another day to live through, another middle-of-the-week-lazy-morning. So be it! That's all I care to experience it as. I don't deserve special treatment, nor do I require that anyone else feel the need to buy me presents or lavish me in a fete of tradition and symbolism, almost all of which is perfectly normal in the greater scheme of society. Maybe I'm unconsciously afraid of aging, or perhaps I've accepted the fact that every day develops based on what I choose to do. I don't believe that anyone should devalue what time we're given to live, but in my own thinking, I don't care to fret about it. Milestones might be worth considering as especial moments, like the erratic splash of a single raindrop in deep, calm waters. They happen, set off all kinds of busyness and the collective experiences spread out and away. Eventually, you fail to recall them, fondly, disparagingly, however it works. They fade and become part of that larger body of water in an infinitesimally small increase. The lake becomes slightly larger, one drop bigger, but to the casual eye, there's no telling there was even a drop to begin with.

I'm not depressed, mind you. I'm just looking at things from some kind of bitter, removed point-of-view, haha.

Okay. Birthday. 22. Twenty-second. I'm "turning 22." Iwakaluakumalua makahiki o'u. Whoopee. Frabjous day, calloo callay. I have things for which I am thankful, having survived twenty-two years of uncertain living conditions and questionable influences, haha. But what have I been doing recently, you ask? Carving. Running. Cleaning house. Sleeping (lots of it). De-stressing. Not much musical playing or compositioning, but lots of listening. A great deal of thinking, too. Maybe thinking too much? Trying to research, trying to learn. Lots of attempts at becoming great. Not many success stories, but enough encouragement around to keep my ego from completely deflating.

I don't have any cool adventures or ridiculous experiences to cajole you with. I don't have a bunch of awards or accolades to impress. All I did this summer was described above, in varying degrees of intensity. I'm satisfied with the way things worked out. Could I have done more? Oh, sure. I have no doubt that so many things "could have" been completed, or at least started. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Sounds boring, doesn't it? Well, it wasn't.

I guess... more blogging to come in the near future. I'll have things to say about research and reflections on life, but for now, I'm turning twenty-two.

This is a joint production brought to you by Daniel Maile & Cody Hensarling (http://codyhensarling.blogspot.com/). We actually researched this piece for a couple of hours and pared down a larger list of Women to Watch to get the 8 most deserving. Enjoy...


1. Nicole Reinhardt (GER)- Canoe/Kayak

Cody: Reinhardt is a tenacious German kayaker who is known for her versatility. Strong in the K-1, K-2, and K-4 disciplines at a variety of lengths, Reinhardt has tasted victory at the '08 World Cup, the '08 European Championships, and the '07 World Championships. Serving the German community as a public servant, Reinhardt is also one of the more well-liked athletes representing them at the Beijing Games.
Daniel: Well, in my estimation, she has the cuteness and the hotness needed to make this list. She looks like the kind of girl you could take to a party, have fun, but could probably have just as much fun relaxing.
Cody: I can think of 2 good reasons to watch her... Plus, she's cute.
Daniel: I'm thinking camping trips... and she's from the mother land, Deutschland uber alles.


2. Guo Jingjing (CHN)- Diving (3m Springboard Synchronized, and 3m Springboard Solo)

Cody: Guo is one of China's true athletic celebrities. She was estimated to have earned $2 million in endorsements in the year 2007 alone, unheard of for a diver. She was so successful as a public figure that the Chinese team threatened to kick her off the Beijing Olympic Team if she didn't retreat from public life and its "excessive commercialism". Oh, and by the way, she has 2 golds and 2 silvers coming into the games and just won the synchro.
Daniel: Ah, Guo...
Cody: There's something strangely seductive in her eyes
Daniel: She reminds me a little of Zhang Ziyi, mixed in with a little Michelle Yeoh.
Cody: I think it's the eyebrows, they aren't what you'd expect from a Chinese woman.
Daniel: She makes me think, wow, she's extremely pretty, but in a seductive, naively come-hither way.
Cody: Yeah, you get the impression that she doesn't fully understand her allure,
Daniel: or that she's unaware of it.
Cody: It's refreshing,
Daniel: which makes it even MORE alluring!

3. Christina Vukicevic (NOR)- Track & Field (100m Hurdles)

Cody: Just 20 years old, Vukicevic is one of the up and coming hopes for the Norwegian track team. Her best international performance to date is a 2nd place finish at the 2006 World Junior Championships in Beijing. Norway is not known as a summer sports power, but has in recent years gained a little more international credibility.
Daniel: Determined, cute, and unafraid to run the extra lap. You have to love that kind of indomitable spirit... along with those abs.
Cody: Ah, yes, it is quite amazing to see someone who specializes in overcoming hurdles. And has abs of steel.
Daniel: I bet she has a side job as being one of the valkyries that come down from Valhalla to sweep the battlefields of dead heroes, whisking them away to an eternity of awesomeness... and abs.



4. Alyona Bondarenko (UKR)- Tennis (Women's Singles & Doubles)

Cody: Bondarenko has been ranked as high as #19 in the world, and is one of the top singles players at the Olympics. In truth, she is much more well known for her doubles prowess with her sister Kateryna. Together, they won the 2008 Australian Open. She has 6 singles titles to go with 11 doubles crowns.
Daniel: Alyona Bondarenko. Just look at her name. In it, you see "abandon," as in, "abandon all hope, ye who look upon this beauty." I'm somehow imagining what would happen if Sharapova and Kournikova came together and had a baby...kova.
Cody: She wants me to be pure... This is just not fair! Why are women always so cruel?
Daniel: Pure like fallen snow. Pure like silk on soft skin. Pure like creamy, melting white chocolate spread over decadent fudge cake with sprinkles and- Oh, Lord. I think I just had an aneurysm... of love.
Cody: Is that what that's called these days?
Daniel: I don't know. All I know is that I need to plan a trip to the Ukraine.


5. Kerri Walsh (USA)- Beach Volleyball

Cody: 99 Career International titles. World Champion and defending Olympic Gold Medalist. Won 75 of 76 matches since 2006. Is there anything else that needs to be said? Walsh and Misty May-Treanor are the greatest pairing in Beach Volleyball history. At a towering 6'2", Walsh is by far the most dominant presence at the net in the tournament. If she doesn't win Gold, it will redefine the term 'upset'.
Daniel: Kerri Walsh has that old "Je ne sais quoi" about her. Maybe it's the great competitive spirit. Maybe it's the way she dominates the sand. Maybe it's the whole always-wearing-the-bikini-thing.
Cody: Kerri makes me want to learn how to come from behind as well as she does.
Daniel: I can't help but wonder why she's not playing for a Greek team, considering she's the perfect Amazonian, make-your-heartbeat-skip-and-slam-the-ace type of Olympian athlete.
Cody: Amazonian is right, Kerri is just impressive; period.
Daniel: She makes me want to climb something.

6. Marinella Falca (ITA)- Rhythmic Gymnastics

Cody: An integral member of the dangerous Italian Rhythmic Gymnastics team, Falca already has a silver medal, earned at the Athens games in the Group Competition. Falca specializes in the Hoop and Clubs and is known for her pixie-like facial expressions.
Daniel: Marinella is just too darn cute. She has the look of the girl next door, but I bet that Italian blood makes her more than capable of bringing the heat when it comes down to it. Plus, her warm-ups are probably considered a national treasure.
Cody: She plays with balls for medals and they call it art. How exactly does one go about getting one of those judging gigs?
Daniel: You pray to the Almighty Father and ask him to give you a little bit of heaven before you die. That's how.
Cody: I've have a craving for Italian. And maybe some pasta, too...
Daniel: I'll have a heaping helping of Marinella with a side of drop-dead-sweetness. Oh, she comes with it? Molto bene.


7. Charlotte Craig (USA)- Taekwondo

Cody: Charlotte "Charley" Craig has been the best American in her weightclass since age 14. Standing at just 5'5'', Craig is one of the favorites in the flyweight division. Already impressive in her own right, after training with the "first family of Taekwondo", the Lopez family, Craig is a complete fighter.
Daniel: I don't care how tall she is, that girl can throw me clear across a room. That's hot.
Cody: I swear there's a movie to be made here. She's blonde, from California, and schools Japanese at their national pastime? C'mon... Any girl that can look hot in the clown gear that they make the taekwondo fighters wear is a 10 in my book.
Daniel: She's got style. She's got flair. She's got looks that kill and a kick that will RUIN YOU. What more could you ask for in a girl her age? I mean, she's not even in her twenties yet!


8. Ophelie-Cyrielle Etienne (FRA)- Swimming

Cody: I'm not even going to try. I don't even know what event(s) she's entered in. She's cute. She's French. She's listed on nbcolympics.com. What more do you want?
Daniel: I want her to hand-feed me chocolate-dipped French strawberries. That's what.

Dream

This morning, I dreamt odd dreams. I dreamt of saving a kingdom in what seemed to be Mongolia, but with great, monolithic structures, or at least exploring it. I was somehow able to tell, after the dream moved to a wet, green, forested area in which there was a single, wooden shack, that a baby had one of his teeth forcibly removed and replaced with a gold coin by a Buddhist monk of some sort. He had taken the tooth for his own, and I used some kind of power to remove it from his mouth without touching him and remove the coin from the babies mouth, but I did not replace the tooth. I also remember a long wall, like the Great Wall of China, but stretching far across the desert.

The next part of the dream, I seemed to be walking through the main chamber of a huge palace, the gray light of morning piercing through the windows in the uppermost sections of the walls. It had Arabic influences in the general style and aesthetics. As I was walking, I either heard or started singing a song with no lyrics, but it was mournful, and the odd part was I felt I had sung it before. Looking around, I saw ladies in waiting, all clothed in white silk, their faces covered all but for their eyes. To the right, as I passed a group of ladies in waiting sitting near a woman whose silk shone like the sun, I heard a voice that seemed to identify me walking through. It was a motherly voice, but it commanded respect. I did not stop, I could only turn to look at her, covered similarly in white silk, but hers was embroidered with gold and jewels. I continued to walk across the palace to the door on the other side, opened it, and ran to a courtyard full of tigers. The singing continued and grew louder, more somber than it had been in the building. I ran to one of the tigers, a huge creature that lumbered towards me. I grabbed its furry face with two hands in a loving embrace and began to cry, and it cried with me. The last part I can remember is the camera moving out to a view of me, who was apparently a female in a very Arabic-style outfit, weeping with my forehead against the tiger's forehead in a garden surrounded by other tigers and white petals falling from the sky.

This was not a recurring dream.