1. Didn’t realize “1/2″ means child’s fare.
2. Didn’t think I’d pass as a child.
3. Like in Canada, you can drink the tap water.
4. Plastic cups have their own plastic cup-shaped recycling container.
5. A McDonald’s value meal really isn’t a value (food is expensive there).
6. The country is clean….almost too clean…
7. The Coop is where everyone goes to get their groceries.
8. Swiss Army Knives are truly cheapest in Switzerland.
9. The Swiss have the coolest-looking passports.
10. Backpacking is the way to travel Switzerland.

Picture source: wikimedia.org

But that wasn’t where all the drama took place. To actually get into the finals to swim for a spot, a swimmer needs to swim through the heats, then swim through the semifinals, before swimming the finals the day after. So a swimmer needs to swim three times well enough to get a spot on the team (Note, this is why what Michael Phelps is doing in his quest for 8 golds is so difficult is because he needs to swim each of his individual events three times! If they were all sprint events that would be a different story, but he’s swimming a lot of 200m and 400m events, which is a lot of mileage!).

Back to the story, Nathan swims a personal best of 48.89 in his semifinals but ties for 9th place. Unfortunately 9th doesn’t get you into the finals. Then the magic begins to take place. Ryan Locte, one of the best swimmers in the world in backstroke and the individual medley, scratches from the race. Now this was likely done as a strategic move, as he was ranked 5th going into the finals. This means that Nathan is now in 8th place!

Not so fast. He tied with Alex Righi with the same time. So how does one solve this? My suggestion of having them perform in front of Simon Cowell and the other American Idol judges wouldn’t likely be internationally accepted, so they’ll have to do it the good ‘ol fashioned way: (cue the “duh-duh-duh!!” sound effect and quick camera zoom to my face) Swim-off!

A swim-off consists of having the two (or more, depending on how many swimmers end up with the contested time) compete head-to-head in the same event. With the thousands in the stands, and only a lane divider between the two of you, you can cut the tension with a knife. (Can you imagine if you tied for 8th in swimming the 1500m? I hope someone suggests my idea)

Obviously, Nathan edges out his competitor and finds a spot in the finals. With this, he’s got nothing to lose, and everything to gain. (This brings back memories of when I qualified for the BC provincials in the 100free, coming 4th in our region. Usually only the top 3 get to go, but I swam under the provincial qualifying time, opening up a spot for me. I ended up swimming under 58sec for the first in my life, and making the finals in 8th place. Lucky for my opponents, I stayed in 8th..)

So as we now all know, Nathan swims out of his mind and takes another 4 tenths off his PB, and ends up in 4th. Ladies and Gentlemen, my cousin is going to the Olympics.

Although ending up 4th means he’s not considered an alternate and will go to the Olympics, the question remains to whether Michael Phelps, who swam under 48 in the preliminary heats before dropping the race, will be selected to be part of the relay. However, as results from Athens has shown that a relay member can take part in the prelims, and NOT swim in the finals, and still get a medal in the event. We shall see…

But in any case, congrats Nathan, and may they never use my idea to decide ties in swimming! All the best on the upcoming 50 free race as well!

You can read more here or here:

Here’s also listed on NBC as a “dark horse”

You can also watch his 100m Short Course Win here

This May holiday will be even more interesting with the ongoing protests that many locals are supporting against France and, unfortunately, in turn, our regular French-based shopping paradise (for families), Carrefour. If you’ve read some of the latest news articles (here or here), it seems that a lot of people are planning on not shopping at Carrefour over the holidays to make their statement.

Chinese nationalism has been on the rise the last month or so, aptly timed before the Olympics and in face of resistance found during the Olympic Torch relays. Perhaps you might have also noticed in your MSN friend lists that some of your Mainland Chinese buddies now have a (heart icon) China at the beginning of their name. Yup, they’re related. For some interesting takes on the recent Chinese nationalistic movements, check out this link.

Usually the best things to do during May holidays is to hibernate in your home or to head out of the country. But this year, I will be heading out to Shenyang in a couple of days, traveling with a bunch of friends helping out with an event. Should be exciting going to a city that I’ve never been to before!

What are your plans for the holidays?

Obviously, I’m not talking about myself…
当然我不是讲关于我自己。。。

(Feel free to add others)

Pictures courtesy of John’s and Morris’ flickr pics…

If you have any thoughts or suggestions feel free to drop me a note here.

这次过年就回了一唐家。 应该对我父母和家庭一个很开心的时间，终于可以全家都能一起庆祝新年。 你们的家乡有什么过年的习惯呢？我们红包传统是结婚后才要送红包。羡慕吗？过年也有瓜子，年糕，桔子吃。 你过年是吃什么的？

Just checking out new books coming out from X’n publishers I’ve been generally disappointed with the fluff they’ve been printing out. It’s a wonder to see how often the most prosperous of nations are the ones that are asleep in the light. Thanks Mr. Keith Green for that last portion of the sentence…