AoNikki

Last year, Mondays were the busiest days of my life, and Special Olympics was just in the middle of it. Getting on that nasty school bus, running after the athletes under the terrible noon's heat and sunlight, while worrying about the next day's math homework, weren't something enjoyable, I admit. But the trade off for those little unpleasant things seemed to be priceless. When I saw Marianela running after me to catch the ball, or Michael trying to play soccer, or Macro riding his bike between me and Keally (who ran like hell after him to keep the bike on the right track)... I know I have seen a lot.

I went as trainer, but felt like I too was being trained. At that training place, under the sun and the heat, I know I have seen the most incredible efforts that someone could have given.

Marianela and Jose went to a party with the president of Costa Rica the other day. Both of their disabilities are mental, and thus I was mildly amused to see them dressing up and behaving the way they often do (Really, it was fun and kind of touching to see).

So, anyway, we had a party to see them off (to the World Special Olympics game in Shanghai) this afternoon at our school, and Marianela was crying.

Dime, por que lloras?

Porque estoy felis.

She hugged me (Gracias...) for the rest of the party, when I was drinking my coke, when I was singing Wonderwall, when she asked me how to say this and that in Chinese (despite my very, very, very, (and did I say very?) limited Chinese knowledge).

Chica, me extranarias? Te extranare, tambien. Pero tienes que terminar llorar, si? No lloraras, si? Muchas, muchas suertes y disfrutas China.

I don't believe that any body feels the way I do about you now...

I said maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me...

And after all, you're my wonderwall...