Monday, November 16, 2009

Tiger comes to Australia!

Yesterday Tiger Woods won the 2009 Australian Masters golf tournament in Melbourne. Despite still being in the early stages of my liking for golf, I was captivated in front of the television this weekend as I watched the 4-day event.

Tiger

James Nitties

The tournament was interesting to watch because I had competing interests --I was simultaneously cheering for the Australian players and golf's Goliath, Tiger Woods. At some moments I felt like I was watching an old friend compete in Tiger, but at other times I was cheering for my new Australian friends in Greg Chalmers and James Nitties. At the end of the tournament I perceived my competing cheers to be a good sign for my overall abroad experience. I have been away from the US for 4 months now. The beginning was a roller coaster of ups and downs, but now I'd like to think that I am as adjusted as a college exchange student can be in one semester. I definitely miss a handful of family and friends, but I also recognize that I am in a good spot in my life. Australia has accepted me and I have also accepted Australia. This thought inspired a fun list of 10 habits I have adopted this semester while in Australia...I hope you enjoy!

  1. I instinctively now look "right and then left" when I cross a street.
  2. Spiders are everywhere in Australia. I thought I was completely comfortable with spiders until I jumped when I discovered one crawling on my leg beneath the bed sheets this morning. So Australia has made me more comfortable with spiders and almost completely.
  3. I walk around anywhere I can barefoot...definitely an Aussie way!
  4. When neutral on a decision I say, "I can't be bothered."
  5. I naturally spell words with their Australian/British spelling. For example, I spell the word "color" as "colour".
  6. In 4 months I have not used the letter "z". Words like "organized" are spelt "organised". ("z" may very well be an unnecessary letter)
  7. Occasionally I give in to the Australian fashion style and wear a "v-neck" shirt
  8. Instead of growing a beard for "No Shave November", I am growing a mustache for "Mo-vember" (more to come on this tomorrow...)
  9. Australians rarely enunciate words fully. I'd like to think I adopted this, but who am I kidding?! I have always been a mumbler!
  10. Australians love the underdog. Minus the moments I cheered for Tiger, this totally fits my style. Chalmers and Nitties were underdogs in this tourney.

Cheers Mate!

1 comment:

  1. How many little girlfriends were chasing Tiger ??
    Seems to be quite the harem following his every move all the way around the World. One confirmed girlfriend is from Escondido and she is your age. Sounds as if he is really not a "tiger", but actually a "cheeta". (Heard that at the Board of Realtor's. Right with "Only Tiger's wife can beat him with a golf club in her hand")They only catch the idiots. Reports are Tigers wife was holding his cell telephone on Thanksgiving when up to six text messages from girlfriends appeared on his screen. The fact he is married means nothing when these women can grasp even a small part of his fame. The poor guy has been a legend since he was three. How do you fall in love, learn to trust anybody..... Anyone even friends with Tiger Woods tells everyone, to make themselves appear to be a big deal. His cell telephone voice mails are selling for $100k, and being played on television. How can you trust anyone ever when everybody wants a piece for themselves to take to the bank. None of these girls care about him, just what he can do for them to further their own career. I would expect his wife is in love with being Mrs. Tiger Woods, more than the individual himself. He is not the first or the last. Derek Jeter, Dave Winfield, Joe Namath, Peyton Manning and Eli, etc ...
    It must be tough to watch everyone scream every time "Hey look at me I am with Tiger Wood's". Gotta wonder about all of the Tiger Nike Golf shirts wrapped and under the Xmas tree. Do they go back to the store, or ... Women are mad as can be right now at poor Tiger. I have viewed several glares from women to husbands / boyfriends saying "if you ever .."
    Different from the NBA where he would be part of the hip crowd, golf has a much different following across the World. Not that golf is a family sport, it is where guys go to NOT hang out with the family. So it is also peculiar that Tiger Woods became a so called family man. He himself stated he had a trigger for destruction. Sounds as if he wanted out of the marriage, or the limelight. The bright glare gets pretty hot after a few years. Plus he had appeared so clean and free from controversy. His only saving grace is in two minutes someone will do something and the entire planet will turn it's head in a different direction looking for new dirt to crucify the next victim. More often that not it is a man. Here is the question ??? Are guys worse, or are women better at keeping a lid on the situation ?? Either way Tiger's marriage and his image have taken the blow of a lifetime. Some say he has been angry since the death of his Father in 2006. Time will tell.

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