Ryder Cup
Did you watch 2016 Ryder Cup?
Ryder Cup – 1927 to present
The Ryder Cup has become one of the world’s greatest sporting events. Every two years, 24 of the best golfers from Europe and the United States go head-to-head in match play competition. Drama, tension, incredible golf, camaraderie and sportsmanship are served in equal measure, captivating an audience of millions around the world. It’s an event that transcends sport, yet remains true to the spirit of its founder, Samuel Ryder.
— rydercup.com
U.S. team had lost 3 games consecutively (2010, 2012 and 2014). We, U.S. team and their fans, desperately wanted to win this one. And we did! With a fantastic score 17 to 11, that was.
I don’t remember when I was this happy before. For two weeks, I had “We won! We won!” singing in my head; I couldn’t stop grinning.
To my surprise, some weeks later (3 weeks?), the joy, and the excitement suddenly disappeared. I didn’t even understand why I had made such a big deal out of this. For what, really?
In my Buddhist class, once I was told that our happy feeling, in many cases, could be deceptive. It’s not real (I may use the wrong word here); it won’t last. Could this experience be an example of that?
I don’t know. All I know is that two years later, again, I will be rooting for our team like a teenager.
Made in U.S.A.
Every time I travel, I would bring enough clothes to cover the entire trip. Last year on my Taiwan trip, I brought ½ of clothes I needed; I planned to wash my clothes in the middle of the trip. My friend said of course I could use her washer.
Seven days after I arrived, I walked into my friend’s laundry room with a bag of dirty clothes. A sticker on the top of the washer caught my eyes. It said “Made in U.S.A.”
What happened in the next second was unexpected. Suddenly I was overwhelmed with a warm and joyful feeling. I placed my hand on top of those words; for a while, I just stood there.
When I finally came out of that dream-like state, I was, somewhat, embarrassed. I quickly looked around making sure no one had witnessed what had happened even though I knew no one was in the apartment but me.
Why had I had that home sick feeling while visiting “home”?
This incident puzzled me for weeks. One day, I casually mentioned it to my husband. He was quiet for a while. Then he said, “Do you know we have lived here twice longer than where we grew up?”
That was when I realized that although Taiwan will always have a special spot in my heart, here is my home.
Super Moon
You probably have heard that there are people worship the moon.
Every year at autumn festival (August 15 in Lunar calendar), my mom placed a table in our yard; it had fresh fruits, moon-cakes, cooked taros and burning incense on the top of the table. Late in the night, we would take turns bow to the moon. As a young kid, I, usually, couldn’t wait for the whole worship part to be over so we could start eating the food.
After my mom passed away, I often stared at the moon wanting to know where my mom was. The moon didn’t answer. Not even the super moon.
Oh well, at least I had fun creating some pictures.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
HHC Blog 
I watch sports with my husband. It’d more exciting to watch sports if I pay attention to individual player’s or team’s wining records, etc.
These two moon images are remarkable, especially the second one. 🙂 Thank you for sharing, Helen!
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Thanks, Amy.
I don’t watch regular golf games (my husband does), but I do watch Ryder cup and Presidents Cup. In a way, I feel I have an obligation to root for our team since the other team has many rooting for them 😉
It took me a while to get a decent photo of the moon.;-) I still had a problem to include a nice foreground. More to learn, I guess.
Good night.
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Haha, so much joy in a single moment. Sometimes we just feel that as they come, and in a group there is more joy. Unexpected in the moment – brings those once in a lifetime magic feelings around a once in a lifetime moment 🙂
Home is where the heart is, and sometimes the heart is a complicatex thing. And time works out feelings, or at least makes us realise what’s important to us. Hope all is well, Helen 🙂
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Mabel, how I wish I could buy you a cup of coffee (or tea) so we can laugh and talk. 😉
You are right that home is where the heart is. When I first came to U.S., when people asked me where my home was, I would say “Taiwan”. Now, many years later, I didn’t realize that that piece of information needs to be updated 😉
Have a wonderful day.
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Home changes wherever we go, the people we meet and what we experience. Just like how we change as people.
I would really like to have a sit down, cup of drink and a slice of cake or two and spend an afternoon with you 😉
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I cannot watch sports–I get too nervous watching the score, especially if my team is not winning! The Super Moon story was wonderful, and touching, Helen. I think maybe the moon whispered because it is so late and he does not want to wake anyone. He hears you. ❤
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Thanks, Lois. To be honest, I had to walk away from TV a couple of times during the game. You don’t know how nervous I was. 😉
I can hear moon whispering now… Thanks. (I don’t know how you draw the heart ;-(
Good night.
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I always enjoy your writing so much, Helen. It is easy to see that your spirited mother is still here on earth within you. 🙂
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Thanks, Jet. Have a Healthy and Happy 2017!
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I have enjoyed hearing from you … and wonderful moon images!
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Thanks, Roberta. I enjoy reading your blogs too, I am sure you have noticed 😉 Happy 2017!
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Oh yes, I do.. I appreciate you for doing so. I have been working part-time, it was a temporary job in a library so I have been torn with my time.. My time there may come to a conclusion in the week ahead.. Happy New Year friend.. (:
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I will have the same feeling soon, I believe . . .
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Thanks, Lady Oscar. I wasn’t sure if that was the “political correct” feeling, but that was how I felt 😉
Come to think of it, a lot adopted children felt closer to their adopting parents than their birth parents. Maybe it’s a normal feeling. 😉
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Dear ~ Thank you!
How are you? How is your husband doing? I just came back from the retreat session. It was wonderful.
Wish you and family the best!
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Glad that you are back. We are doing well. Thank you. Hope you had a wonderful time in your retreat. Will write to you soon, I hope.
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I enjoyed this post with much food for thought. Sports…my husband records games and watches afterwards only if his team wins because it makes him too nervous to do otherwise. I think this is ridiculous, the fun is not knowing the outcome. I see from other reader’s comments that others feel the same way as my husband. The reason for the difference must be that I don’t care that much, because I was not raised with sports, but he was. Bottom line: we cannot watch sports together.
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Home: Your thoughts about “what is home?” are provocative. About six months before my mom died, she kept saying she wanted to go home. At first, I would tell her, “you are home”– she was in the house she had lived in for 60 years. But then, a nurse told me that when the very aged (she was 98) say they want to go home, they are thinking of their childhood home. But the hospice worker said “home” means they want to be with their parents in the other world. None of us know what she really meant by always saying she wanted to go “home”.
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Thanks, Carol. Your comment is VERY interesting. For me, for a long time, home was where my parents were. After they passed away, for several years, I felt homeless. Then my big sister’s home became my home. Then she passed away…
Maybe… home is where I am. Yes?
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Truly enjoyed your images with the super moon.
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Thanks, Sally. Have a great 2017!
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Although, I never watch sports (why to watch if I cannot do?), but I definitely liked the idea about moon and worshiping it. I am very afraid about my mom’s health since she is 86. I would never want her to leave us, never, just like all other people who really love their parents. There is something so fragile about old age, sad also. Mom said when I saw her in October: all these years have passed as if they were not existing, like a dream when you wake up and cannot understand whether it was or wasn’t reality. Her hands have worked so much and very hard work was all she always had enough. That is terrible.
You are such a patriot of your country, amazing one can feel that way.
Pictures are very nice. inesepogalifeschool.com
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Thank you so much, Inese. I totally understand what your mom said. Whatever happened in the past is just like a dream…That’s why I treasure “present” moment more even though I still “dream” about the past.
Wish you and your family have a wonderful 2017!
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Life is full of mysteries, Helen. I just wish I could gift wrap that bubble of happiness and send some to everyone. Wishing you joy this Christmas season and a healthy happy New Year. 🙂
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Have a wonderful 2017, Jo. And please don’t stop walking on Monday! 😉
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Thanks darlin 🙂 It’s a hard habit to break! Wishing you a joyful 2017 🙂
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❤
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Thank you! Have a great 2017!
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That “home” idea made me realize my situation. It’s good to know that I’ve been everywhere, but it’s also awful because it’s almost like I don’t have a sense of belonging anymore. That rings true when people ask me “where I’m from?” or “what are you doing in [this or that country]?, or when I speak Italian in Italy, or when I enjoy slurping ramen noodles than any other food, or when I wear white and blue short representing Greek flags, or ultimately, when I actually feel it inside myself that I really am drifting away from where I am originally from or where my hometown is on paper (which is California). For right now, I just have to accept that I’m just basically everywhere, BUT I know eventually someday that I will have my own place to settle.
Merry Christmas, Helen.
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Happy New Year, and Have a Wonderful 2017, Rommel.
I read what you wrote several times. Very interesting. On one hand, I envy you. I like your freedom and your courage. On the other hand, I don’t know how to feel if I don’t have a place that I can call home. Anyway, I think you are happy the way your life is, and I am happy for you. 😉
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I find myself obsessing over shows, sports, etc. for days at a time…and sometimes I really don’t understand why. I mean I know none of it is reality…but for a short time I find my brain replaying “moments” from TV events or sporting events over and over…until suddenly one day they are gone. Usually I assume replaced by another obsession
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Thank you, Tree. I feel the same way 😉 I call myself “A coach in front of TV”. I kept sending brain waves to players telling them what I think they should do even though I am not good at that sport 😉
Have a wonderful 2017!
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I love that you tried to coach through the TV!
I’ve given plenty of pointers to players and certainly made plenty of referee calls while watching sports on TV!
If only they would listen!!
Happy New Year Helen 🙂
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