The Games and the future

Hello Everyone,

Let me start off by saying that I am very sorry about the long delay.  My last few weeks not to mention the time during the games was rather hectic. 

First off the Games

These games had everything and because it was a few weeks ago I wont be able to truly do it justice, sorry.  They went great for the distance team and not as great for my sprinters.  We had some great and smart races in the mens 1500m and 800 along with the womens 5k.  All said as the days wore on we were really impressed with how most everyone competed.  My top guy ran a great race in the 200 meters and got 6th but considering he was 7 years younger than the winner I will take that.  Our Vientiane ringers did almost everything they set out to do.  Tui won the 100m and 200m.  Et won the 110 hurdles.  Pole won the 400m. As a group they won the 4x100 and got second in the 4x400m.  Obviously money well spent.  They were really pissed about the silver though.  The distance team came home with second and third in the 10k mens.  Third in the mens steeplechase, and 5k.  The girls ran a terrible 4x100 for 4th and the day of we found out that the womens 800m runner would be our first leg.  I frantically ran around trying to teach her how to use blocks.  Didnt really matter with how bad our handoffs were.  The womens 4x400m got third.  The speed-walkers tried hard but were given bad race strategies such as the person who wins the first 100m wins the race...we proved that theory wrong.  They were so depressed about not getting a medal that they both came up to Tom apologized and then bowed.  The teams did good and if we had them for another few months I have no question we might have done better atleast I know the sprinters would have. 

After the games the parties began with a big track and field party, where I almost felt bad showing my face considering how bad my team did.  We celebrated our victories and it was a joyous occasion.  The next day Somlath killed a cow and we continued the party.  Somlath looking visibly weary by that point.  The cow was delicious.  It was the first time in my life that I knew I might never see any of these people again.  Growing up in a facebook/email era it is easy to just add some one on facebook or get their email and keep in touch over long distances.  None of these kids have email or facebook or even home addresses for that matter so I have no way of keeping in touch.  It was a sad moment saying goodbye but I gave them my email just in case they ever get one/learn enough english to email me.  A few days later Tom and I left Luang Prabang which was sad to leave my home for the better part of the last year especially not knowing what the future held. 

Now for some photos:

 Some of the guys after they got their numbers.

 Me and some of the girls on the team on the outside of the stadium.

 Phou after the 1500m.

 Avisong after her 3k.

 Girls 4x400m team.

 Jeap and Tui with Tom and I after the hundred.

 Me with the mens 4x100m.

 The coaching staff after the last race. Head Coach Somlath in black.

 Tom and I with the womens 4x400m team.

Lieu and some of the guys at Somlaths after party.




I went from Luang Prabang to Bali where I had a rather nontraditional christmas with my mom on the beach.  It was a great time and a very relaxing way to end a year.  With my excursion to Bali over I headed to LA where my friend from college was getting married.  Tom and I were able to reconnect after our long time apart.  The wedding was a beautiful, quick ceremony followed by a lot of fun.  It was non traditional meaning it was Peter Pan themed and it had a bounce house.  I was excited to be able to reconnect with some college friends.  From LA I headed with some friends to Boulder CO where we spent new years.  We stayed at some friends houses then drove up to Vail where I spent a few days before finally arriving in Arizona.  There was almost no snow in Colorado until the day we tried to leave then we got like 7 inches.  I came to Arizona to find out that I had gotten a job which I had applied for in December.  I have been spending the last few days dealing with the paper work and visas for living and working in Phuket Thailand for the next 6 months.  I will be working for the Phuket has been good to us Foundation.  You can check out there website here http://www.phukethasbeengoodtous.org/ .  I may keep the blog going but change the link.  I will let you know more as I know more. 

 Christmas in Bali. I like the statue of santa on a vespa.

 Men fishing in Bali with motorbike helmets.

 We saw a traditional Balinese dance show on christmas eve.

 Giant sculpture in Bali.

 The views of the rice fields on a bike tour we took.

 The group who went on the bike tour after we got rained on.

Thank You  for all of your support and viewership during this past year.  I took this up not knowing what it would turn out and around 90 posts later here we are.  I would not have kept this up without your readership.

I hope you all have a Great 2012!

David