Summer Olympics

Four years ago when it was announced that London would be hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics, I was there. From the excitement and anticipation that was exuded back then, I can only image what the city feels like today.

Tonight, the Olympics begin, and the world gets to watch and cheer their country's representatives on as they achieve unfathomable feats, to us average humans. For years these athletes have been training tirelessly while we have been, well, not. They put in 10% luck, 20% skill, 15% concentrated power of will, 5% pleasure, 50% pain, and give us 100% reason to "Remember The[ir] Name."  There's something about watching an athlete from your country take the gold that makes you proud, makes you stand up and cheer, makes you cry, makes you feel like you're a part of that accomplishment.

Even though it's the athletes who will be walking in tonight's opening ceremonies, we're playing along at home too, chanting "We Will Rock You" to psych out the competition. And even though the games are taking place in London, as soon as we see the red, white and blue uniforms clustered together tonight, America is ready to "Run this town" for the next two weeks.

After the torch is officially lit at the arena, it's go time. Hey now, you're an "All Star," get your game on, go play, because all that glitters is gold, right? And in the blink of an eye, literally in some sports, there will be a winner and a loser.

To the losers, I say "Dream On," use this as inspiration and motivation to come back in four years and show the world that you were robbed of that medal. You get knocked down, but you get up again, they're never gonna keep you down. "Tubthumping."

There will be individual winners in some sports, where those athletes can boast that they truly are "The World's Greatest." And there will be athletes that win as a team, who can collectively say, "We are the Champions," as their country sings along.

So get ready, World, and let the games begin with the "Olympic Fanfare and Theme Song!"

Let's go U.S.A.!

4th of July

I may not be a "yankee doodle dandy" or live in the amber waves of grain, among the purple mountain majesties or near the redwood forest, but I love the 4th of July and I am celebrating by enjoying one of the oceans white with foam.

There are too many songs about America for me to pick my favorite, they all paint the landscape of the country so poetically. One summer when I was in high school I went on a teen tour all across the country. Ever since then it's become a life goal of mine to visit every state and see what makes it special, what part it plays in this incredible nation.

I was "welcome[d] to Miami" when I was 13, so I can check Florida off the list; "I love LA," having lived there for four years, so California's taken care of; and I've "walk[ed] in Memphis" and sang "Oklahoma" in Oklahoma, so I think those count too.

I truly love experiencing what each state has to offer, and New Jersey has always offered me Independence Days filled with family, bbq's, sun, and rooftop views of fireworks displays.

And speaking of, how can I even mention these iconic blasts of color without referencing Katy Perry's "Firework"? Listening to the song while actually watching fireworks couldn't be more inspiring. It captures the spirit of freedom: to be whomever you are, and to own every day just as fireworks on the 4th of July captivate audiences with their surprise and brilliance.

From the rooftop deck at the shore in New Jersey, my family and I get to watch 360 degrees fireworks over the ocean and other beaches in the surrounding area. This is one of my all-time favorite sights to see: a blank, black canvas dotted in designs that are constantly changing and creating new images. There is always a different direction to look and a new pattern popping up over someone's shoulder.

That's the secret gem of this country: there is always somewhere different to travel and see, and always something new to discover in the uniqueness of each state and person. It doesn't matter whether you prefer purple fireworks, like the mountain majesties, or amber ones, as the waves of grain. This country is a collaboration of colors woven to unite us all, and best exemplified by our "Star Spangled Banner," proudly exhibiting the red, white and blue.

Happy 4th of July!!