Another Reminder of Pride

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same--

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it

Anyone self-identified as a tennis fan must be familiar with those words from Rudyard Kipling's If--. Those words--the first two lines to be exact--are right above the players' entrance to the Centre Court at Wimbledon. Just a few hours ago today, the world of tennis witnessed the perfect examples of ones who can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat them just the same.

A Light at the End of a Cave

Quote of the Day: "Where logic can stop me in medias res is where passion will get me through."

I made that up, really. Came up with that when I finished my research paper. I'm glad I invented that quote, though, for it really suits what has happened today.

Maria Sharapova is the World No. 1.

Maria Sharapova is the Roland Garros Champion.

Maria Sharapova is the World No. 1 and Grand Slam Champion.

A Good Wrongfulness

Let's pretend that this is 2009. Ask me a question regarding one of my favourite female players. "Do you think Maria Sharapova will ever find her old form?"

Almost instantly I would answer, "No. I don't even think she would ever reach the Top 10 again."

As we all know, Maria was hindered by a shoulder injury that took her out of the Top 100 in 2008 - 2009 (ironically, she started the 2008 season by winning the Australian Open and on May 14, 2008, she reached the No. 1 ranking after Justine retired for the first time). Coming back in 2009, she reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, but failed to go far at both Wimbledon (lost to Gisela Dulko in the second round) and the US Open (lost a three-set thriller in the third round to Melanie Oudin--where is that girl now by the way?). When she finally reached the Top 20 again, I was thrilled, but I thought that was it; she would never go beyond Top 20. Top 10? So far away. Top 5? Even farther. Grand Slam final? Heck, no. No. 1 ranking? Unreachable.

JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE JUSTINE HENIN!

Yeah, Folks, it's Justine Henin, Queen of Roland Garros' 30th birthday today! I never get tired to say that I miss her so much, her beautiful game, especially now with Roland Garros, a tournament she could win with her eyes closed, going on. Just like in 2008, 2009, and 2011, this year's Roland Garros has proven to be sort of difficult to watch for me and other Justine's fans, simply because she's not playing. I still watch the tournament, of course, because I am, in general, an aficionado of the sport. But still, without Justine, clearly something--or someone--is missing. And it leaves a huge gap that no one can fill.

17, BABY!

Oh yeah, this is my first post as a 17-year-old! No worries, I had no elaborate celebration; just taking some friends out for dinner along with my mother :)

My 17th birthday, along with my 15th, is by far the most exciting one. A lot of presents, loves, messages...I love 'em all. I know what it is like to be around your favourite people on a very special day, and it feels really exquisite indeed :D

To all my favourite people, thank you for your presents, messages, and loves! I love you and GOD BLESS YOU ALL :* ({})

Happy Blerg-day, Tina Fey!

Yeah, I am addicted to this amazing comedy series, 30 Rock, which sadly will end this year in season 7 (nevertheless I am excited about the 1-hour series finale; I hope all will be good for Liz Lemon!). FX Asia shows four rerun episodes every Monday to Friday. This show has introduced me to this great lady, Tina Fey, who has become one of my very few Hollywood role models. Have you read her autobiography (if you can even call it that)? The book, called Bossypants, was the first book I finished in less than three days in almost three years. It is such a genius book, containing brilliant jokes, some of them from Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock. Covering her experience as a writer for SNL, and then 30 Rock, and some pieces of her personal life in-between, it is one of the best books I've ever read. Who knows, that trying to get Oprah to guest star in an episode of 30 Rock (and she only appears in TWO scenes!) was such a tremendous challenge?

Calling All Angels

Long way she'd been through
Lights had shone on her
So had darkness come

She was the girl that
Started it all at
That church in Newark

Could we all have known
How soon she would've gone
Could we all have known?