It is with an extreme pleasure that I’m sharing with you that my teammates and I won this year OUA tennis title.  It is with absolute pride that I am wearing the blue colors of the Carabins tennis (Montreal University sports teams).

I must also apologize to you all. I wish I could blog more often, I love blogging, I really do, but since this new school year, my schedule is more than busy.  I have started my Master Degree in e-Commerce, I am taking advanced Chinese courses and I am training hard to keep the shape for the university tennis league.

Even for my dearest friends, I can’t find time to spend with them: the only moments I could share with them is when they come cheer during my tennis games or when we study together (…) I want to take a minute here to thank all my friends who are always there for me and who do not hate me for the lack of time I have for them. I love you all, you are my superstars.

>>

here’s an article about my Carabins tennis team and I

MONTREAL WINS OUA TENNIS TITLE

It is Montreal’s first ever OUA women’s tennis championship, as the Carabins capped a perfect 9-0 season in OUA competition.

The trio of Isabelle Chrun (Montreal, Que.), Céline Bélanger-Wauthier (Chicoutimi, Que.) and Léna Salgado (Montreal, Que.) were major factors in Montreal’s victory. All three posted singles victories, while Bélanger-Wauthier and Salgado teamed up to defeat Shaza Nessim (Cairo, Egypt) and Adalia Quek (Toronto, Ont.) 8-0 in doubles action. Chrun downed Sabina Kalo (North York, Ont.) in straight sets 6-3, 6-0, Salgado defeated Aina Roszkowski (Toronto, Ont.) 6-3, 6-1 and Bélanger-Wauthier handled Paloma Jimenez (Dominican Republic) 6-0, 6-1. Chrun also teamed up with Anne-Marie Belleau (Gatineau, Que.) to defeat Henar Bolteya (Cairo, Egypt) and Julia Khalilova (Etobicoke, Ont.) in doubles play 8-1.

Michael Phelps is a swimming machine, but we have to give the breaststroke crown to the Japanese Kosuke Kitajima. I have to confess, I can’t swim (…) so I guess I can’t really talk about swimming techniques. Nevertheless, my hours in front of the Beijing Water Cube events could give me some credibility, perhaps? No?

Well, can I just say that I love watching Kitajima swim then? He seems so comfortable in the water. Here’s a little video of him when he broke a world record during the 2008 Japan Open.

]]> http://www.isabellechrun.com/beijing-olympics-superstars/i-love-kosuke-kitajimas-breaststroke-swimming-style/feed/ http://www.isabellechrun.com/beijing-olympics-superstars/chinese-yang-wei-dominates-gymnastics/ http://www.isabellechrun.com/beijing-olympics-superstars/chinese-yang-wei-dominates-gymnastics/#comments Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:03:10 +0000 isaSuperstar http://www.isabellechrun.com/?p=51 I must admit, I am not the biggest fan of gymnastics, I only watch that discipline once every 4 years. The thing is that when all those olympians begin their routine, I just can’t switch channels (yes, u r right, all the other channels are also broadcasting the Olympics, but it is not my point here). I can’t look away from their routine because their performance is astonishing. I just can’t believe how they do all those maneuvers. They are so quick, jump so high, and incredibly strong (especially on the rings).

China won 9 of the 14 gold medals in gymnastics artistic. Lately, there is a lot of echo about under aged female gymnasts. I prefer not to discuss about this matter.

I would rather share with you how much I respect Yang Wei, the individual all-around gold medal winner. He was absolutely dazzling in each of his routine.

更快更高更强

I heard a beautiful story today, there is this woman, Jujie Luan, who won the gold medal in fencing for China during the 1984 Olympic Games.  24 years later, at the age of 50, she wants to go duel in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, but this time, representing Canada. Obviously, she doesn’t need to win a medal to gain my respect; just to see how passionate she is for her sport, she is my new idol. Watching her first battle at the foil competition was so inspiring. Although she is way older than her opponent, she fenced with authority by reacting aggressively after each of her point, and with her experience, she won against the Tunisian Ines Boubakri.

Because of Jujie Luan, I have discovered how fencing is an incredible sport and how an athlete’s will goes beyond what we can imagine. Thank you for your inspiration.

“As an athlete, if you come across a setback and flinch, then you’re not a true athlete.”

I know, this is a too easy choice, yes, he is already a big superstar. Nonetheless, I wanted to emphasize the grandeur of his quest: mister Phelps wants 8 gold medals. Not just 8 medals, but 8 gold medals, he might win more Olympics titles than the Canadian nation overall (no comment). Anyhoo, this swimmer won his first gold medal in the 200m freestyle. How many medals do you think he will win during these Beijing Olympic Games?

Another nation that I follow very closely is China (of course). The host country didn’t wait long for their first medal. This superstar, Chen Xia Xia not only won the first gold medal for her nation, but also broke 2 Olympic records. This 25-year-old snatched and jerked a total of 212 kg.

Chen Xia Xia

Although I am an ocean away from the Middle Kingdom, I could feel the electricity in that Bird’s Nest Stadium. The Opening Ceremony of these XIX th Olympics was breathtaking.  It started in a spectacular way with the 2008 drummers at the countdown. Hearing them roaring one phrase of Confucius: “Friends have come from afar, how happy we are.” was very touching.

The calligraphy part was absolutely stunning where hundreds of persons inside boxes bobbed up and down to create the Chinese character ‘he,’ which means both harmony and peace.  The timing of the execution amazed me.

The taiji performance was brilliant too: such a great control of the body. The dove formed by the “enlighted” persons was flying to our hearts.

I also admire the subtle transition they did from the artists performance to the parade of athletes where more than 10 000 of them left their footprints on the unique canvas.

Although I cannot describe all the magical acts of the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony, I hope that you were all moved by the pride of the Chinese who are so happy to welcome friends from all over the world.  A lot of controversy has been stirred around this important event, but let’s all wish for One World One Dream 同一个世界　同一个梦想

I invite you to leave your thoughts as well about the Opening Ceremony.

I’ve tried to find some YouTube videos to share with you the beauty of the Opening Ceremony (for those who have been able to miss it!) and I must say that many were no longer available due to a copyright claim. If you have found some videos, please share them with us.

credits:

http://en.beijing2008.cn/

http://boston.com

]]> http://www.isabellechrun.com/beijing-olympics-superstars/beijing-olympic-opening-ceremony/feed/ http://www.isabellechrun.com/isasuperstar/jason-mraz-im-yours/ http://www.isabellechrun.com/isasuperstar/jason-mraz-im-yours/#comments Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:59:07 +0000 isaSuperstar http://www.isabellechrun.com/?p=34 Jason Mraz is a superstar, he shares his happiness through his songs. Life is beautiful, life should be beautiful. Of course, sometimes, we have some down times, we don’t see clearly, the darkness blinds us, but we have to be strong enough to get over it and get back to our feet. Time flies, and we should not let the sadness drown us. Do not hesitate, just live your life.

Today, I want to share with you the song “I’m Yours”. I hope that you will enjoy it as much as me

What do you think about the lyrics?

Well you done done me and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill but you’re so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
and now I’m trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I’ll be giving it my bestest
Nothing’s going to stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it’s again my turn to win some or learn some

I won’t hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I’m yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you’re free
Look into your heart and you’ll find love love love love
Listen to the music of the moment people dance and sing
We’re just one big family
And It’s our God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love loved

So I won’t hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I’m sure
There’s no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I’m yours

Scooch closer dear
and i will nibble your ear

I’ve been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
My breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and laughed
I guess what i be saying is there ain’t no better reason
To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons
It’s what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue

I won’t hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I’m sure
There’s no need to complicate
Our time is short
this is our fate, I’m yours

Well no no, well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you’re free
Look into your heart and you’ll find the sky is yours
Listen to the music of the moment come and dance with me
A lá one big family (2nd time: A lá happy family; 3rd time: A lá peaceful melody)
It’s your God-forsaken right to be loved love love love

I won’t hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I’m sure
There’s no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I’m yours

No please, don’t complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I’m yours

No please, don’t hesitate
no more, no more
It cannot wait
The sky is your’s!

You want to know more about him? Go check him out at his website

北京欢迎你

This is the moment of the year when I used to go travel abroad, but this year I am still in my beautiful city of Montreal and enjoying a wonderful time with my dear friends. Nevertheless, I miss China very much, I am very lucky to have been able to go study there twice. I met warm-hearted Chinese who became great friends of mine. Today, I saw this promotion music video of Beijing Olympics and can’t help reminiscing…

(Do you recognize the superstars in the MV?)

彼女はそう言いました。
(That’s what she said)

How can you not love Ricky Gervais? His humor is priceless.
“It’s funny, ’cause it’s racist”