Today my sisters and I stopped by a reception they had for Olympian Shani Davis, our hometown hero. They had some sort of shindig at his old rink, where he still goes to help out the kids when he's home.

Anyway, in true Filipino fashion, we were about almost an hour late, and I guess that's about as long as the whole thing lasted. It took forever for us to find parking because there were tons of people there. By the time we found some parking a couple blocks away and I walked my big fat belly to the rink it was over - people were pouring out. I asked a lady where they were all going and she said it was over. I didn't think to ask her or anyone else what had happened during the reception because I really had to use the bathroom (which is a place I seem to spend a lot of my time lately). I was pretty bummed that I missed everything, and probably a chance to see Shani again (I've seen him off and on during competitions over the last several years). Once I came out I asked my sisters what was going on and Claudine was like, "I'm assuming Shani's over there, since that's where all the videocameras and people are..." I looked over at the throng of people, hoping to at least catch a glimpse of Shani before heading home.

I finally saw him, leading a pack of people with cameras, videocameras, reporters and little kids. He definitely was the man of the hour!

We made eye contact and I waved a shy hello, wondering if he'd even remember me (or if I even looked the same packing on all this weight) and he waved hello. I started to turn away and then I heard him say, "I've gotta say hello to Miss Yano!" (which was my nickname back when I was still a Miss)

To my surprise, he came up to me and gave me a huge hug and asked me how I've been doing. I told him I've been busy as I pointed to my belly. He laughed and asked me when I was due. It was around this point that I noticed the glare of the camera lights on me and a crowd hovering around. I started to get nervous. But he was such a sweetheart, asking about the pregnancy, if it was a boy or girl, and whether he would be a speedskater at the Evanston club. I said maybe, since my dad's place is nearby. I congratulated him on his medals, and could have said something else but I was in a daze under all those lights...it was a bit surreal! I said goodbye as I noticed the little kids start surrounding us and playing with the medals around his neck. He then had to go to another room to do interviews, so that was the last I saw of him...but it was enough!

I can't tell you how much it meant to me that he actually stopped to say hello, not only to say hello but to actually talk. He's such a great guy and it still makes me angry that he got such a bad rep at the Olympics. Anyone who was at the rink tonight could see the power he has over the next generation - the kids flock to him like he was made out of candy, they adore him! The other awesome thing was the crowd in general - people of all ages, all colors, all walks of life, all together to celebrate the achievements of one man.

Congratulations to you, Shani! You're the best!

Posted by Yano at April 1, 2006 01:08 AM

---

---

---

---

---