The diary of a stay-at-home boy during the vernal season of the year two thousand and twenty (2020) anno domini amid the COVID-19 pandemic _ week 5 (By Ethan)

Why Sportsmanship is Important (By William)

Questioned every day, why is sportsmanship important? Sportsmanship is important because it won’t only build you into an excellent athlete, it will control how you act in the future. Being a team player will decide whether you have a good career and a happy family. 

In Physical Education class, five ways that we can practice sportsmanship are staying alert, being a team player, not blaming others, respecting the rival teams, and always moving on to the next challenge life offers whether failure or success. In a sports game, you must always stay alert. If the ball is passed, observe where it is being moved. Quickly decide on what to do. As a goalie, are you just going to let the ball swish into the goal? The same will be true for your future workplace. If someone needs help, come to their aid. This way you will be well-respected. We can also work as part of a team effort. In a sports team, we each have an important part to play. One person can refuse to play his/her role, and then the whole team may fall apart. Say your future wife needs you to help her prepare for your child’s birthday. If you have the chance, be sure to help out. By this, goods sportsmanship is demonstrated. Third, you should not blame others if something goes awry. If on the field, a ball swishes past the defenders and goalie, do you blame them? Or do you contemplate on how to improve next time? In the common workplace, things are bound to go wrong. If the solution is to turn around and point fingers, you will be the first fired or laid off. Another way to demonstrate sportsmanship in P.E. is to be respectful of your rivals. Be respectful of the opposing team, whether in the face of victory or defeat. If you are a medical doctor. Another doctor in a rival agency has found (before you) a new miracle medicine. Is quarreling with the rival going to help? Last but not least, move on to life’s next challenge. Not every little success is worthy of having to reward yourself. Likewise in defeat. Move on to life’s next challenge and look at each as an opportunity to grow. As Robert Kiyosaki always said, “Work to learn, not to earn.” 

In conclusion, sportsmanship will not only make you into a good sportsman but also decide your life in the future.

The diary of a stay-at-home boy during the vernal season of the year two thousand and twenty (2020) anno domini amid the COVID-19 pandemic _ week 4 (By Ethan)

In Remembrance of Kokopelli (by William)

More than four millennia ago, our ancestors brought forth on Earth the first pack of tamed wolves in history.  At the beginnings of humankind, wolves were a predator to be feared and to run away from, but in the earlier years of species, Homo Sapiens and neanderthalensis, we learned how to tame.  Being friends with animals has many benefits.  From this date on in history, dog has stayed beside man through the ages.  We have found dogs to be loyal companions, protectors, sled dog runners (for diphtheria and Yukon), therapists, and even a tasty treat in desperate war times.

Like our ancestors before us, my aunt and uncle have enjoyed the company of Kokopelli for many years.  Kokopelli’s name means “night mischief.”  We call him Koko for short, which only means “night” in Inuit.   Koko is one-fourth wolf, and another half Alaskan malamute.  Koko was a very well-behaved dog who lived a very good life.  The only beings who have bullied him are me (when I was young), my cousins, and a pesky skunk.  Having the primal instinct in him, the only beings Koko bullied were some very unfortunate opossums and rat families. 

I once went to my aunt and uncle’s house for a sleepover.  That night, I was watching a nature documentary.  Koko came over, being his friendly self, he sat down next to me and rested his chin on my knee.  It reminded me of Buck in Call of the Wild, resting with his master John Thornton beside campfire in the wilderness.  Another time, two of my older cousins came to my aunt’s house while I was there.  “A husky!”  They both exclaimed, then Koko was forced by my cousins to take selfies with them.  They grabbed him by the neck the whole time, and Koko’s eyes bugged out and his expression read, “Ugh, annoying kids.”  There was another memory when I was six years old.  Auntie allowed me have a quick cruise (Not actually sit-ride) on Koko’s back.  Koko looked happy as he ferried me around. 

Koko and me in 2013

Koko died yesterday on Good Friday, April 10, 2020, at the age of 12 years and 2 months.  In dog years, he had lived up to more than 85 years.  I just hope he is happy in heaven, watching us from above, and still likes boiled eggs.

Life can be so short, all fitting in just one blink of an eye.  Let’s take this moment to honor life and most of all, Kokopelli.  

The diary of a stay-at-home boy during the vernal season of the year two thousand and twenty (2020) Anno domini amid the COVID-19 outbreak _ week 3 (By Ethan)