Sports Day in Smog

Where's Autumn? Nothing is falling, fans are still on, but one look at the window tells me it's winter, but it's not. Confusing? It's definitely not summer because nights are a bit chilly now. As soon as the weather decided to be pleasant, we were heavily engulfed in smog. My phone tells me the air is hazardous with a quality index of 251. The whole province has announced holidays in schools except the schools where my kids go. Not that I'm eager to have them on my nerves at home. But online classes are better than having sick kids. I'm regretting my outdoor activities of the past week because I'm under the weather now and just hoping everybody else remains healthy.

The prologue got longer than intended. One of the reasons my kids are not having holidays is because both of them had annual sports day at their respective schools. Actually, one's is still pending. I attended the one at my elder son's school.

I have a vague memory of sports events from childhood. Two things that I can recall are that they weren't as colourful and our parents were never invited. But they loved it whenever they were, on other events just as much as I love it now when it's my turn to play a parent. So, despite the thick smog and heat (funny weather, right?), I showed up at his school.

It was beautiful and vibrant. The air was buzzing with energy, and the pupils were happily chanting, enjoying the freedom from the usual school routine. Only the teachers seemed a little frantic, making sure everything and everyone was ready before the chief guest arrived. Looking at teachers, led me to another train of thought - what if I were in their shoes too? Recently, I was asked to apply but I didn't, which is a story for another time. But I thought, what if I had applied and got accepted... I would also have been running around the elementary kids in that heat. But the thing is I couldn't see myself in those shoes. I like having a hold on my daily routine if not life in general.

Anyhoo, after excruciating 45 minutes, the chief guest arrived, and the torches were lit. There was a march past of all grades from 1 to 6. The students paraded frivolously to the resounding beats of drums.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the enthusiasm of "M," who is usually lazy at home. Afterward, there were some races, or, I would say, some themed walk pasts kind of thing. My favourite was a Charlie Chaplin parade in which all students dressed up as him and walked like him with a cane in one hand and a few stopping to eat bananas. In the text, it doesn't sound funny, but it was hilarious in real.

"M" had participated in a Granny-Grandpa race. He was wearing a white beard, a waistcoat, and a cap and walked with a cane in one hand and holding his partner granny with another hand. That limpy slow walk was hilarious. He and his partner were the second last to complete the race. The grandpa of the duo who came last wasn't moving at all, his granny had to drag him all the way to the finish line. It turns out that it was part of his act which he thought of during the race. There were no winners. Apparently, it was all about putting up the best show.

Then there was another performance by "M" and his classmates on a song. They all wore red bow-ties, suspenders, and a top hat. Their synchronization was remarkable. I can't share that picture with a bunch of kids for privacy reasons.

During the event, my eyes kept moving towards a green corner, labeled as Eco Challenge. I don't know what the challenge was, but the corner was beautifully DIY-ed in a day by the teachers. It was a forest scene with trees and branches everywhere, a waterfall at the back, a bonfire with seats around it, a snake wrapped around a branch, and a ladybug sitting on a leaf. There was much more that I can't describe and probably missed noticing, too. It was a spectacular scene.

In the end, "M" received a two-star badge and a certificate for securing good marks in an International Science test. It was a great day all in all. One sports event down and another about to happen, in smog.