This belongs in JAMA

I have stumbled upon an amazing medical breakthrough:

When the Cubs don't score runs, I'm weak, nauseous and have no appetite.

When the Cubs do score runs, I give in to an overpowering craving for cheesy Goldfish.

Watching the Cub game, thinking about the divine

Carlos Zambrano is pitching tonight. As he leaves the mound, he often removes his cap and points heavenward, thanking his Lord for the help he believes he received. This makes me very uncomfortable.

As a Christian, I most likely pray to the same Lord as Carlos. I believe that Christ strengthens me, enabling me to accomplish what goes well and prevail over what doesn't. My faith is simple: "Jesus loves me. This I know, for the Bible tells me so." I strive to be the woman He expects me to be, and am comforted in knowing He loves me when I fall short.

But my relationship with Jesus is a private one, the most personal one I will ever have. I can't imagine making a display of my faith my praying in front of 41,000+. What goes on between Jesus and me is ours alone.

I do not doubt Carlos Zambrano's sincerity. And I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that he is very open about his faith because he's Carlos Zambrano -- I don't believe he knows how to be discreet.

I guess I just wish his displays didn't make me feel so … ooky.

It did my old heart good

Europeans waving American flags instead of burning them, cheering and chanting "Yes We Can" in accented English. Watching today's Obama speech in Berlin was thrilling. I was so happy to see my country viewed as a symbol of hope, as a world leader. Not as a torture state, nor a gas guzzling superpower with unfortunate cowboy impulses. Thousands upon thousands showed up to cheer and celebrate. (And yes, boo a little when Obama talked about Afghanistan, but I choose to accentuate the positive.) How could you not love this?

Yes, I have problems with Barack Obama. (FISA, anyone?) But as a United States citizen who loves her country, it was nice to see evidence the rest of the world is willing to love us again, too.