For all of those internationally and politically savvy readers out there (and I know there are many of you), do not expect any insightful commentary about national polices or relations after seeing the subject line of this entry.  I am not that clever and would never dare offer an opinion about such things.  No, you should read the subject as literally as possible.  On Thursday, I participated in an Inernational Tug-o-War.  By my count, there were than 5 nations represented:  China, S. Korea, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, and America.  Being the lone Meiguo ren, I enjoyed free-agent/mercenary status throughout the competition and was able to float from team to team lending my considerable size (read: girth, ballast or inertia) to that end of the rope.  Most of the time, they would grab me by the hand and pull me to their side of the rope while bouncing an older woman or small girl off to the side.  The competition was fierce, as you might expect with national pride at stake.  There was lots of cheering from the galleries -- Jaio! Jaio! Jaio! (go, go, go...I think).  My first team comprised of a good mix of nations, Koreans, Russians, Tajiks and we put forth a quality effort but succumbed to one of the Chinese teams.  Team Laoshi (teachers team) went down quickly as the students all joined in on the other end and overwhelmed us with sheer numbers.  I enjoyed undefeated success with the South Koreans although the Mongols put up a hell of a fight in the best of 3 championships.  Trophies (in the form of fruit) were awarded for first place finishers, I walked away with 2 bananas and an orange for my efforts.