the green

     At the end of camp we got to go on the Olympic Green! The Olympic Green is where the National Stadium (The Bird’s Nest), the Water Cube (National Aquatics center), and all the sponsor buildings are. The Shuang Experience Center is remarkable. It has a great view of the Bird’s Nest and is a piece of home for me with its familiar colors and facts about The Coca-Cola Company.
     Im so sad, i made a video and it wont upload!  :( 
-first is a quick sample of inside some rooms in the Shuang Experience Center
-Then pictures of the Olympic Green with other sponsor buildings
-at 2:35 it jumps back to the first day of training at a local middle school auditorium
-and ends up with learning the ‘cocacola shuang dance’ 

here are some pics for now:

I’m at CocaCola Camp!

      Today 200+ Chinese students, 2 American guys, one French girl, and myself began SEC training with our matching red shirts and kaki cargo pants. We gathered in a middle school auditorium for lectures and activities. We learned the CocaCola dance Angel has been teaching me ever since I got here. We break off into teams and have group activities. We learn about operations, security, and conservation. We all eat lunch together in a middle school cafeteria. Welcome to my week of SEC training.
     Angel is in Hospitality and their training is at a hotel on the other side of town. We were missing hanging out so we went to the movie theatre tonight to see Kung Fu Panda (English audio with Chinese subtitles). She loved it. So fun to see her laugh so hard throughout the whole movie. On the bus home she said that she thinks that is a movie she can watch two, maybe three more times.

one of the 7 man-made wonders of the world

     What an amazing adventure I had today. I met the Beijing Hikers group and went with them to the Great Wall of China. On the bus ride out to the start of the hike we learned about how the govmt is trying to keep the cities population down by encouraging villagers not to come to the city. They are given free rice in proportion to how many people are in their families. The part of the wall that we started on had not been restored. It was originally built by the Kong Dynasty over 1,000 years ago.
     We hit the ground hiking fast, up a trail to the unrestored part of the wall. Once we reached the ‘24 eyes tower’ (tower with 24 small windows) we met our local tour guide. He helped lead us along side and around the part of the wall that is blocked off as a military area. We went down off the wall along side it and then down into the valley between bushes past an abandoned house in what it called ‘spider valley’. Then we walked through corn fields and back up along side the wall. The guide would tie red ribbons along the branches so that the last person could know the way to go and pick them up at the end.
     The views were great, although it could have been a little clearer out. Then, on to the restored part of the wall. It was nice and a nice workout with lots of steps up to the top. Walking down off the wall took no time and we stopped to eat at a local restaurant before getting on the bus back to the city. Another great time to meet people from all over. A Norwegian, a Kiwi, and others from Australia, and the UK, as well as two new friends from the New York and Pennsylvania.

wed, thurs, fri, sat

Wednesday-Managers invited me to a French place for lunch. Good eats and a nice break from the office. Later finished reading Life of Pi and went to a birthday dinner.

Thursday- I got credentials to go on the Olympic Green! This is very exciting because it is a moment I have been waiting for ever since I knew the Olympics would be in Beijing. It seems that at first I thought it would be so neat to make it back here for the Olympics. When I realized the games would be held the summer after I graduated that dream was one step closer. When I got the internship, the dream still seemed a dream. Now I am here. It is really happening. I am in the city that the world is turning its eyes to. The dream is becoming reality. 

Friday- Didn't get home from work until 8.30. The office was non-stop all day. People running around, and shipments coming all day. You can hardly walk around with all the boxes that line the walls with uniforms and supplies. Wow. 

Saturday- Yea for clean clothes! Got to go to a friends house to do laundry and catch up on some emails. I just got back from the African church service that is held on Sat nights. My spirit is renewed from the unhindered worship and the powerful teaching. My heart is warmed by the people and my new friend Sarah. She is from Kenya and studying here to be a doctor. 

  

  Tonight we sang: 

Jesu fela ene fela

Jesu Moratiwa, wa pelo yaka

Jesu Moratiwa, wa pelo yaka

Ke rata Jesu, ene fela

I love Jesus, Jesus Only

Jesus the lover of my soul

I love him so much

He is the lover of my soul

I love him so much.

real facts this time (jenna)...

 1-  Coca-Cola in Chinese is "ke kou ke le"- it means "delicious happiness".

 2- Fu Wa - is translated as 'fortune' and 'baby' or 'little kid' 

             For the Olympics there have been 5 Fu Wa created as mascots for the games. Their names are BeiBei JingJing HuanHuan YingYing and NiNi. If you take the first part of each of their names it is "Beijing huanying ni" which is translated to Beijing welcomes you. Uh, I just realized a lot of this info is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuwa

 3- Someone shared with me the recent article in the AJC about the games-the Shuang Experience Center mentioned is what I am involved with. Right now we are creating marking boards for advertisement and organizing the lists of VIPs coming the the SEC.

 

 4- Someone also shared with be the article about a bus bming- this was in a city farther south than I am. Please pray for the lives and families affected.

   Hope this gives you more insight to my world here. Wan an!

skype sweet skype

   Didn't get off work till 830 tonight. I was walking home a bit down (probably from lack of sleep and not having dinner yet). But I got back and decided I would download/look at some pictures on the computer because I didn't feel I had the energy to go to sb. I turn on my computer and the internet worked! I must be picking up another signal somewhere. But it was pure delight to talk to S and L! I love you guys! 

     Well, it is becoming a nightly routine for Angel to dance to the Coca-Cola song. She was a dancer for the song when the torch came through her city and she danced the other night at the BBQ if you caught that from the pictures. So anyway...shes been trying to teach me the dance ever since. So we did a little version of it for my brothers. She is a bit camera shy, but hopefully I will catch her one evening dancing to it. So you can see for yourself. Until then here is the olympic song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JclQFqriYTU

re-cap

Thursday – after work BBQ at the bosses house—great food, live music (most of it English songs) and fun, awkward Chinese dancing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRHyON9mzyY

Friday- roommate bonding- snacks, pjs, laughing, dancing, watching a love story in Chinese with Chinese subtitles.

Saturday- See about 1,000 people outside the brand new Apple store across the street from my building. Go to 798 art district---loved this place! Gallery after gallery. Huge warehouses and smaller brick ones all full of paintings, and pictures and structures. Met people from all over, Peter from Germany, Wen from Hong Kong, Oscar from UK and Mark from Poland. Go see Wen’s husband play in a Blues band—Black Cat Bone. And of course, met tons more ex-pats from all over the world…New Zealand, Boston, Switzerland to name a few.

Sunday—another beautiful service and much needed corporate worship, then to HouHai – area with shops and restaurants that goes all the way around a lake that has paddleboats going around in the middle. Lindsey took me down some back streets to the HouTong district. It is the old city where the homes and shops have the old architecture. Down one alley we walked through a doorway with beads hanging into a super cool pizza place with a pond in the middle and big orange fist swimming around. Yummy greasy pizza, finally got to talk to mom and dad, go for a run with Angel—we went to this cool outdoor mall and there were like 6 little kids on rip sticks! So, of course I asked one if I could borrow their board to try, and it reminded me of my awesome brothers and riding around the house on the wooden floors. Great weekend, I’m all ready for a new week!  

  Kinda long...but a visual of the weekend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN9sXc4Pr3E

busy busy and hard to get to starbucks often. need to be on a bus in 10 min. hope i get on the right one, yikes. more soon. oh, ran into Jackie again at KFC last night!

hes got the whole world...

     Today was a great day at the office. Got to help work with the design team, to put together a frame for pictures when the VIPs leave the “Shuang Experience Center”. Kind of stressful to find to enormous images we needed, but it was fun playing with some of the Coke advertisements. And practicing my mandarin.
     At the end of the day, I don't know why, I starting feeling down. I think it was because I just wanted to speak english to someone and them understand me. Well, HE answered my pr*yer because one of my American coworkers walked by and I was able to help her get a taxi and she needed to borrow my phone because hers was not working properly. Long story short, I felt so much better after just being able to help someone else. Another thing that put a bounce back in my step was meeting a beautiful lady Jackie from Zimbabwe who is staying in our building. We only talked for a bit but I was so refreshed by her spirit. I really enjoy people who are from around the world!
     Speaking of advertisements heres one courtesy of double3 :
http://spaceinvaders.com.br/2008/07/09/coca-cola-pemberton/

Chinese 101:

1) Thats not right.................... Sum Ting Wong
2) Are you harboring a fugitive.............. Hu Yu Hai Ding
3) See me ASAP............................. Kum Hia Nao
4) Stupid Man.................................. Dum Gai
5) Small horse............................... Tai Ni Po Ni
6) Did you go to the beach?.................... Wai Yu So Tan
7) I bumped in to a coffee table............ Ai Bang Mai Ni
8) I think you need a face lift................... Chin Tu Fat
9) It's very dark in here........................ Wao So Dim
10) I thought you were on a diet............... Wai Yu Mun Chin
11) This is a tow away zone......................... No Pah King
12) staying out of sight.......................... Lei Ying Lo
13) He's cleaning his automobile.............. Wa Shing Ka
14) Your body odor is offensive...................... Yu Stin Ki Pu
15)Great................................................ Su Pah

jin tian tian qi hen hao

  Good to be an intern when 1 pm rolled around today---intern field trip to Beijing bottling building! Then to our boss's boss house for an informal meeting/get to know each other. Then a yummy dinner. Chinese meals are served on a 'lazy susan' and the dishes just keep coming, so it is important to pace yourself. You know the meal is starting to come to a close when a fish dish is served. Then, the dishes are cleared and a caramelized fruit is served-tonight's was ping guo (apple). Also-ladies, if you ever have to use a 'squatty potty' and need tips- I'm your girl. I'm getting this thing down to a science.  

   Another beautiful day and another clear night with a great view of the yu liang (mood light).

 this is the ping guo

 Shirley and Lucy Lu

Can you spy the five American interns?

First day in the ‘Real World’

8:35am intern move #1- Angel and I showed up early.
Why this is good-we were not late
Why this is bad- the air wasn’t on yet and the janitor gave us an evil eye while he vacuumed around us.

Onboard paperwork-yea….I couldn’t read the contract…but I signed it anyway. Luckily, the Employee Agreement was in English-so I got to help Angel with that one.

10:15am- Intern move #2 Trying to get something to drink, I broke the cup holder on the side of the water dispenser.
Why this is good-it gave a few employees something to laugh about
Why this is bad- it fell to the floor, made a loud crash, and the hectic Monday morning chatter completely stopped and everyone stared at me as I awkwardly said ‘dui bu qui’ (excuse me).

10:30am- IBM + dial up = not as fun as Macbook + Wifii… but, I have a work computer!
Leo the roaming IT guy had to help me already 3 times before lunch.

Met E O, yes this is her ‘English’ name. She is a sweetheart and is patient with my broken mandarin. She is on the creative/design team and got a Nikon camera to shoot with as well as a video camera! She is a media major at a nearby college. I also got to meet another intern I had been emailing-Chris Tao.
The noodle place was too crowded so we went to KFC ☺. Back to the office—hit the ground running!! Intense orientation.

2pm- my line manager speaks English!
 I have an assignment to turn into her soon, so she gave me some work to take home! I am glad to do it, and hope that somehow it makes at least part of her job easier-she has a lot on her plate before the games start.

6pm- leave work: Intern move #3 uh…yea…got on the wrong bus. Did I mention it is raining?
I am thankful-I had a change of shoes (off with the heels on with the flip flops!)
Why this is good- I was comfortable while walking around in the rain trying to figure out where to go.
Why this is bad- the flip flops were white this morning. They are now a grayish, black color.
I am thankful- I had brought an umbrella in my purse.
Why this is bad- the wind was so bad I had the case of the inverted umbrella, so it didn’t help much.
I am thankful- I have a Chinese speaking roommate (she was able to tell a guard where I should go so he could point me in the right direction)!

7:30pm make it back to the apartment. Off to prepare excel sheets! And hopefully get some sleep--enjoy your Monday!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTuKRusWBpM

Yes, the last 12 sec is probably why I got on the wrong bus, I was too busy chuckling about the accuracy of the video my cousin posted!

adoption

    It is hard to say who may be the cutest young Chinese girl because they are all so beautiful and bring such joy to see. But, just now, I am sitting at starbucks (the only place so far I have found to get internet) checking my email and the most beautiful little Chinese girl just walked by the full glass windows that line this store. She was waking leisurely with her mother, and it looked as though she was dressed for a dance class or something because her hair was pulled into a bun. This post is specifically to my cousins (E&A), my Athens spiritual leaders (S&B), and friends (D&C) who are having to wait longer than they expected for their sweet little girls. I want to tell you that I know this time must be hard, and although we do not know why, our Father is in control and is watching out for your girls. Please be patient and obedient to Him. The day you are able to get them will be well worth the wait. Each one is so beautiful, has so much potential, and needs your family.

sweet sunday

     Ch*rch today was one of the most beautiful worship experiences I have ever had. I attended an International Fellowship during the English service. Let me first say that going into the building I had such a hard feeling in my heart. I believe I was hurting because of the inability to have Chinese visitors (I could not invite my roommate). Instead, there was a line for females and a line for males. It was as if going through security at the airport. I had to show my passport to verify I indeed was not a Chinese citizen. There could be no liquids brought into the building, and each person had a ‘detector wand’ swiped around their body and purses/bags checked. But once I was seated and met those around me I felt comfortable hearing the most English I had in one place in a while. Although the service was mainly in English, the people were from all over the world. Even still, I could sense the unity in Chr*st. 

     We were led to the throne first through English songs sung by an Australian and an African woman and (assumptions here)- American drummer, Korean guitarist and pianist. The place was packed, the row I was on completely full. When the band played with such enthusiasm and the African lady in a bright pink suit let loose on ‘I’ll Fly Away’ I decided I want that song sung at my funeral!
    We then worshiped through Portuguese lyrics with a band from Brazil. It was the closest I have felt to what Heaven will be like. The cultures I know for sure that were represented today where Koreans, Canadians, Indonesians, Brazilians, Nigerians, and Americans, and I am certain there were more. Another impactful moment was when the crowed room sang “I’m falling on my knees…offering all of me…” The whole service my heart and soul felt so full I thought at any moment they would burst open. Reflecting the light of Chr*st was what the sermon was on and is exactly what I hope to do as I begin work tomorrow.
     Lunch at a German restaurant across the street was delicious-I couldn’t stop smiling. I love the world being at my fingertips-eating German food in China having just worshiped with people from all around the world. Too Blessed!

yao bu zi

       Had to cancel my bank account and start another one because they put my middle initial as “P” instead of an “M” oh, language barriers. Soo…after that my roommate had arrived! Meng Jian likes to be called Angel. We bonded over duck neck and later ice cream with Lindsey at Coldstone in a brand new shopping center (very Westernized-ie. Sephora, ZARA, etc). There was an outdoor concert and a fountain show that had music that went along with it. Very fun! Today was so clear I could hardly believe it. The sun shined all day without cloud cover or pollution. When the sun comes out the umbrellas come out! Everyone shields themselves from the sun on their commute (except me) on sunny days. Anyway, the night was so clear as well. There was a soft breeze and the moon light was also unhindered. 

       Duck neck anyone? Yes, that is a KFC bag in the background- that is what we spit the bones into. PS still having trouble with this website. If the video below doesn't work: Click on this link :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKju6LEKyl8

  If the city was not already Westernized before choosing it as a sight for the Olympics, they have established some Western brands that make me question if I am really in another country. From my window I can see a KFC and an Adidas store. There is a Hooters across the street, and I can walk to the local Starbucks in 8-10 minutes. The things out my window that assure me I am here are: constant construction with the construction workers sitting on their hard helmets and slurping noodles on their lunch break, a 'clothing market' down the street where I could go to improve my bartering skills and pick up bargains.

   Yesterday I accomplished a lot. With Lindsey's faithful help, I set up a bank account, found the office I will be reporting to Monday, got a transportation card, and a Chinese cell phone. This is very impressing considering this would be a lot to do in one's own country, much less a city of 16 million with a different native tongue. 

Before I left

  I got to speak with an encouraging friend and mentor. This family believes in me and I can feel it. Thank you for your support and these touching pictures that now hang on my wall!

2nd Leg

   Took 2 hours to get to Beijing. I worked with Lindsey when I was in China before. Now, she happens to be back in Beijing, so she was able to pick me up from the airport! It was wonderful to catch up on life since Shandong and have her over to the apartment. Its night on this side of the world and I can't wait to get some sleep! Goodnight for me, have a great day for you!

  ps i dissolved one of these tablets into water and drank it to increase the performance of my immune system on the flight where I was in close contact with a lot of people for a long time. The lady sitting behind me was coughing and blowing her nose---guess it worked, because I'm feeling fine!

 Have you seen or used Airborne before?

  These first few are going to be fly by the seat of my pants. I'm not going to lie, I miss wordpress. I was comfortable and quick with it. Anyway...because I cannot access the wordpres one, I don't know what I last told you about (I think it was the 1st leg of my journey- but i had a scheduled one or two in there about cow appreciation day-etc those might still come through).

  Ok...just for kicks- my journal from first trip to China:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28: 19-20
It was yet another obnoxiously hectic morning as the oldest brother loaded the suburban with the three suitcases. The man of the house, never the least bit ashamed to humble himself before the Father and those present, fell to his knees on the kitchen floor dressed in his business suit from tie to shoes to place his hand on his daughter who was about to make a trip around the world.
We landed the first flight safely. With Golden Gate Bridge in the distance, we found our way through the San Francisco airport to the international check-in counter only to be told that Magen would not be allowed on the flight. She did not have a sufficient visa. Leaving her behind in an unfamiliar city to get a taxi to the Chinese Embassy and find a hotel seemed harder for me than it was for her. But time was running out and I knew there would be nothing I could do to help, I had to catch my plane that left in 20 minutes.
Of course since I was running late, I had to have the ‘special ‘s’’ on my ticket. I was moved to a different line and found myself getting strip searched. The people kindly groped me and unloaded my bag, that Mary-Stewart so carefully helped me pack. The lady was so sweet, she even left the stuff out so I could put it back in! Running frantically to the gate, I pushed people out of my way left and right. I got in at the tail end of the boarding line. My heart was racing, and was with Magen, but when I got on the plane, my head was comfortably rested in her seat! I arrived in time for bed, so it worked out nicely. E our SC met me at the airport, we waited for Alisia’s flight in, then went to sleep at the hotel.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Shanghai (nearly 20 million people). We had great local food the first day! Starbucks for breakfast, Taco Bell Grande (sit down form of taco bell), and McDonald’s for dinner. Magen got in the next day, we went to a store and got necessary items you cannot find in the city we were going to, had orientation the second day, then an eight hour bus ride to our final destination. The bus rides consist of the tv blaring a violent Chinese movie, men smoking on the bus, and the driver honking his horn loudly every single time he was approaching or passing another vehicle on the highway. To say the least, I had an excruciating headache for days after.
-First flight to China September 2004

wordpress is blocked

who knew? trouble with wordpress in china. i promsed them i wouldnt complain about the pollution in the air, but to no avail. hope this 'blogger' site will cover for me. 

this is a test for a new 'china blog'. is anyone out there making their way to this one? i am safe and sound and getting settled- bank account, phone, apt, etc. love you guys. more soon :)