lets bring it back over here

http://iamthird.wordpress.com/

so much has changed.

here: i have grown to know and love my work and the people I work with. I feel accomplished in being able to get around such a big city. I have a heart for the people here. I have seen a city open up to the world. I have embrased a new environment and dealt with many unfamiliar situations.

at home: people have passed away, children have been born, friends have started jobs and new semesters at school.

I dont know what to expect when I return home. I know I will be facing many changes and probably a bit of culture shock. How can I love change so much, but at the same time it be so difficult for me?

heard in beijing

USA reporter "i know you, your the girl that gave kobe a BOG card"

-yourSELF?
-yes, i dont want walking, have a little tired

Jack "hey, do we have any mayo?" Rachel "mei-0" (mei you)

-We are in this generation, this time for a purpose.
-The Lord told me "this is where I picked you up and carried you"

-American to canadian "good job on diving" Canadian to American "yea, thanks, uh, good job on EVERYTHING"

-anything is possible
-"zhong guo, jia you!!" (china, add oil- literal translation of china chant)

SEEN: a johhny cupcake shirt sighting
Garret at the beach volleyball game!
Michael Phelps

Great service.

Testimonies from Madeline Manning, Nick Florence, Carl Lewis, and others.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:24

2 in 1 evening

      So, up until today I had not gotten the opportunity to go to any events. Well, today made up for that, big time. I got to go inside of the water cube for the prelims for swimming events and watch Phelps qualify. Then walked to the tennis facility. Amazing to see athletes that you have only ever seen on tv live. 3 games: Roger Federer/James Blake, then Venus Williams/Li Na, then Nadal/Austrian dude. What a great experience to be in the crowd even though we were hugely in the minority. The crowd had no respect for the opponents mistakes and often laughed out loud and clapped on out shots or double faults. At the end, Matt and I walked against the crowd, down some stairs then through the athletes entrance, not really meaning to, only escaping the crowd and looking for a bathroom. After realizing where we were, we walked the halls. Then, walking down the hall towards us was Nadal and his Uncle and another coach. As we passed each other:
Me- “Hey man great job out there”
Rafael Nadal looks me in the eyes does a quick nod and says “thank you”.
Whew. What an evening. Great moon, great temperature, great tennis. I sang Chinese songs in the cab on the way home. ☺

 

day at a glance

am-felt like a real business woman zooming around the city in a taxi delivering tickets to stakeholders in offices/hotels. 

pm-got to go to the olympic village! fun to see the flags hanging from the different rooms indicating the country of the athletes. seeing the outdoor pool (first i have seen in beijing) made me want to jump right in. Met a cool UK reporter and ate with pin trading center interns.

  back to shuang--vip premiere of an environmental/olympic documentary that was made by georgia state students...crazy small world over here.

quack quack

Melanie, last night I took your advice and got a 90min $20 Chinese massage! It was so nice--and you can't beat that price. Ate dinner with some friends at a great Peking Duck restaurant called DaDong Duck. We had some great veggies- bamboo shoots, ginco nuts, egg plant, and we made mini sandwhiches with different sides/toppings out of the duck meat. A very enjoyable and much needed evening!

subway...aint no thang

I’m pretty proud of myself—today I did my commute home by memory:
Took Subway line 8 off the Olympic Green
To Bei tu cheng
Change to subway line 10
Get off at Hui xin xi jie nan kou
Change to line 5
Get off at Yong he gong
Change to line 2
Get off at Dong si shi tiao
Exit Subway
     If I don’t walk from there, I take bus 115, 113, or 823 four stops (forgot the name of that bus station)
     Then walk across the intersection and to our place.
My personal best on time(including running, catching sub/bus on time, and dodging people): 1 hour
Average- 1 hour and 30 min (especially going to work—having to get through security)
       Walking home today I got to help two different groups of foreigners with directions/communicating to taxi drivers where to go. It was fun feeling accomplished in the since that I feel I am getting to know my area pretty well and I am able to help others. Guess I am becoming a 'jinger' :)

'atl' in the 'jing'

Yesterday and today were both full days of work. Many meetings and events where
Held in the VIP lounges. I really enjoy the other Chinese students who I work with. Today I worked closely with Jason (English name) and we had fun in some of the down times learning new Chinese and English words as well as doing a few dance moves (the door to the Shuang Central would open sometimes and the music in there is turned up pretty loud. Today I met a gentleman that grew up in my hometown. I mean like went to the same elementary, middle, and high school. It was really fun talking with him.
Tonight I watched the US vs China Bball game at a restaurant across the street, when I was walking back home, I saw a guy with a Georgia hat, so we did a gooo dawgs cheer that caught the attention of another girl from Atlanta, a guy with a braves shirt, then a reporter, crazy day for connections to Atlanta.

a few more

IOC President
Neville Isdell
A group of Japanese bottlers
some McDonald's vip 
GAP vips
Jean-Claude Killy (French gold medal skier)
A group of NIKE Asia division people (we ate McDonalds (sorry family, it’s the only food on the Olympic Green) on the ground outside because there were no tables left.

    Today it has rained the whole day and it is 9:15pm now and is raining harder than it has all day. I have heard that many events were delayed/cancelled-including tennis matches and volleyball.

shuang central room

parade

One WORLD, One DREAM

sightings/meetings:
Jacques Rogge (IOC President)
Juan Antonio Samaranch (Former IOC President)
Jackie Chan 
Yao Ming’s parents
Mrs. World (Chinese)
Muhtar Kent (President of CocaCola)
Yao Ming
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Carmello Anthony
Teyshaun Prince
Roger Federer
Dirk Nowitzky 
       Not bad for a days work. ☺ !!!!!
The first two I saw at a Pin Trading Center opening this morning, the next four at a VIP event at the Shuang Center on the Olympic Green.
       After the VIP event, the interns were going to stay and watch the opening on the TV. When the TV wasn’t picking up the signal, a friend Mour and I headed out to see how close we could get to the National Stadium. We overheard a Columbian lady trying to talk to the Chinese guards. Once we realized she was trying to get in line with her team, we offered to help her. We walked with her into the building that the athletes were waiting in before they walked into the stadium. Uh, so yea, we mixed and mingled and then watched the teams walk over the Bird’s Nest. What a day! Beijing 2008 is rocking my socks off!
      Jackie came in the Shuang Experience Center with big sunglasses on and a large camera (disguised as media). Only two guys walked in with him. A few minutes later his wife and son came in. Yao Ming's parents are very tall. And LeBron and Kobe and CFA fans. One WORLD, One DREAM! GO USA!!!

television

    Growing up without television wasn’t so bad. We had a small VCR that played our favorite videos. One of my favorites was Robin Hood. Watching Saturday morning cartoons at Max and Shirley’s was always a treat. Many a sporting event was watched at Bob and Bev’s. I can remember watching the gymnastic teams from around the world compete in the Olympics.
Remember when Kerri Strug pulled off the vault performance that won the gold medal even though she had a sprained ankle?
                                                
    Another vivid T.V. memory at the Maday’s was watching Princess Diana’s funeral. I didn’t really know anything about her until the funeral, but I remember being sad while watching it.
My brothers would go next door to our neighbors house during the World Series in 1991 to watch the Braves play. They would get so into the games and not want to take their eyes off the screen for fear they would miss something. So, I was usually the one to go back and forth to our house bringing them popped popcorn and cups of juice and water.
    T.V. for us has become a special time where we can visit with others and make a whole event out of watching important things. I am thankful Mom and Dad that you made the decision to see if there was “life without T.V.”. Now I have these wonderful T.V. watching memories.
I will say that probably due to not having a T.V. around the house, we have each developed our own versions of being ‘dead to our surroundings’ when there happens to be one on in a room that we are in. Let me assure you when you call our name or ask us to do something we are not purposely ignoring you-we just can’t hear you. We are ‘in the zone’. Not having a TV in our house has also caused a significant rise in the popularity of youtube videos. As you can see documented here-we gather as many people around the smallest laptop screen that we can in order to get our dose of entertainment.
                                                           
Do you have a TV story about our family?

Last weekend before the games

     Today was the first day the new railway station with the fast train from Beijing to Tian Jin was open. 25 minutes to get there. Great food and fellowship all weekend in such a warm and sweet spirited home. Highlights-chasing the Olympic Torch on bikes, eating chicken feet and shopping at the ‘antique dealership’.

     Sunday 3rd- Salsa dancing at Saddle Catina. Oh how Angel loves to dance, her face lights up and she cant help but smile and giggle. She was brave and tried the soft tacos!

     Monday 4th-Happy Birthday Tessa (a friend here that is in school in texas) We celebrated with a western meal of lasagna and real cake with real icing. The Chinese have a type of cake with a cool whip type icing that is not as sweet as cool whip if you are getting my drift. Then a big game of Nertz! Woo Hoo! Also, got to hear a really cool testimony of one of Tessas Chinese friends—sorry I can’t share more on this here.

      Tues 5th - I cannot believe the Opening Ceremonies are on Friday! Went to a Chinese acrobat show tonight and strolled through Wanfuging and Tianamen Square.

      Wed 6th–Last night I walked by Tianamen Square, this morning Yao Ming ran the Olympic Torch through the Square. So neat to watch it on TV having just been there last night! No wonder they were clearing it out early. Tonight we were at work until around 10:00 getting the VIP passes together. Then to a neat Pizza resturant called “The Tree”.