So, it's 9 pm and we leave for the airport at 11am tomorrow morning. After buying another suitcase and apologizing to my father for the fact that my big suitcase will be well over the allowed 50 pounds, I AM PACKED. I don't mean kind of packed, I mean I have my clothes laid out and all I need to do is wake up tomorrow. I'm pretty proud of myself to be completely honest.
The last two days I have tried to get all the last minute things done. Yesterday a group of us decided to go to the great wall again. This was by far my favorite thing I have seen in China (I guess that's not a huge surprise). We went to a different part of the wall, which was a lot less commercialized. (no Starbucks at the bottom) We rode a gondola up the mountain then hiked around the wall for about 3 hours. We met a German student who is working for the embassy over here for a bit, it amazes me some of the people you just randomly meet. Paige, Lauren and I were of course in love with his accent and talked to him for probably 30 minutes and I'm surprised we didn't ask him to come back to America with us. Paige told me after we left him that she just likes Europeans now, good thing she's studying in Italy second semester! The best part of the day was we got to ride toboggans down the mountain. I will post pictures as soon as I get good internet again, but that might not be until I get back to Columbia.
Last night we had a goodbye party at Pyro's Pizza, a local pizza shop that kind of adopted us while we were over here. It's the bar that has beer pong, so Allie and I played for old times sake and went 4-4 (I know Wes is super proud right now). We came home pretty early and I quickly went to bed! A day at the great wall will do that to you! I really wish I could have just stayed there for a few days, but I'll just have to come back at some point.
Today I got up early and went with my friend Matt to the Temple of Heaven (the last thing on the list I had to do). On the way I made the mistake of saying I couldn't wait for Columbia because there won't be thousands of people everywhere I go. I have been to a lot of big cities, but that was one of the hardest things to get use to. In New York you can find someplace that is not like 100000000 people on one little part of the street. There are just so many people here. All I said was that it will be nice to get back to Columbia where there are a lot less people and cars will stop for me. Well, I have gotten use to saying whatever I want and assuming people don't speak English.....wrong. This guy heard me and started talking to me. He told me that he didn't think Americans don't really know China and etc. etc..... I told him politely I like China and have loved my time here, I'm just ready to get home. He lectured me on the one child policy before he got off. I just am going to have to remember people can understand me in 24 hours! I didn't say anything bad or very offensive, but I will have to remember that people will speak english in about 18 hours.
Anyways, with my luck in China the Temple of Heaven was "closed for olympic ceremonies". Nothing is ever logical here- or at least what I consider logical. I was able to get onto the grounds, just not go into the temple. It was still really cool, but I learned my lesson on not waiting for the last minute. We met a group of people for lunch then Allie and I went and treated ourselves to a last minute very cheap massage. I figured I'll be on a plane for 14 hours then 3 hour layover then 1 hour flight then 2 hour car ride tomorrow- so it will be rough. I've very excited to see my mom tomorrow at hopefully 8pm!
I guess this will be my last blog in China. In the next few days I'll try to write one last wrap up blog for anyone that's intersted, but for now I'm exhausted and going to get up and get breakfast at 6 am tomorrow. See you all soon!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
How many nationalities can I be in 24 hours?
I had a pretty eventful last 2 days of the Olympics and I'm VERY sad it's over! Only 72 hours left in China- I can't believe I can count down by hours and not days or weeks! I'm very excited to get home and see everyone, but that was such a fast 8 weeks!
Saturday I went to canoe kayak races with Allie. Her dream is to hear the canadian national anthem played at the olympics, and they were suppose to win men's kayak singles. We got there early and found a group of rowdy canadians to sit with, unfortunately Canada came in second. It was a great experience being canadian for the day and the people we sat with were great.
When we got home a few of our friends were going to the Holland House for the night to celebrate a birthday. I had heard such great things about this place, so I figured it was my last saturday night in China. (this thinking may end up hurting me in the next 4 days and I may sleep for about 10 days when I get back!) I can't describe the place. Dutch people are beautiful and I think I'm going to marry one! It was like 100 barbie and ken's walking around! The men's rowing team put on a dance for us and they had a live band playing old school music! Lots of Queen and Abba. We headed home early- but all in all it was a great night and I will be visiting the Netherlands very shortly.
Yesterday was my last day of work and it was really sad to say goodbye to everyone! We've had handball at our venue the last 4 days and it has been interesting. According to Wes, he thinks he could play handball, so we'll be seeing him in London in 1012- be prepared! Anyways I went up to watch the men's final (France v. Iceland!) and I was standing right next the the French cheering section. Lets just say I stood a few rows away from the men swim team and it was the coolest cheering section I've ever seen. They were not silent for more than 30 seconds the whole game and were waving flags and baguettes! It was just historical and I now would like to be canadian, dutch, and french after the last few days. Last night we went straight from work to this restaurant to watch the closing ceremonies where we met a few english and french guys. Great times and I'm really going to miss being able to meet people from literally everywhere.
This is kind of a weak blogpost, but I'm going to go enjoy my last monday in China and will try to write one or 2 more times before I leave! Everyone have a great first day of classes today!
Saturday I went to canoe kayak races with Allie. Her dream is to hear the canadian national anthem played at the olympics, and they were suppose to win men's kayak singles. We got there early and found a group of rowdy canadians to sit with, unfortunately Canada came in second. It was a great experience being canadian for the day and the people we sat with were great.
When we got home a few of our friends were going to the Holland House for the night to celebrate a birthday. I had heard such great things about this place, so I figured it was my last saturday night in China. (this thinking may end up hurting me in the next 4 days and I may sleep for about 10 days when I get back!) I can't describe the place. Dutch people are beautiful and I think I'm going to marry one! It was like 100 barbie and ken's walking around! The men's rowing team put on a dance for us and they had a live band playing old school music! Lots of Queen and Abba. We headed home early- but all in all it was a great night and I will be visiting the Netherlands very shortly.
Yesterday was my last day of work and it was really sad to say goodbye to everyone! We've had handball at our venue the last 4 days and it has been interesting. According to Wes, he thinks he could play handball, so we'll be seeing him in London in 1012- be prepared! Anyways I went up to watch the men's final (France v. Iceland!) and I was standing right next the the French cheering section. Lets just say I stood a few rows away from the men swim team and it was the coolest cheering section I've ever seen. They were not silent for more than 30 seconds the whole game and were waving flags and baguettes! It was just historical and I now would like to be canadian, dutch, and french after the last few days. Last night we went straight from work to this restaurant to watch the closing ceremonies where we met a few english and french guys. Great times and I'm really going to miss being able to meet people from literally everywhere.
This is kind of a weak blogpost, but I'm going to go enjoy my last monday in China and will try to write one or 2 more times before I leave! Everyone have a great first day of classes today!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
USA SOCCER and my new dream job!
WOW- I know I say every night is the best night ever, but last night may have been it! But before we get to that- a few things real quick:
The IOC has has FIG to look into gymnasts ages after new information came to light- I told you so! I'm not saying these girls aren't amazing and they shouldn't be allowed to compete- but the age is 16. I don't get how people think they can cheat and get past the olympics. I just don't get it. Nothing is official yet, but we'll see in a few days or weeks. I believe eventually things come out and the people that work hard and don't bend the rules will come out on top. I'm sure it doesn't always work like this, but I'd like to have faith things work this way.
Also I forgot to mention a few of my friends went back to the bud house tuesday night and saw the one and only Michael Phelps. Of course he was surrounded and behind red velvet the whole night, from what I'm told. The interesting part is that they saw him smoking. I know there has been a lot written about how he's going to be on the Kelloggs box and not Wheaties-and how that's not good because it's less healthy and what is he telling kids. That first of all is stupid! Secondly, who wouldn't want to be on wheaties? and thirdly sugared cereal is not the least of his worries if he is going to be smoking in public. I don't know the kid obviously, but at least be smart enough not to do it at a party where over 50% of people are high profiled journalists. I mean maybe that's just me, but who is his media coach? I don't know, maybe he just wanted one cigarette after 4 years of training, but it's a little disappointed for me at least.
So, onto the fun part! Last night at work I got there and after about an hour my friends Lauren and Paige come in and tell me they have an extra ticket to the women's soccer final. After begging (ok really asking because she loves me) Wendy to get off early we run across to the IBC to meet up with Lauren's friend, who is currently working for NBC. He got us into the NBC combine! This consists of every NBC set you see, except for the today show. AMAZING! We then got to go to their cafeteria where Ryan (Lauren's friend) tells us everything is free and to eat up. They have chefs there preparing stuff and amazing food. Not to mention a ice cream bar and a STARBUCKS. Let's just say I stared at just about everyone in the cafeteria and ate everything! I couldn't fall asleep last night thanks to free starbucks. Ryan graduated from MU my freshman year and worked for a sports marketing company then went to grad school at UWV and now has my dream job for a little over a month. He works from 5am to 5pm and is assigned 6 sports (softball, baseball, fencing, archery, and I forget the other two) anyways he follows these sports and the writers come in and ask him any question they have. He is paid to watch sports and know things, or at least where to find them. UM, sounds kind of dorky, but this would be amazing! It was great talking to him throughout the soccer game and hopefully that won't be the last time we see him on the trip!
So then we go to the Women's soccer final! I'm sure everyone watched it, or at least knows the outcome (we won in overtime 1-0) We were so close and I can't believe I was actually there! It was amazing and a dream come true! I will put up pictures soon.
We got back at about 1:30 so nixed the idea of going out and instead woke up early and came to a nice coffee shop. So now I'm sitting in the middle of China and have been watching the boy at the next table- who looks american or european- study and write in mandarin----which I am fascinated with! Seriously I wish I knew a different language. I work tonight then tomorrow go to canoe kayak tomorrow with Allie- after that I will want to play soccer, run, and buy a kayak to prepare for London! The Olympics just excite me and I have been SO lucky to go to so many events! I guess that's it for now! It's my last friday in China, and that is just too weird. As exited as I will be to get home, I'm really going to miss this!
The IOC has has FIG to look into gymnasts ages after new information came to light- I told you so! I'm not saying these girls aren't amazing and they shouldn't be allowed to compete- but the age is 16. I don't get how people think they can cheat and get past the olympics. I just don't get it. Nothing is official yet, but we'll see in a few days or weeks. I believe eventually things come out and the people that work hard and don't bend the rules will come out on top. I'm sure it doesn't always work like this, but I'd like to have faith things work this way.
Also I forgot to mention a few of my friends went back to the bud house tuesday night and saw the one and only Michael Phelps. Of course he was surrounded and behind red velvet the whole night, from what I'm told. The interesting part is that they saw him smoking. I know there has been a lot written about how he's going to be on the Kelloggs box and not Wheaties-and how that's not good because it's less healthy and what is he telling kids. That first of all is stupid! Secondly, who wouldn't want to be on wheaties? and thirdly sugared cereal is not the least of his worries if he is going to be smoking in public. I don't know the kid obviously, but at least be smart enough not to do it at a party where over 50% of people are high profiled journalists. I mean maybe that's just me, but who is his media coach? I don't know, maybe he just wanted one cigarette after 4 years of training, but it's a little disappointed for me at least.
So, onto the fun part! Last night at work I got there and after about an hour my friends Lauren and Paige come in and tell me they have an extra ticket to the women's soccer final. After begging (ok really asking because she loves me) Wendy to get off early we run across to the IBC to meet up with Lauren's friend, who is currently working for NBC. He got us into the NBC combine! This consists of every NBC set you see, except for the today show. AMAZING! We then got to go to their cafeteria where Ryan (Lauren's friend) tells us everything is free and to eat up. They have chefs there preparing stuff and amazing food. Not to mention a ice cream bar and a STARBUCKS. Let's just say I stared at just about everyone in the cafeteria and ate everything! I couldn't fall asleep last night thanks to free starbucks. Ryan graduated from MU my freshman year and worked for a sports marketing company then went to grad school at UWV and now has my dream job for a little over a month. He works from 5am to 5pm and is assigned 6 sports (softball, baseball, fencing, archery, and I forget the other two) anyways he follows these sports and the writers come in and ask him any question they have. He is paid to watch sports and know things, or at least where to find them. UM, sounds kind of dorky, but this would be amazing! It was great talking to him throughout the soccer game and hopefully that won't be the last time we see him on the trip!
So then we go to the Women's soccer final! I'm sure everyone watched it, or at least knows the outcome (we won in overtime 1-0) We were so close and I can't believe I was actually there! It was amazing and a dream come true! I will put up pictures soon.
We got back at about 1:30 so nixed the idea of going out and instead woke up early and came to a nice coffee shop. So now I'm sitting in the middle of China and have been watching the boy at the next table- who looks american or european- study and write in mandarin----which I am fascinated with! Seriously I wish I knew a different language. I work tonight then tomorrow go to canoe kayak tomorrow with Allie- after that I will want to play soccer, run, and buy a kayak to prepare for London! The Olympics just excite me and I have been SO lucky to go to so many events! I guess that's it for now! It's my last friday in China, and that is just too weird. As exited as I will be to get home, I'm really going to miss this!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
One Week....
First of all I just woke up and read Rick Reilly's newest article, which kind of describes what I've witnessed in the past 2 months. Although I love China, I can't deny any of this and it's why the last two months have been quite frustrating. I would suggest reading it:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3542649
Luckily for me ESPN is not one of the news sites they have me blocked at.
Ok, on to real things! Wes sent me an awesome article on Ben this morning:
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/columns/story?id=3544007&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1
We went to see him yesterday morning. He came out for his first match and lost the first round, we got a little nervous. He came out in the second round and pinned the guy in 30 seconds. His second match was against Cuba (if you read the article, he was a medalist in the last olympics- but we didn't really know anything about wrestling yesterday) . He lost the first round, won the second and lost the last one. It was disappointing- I'm sure very much for him- but it was cool to watch someone from our school compete in the OLYMPICS. Pretty insane!
After that Allie and I went to the green and snuck into the MPC (Main Press Center). How we accomplished this was turned our credentials around, waited for a busload of journalists, walked in the middle of them on our cell phones and didn't stop for anyone. This was amazing once we got in! I ate real fish for lunch- it didn't have skin, bones, or eyes on it. It was just magical! I hope BOCOG is embarrassed by what they feed us! We also went to the VOCOG and LOCOG offices and picked up information....maybe I can just become an olympic volunteer for the rest of my life? Mom and Dad don't worry, we asked about paying jobs! Anyways the MPC was fun and I might have to sneak in again to get real food!
Yesterday was the Gymnastics Gala. This is I guess the 2nd or 3rd hardest and most expensive ticket to get in the olympics (behind the opening and maybe closing ceremonies). I went up to the press tribune and watched it with a few of my friends. This was one of the most interesting things ever. THe gold medalists and other medalists preformed 30 second routines and in between those were different Chinese like dance routines and in parts I felt like I was in Bring It On. It was definitely a very interesting thing to watch. After that we went down on the actual floors and played on the different equipment. Let me just say- the beam is a lot higher and harder than it seams and the floor is like a trampoline! It was so fun then they tore the equipment down to set up for handball. Let me also say that I saw the whole chinese team in person. THOSE GIRLS ARE NOT 16. There is no way at all, they look little on t.v., but being beside them! The are for sure younger than my lovely cousin Taylor, who has a few years until 16 if I remember correctly. I don't care I wasn't that young looking (I'm not just talking about size) when I was even in 8th grade- and I look like I'm 16 still! They put so much make-up on those girls, but I won't be surprised if in about a month or 2 a few of those girls get their medals taken back.
Last night we went to a mexican restaurant and watched Bolt win the 200. He is amazing! I'm so glad I got to see his 100 win in person. Today Handball starts at our venue! I know nothing about the sport- but it will be so fun I'm sure!
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3542649
Luckily for me ESPN is not one of the news sites they have me blocked at.
Ok, on to real things! Wes sent me an awesome article on Ben this morning:
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/columns/story?id=3544007&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1
We went to see him yesterday morning. He came out for his first match and lost the first round, we got a little nervous. He came out in the second round and pinned the guy in 30 seconds. His second match was against Cuba (if you read the article, he was a medalist in the last olympics- but we didn't really know anything about wrestling yesterday) . He lost the first round, won the second and lost the last one. It was disappointing- I'm sure very much for him- but it was cool to watch someone from our school compete in the OLYMPICS. Pretty insane!
After that Allie and I went to the green and snuck into the MPC (Main Press Center). How we accomplished this was turned our credentials around, waited for a busload of journalists, walked in the middle of them on our cell phones and didn't stop for anyone. This was amazing once we got in! I ate real fish for lunch- it didn't have skin, bones, or eyes on it. It was just magical! I hope BOCOG is embarrassed by what they feed us! We also went to the VOCOG and LOCOG offices and picked up information....maybe I can just become an olympic volunteer for the rest of my life? Mom and Dad don't worry, we asked about paying jobs! Anyways the MPC was fun and I might have to sneak in again to get real food!
Yesterday was the Gymnastics Gala. This is I guess the 2nd or 3rd hardest and most expensive ticket to get in the olympics (behind the opening and maybe closing ceremonies). I went up to the press tribune and watched it with a few of my friends. This was one of the most interesting things ever. THe gold medalists and other medalists preformed 30 second routines and in between those were different Chinese like dance routines and in parts I felt like I was in Bring It On. It was definitely a very interesting thing to watch. After that we went down on the actual floors and played on the different equipment. Let me just say- the beam is a lot higher and harder than it seams and the floor is like a trampoline! It was so fun then they tore the equipment down to set up for handball. Let me also say that I saw the whole chinese team in person. THOSE GIRLS ARE NOT 16. There is no way at all, they look little on t.v., but being beside them! The are for sure younger than my lovely cousin Taylor, who has a few years until 16 if I remember correctly. I don't care I wasn't that young looking (I'm not just talking about size) when I was even in 8th grade- and I look like I'm 16 still! They put so much make-up on those girls, but I won't be surprised if in about a month or 2 a few of those girls get their medals taken back.
Last night we went to a mexican restaurant and watched Bolt win the 200. He is amazing! I'm so glad I got to see his 100 win in person. Today Handball starts at our venue! I know nothing about the sport- but it will be so fun I'm sure!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
fyi
for more info on club bud: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26261250/
this story was written about the night we were there because someone in our group saw everyone mentioned!
this story was written about the night we were there because someone in our group saw everyone mentioned!
budweiser brings people together
So Sunday night after I got off work I went with a friend of mine and met a few people from Missouri at the Bud house. This is a house where once you get in everything is free! This sounds awesome to college students, however you have to be on a list to get in. A few of my friends met this guy with connections at the cycling venue and got their names on the "list". So to get in Allie was a member of the Brazilian swim team, and I went with a girl on the list and smiled at the bouncer. Lucky for us my friend Paige and I are both blonde girls - so somehow we got in. Once in we met lots of athletes and a variety of journalists. My night included:
- a new york times sports reporter asking me how long we have been here, my response July 1st got the response- "Wow, you must really hate China"..... I didn't expect this from a well known journalist, but it was followed by a 20 minute vent session about China from him and a fellow journalist. I guess add some egos, a foreign country, frustrating miscommunications, and some alcohol and you see some pretty interesting sides of people.
- 2 members of the polish rowing team CAME up to Allie and I and asked US if we would take a picture with them. hahaha why would we turn that down?
- I talked to Pat Forde for a good 30 minutes! After a few minutes I realized who I was talking to (he looked so familiar- but name tags really help here and club bud no one had them unfortch for me!) He was a great guy and told us that ESPN was flying every alumni who currently works for them to Missouri for our Journalism School's Centennial. Too bad Kirk Herbstreit isn't an alum or I would probably camp out in front of the hotel they're staying at! haha that's kind of a joke
Those have to be the greatest stories of the night- we met many athletes and a few swimmers where there, but no Phelps- I'm sure he was tired from winning his 8th gold medal- no big deal- Wes, I'm sure he would just give me two of his- how many could the guy need?
Monday was a pretty uneventful day- besides Eric losing his cell phone in a cab on the way home from a handball game with a bunch of danish people and somehow getting it back. All the cabbie wanted (they maybe spoke 10 words of english) anyways Eric got his phone back with a hug, picture and signing the cabbie's autograph book. Probably the strangest, yet luckiest things that happened to anyone on this trip. (3 people have lost phones in cars).
Today was the last day of gymnastics and handball starts at my venue starting Thursday. Tomorrow we're going to see Ben Askren (a former wrestler from Missouri) compete- so that should be exciting. Other than that I'm just trying to enjoy my last full week in China- which I still can't believe.
I'll try to let everyone know how tomorrow goes!
- a new york times sports reporter asking me how long we have been here, my response July 1st got the response- "Wow, you must really hate China"..... I didn't expect this from a well known journalist, but it was followed by a 20 minute vent session about China from him and a fellow journalist. I guess add some egos, a foreign country, frustrating miscommunications, and some alcohol and you see some pretty interesting sides of people.
- 2 members of the polish rowing team CAME up to Allie and I and asked US if we would take a picture with them. hahaha why would we turn that down?
- I talked to Pat Forde for a good 30 minutes! After a few minutes I realized who I was talking to (he looked so familiar- but name tags really help here and club bud no one had them unfortch for me!) He was a great guy and told us that ESPN was flying every alumni who currently works for them to Missouri for our Journalism School's Centennial. Too bad Kirk Herbstreit isn't an alum or I would probably camp out in front of the hotel they're staying at! haha that's kind of a joke
Those have to be the greatest stories of the night- we met many athletes and a few swimmers where there, but no Phelps- I'm sure he was tired from winning his 8th gold medal- no big deal- Wes, I'm sure he would just give me two of his- how many could the guy need?
Monday was a pretty uneventful day- besides Eric losing his cell phone in a cab on the way home from a handball game with a bunch of danish people and somehow getting it back. All the cabbie wanted (they maybe spoke 10 words of english) anyways Eric got his phone back with a hug, picture and signing the cabbie's autograph book. Probably the strangest, yet luckiest things that happened to anyone on this trip. (3 people have lost phones in cars).
Today was the last day of gymnastics and handball starts at my venue starting Thursday. Tomorrow we're going to see Ben Askren (a former wrestler from Missouri) compete- so that should be exciting. Other than that I'm just trying to enjoy my last full week in China- which I still can't believe.
I'll try to let everyone know how tomorrow goes!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
A few minutes to spare
I have a few spare minutes this afternoon- My work schedule is 8pm- midnight the next few days, so hopefully I can do a little sightseeing that I haven't gotten around to yet. I want to start of by saying that yesterday was AMAZING. I went to work at noon and got off at around 3 (super unexciting because it was trampoline and no journalists were covering that). I stayed down on the green with Kelly, one of the Missouri girls I work with. We went to the olympic store, but just the outside because there was a 45 min. wait to get inside. THen we waked down to TGIFridays, which just so happened to be closed. This is the thing about CHina, when I think something is very logical (example: TGIFRIDAY on the green being open because why would you build a restaurant and not open it for the olympics) Well anyways, if it's logical- then it's doesn't really work and it's the opposite. I have thankfully gotten use to this and so now I laugh instead of get upset when things like this happen. Anyways we grabbed ourselves some Mcdonalds (the only option on the green) and then headed to the birdsnest. It is absolutely amazing. We got to see some long jump, the women's heptathlon, and of course the men's 100 meter finals. I was a little disappointed that Gay didn't even qualify, but Bolts run was one of the most amazing athletic moments I've ever witnessed! I hope everyone got to see it. Of course watching Phelps get his 8th this morning was pretty cool too, a little closer than I thought it was going to be. It's funny, I think I've started becoming a local. The past 2 days were some of the best weather days we've had yet in Beijing. Walking on the green yesterday, while everyone else was taking pictures of the birdsnest and staring in awe, I was taking pictures of the mountains. It's only about 2 or 3 days a month that the mountains have been visible- I forget they're there almost everyday. It was just funny that I was more excited about that than the birdsnest, but I guess that's what happens when you see it everyday.
It's so weird to think I've been here almost 7 weeks and a week from now I'm going to start thinking about packing! It's funny because before I left, when I was at dinner with my parents, we were all guessing what I would miss the most. I was guessing food, but I am happy to report as much as I am excited for a giant salad and some fruit when I get home, that isn't the thing I miss the most. I have to say I miss the sky and breathing the most. Really hazy smoggy days can put you in a bad mood. I've seen 2 stars the whole time I've been here- and I know I'm in a big city- but half the time I can't even see the top of the buildings. I also really miss driving a lot. I love public transportation but I'm really ready to hop in my car and drive myself places. Also being able to communicate with anyone and everyone. I've gotten really good at hand signals and pointing, but I can't wait to be checking out somewhere or ordering food somewhere and knowing what exactly I'm ordering. I of course miss people the most, but those are a few things that I have really come to miss. There are a lot of things I'll miss about China too, and I'm sure as the next 2 weeks fly by they will hit me . I'll share them at a later date, but for now its laundry and I might start to get organized for packing! yeah, probably not, but I figured I'd make my mom happy for a split second. And, if anyone has any gift requests from China get them in soon!
It's so weird to think I've been here almost 7 weeks and a week from now I'm going to start thinking about packing! It's funny because before I left, when I was at dinner with my parents, we were all guessing what I would miss the most. I was guessing food, but I am happy to report as much as I am excited for a giant salad and some fruit when I get home, that isn't the thing I miss the most. I have to say I miss the sky and breathing the most. Really hazy smoggy days can put you in a bad mood. I've seen 2 stars the whole time I've been here- and I know I'm in a big city- but half the time I can't even see the top of the buildings. I also really miss driving a lot. I love public transportation but I'm really ready to hop in my car and drive myself places. Also being able to communicate with anyone and everyone. I've gotten really good at hand signals and pointing, but I can't wait to be checking out somewhere or ordering food somewhere and knowing what exactly I'm ordering. I of course miss people the most, but those are a few things that I have really come to miss. There are a lot of things I'll miss about China too, and I'm sure as the next 2 weeks fly by they will hit me . I'll share them at a later date, but for now its laundry and I might start to get organized for packing! yeah, probably not, but I figured I'd make my mom happy for a split second. And, if anyone has any gift requests from China get them in soon!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
9.69
WOW, I just saw Bold set a world record in the 100 m finals! I hope everyone watched that!!!! Fastest man in the world and he even slowed up at the end! I'll post more tomorrow because it's almost 2 am......but WOW
Friday, August 15, 2008
My life is pretty cool at the moment....
This is just a warning, but my post will be very long today. It's been a few very eventful days since I've last blogged- so bare with me! (I even made a list! haha)
I have actually been working everyday (expect last monday because gymnastics had an off day). My days consist of coming in the afternoon- towards the end of the competition. I have enjoyed this because I have seen 3 of the 4 medal ceremonies (I didn't watch them mens all-around ceremony because I was actually helping someone). I have been able to sneak up to the tribune (where all the journalists sit to watch the actual event) and today's ceremony was AMAZING. I didn't think it would be such a huge deal to see the american flag being raised and the anthem playing, but I got goosebumps! Those girls were AMAZING. The one thing I can't get over is the fact that many of the chinese workers and journalist have been cheering. (it sounds dorky, but it's like the first thing I was ever told when covering a sporting event) Not the biggest deal ever, but the people were cheering when america messed up during the girls team events. That's a bit much for me! Also many of my workers were crying when China won the gold for the girls team event. You're suppose to be working! Its ok though, because each of them came up and personally congratulated me today when the U.S. took gold and silver. I just smile and said "thanks, it was a lot of hard work!". ARE YOU KIDDING ME? haha it is just different and I find that a lot of my supervisors (including my non-chinese ones) don't have a lot of journalism training. I'm probably just a complete nerd, but it kind of bothers me sometimes.
My days start with me picking up the china daily which is published in english currently for my pleasure. The first day I found my first huge fact error in the second article I read (and I have to say I read 96% of articles because they're funny and I'm that bored sometimes). Some news stories/ observances:
-There are no captions- there may be a few, but the picture on the front will have no caption along with about 65% of the pictures. Sometimes I like to know what I'm looking at
- Putin doubled the prize money for athletes to 150,000 dollars- now we know why Becky Hammon really wanted to play for Russia- speaking of her there was a great column on ESPN: http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/columns/story?id=3530332
Today I had the pleasure of helping the a sports journalist from the New York Times. He's in charge of graphics and we got on the topics of newspapers. I told him I read the NYT regularly when I'm at school and he asked if I was a person who like to read a paper paper or get it on the internet. I said that I grew up reading the paper paper, being at school I check the dispatch website at least once a day (often times more- I really help get the hits up for the hockey blog) but nothing beats reading a paper paper for me. He said he's the same way, but his job has gotten a lot more interesting with doing stuff for the web, you can just be so interactive. It was a very interesting conversation and when he left (not getting what he wanted after 30 minutes, thank you China and the Gymnastics federations) I got a NYTimes pin (pins are very popular to trade and I probably have close to 30 now) and a NYTimes key chain (which I have to say I felt pretty special!). It's interesting to watch the media work- I think it will always fascinate me. On one hand things frustrate me- not getting taken seriously, stupid and cocky journalist, fluff stories, and worrying strictly about money- and this is why I've had a hard time figuring out exactly what I want to do. But at the same time talking to people like the NYTimes guy and watching people take it seriously and that deadline rush- those are all things that remind me why I wanted to do what I hopefully someday will do. Thats my little rant back to China haha!
Monday I had a day off and BOCOG (who we are ultimately working for) got us tickets to beach volleyball. That was so fun to finally go to an olympic event as a spectator! After that a group of us went to get dumplings and then Eric Allie and I walked around on the green for the afternoon. We stopped in a lot of sponsor buildings and just mingled with different people. That night we realized that the today show was being filmed right beside us so we stayed to get on the today show. This was so fun! We were right in the front and right before the weather Eric started an MIZ chant and we got a shout out from AL! We met them all, but I can't say enough good things about Ann and Meredith. Ann gave us what seemed like a graduation speech and we really should invite her to be out speaker in december. I have pictures up on Picasaweb (the link is in the upper right hand corner). We have seen the Meredith and Ann at gymnastics the last few days and my friend got to escort Meredith out of the building today. AMAZING
One other funny story I have from work is the other day a few journalists from Toronto came in and started talking to me. He asked where I was from and I said Columbus and he responds, "oh, Rick Nash!"..... I just started laughing typical canadian.... I just said I knew who he was- but it was pretty funny. I had to call his cell phone later and he asked me where good bars where. I proceeded to tell him where we usually go out and he ends the conversation with, "well let me know if you find someplace".....seriously, let me just call this guy up next time, he does refer to me as the Ohio girl...I think he was just impressed that I didn't look lost when he said Rick Nash....
On a more serious note, everyone knows about the volleyball coach's father-in-law. When it happened, I have a friend at another venue who was reading it on the web to find out more information. A chinese girl in her group came up and when my friend looked a little upset the chinese girl said "don't worry it's just fake news".... my friend responds with excuse me... and she says "its fake news.....like Tibet....the government tells us it's fake news, they just want to scare us." I just found this interesting
I also was talking to a girl in my group who I think is very intelligent. She is one of 2 people from Remin University (where we are staying) that gets to study abroad in Hong Kong next semester. Her ultimate goal is to study in the United States- she is far smarter than me, so I hope she gets to. I have talked to her a lot about the communist party and her views on China and here are a few things that stood out to me:
- the people of China got no outside news from other countries in the past so she explained to me that her parents and people before her only had China's to compare with the current China. SHe said she is lucky because she has the internets so she now can compare China to something- although she doesn't think this will cause any changes because China doesn't like change- the want harmony and change would disrupt that and that scares them.
-They walk in line and don't question things. She thinks I'm funny because in the green the subway line has 5 entrances and to get to the entrances you have to go down a flight of stairs and there are at least 12 of those. Anyways, there is only one entrance and 1 flight of stairs open one night and I was mad because its 1 am and we have to walk to a different set of stairs. I told them to ask the guards why and they wouldn't they just said because and I said why would you have that many entrances if you can's use them (security is not an issue on the green because everyone on it has already been screened- there is no way onto the green without it) they admitted to me it was stupid, but didn't even question it. I told them I would just go past the guards and down (I have before) and they looked at me like I was the biggest rebel every and wouldn't let me.
- Along the same lines my friend told me she wants to study abroad, but if someone said she couldn't go she wouldn't question it. I told her if someone told me I couldn't do something I would do it just to prove them wrong. With that she told me this joke:
there is a boat sinking and the captain must get everyone off:
He goes up to the German and explains that scientifically he must get off (I guess Germans are scientific....Will are they?) so he jumps off
THe captain goes too the guy from France and says it's really romantic to jump off the boat- so he jumps off
Goes up to the American and says you have more freedom in the water than on the boat- he jumps off
goes to the Chinese (last person on the boat) and says.....everyone else jumped and he jumps off
I just thought it was funny that she told me that and it wasn't like she was sad but she knew it was true. SHe said sometimes she's sad that she has to hide ideas and be less creative thinking, but she explained to me she's lived like this and followed rules for the last 20 years of her life. I guess if I grew up like that (thank God I didn't) I would be the same way. She also said that the chinese was very inefficient something that has been very hard getting use to at work and training- I feel like I'm wasting time. I asked her if she was excited to be in Hong Kong and she said yes because she'll have more freedoms and I asked if she thinks she'll have a hard time coming back and she said that she thinks she'll have as hard a time coming back as I'm having adjusting to how things work around here.
I guess I've bored you with enough stories now. I'm working tomorrow TRAMPOLINE! fun, I feel like I'm at camp again haha! I am going to track finals tomorrow night (sat morning in the states) so look for me on t.v.! I can't believe I have less than 2 weeks left and I will try to write more in the last weeks.
I have actually been working everyday (expect last monday because gymnastics had an off day). My days consist of coming in the afternoon- towards the end of the competition. I have enjoyed this because I have seen 3 of the 4 medal ceremonies (I didn't watch them mens all-around ceremony because I was actually helping someone). I have been able to sneak up to the tribune (where all the journalists sit to watch the actual event) and today's ceremony was AMAZING. I didn't think it would be such a huge deal to see the american flag being raised and the anthem playing, but I got goosebumps! Those girls were AMAZING. The one thing I can't get over is the fact that many of the chinese workers and journalist have been cheering. (it sounds dorky, but it's like the first thing I was ever told when covering a sporting event) Not the biggest deal ever, but the people were cheering when america messed up during the girls team events. That's a bit much for me! Also many of my workers were crying when China won the gold for the girls team event. You're suppose to be working! Its ok though, because each of them came up and personally congratulated me today when the U.S. took gold and silver. I just smile and said "thanks, it was a lot of hard work!". ARE YOU KIDDING ME? haha it is just different and I find that a lot of my supervisors (including my non-chinese ones) don't have a lot of journalism training. I'm probably just a complete nerd, but it kind of bothers me sometimes.
My days start with me picking up the china daily which is published in english currently for my pleasure. The first day I found my first huge fact error in the second article I read (and I have to say I read 96% of articles because they're funny and I'm that bored sometimes). Some news stories/ observances:
-There are no captions- there may be a few, but the picture on the front will have no caption along with about 65% of the pictures. Sometimes I like to know what I'm looking at
- Putin doubled the prize money for athletes to 150,000 dollars- now we know why Becky Hammon really wanted to play for Russia- speaking of her there was a great column on ESPN: http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/columns/story?id=3530332
Today I had the pleasure of helping the a sports journalist from the New York Times. He's in charge of graphics and we got on the topics of newspapers. I told him I read the NYT regularly when I'm at school and he asked if I was a person who like to read a paper paper or get it on the internet. I said that I grew up reading the paper paper, being at school I check the dispatch website at least once a day (often times more- I really help get the hits up for the hockey blog) but nothing beats reading a paper paper for me. He said he's the same way, but his job has gotten a lot more interesting with doing stuff for the web, you can just be so interactive. It was a very interesting conversation and when he left (not getting what he wanted after 30 minutes, thank you China and the Gymnastics federations) I got a NYTimes pin (pins are very popular to trade and I probably have close to 30 now) and a NYTimes key chain (which I have to say I felt pretty special!). It's interesting to watch the media work- I think it will always fascinate me. On one hand things frustrate me- not getting taken seriously, stupid and cocky journalist, fluff stories, and worrying strictly about money- and this is why I've had a hard time figuring out exactly what I want to do. But at the same time talking to people like the NYTimes guy and watching people take it seriously and that deadline rush- those are all things that remind me why I wanted to do what I hopefully someday will do. Thats my little rant back to China haha!
Monday I had a day off and BOCOG (who we are ultimately working for) got us tickets to beach volleyball. That was so fun to finally go to an olympic event as a spectator! After that a group of us went to get dumplings and then Eric Allie and I walked around on the green for the afternoon. We stopped in a lot of sponsor buildings and just mingled with different people. That night we realized that the today show was being filmed right beside us so we stayed to get on the today show. This was so fun! We were right in the front and right before the weather Eric started an MIZ chant and we got a shout out from AL! We met them all, but I can't say enough good things about Ann and Meredith. Ann gave us what seemed like a graduation speech and we really should invite her to be out speaker in december. I have pictures up on Picasaweb (the link is in the upper right hand corner). We have seen the Meredith and Ann at gymnastics the last few days and my friend got to escort Meredith out of the building today. AMAZING
One other funny story I have from work is the other day a few journalists from Toronto came in and started talking to me. He asked where I was from and I said Columbus and he responds, "oh, Rick Nash!"..... I just started laughing typical canadian.... I just said I knew who he was- but it was pretty funny. I had to call his cell phone later and he asked me where good bars where. I proceeded to tell him where we usually go out and he ends the conversation with, "well let me know if you find someplace".....seriously, let me just call this guy up next time, he does refer to me as the Ohio girl...I think he was just impressed that I didn't look lost when he said Rick Nash....
On a more serious note, everyone knows about the volleyball coach's father-in-law. When it happened, I have a friend at another venue who was reading it on the web to find out more information. A chinese girl in her group came up and when my friend looked a little upset the chinese girl said "don't worry it's just fake news".... my friend responds with excuse me... and she says "its fake news.....like Tibet....the government tells us it's fake news, they just want to scare us." I just found this interesting
I also was talking to a girl in my group who I think is very intelligent. She is one of 2 people from Remin University (where we are staying) that gets to study abroad in Hong Kong next semester. Her ultimate goal is to study in the United States- she is far smarter than me, so I hope she gets to. I have talked to her a lot about the communist party and her views on China and here are a few things that stood out to me:
- the people of China got no outside news from other countries in the past so she explained to me that her parents and people before her only had China's to compare with the current China. SHe said she is lucky because she has the internets so she now can compare China to something- although she doesn't think this will cause any changes because China doesn't like change- the want harmony and change would disrupt that and that scares them.
-They walk in line and don't question things. She thinks I'm funny because in the green the subway line has 5 entrances and to get to the entrances you have to go down a flight of stairs and there are at least 12 of those. Anyways, there is only one entrance and 1 flight of stairs open one night and I was mad because its 1 am and we have to walk to a different set of stairs. I told them to ask the guards why and they wouldn't they just said because and I said why would you have that many entrances if you can's use them (security is not an issue on the green because everyone on it has already been screened- there is no way onto the green without it) they admitted to me it was stupid, but didn't even question it. I told them I would just go past the guards and down (I have before) and they looked at me like I was the biggest rebel every and wouldn't let me.
- Along the same lines my friend told me she wants to study abroad, but if someone said she couldn't go she wouldn't question it. I told her if someone told me I couldn't do something I would do it just to prove them wrong. With that she told me this joke:
there is a boat sinking and the captain must get everyone off:
He goes up to the German and explains that scientifically he must get off (I guess Germans are scientific....Will are they?) so he jumps off
THe captain goes too the guy from France and says it's really romantic to jump off the boat- so he jumps off
Goes up to the American and says you have more freedom in the water than on the boat- he jumps off
goes to the Chinese (last person on the boat) and says.....everyone else jumped and he jumps off
I just thought it was funny that she told me that and it wasn't like she was sad but she knew it was true. SHe said sometimes she's sad that she has to hide ideas and be less creative thinking, but she explained to me she's lived like this and followed rules for the last 20 years of her life. I guess if I grew up like that (thank God I didn't) I would be the same way. She also said that the chinese was very inefficient something that has been very hard getting use to at work and training- I feel like I'm wasting time. I asked her if she was excited to be in Hong Kong and she said yes because she'll have more freedoms and I asked if she thinks she'll have a hard time coming back and she said that she thinks she'll have as hard a time coming back as I'm having adjusting to how things work around here.
I guess I've bored you with enough stories now. I'm working tomorrow TRAMPOLINE! fun, I feel like I'm at camp again haha! I am going to track finals tomorrow night (sat morning in the states) so look for me on t.v.! I can't believe I have less than 2 weeks left and I will try to write more in the last weeks.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
This week....
Sorry for the delay....things have began to get busy!
Tuesday: my "happy day"... Eric, Allie and I met my friends Seven (her boyfriend is 11) and Jane and they took us to HOT POT. This was one of the best meals I have had in China. Hotpot is a style of food- it's a big pot of water in the middle and you throw all different types of food in. It's a very social thing and we sat there for 2 hours and talked to them. After the meal we took them to cold stone to introduce them to american ice cream. Let me just say cold stone is just as good in China.
Wednesday: This was my last day of training and not as eventful as Monday, but still interesting. I learned many things from the chinese in my group:
1) they explained to me how to tell the difference between chinese, japanese, and korean. It was very interesting to hear their stereotypes and how they can tell the difference between them. I found it very politically incorrect, but it was funny to hear.
2) the marrying age for them is 20 for girls and 22 to guys. I found it interesting that its different for guys and girls- I don't think that would be allowed in America
3) Wendy, my supervisor, spent 4 years in the Netherlands and 6 months in Miami- two very interesting places and I would like to find out more about Wendy!
4) I wished I paid a lot more attention in french class or was Will- because it would be so nice to know a second language right now. Journalist come in and mumble things under their breath in spanish or french or german and I would pay to know what they were saying!
5) I have become addicted to coffee in the last 2 weeks- I guess I'm my mothers daughter
6) I have gotten 2 of my chinese friends to join facebook- it might run the world someday
Thursday- Allie and I went with one of our friends to a place called Lush for breakfast. It's like a coffee bar during the day, a restaurant and then a bar- really everything you could need. We had pancakes and eggs and Allie finally got her bagel with cream cheese. We met up with some students from Iowa for breakfast and one of them went with Allie and I to a famous art district called 798. This is a bunch of warehouses that chinese artists have converted to art galleries. It was amazing- finally some free speech and it was cool to see how far these chinese artists have come in the last few years. We also ran across the Swiss house. Every country has a house where they have parties and celebrate victories. Our goal is to get into as many countries houses as possible. All the sponsors from the country have booths and hand out free stuff. In the Swiss house we got free coffee, ice cream, and chocolate. I was in heaven to say the least. THat night we went to a pizza place that had beer pong set up- Allie and I beat a couple boys- they weren't too happy!
Friday- 08-08-08. We went down on the green- I was the only one who could actually get on the green since my venue is located there. So I went out and sat with my friends because I wanted to share the experience with them. I went on the green a few times to get everyone drinks and just venture around. We ran across the street to a hotel to watch the stuff on t.v.- and 9:30 they turned the t.v. off and tried to kick us out, but one of the chinese people there watching got in a fist fight with the owner and they let us stay. There was a kid who got it on video, so when we get back to the states and everything isn't blocked we'll try to find it on youtube. We ran outside right in front of the birdsnest for the lighting of the torch and the fireworks. It was overall a great night and I'm glad I was down there. It took us and hour and 1/2 to find a taxi home, not the fun part. WE also saw Bush's motorcade before the ceremonies which was pretty cool. I spent most of the night texting Wes, we decided it was pretty cool he could be at work and I could be in China and we could be instantly texting. I'm trying to put a video up, but its not working so hopefully I can figure out how to do that soon- It's on facebook for those of you who have it.
Saturday: this was my first day of work. The story of the volleyball coaches family broke while I was at work. I got a text message and tried to find it online, but all sites were blocked except for fox news. I was told if a journalist asked about it to tell them to contact the USOC and not say anything else. It was just interesting how they reacted. I had dinner with one of my friends and she had a conversation with me about the communist party- she just joined the party this year and said that it's hard but you're a lot better off if you're a member. She said she didn't really like it, but there's nothing to compare it to besides past generations. Thank God for a 2 party system! She is studying in Hong Kong this fall. I'm very excited for her because Hong Kong has a lot more freedom because they use to be controlled by Britain, but recently given back to China. My favorite comment of the night had to be from some European journalist how told me I should go comfort an athlete who fell off the bars. I wanted to punch him in the face- but I just responded with I think I'll pass. I'm glad I can get comments like that in China too!
That's it for now- I work today from 4- midnight then have an off day tomorrow- my last one until the 24th. I should have more time to update this week, but the last week I'll be super busy and working really late so we'll have to see.
Tuesday: my "happy day"... Eric, Allie and I met my friends Seven (her boyfriend is 11) and Jane and they took us to HOT POT. This was one of the best meals I have had in China. Hotpot is a style of food- it's a big pot of water in the middle and you throw all different types of food in. It's a very social thing and we sat there for 2 hours and talked to them. After the meal we took them to cold stone to introduce them to american ice cream. Let me just say cold stone is just as good in China.
Wednesday: This was my last day of training and not as eventful as Monday, but still interesting. I learned many things from the chinese in my group:
1) they explained to me how to tell the difference between chinese, japanese, and korean. It was very interesting to hear their stereotypes and how they can tell the difference between them. I found it very politically incorrect, but it was funny to hear.
2) the marrying age for them is 20 for girls and 22 to guys. I found it interesting that its different for guys and girls- I don't think that would be allowed in America
3) Wendy, my supervisor, spent 4 years in the Netherlands and 6 months in Miami- two very interesting places and I would like to find out more about Wendy!
4) I wished I paid a lot more attention in french class or was Will- because it would be so nice to know a second language right now. Journalist come in and mumble things under their breath in spanish or french or german and I would pay to know what they were saying!
5) I have become addicted to coffee in the last 2 weeks- I guess I'm my mothers daughter
6) I have gotten 2 of my chinese friends to join facebook- it might run the world someday
Thursday- Allie and I went with one of our friends to a place called Lush for breakfast. It's like a coffee bar during the day, a restaurant and then a bar- really everything you could need. We had pancakes and eggs and Allie finally got her bagel with cream cheese. We met up with some students from Iowa for breakfast and one of them went with Allie and I to a famous art district called 798. This is a bunch of warehouses that chinese artists have converted to art galleries. It was amazing- finally some free speech and it was cool to see how far these chinese artists have come in the last few years. We also ran across the Swiss house. Every country has a house where they have parties and celebrate victories. Our goal is to get into as many countries houses as possible. All the sponsors from the country have booths and hand out free stuff. In the Swiss house we got free coffee, ice cream, and chocolate. I was in heaven to say the least. THat night we went to a pizza place that had beer pong set up- Allie and I beat a couple boys- they weren't too happy!
Friday- 08-08-08. We went down on the green- I was the only one who could actually get on the green since my venue is located there. So I went out and sat with my friends because I wanted to share the experience with them. I went on the green a few times to get everyone drinks and just venture around. We ran across the street to a hotel to watch the stuff on t.v.- and 9:30 they turned the t.v. off and tried to kick us out, but one of the chinese people there watching got in a fist fight with the owner and they let us stay. There was a kid who got it on video, so when we get back to the states and everything isn't blocked we'll try to find it on youtube. We ran outside right in front of the birdsnest for the lighting of the torch and the fireworks. It was overall a great night and I'm glad I was down there. It took us and hour and 1/2 to find a taxi home, not the fun part. WE also saw Bush's motorcade before the ceremonies which was pretty cool. I spent most of the night texting Wes, we decided it was pretty cool he could be at work and I could be in China and we could be instantly texting. I'm trying to put a video up, but its not working so hopefully I can figure out how to do that soon- It's on facebook for those of you who have it.
Saturday: this was my first day of work. The story of the volleyball coaches family broke while I was at work. I got a text message and tried to find it online, but all sites were blocked except for fox news. I was told if a journalist asked about it to tell them to contact the USOC and not say anything else. It was just interesting how they reacted. I had dinner with one of my friends and she had a conversation with me about the communist party- she just joined the party this year and said that it's hard but you're a lot better off if you're a member. She said she didn't really like it, but there's nothing to compare it to besides past generations. Thank God for a 2 party system! She is studying in Hong Kong this fall. I'm very excited for her because Hong Kong has a lot more freedom because they use to be controlled by Britain, but recently given back to China. My favorite comment of the night had to be from some European journalist how told me I should go comfort an athlete who fell off the bars. I wanted to punch him in the face- but I just responded with I think I'll pass. I'm glad I can get comments like that in China too!
That's it for now- I work today from 4- midnight then have an off day tomorrow- my last one until the 24th. I should have more time to update this week, but the last week I'll be super busy and working really late so we'll have to see.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Let the games begin!!!!
I just got back from being down on the green. IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!! watch it tonight. When I wake up tomorrow I'll blog all about it and post pictures- but we walked around for over and hour and 1/2 trying to find a cab and I just got home at 2am and am exhausted. So sorry- but watch it- USA was kind of disappointing on the outfit! AHHHHH I can't believe I just saw that! I"ll post everything soon!!!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Organizing Workroom 2
I had a great day at work. My morning started off well when I arrived at the venue and we were given tickets so we could receive coke at lunch. My group was so excited about it that they went and got them at 10 am. You could chose between coke and juice and I was the only one out of 15 to get Coke. One Chinese girl told me it was too sweet. Lets just say that I unfortunately didn't find it too sweet and am excited for diet coke and crystal light when I get home- I've gained at least 10 pounds so far and it may just be from the pop I've drank! I know this doesn't seem like a huge deal- but it was a good start.
The second main highlight was the fact we got wristbands. They are exactly like livestrongs but the writing is in chinese. The other volunteers told me it said something about smiling and volunteering. I got 5- one for each color of the olympic ring. Lets just say I'm pretty stoked and may share. Wendy also gave me 3 posters that didn't fit on the walls. I have to say she is so amazing and loves me! Great news considering she gave me a snickers and coffee (I'm turning into my mom and drinking coffee daily haha) and I have a feeling she'll save my life and sanity a few times in the next 3 weeks.
I had lunch today with 3 girls in my group and learned a lot about them and their lives. I always get asked if I have siblings and always brag about Wes and Will ( and Em and Lenny!) Today I was surprised to find out 2 of the 3 girls had younger brothers. I of course ask too many questions and innocently ask what the rules are for that and they were very candid. This is what I learned:
*A large majority of chinese are one nationality (the word they used) these people can only have one child- if they have more than one they "must pay a lot of money" (I would have totally be worth it- Will maybe not)
*The other nationalities (they told me there were 58 total nationalities but over 90% where the one- not sure if these numbers are 100% correct.....translation!) these people can have as many children as they want
*The past I found most interesting was that there is a "new" rule that if you are of the majority nationality and are an only child and you marry an only child, you are allowed to have 2 children. The only child in the group was very excited about this- I'm guessing she would say no to a guy if he wasn't an only child.
These girls also told me they live with 6 girls in a room and must go outside to the public restrooms-they were very jealous of where I was staying.
I have many stories about the media from today including NBC commentators, canadian gymnasts, and hot guys from ESPN Brazil- but I am unable to blog about it. If you're interested email me and I will forward you the email that I emailed my parents- or bug them and they can forward it to you. All I'll say that I smiled and said "Welcome to China" many times as people were cursing under their breath. I did get an unofficial promotion to supervisor of the workroom and Wendy told me that I now get to talk to any foreign media because they are nicer and handle talking to me better.
My afternoon was capped of by getting passed a note like I was in middle school inviting me to go shopping tomorrow on our day off. I said yes and have that to look forward to tomorrow. They are also taking me to Hot Pot and maybe a film. They said they were excited to give me a "happy day". I'll try to update you in the next few days and leave your email address on comments if you want to hear the details of work!
The second main highlight was the fact we got wristbands. They are exactly like livestrongs but the writing is in chinese. The other volunteers told me it said something about smiling and volunteering. I got 5- one for each color of the olympic ring. Lets just say I'm pretty stoked and may share. Wendy also gave me 3 posters that didn't fit on the walls. I have to say she is so amazing and loves me! Great news considering she gave me a snickers and coffee (I'm turning into my mom and drinking coffee daily haha) and I have a feeling she'll save my life and sanity a few times in the next 3 weeks.
I had lunch today with 3 girls in my group and learned a lot about them and their lives. I always get asked if I have siblings and always brag about Wes and Will ( and Em and Lenny!) Today I was surprised to find out 2 of the 3 girls had younger brothers. I of course ask too many questions and innocently ask what the rules are for that and they were very candid. This is what I learned:
*A large majority of chinese are one nationality (the word they used) these people can only have one child- if they have more than one they "must pay a lot of money" (I would have totally be worth it- Will maybe not)
*The other nationalities (they told me there were 58 total nationalities but over 90% where the one- not sure if these numbers are 100% correct.....translation!) these people can have as many children as they want
*The past I found most interesting was that there is a "new" rule that if you are of the majority nationality and are an only child and you marry an only child, you are allowed to have 2 children. The only child in the group was very excited about this- I'm guessing she would say no to a guy if he wasn't an only child.
These girls also told me they live with 6 girls in a room and must go outside to the public restrooms-they were very jealous of where I was staying.
I have many stories about the media from today including NBC commentators, canadian gymnasts, and hot guys from ESPN Brazil- but I am unable to blog about it. If you're interested email me and I will forward you the email that I emailed my parents- or bug them and they can forward it to you. All I'll say that I smiled and said "Welcome to China" many times as people were cursing under their breath. I did get an unofficial promotion to supervisor of the workroom and Wendy told me that I now get to talk to any foreign media because they are nicer and handle talking to me better.
My afternoon was capped of by getting passed a note like I was in middle school inviting me to go shopping tomorrow on our day off. I said yes and have that to look forward to tomorrow. They are also taking me to Hot Pot and maybe a film. They said they were excited to give me a "happy day". I'll try to update you in the next few days and leave your email address on comments if you want to hear the details of work!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Countdown: less than one week
Sorry for the delay in posting. There are many reasons for not posting sooner. For one, I have had a sinus infection-so anytime that I haven't been working I have most likely been sleeping. Also, things for me personally have been going very well- however things with other people and things with China have been pretty frustrating the last few days. But I guess it's time to just push myself to write.
First of all training is going really well. My boss, Wendy, have been great. Since there isn't really anything to do she has us coming in every other day in shifts. It was great timing with me not feeling so hot. Every day I went in this week I got sent home after lunch because of my lovely coughing (mom I used lovely just for you). The chinese students I'm working with are great, they are so helpful and always so energetic to learn and ask questions. They always apologize for their lack of english- but I try to explain to them I'm just so thankful they are patient and try with me. I'm the one not speaking the language- if we were in america people would have a fit if they didn't speak english. I have to say that it wasn't that hard the first few weeks, we always had a translator with us and people are always willing to help. But the longer we stay here its more and more frustrating to not know the language.
Today we (Matt, Mark, Allie and I) decided since we all have the same day off (prob. the last for the rest of the trip) we would take a day trip. We took the bullet train (2 days old) down to Tianjin which is the 3rd largest city in China behind Beijing and Shanghai. First let me say that the train ride was worth it. It went up to 350 km per hour and we went about 180 miles in 30 minutes. We all decided that the U.S. needs this- esp. between St. Louis and Como! Let me just say the language barrier was very prevalent today. It wasn't too smart of us to just get on a train and not know anything about the city or have a map- but it turned out. The city itself was amazing and very different from Beijing. It has a lot of European influence from days it was occupied by the Dutch, France, and England. We found our way (somehow) to the center of the town where there were lots of shops. We then made our way to one of the most amazing Catholic Churches I've ever been in. I will post pictures on the website as soon as I can- prob. tomorrow. After that we went through a bunch of allies where there was an antique type market. This was another highlight because they had a lot of trinkets from the cultural revolution. We got stuck eating at McDonalds when we realized that no one could talk to us and it would have been impossible to order.
Those have been the main highlights from the past week. There are a lot of things that have happened that I can't blog about (talk to my parents) But we'll just say I'm getting a lesson and its not the one I thought I would be getting. I am learning a lot about how journalism works in China and how I could never live in a place where the media is so controlled and has no code of ethics. I know a lot of chinese journalist are reading out blogs, so I won't say much but it has definitely been a learning experience. I am VERY curious to find out when journalist get over here how much of what is going on now behind the scenes and publicly has happened at other olympics. There are things that I think won't get done or organized in time, but everything could pull together at the very end and look perfect. My venue officially opened today, so there will be a lot of journalist around this week. I'm excited. I've already met a few photo guys from the New York Times who seemed to be very relieved to see an American to help them. I have a feeling I'll get that reaction from a lot of journalists- which won't bother me at all, I'll just remind them all that I need a job starting in January! haha
I have to work tomorrow and Wednesday and will try to update on my off days. We're going to try to camp out thursday night to get somewhere close to the birds nest for the opening ceremonies and then I start working everyday on sat.
Also happy birthday to my Uncle Brian today......I won't say how old he is- but it's a HUGE birthday!!!!!! Happy Birthday!!!!
First of all training is going really well. My boss, Wendy, have been great. Since there isn't really anything to do she has us coming in every other day in shifts. It was great timing with me not feeling so hot. Every day I went in this week I got sent home after lunch because of my lovely coughing (mom I used lovely just for you). The chinese students I'm working with are great, they are so helpful and always so energetic to learn and ask questions. They always apologize for their lack of english- but I try to explain to them I'm just so thankful they are patient and try with me. I'm the one not speaking the language- if we were in america people would have a fit if they didn't speak english. I have to say that it wasn't that hard the first few weeks, we always had a translator with us and people are always willing to help. But the longer we stay here its more and more frustrating to not know the language.
Today we (Matt, Mark, Allie and I) decided since we all have the same day off (prob. the last for the rest of the trip) we would take a day trip. We took the bullet train (2 days old) down to Tianjin which is the 3rd largest city in China behind Beijing and Shanghai. First let me say that the train ride was worth it. It went up to 350 km per hour and we went about 180 miles in 30 minutes. We all decided that the U.S. needs this- esp. between St. Louis and Como! Let me just say the language barrier was very prevalent today. It wasn't too smart of us to just get on a train and not know anything about the city or have a map- but it turned out. The city itself was amazing and very different from Beijing. It has a lot of European influence from days it was occupied by the Dutch, France, and England. We found our way (somehow) to the center of the town where there were lots of shops. We then made our way to one of the most amazing Catholic Churches I've ever been in. I will post pictures on the website as soon as I can- prob. tomorrow. After that we went through a bunch of allies where there was an antique type market. This was another highlight because they had a lot of trinkets from the cultural revolution. We got stuck eating at McDonalds when we realized that no one could talk to us and it would have been impossible to order.
Those have been the main highlights from the past week. There are a lot of things that have happened that I can't blog about (talk to my parents) But we'll just say I'm getting a lesson and its not the one I thought I would be getting. I am learning a lot about how journalism works in China and how I could never live in a place where the media is so controlled and has no code of ethics. I know a lot of chinese journalist are reading out blogs, so I won't say much but it has definitely been a learning experience. I am VERY curious to find out when journalist get over here how much of what is going on now behind the scenes and publicly has happened at other olympics. There are things that I think won't get done or organized in time, but everything could pull together at the very end and look perfect. My venue officially opened today, so there will be a lot of journalist around this week. I'm excited. I've already met a few photo guys from the New York Times who seemed to be very relieved to see an American to help them. I have a feeling I'll get that reaction from a lot of journalists- which won't bother me at all, I'll just remind them all that I need a job starting in January! haha
I have to work tomorrow and Wednesday and will try to update on my off days. We're going to try to camp out thursday night to get somewhere close to the birds nest for the opening ceremonies and then I start working everyday on sat.
Also happy birthday to my Uncle Brian today......I won't say how old he is- but it's a HUGE birthday!!!!!! Happy Birthday!!!!
Monday, July 28, 2008
1/2 way home
I can't believe that tomorrow we've been here a full month! There are some days that feel so long, but all in all time for me is flying by. I'm sure this will only speed up once the games begin. The last few days there's not much to report. Saturday my friend Eric and I went to the Bamboo park. I never ceases to amaze me that there are some places in Beijing where you can be in the middle of the city and not hear a thing. They had very relaxing music playing on a P.A. system and I joked that we should have brought yoga mats and done yoga in the park. We also found our way to the "amusement park" part of the park. This consisted of bumper cars, a merry go round, and a few other little rides. It was very fun, but not what we expected to find at all. After the park we met up with 4 of our friends at a local pizza place. The pizza shop has beer pong every thursday which Allie and I were going to sign up for, but unfortunately the have stopped it for the olympics.
Sunday I woke up and felt like I was dying, so my day consisted of friends bring me dvd's to watch and mcdonalds to eat. I will just say I am one lucky girl. I fortunately brought along some antibiotics and sinus medicine and Allie also brought some cold meds- so I loaded up on that yesterday and feeling better today. I made myself get up and out of he hotel this afternoon (I go back to training tomorrow, today was an off day). Eric and I ventured down to tea street. I will never understand how these people stay in business. Tea street is a mile of road with the exact same store in every building. I thought Eric was going to shoot me when I sat down at a table to sample tea, of course we were there for 30 minutes and tried about 50 kinds of tea. We both magically walked away empty handed, although the people in the store were not too happy. I just got back from dinner and am going to head to bed so this cold/sinus infection goes away by tomorrow or wednesday. Hopefully the next few days will be more eventful and I'll have more to blog about!
Sunday I woke up and felt like I was dying, so my day consisted of friends bring me dvd's to watch and mcdonalds to eat. I will just say I am one lucky girl. I fortunately brought along some antibiotics and sinus medicine and Allie also brought some cold meds- so I loaded up on that yesterday and feeling better today. I made myself get up and out of he hotel this afternoon (I go back to training tomorrow, today was an off day). Eric and I ventured down to tea street. I will never understand how these people stay in business. Tea street is a mile of road with the exact same store in every building. I thought Eric was going to shoot me when I sat down at a table to sample tea, of course we were there for 30 minutes and tried about 50 kinds of tea. We both magically walked away empty handed, although the people in the store were not too happy. I just got back from dinner and am going to head to bed so this cold/sinus infection goes away by tomorrow or wednesday. Hopefully the next few days will be more eventful and I'll have more to blog about!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Learning Chinese
I apologize for the kind of negative post, but thanks to everyone who left encouraging comments and emails. My favorite may have been my brothers about all the places I could be that would be worse. Lets just say it was very entertaining to read! The second day of training went a lot better. First, I was smart enough to get up early and go with another girl to get breakfast at mcdonalds- I know I know, McDonalds- but it was the only place open before 8am. Anyways the breakfast put me in a great mood, I love breakfast and it's crucial that I have it in the morning. We got dropped off at the wrong entrance, but it ended up better because we were way early (imagine that!) and we got to walk through the whole green. Right up next to the birds nest and water cube! AMAZING. Don't worry I have pictures I'll update shortly. At training it was better, I got to watch the chinese team practice the trampoline. I also started learning chinese. Ok, not much but it's a start. My group of 15 kids taught me:
I love you
I'm sorry
I'm hungry
I'm thirsty
sprite
It was awesome because every time I said a word right I got a round of applause. A girl in my group also changed her hairstyle to look like mine and a guy told me I was beautiful. Then he proceeded to ask me if that was too forward and the girls in my group asked how I know when boys in America like me. It was very interesting to try to explain that! It was fun to say the least. For my 2 hour nap time I took a book and got 1/2 way through it and took a pb and j for lunch. It ended up a lot better than the first day and I really like my boss and my group.
That night, Allie heard that tickets were going to go onsale at the main box office- we thought it would be a great idea to camp out for tickets in China. So after a trip to wal-mart to buy snacks, yoga mats, and beer (you know the essentials) we went down to the main ticket office.
WOW, lets just say we thought we'd be a few thousand back. We were a few 10 thousand back at least. There were so many people and we quickly realized we wouldn't get tickets. So what better to do than sit down on a curb and people watch. There were 6 of us and we were on a random curb when our friend Eric got the idea to make a sign that said "line starts here" we quickly got a crowd and got it translated to chinese on the back. Long story short we had about 100 people around us for an hour, we got every media person there around us it seemed, we got interviewed by the Guardian, and got the cops called because in China they don't like large groups.
LInks:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/gallery/2008/jul/24/olympics2008.china.beijing?picture=335958099
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jul/24/olympicgames2008.china1
and the Hong Kong paper:
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20080725/spb1.htm
translated: The captions says: A group of American volunteer came to buy ticket, but after seeing the scene they opt out (or maybe something like chickened out?) They also made a "the line starts here" sign to entertain themselves.
It says in the article: A few American volunteers hoped to get baseball tickets, they brought yoga mats, beer and food hoping to be first in line, but when they arrive at 6pm, they realized they were too late.
Eric was quoted: This is too scary! We came too late! Even if we start lining up now, we still won't get ticket, so we're just having a picnic here and have a look at the scene of lines."
Anyways, it was a very eventful night. Yesterday Eric Allie and I went to get wrestling tickets so we could see Ben Askren (former Missouri wrestler). Allie left to go to work and Eric and I sat there for 2 hours and got 4 tickets. (Don't worry dad, they were 15 dollars each) ALlie also somehow pull off getting us swimming tickets for august 17th! SO I am very very excited.
I have to get running because we're going to the bamboo park now, but I wanted to thank everyone and let them know that things have gotten better and will continue to do so.
Safe travels for my little brother who comes back from Africa in the next few days!!!! I will try to update again later today or tomorrow!
I love you
I'm sorry
I'm hungry
I'm thirsty
sprite
It was awesome because every time I said a word right I got a round of applause. A girl in my group also changed her hairstyle to look like mine and a guy told me I was beautiful. Then he proceeded to ask me if that was too forward and the girls in my group asked how I know when boys in America like me. It was very interesting to try to explain that! It was fun to say the least. For my 2 hour nap time I took a book and got 1/2 way through it and took a pb and j for lunch. It ended up a lot better than the first day and I really like my boss and my group.
That night, Allie heard that tickets were going to go onsale at the main box office- we thought it would be a great idea to camp out for tickets in China. So after a trip to wal-mart to buy snacks, yoga mats, and beer (you know the essentials) we went down to the main ticket office.
WOW, lets just say we thought we'd be a few thousand back. We were a few 10 thousand back at least. There were so many people and we quickly realized we wouldn't get tickets. So what better to do than sit down on a curb and people watch. There were 6 of us and we were on a random curb when our friend Eric got the idea to make a sign that said "line starts here" we quickly got a crowd and got it translated to chinese on the back. Long story short we had about 100 people around us for an hour, we got every media person there around us it seemed, we got interviewed by the Guardian, and got the cops called because in China they don't like large groups.
LInks:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/gallery/2008/jul/24/olympics2008.china.beijing?picture=335958099
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jul/24/olympicgames2008.china1
and the Hong Kong paper:
http://www.mingpaonews.com/20080725/spb1.htm
translated: The captions says: A group of American volunteer came to buy ticket, but after seeing the scene they opt out (or maybe something like chickened out?) They also made a "the line starts here" sign to entertain themselves.
It says in the article: A few American volunteers hoped to get baseball tickets, they brought yoga mats, beer and food hoping to be first in line, but when they arrive at 6pm, they realized they were too late.
Eric was quoted: This is too scary! We came too late! Even if we start lining up now, we still won't get ticket, so we're just having a picnic here and have a look at the scene of lines."
Anyways, it was a very eventful night. Yesterday Eric Allie and I went to get wrestling tickets so we could see Ben Askren (former Missouri wrestler). Allie left to go to work and Eric and I sat there for 2 hours and got 4 tickets. (Don't worry dad, they were 15 dollars each) ALlie also somehow pull off getting us swimming tickets for august 17th! SO I am very very excited.
I have to get running because we're going to the bamboo park now, but I wanted to thank everyone and let them know that things have gotten better and will continue to do so.
Safe travels for my little brother who comes back from Africa in the next few days!!!! I will try to update again later today or tomorrow!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
All the things I can't describe
Ok, sorry for the delay. I've been at a loss of how to describe what is going on with my life in China. (I know my family is laughing right now because I don't think I've ever been at a loss for words) I would like to preface this post with the fact I would not take back coming to China and I'm glad I came here. I have met some of the coolest people, and this is even before athletes and reporters have gotten here. This trip has been amazing and I have learned a lot about China, how things work, and myself. Over the past week I have learned a lot about China, the government here, the way the olympics is being run in China (I don't know if this is how past olympics have been run), and the Missouri School of Journalism. I have had a week of ups and downs and have remained positive until about today- and I'm still positive, I'm in China at the Olympics, but I feel like I at least have a very realistic mindset about how things are going. I apologize that most of my blogs have been super long and I have written them at the end of the day when I'm exhausted and it's just me venting. I just don't know how to even begin to wrap my head around or describe to you what is going on- it's taken me a few hours and phone calls to my mom and little brother in Africa (who is doing great by way for anyone that knows him- since this is mostly my family reading this) We joked that we both had great stories that we could only tell each other after we left our respected countries- So Will, I'm very excited to see you in 5 and 1/2 weeks. So I'll begin to try to explain our lives right now:
Sunday I went back to training and was told I didn't really need to be there until today, because all the training would be in chinese. Basically I am the only completely english speaking person working in the press workroom. I am with three other girls, who are in different rooms (press conference room, mixed zone-where athletes get interviewed, etc.) Anyways we were picked by whoever we are ultimately working for showing our advisors (the people in charge of the room) everyone from Missouri's pictures. My advisor chose my picture out of the bunch and now I'm in the press workroom- Thank you Missouri for allowing me to go through 2 days of what turned out to be worthless testing. So, I will be working with about 15 chinese students from different universities. These students and my boss, Wendy, have been so great and helpful. One girl sat there with me today and tried to translate everything for me. Through all the frustrating stuff, China has so many great people and things to offer- it's just hard to remember that when you're constantly dealing with people that aren't so great. (I'm sure it's that way in ANY country)
Monday I went on an adventure with my friend Eric to a little shopping area with a lake. We met a few friends down there and took out a boat and then had dinner and drinks in the area. Props to Eric for eating Chicken Foot- don't worry at some point there will be great pictures. Anyways it was a great change of pace and really good to enjoy China and the people I'm with- there are some people I'm so glad I've gotten the opportunity to meet.
Tuesday I ran some errands while Allie was at training. See Allie got switched to synchronized swimming from being an assistant at field hockey. She had to go to field hockey on tuesday to get her uniform and after arriving at 8 am the person she was suppose to work for put her in a room where she had to sit until 4pm- Long story short Allie's job description included cleaning this ladies office and she never got her uniform. The lady told her that she was going to block Allie from getting transfered and I will just say Allie was so happy when she got home. You can feel free to check out her blog at: http://www.bennettinbeijing.blogspot.com/
Anyways when she got home we ventured to a beautiful park and enjoyed a few drinks with Eric- who got stuck with us because he is quite good at finding his way around the subway.
That leaves us to today- where in the morning we got handouts and training books- all in Chinese. Then lunch- which is a chinese tv dinner- I enjoyed a nice banana and pb &j sandwitch I snuck in. THe lunch was 3 hours long and it took us 20 min to eat. What do you do with the other 2 hours or so? Nap of course, and for all of you that know me well would think that this would be great- but I'm in China, lets get this stuff done and let me go explore elsewhere. In the afternoon we had a 3 hour lecture.....in Chinese
Now I know I"m not really suppose to blog about what I'm doing, but I'm having a harder time caring exactly who hears me say what. This might not come as a surprise and I need to be better with it, but it's just how I grew up and I have a hard time not sayint things that I feel strongly on. So I know this post might be a little more negative, but throughout training today all I could do was laugh. It's just so different and honestly I'm excited when the journalist get here, but today? I got a whole paper on how I need to water plants. Now that will get me a job, my ability to not kill plants. How can you not laugh at that? seriously. And if this is a negative rant, please remember I am so happy to be here- I just have to laugh about it. I'm not upset I sat through a 3 hour lecture that I didn't even know one word. It's my fault- I came to China and I didn't know Chinese! WHo does that? I could go on with stories from other people- It could be a lot worse. But right now I need to get to bed- although Allies theory is "It doesn't matter how late I stay up because I can take a 3 hour nap tomorrow"..... It is funny I deal with frustrations with sarcasm (wonder who I got that from) but the Chinese don't really joke around, so I'll make it and Wendy will just get confused then laugh at me. My parents will be proud- I got to explain what a locker is and why one would use it today to over 50 chinese people. If nothing else I'll have some great stories!
I won't let this long go between posts again- its just be a crazy few days. Hope all is well and to the Wrights- sorry I'm missing out on the Pirates game this weekend.... have a blast
Sunday I went back to training and was told I didn't really need to be there until today, because all the training would be in chinese. Basically I am the only completely english speaking person working in the press workroom. I am with three other girls, who are in different rooms (press conference room, mixed zone-where athletes get interviewed, etc.) Anyways we were picked by whoever we are ultimately working for showing our advisors (the people in charge of the room) everyone from Missouri's pictures. My advisor chose my picture out of the bunch and now I'm in the press workroom- Thank you Missouri for allowing me to go through 2 days of what turned out to be worthless testing. So, I will be working with about 15 chinese students from different universities. These students and my boss, Wendy, have been so great and helpful. One girl sat there with me today and tried to translate everything for me. Through all the frustrating stuff, China has so many great people and things to offer- it's just hard to remember that when you're constantly dealing with people that aren't so great. (I'm sure it's that way in ANY country)
Monday I went on an adventure with my friend Eric to a little shopping area with a lake. We met a few friends down there and took out a boat and then had dinner and drinks in the area. Props to Eric for eating Chicken Foot- don't worry at some point there will be great pictures. Anyways it was a great change of pace and really good to enjoy China and the people I'm with- there are some people I'm so glad I've gotten the opportunity to meet.
Tuesday I ran some errands while Allie was at training. See Allie got switched to synchronized swimming from being an assistant at field hockey. She had to go to field hockey on tuesday to get her uniform and after arriving at 8 am the person she was suppose to work for put her in a room where she had to sit until 4pm- Long story short Allie's job description included cleaning this ladies office and she never got her uniform. The lady told her that she was going to block Allie from getting transfered and I will just say Allie was so happy when she got home. You can feel free to check out her blog at: http://www.bennettinbeijing.blogspot.com/
Anyways when she got home we ventured to a beautiful park and enjoyed a few drinks with Eric- who got stuck with us because he is quite good at finding his way around the subway.
That leaves us to today- where in the morning we got handouts and training books- all in Chinese. Then lunch- which is a chinese tv dinner- I enjoyed a nice banana and pb &j sandwitch I snuck in. THe lunch was 3 hours long and it took us 20 min to eat. What do you do with the other 2 hours or so? Nap of course, and for all of you that know me well would think that this would be great- but I'm in China, lets get this stuff done and let me go explore elsewhere. In the afternoon we had a 3 hour lecture.....in Chinese
Now I know I"m not really suppose to blog about what I'm doing, but I'm having a harder time caring exactly who hears me say what. This might not come as a surprise and I need to be better with it, but it's just how I grew up and I have a hard time not sayint things that I feel strongly on. So I know this post might be a little more negative, but throughout training today all I could do was laugh. It's just so different and honestly I'm excited when the journalist get here, but today? I got a whole paper on how I need to water plants. Now that will get me a job, my ability to not kill plants. How can you not laugh at that? seriously. And if this is a negative rant, please remember I am so happy to be here- I just have to laugh about it. I'm not upset I sat through a 3 hour lecture that I didn't even know one word. It's my fault- I came to China and I didn't know Chinese! WHo does that? I could go on with stories from other people- It could be a lot worse. But right now I need to get to bed- although Allies theory is "It doesn't matter how late I stay up because I can take a 3 hour nap tomorrow"..... It is funny I deal with frustrations with sarcasm (wonder who I got that from) but the Chinese don't really joke around, so I'll make it and Wendy will just get confused then laugh at me. My parents will be proud- I got to explain what a locker is and why one would use it today to over 50 chinese people. If nothing else I'll have some great stories!
I won't let this long go between posts again- its just be a crazy few days. Hope all is well and to the Wrights- sorry I'm missing out on the Pirates game this weekend.... have a blast
Thursday, July 17, 2008
It's not if you get sick in China, it's when you get sick in China....
I'm still not feeling too hot, I went to training this morning then came back and slept for a few hours. Hopefully I can get this all out of my system and be golden for the rest of my trip! I've heard a million times people say its not if you get sick here, it's when. I am very happy to get it out of the way when I have a little free time before the games start.
I just talked to my mom and she said that the Dairy Depot is celebrating 10 years of ice cream service by the Wardens. I really wish I could have a huge twist cone right now and have to say it is still at the top of my list for paying jobs I've had so far. I hope they have a great celebration!
So as far as training goes, we've basically been given a gag order- we have to ask permission if we want to be interviewed or talk to any media outlets. I am also not suppose to blog about anything I do while working or anything that happens. So I will probably be vague with my details at least for the start of my work- but I can send emails and call people to dish if anything super exciting happens. I will be at the Indoor National Stadium which will hold: Gymnastics, Trampoline, and the Handball finals! it is right on the olympic green besides the water cube and the birds nest. So I will be right in the middle of all the action, and although I can only get into the Indoor national stadium, I will try my hardest to find ways into the rest.
In other news I have spend the last 2 days being sick and learning about synchronized swimming.....why you ask? My lovely roommate, who was suppose to do "Crowd control" at the field hockey arena has been moved to synchronized swimming. For those of you who don't know Allie, she is on Missouri's swim team and has been dying for a way into the water cube since we found out we were going. She is now a synchronized swimming expert after stretching the truth a bit on her knowledge about synchronized swimming. My theory is that anyone can be an expert at about anything when they are given 2 days to prepare. I think most of life is just pretending to know what you're doing, or at least that is what has gotten me this far. Anyways after doing research, I am very very excited for her. There is a mixer for her venue at a bar tomorrow- everyone else at the water cube is either british or australian- so yes I will be attending her mixer tomorrow night to meet people with cool accents.
As for my job, I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing- but I have some clue. I will be in the main workroom in the national stadium. So basically I won't be around that many athletes, but I will be where every reporter is to watch the events and write their stories. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm almost more excited to be around the journalist than I am to be around the athletes. It'll be interesting to see how everything works. I already met my supervisor (her american name is Wendy) and got my own locker at the stadium- so I'm ready to move in! My supervisor is amazing from what I gathered in the 20 min. I got to meet her today- and I think she liked me considering I was so excited she kept laughing at me.
As for everyone else at the stadium, there are 3 other girls doing similar jobs to me and then about 20 other Missouri students doing flash quotes and interviewing the athletes. I did realize today how lucky I have been to have the opportunities I have had in the past 4 years. Mostly through Larry Larson, but even just being in the newsroom, seeing how the media works, being around the media relation guys at the Blue Jackets, just every single thing I've gotten to do in the past 4 years has prepared me for this moment. I feel very confident in my abilities and after some of the comments today from other students fell very prepared to be at this level of sporting event. Being around athletes after events, media people under tight deadlines, I am just so excited to observe it if anything else. I know a lot of people on this trip are kind of negative right now because we don't exactly know what we're doing or they're in jobs they didn't think they would be in- I could care less. I'm at the olympics- tell me where to go and I'll be there and if there's nothing to do, I'll make something for myself to do. I am just really excited for the next 6 weeks to jump in and just witness what I think is the greatest sporting event of all time.
I guess that's my rant for the day- haha I've had a little too much free time since I've not felt too hot the last few days. I will write more when I can- and sorry if the details in the coming weeks are not as specific, but I'll be home soon with lots of stories and feel free to email or call anytime!
I just talked to my mom and she said that the Dairy Depot is celebrating 10 years of ice cream service by the Wardens. I really wish I could have a huge twist cone right now and have to say it is still at the top of my list for paying jobs I've had so far. I hope they have a great celebration!
So as far as training goes, we've basically been given a gag order- we have to ask permission if we want to be interviewed or talk to any media outlets. I am also not suppose to blog about anything I do while working or anything that happens. So I will probably be vague with my details at least for the start of my work- but I can send emails and call people to dish if anything super exciting happens. I will be at the Indoor National Stadium which will hold: Gymnastics, Trampoline, and the Handball finals! it is right on the olympic green besides the water cube and the birds nest. So I will be right in the middle of all the action, and although I can only get into the Indoor national stadium, I will try my hardest to find ways into the rest.
In other news I have spend the last 2 days being sick and learning about synchronized swimming.....why you ask? My lovely roommate, who was suppose to do "Crowd control" at the field hockey arena has been moved to synchronized swimming. For those of you who don't know Allie, she is on Missouri's swim team and has been dying for a way into the water cube since we found out we were going. She is now a synchronized swimming expert after stretching the truth a bit on her knowledge about synchronized swimming. My theory is that anyone can be an expert at about anything when they are given 2 days to prepare. I think most of life is just pretending to know what you're doing, or at least that is what has gotten me this far. Anyways after doing research, I am very very excited for her. There is a mixer for her venue at a bar tomorrow- everyone else at the water cube is either british or australian- so yes I will be attending her mixer tomorrow night to meet people with cool accents.
As for my job, I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing- but I have some clue. I will be in the main workroom in the national stadium. So basically I won't be around that many athletes, but I will be where every reporter is to watch the events and write their stories. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm almost more excited to be around the journalist than I am to be around the athletes. It'll be interesting to see how everything works. I already met my supervisor (her american name is Wendy) and got my own locker at the stadium- so I'm ready to move in! My supervisor is amazing from what I gathered in the 20 min. I got to meet her today- and I think she liked me considering I was so excited she kept laughing at me.
As for everyone else at the stadium, there are 3 other girls doing similar jobs to me and then about 20 other Missouri students doing flash quotes and interviewing the athletes. I did realize today how lucky I have been to have the opportunities I have had in the past 4 years. Mostly through Larry Larson, but even just being in the newsroom, seeing how the media works, being around the media relation guys at the Blue Jackets, just every single thing I've gotten to do in the past 4 years has prepared me for this moment. I feel very confident in my abilities and after some of the comments today from other students fell very prepared to be at this level of sporting event. Being around athletes after events, media people under tight deadlines, I am just so excited to observe it if anything else. I know a lot of people on this trip are kind of negative right now because we don't exactly know what we're doing or they're in jobs they didn't think they would be in- I could care less. I'm at the olympics- tell me where to go and I'll be there and if there's nothing to do, I'll make something for myself to do. I am just really excited for the next 6 weeks to jump in and just witness what I think is the greatest sporting event of all time.
I guess that's my rant for the day- haha I've had a little too much free time since I've not felt too hot the last few days. I will write more when I can- and sorry if the details in the coming weeks are not as specific, but I'll be home soon with lots of stories and feel free to email or call anytime!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
My last off day
This is going to be a very uneventful blog, considering the last 24 hours are the first time I've gotten sick on this trip. So, my last day off for a little while was spent hanging out and not doing to much or going to far. Not the most fun, but my body needed to rest for a little while.
Yesterday was also a pretty relaxing day, Allie and I went shopping at a place you can barter for prices. Very fun, and since my parents regularly read this blog I will not discuss any purchases I made. (for both my dad and my's safety)
We went out to dinner last night with a few of our friends and sat outside until about 11 talking about different things. Overall just a really relaxing few days. Hopefully my little bug will be gone tomorrow because I wake up and go to my first day of training at 7:45! I will have a longer post tomorrow once I figure out what I will be doing! That's it for now!
Yesterday was also a pretty relaxing day, Allie and I went shopping at a place you can barter for prices. Very fun, and since my parents regularly read this blog I will not discuss any purchases I made. (for both my dad and my's safety)
We went out to dinner last night with a few of our friends and sat outside until about 11 talking about different things. Overall just a really relaxing few days. Hopefully my little bug will be gone tomorrow because I wake up and go to my first day of training at 7:45! I will have a longer post tomorrow once I figure out what I will be doing! That's it for now!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Starbucks
After talking with my mom tonight, she told me I forgot one important detail.....I had my first trip to starbucks......at the bottom of the Great Wall!!!!! I'm embarrassed to admit I caved in and had it.....but really, the bottom of the Great Wall??? With things like that it's almost impossible to get homesick!
I don't even know how to begin to describe my life right now!
Sorry, I've been bad at posting again! But we have been non-stop for the past 4 days- hence today I slept in, called home, got a massage, ordered in papa johns, downloaded the new Jason Marz cd, and am hanging out and blogging......great lazy Monday (although I am surprised I can tell you want day of the week it is!
Thursday: Lama and Confucius Temples and Night Market
We (Allie, Eric and I) started the day off at the Lama temple, which is the big Buddhist Temple in Beijing. It was really interesting, however I was a little disappointed we didn't get to see Buddhist in their robes all around the temple. The statues and the customs that were followed here were very neat to experience and pictures can be found in my album (I'm going to try to add captions tonight).
After that temple we walked a few blocks to the Confucius Temple. This was amazing because within the temple there were museums that told about Confucius and his teachings etc. We got here about an hour before in closed so it would have been nice to have a little more time. The thing that I was amazed with the most is the fact that both these temples are in the middle of a city right next to high ways- and we couldn't hear anything. Both were very zen places.
We ended the night going to the night market- which is famous in Beijing. This is booths set up on the side of the street. We met Matt, Mark and Leslie there and began trying food. This is just the most strange combination of foods that you feel like you on fear factor. I ate: snake, scorpion (a whole one- although I spit it out after eating the head because I could feel its little feet in claws in my mouth) cow heart, pork, and grapes. Matt and Allie were more adventurous (Matt made a video that can be found on KOMU's website) They ate starfish, silk worm, and I forget what else- more bugs. This was definitely an experience.
Friday: Begin the tours
We started the day off with at a water treatment facility- one of the most complex in the world. Not the most exciting morning ever, but we didn't have to pay for anything for 3 days and got food and to see great sites in Beijing. In the afternoon we went to a suburb of Beijing. We got to see the golf course, condos (that no one is currently living in), a temple which was "500 years old" (it was still being constructed) and an old persons home. They gave us a brochure and the afternoon can be summed up with this quote from the brochure: "Without the forward looking policy of the Communist party of China, there wouldn't be any prosperity as seen in Xiangtang." I felt like i was in the movie the Truman Show or Plesantville. It was just very different and I will end on that. We ended the night going to a peking duck restaurant. It was very good- and interesting to watch them bring the whole duck out and carve it.
Saturday:
This was the best day we've had in Beijing- blue skies and clear- I could actually see the stars in the city that night!-one thing I have missed a lot. The Great Wall was one of- if not the- coolest thing I have seen my whole life. The day started out rough, the Mexican President was in China and decided he wanted to visit- so we got stuck at the bottom of the wall for about an hour while people from Purdue got stuck at the top so the president could see. Once we got up though it was just amazing. Mountains just make me a happier person and climbing the wall was one of the most surreal/amazing experiences of my life. I could have spent the whole day ( or a week) there but we had to go to the emperor's tombs in the afternoon, which wasn't as cool but it's neat to see the history. We then had dinner and went home. I don't know if I am starting to really love the food or just really hungry by the time I get to eat- but I think I'll get home in 6 weeks and crave Chinese food on a daily basis!
Sunday:
We started with the New Summer Palace- paid 10 rmbs to go to the temple on the grounds. We had to walk up a lot of steps but the views were worth it and this was my highlight for the day. In the afternoon we went to the old summer palace- which was just a bunch of ruins. Then dinner and then we went to the opera last night. It was very interesting and I'm glad I saw it, but I wouldn't say I would ever go back in my life. It was not what we would consider an opera it was more of a musical and not a very good one. One of the Chinese grad students said she has to read the english subtitles on the side to understand it still and she's seen it like 3 times. When we got home I went out to a local bar on a campus to have a beer. This was fun because it was all international students. We met and made friends with people from Ethiopia, China, Leigh High, and Belgium. It was very relaxing to sit outside and talk with students from all over the world.
So after those days you can see why I slept in, hung out and indulged in American food this afternoon. The next few days I have off- training is different for everyone and we're still trying to figure that out. My life will slow down a little for the next few days and I will be able to blog more. Sorry for the long update- Hope all is well!
Thursday: Lama and Confucius Temples and Night Market
We (Allie, Eric and I) started the day off at the Lama temple, which is the big Buddhist Temple in Beijing. It was really interesting, however I was a little disappointed we didn't get to see Buddhist in their robes all around the temple. The statues and the customs that were followed here were very neat to experience and pictures can be found in my album (I'm going to try to add captions tonight).
After that temple we walked a few blocks to the Confucius Temple. This was amazing because within the temple there were museums that told about Confucius and his teachings etc. We got here about an hour before in closed so it would have been nice to have a little more time. The thing that I was amazed with the most is the fact that both these temples are in the middle of a city right next to high ways- and we couldn't hear anything. Both were very zen places.
We ended the night going to the night market- which is famous in Beijing. This is booths set up on the side of the street. We met Matt, Mark and Leslie there and began trying food. This is just the most strange combination of foods that you feel like you on fear factor. I ate: snake, scorpion (a whole one- although I spit it out after eating the head because I could feel its little feet in claws in my mouth) cow heart, pork, and grapes. Matt and Allie were more adventurous (Matt made a video that can be found on KOMU's website) They ate starfish, silk worm, and I forget what else- more bugs. This was definitely an experience.
Friday: Begin the tours
We started the day off with at a water treatment facility- one of the most complex in the world. Not the most exciting morning ever, but we didn't have to pay for anything for 3 days and got food and to see great sites in Beijing. In the afternoon we went to a suburb of Beijing. We got to see the golf course, condos (that no one is currently living in), a temple which was "500 years old" (it was still being constructed) and an old persons home. They gave us a brochure and the afternoon can be summed up with this quote from the brochure: "Without the forward looking policy of the Communist party of China, there wouldn't be any prosperity as seen in Xiangtang." I felt like i was in the movie the Truman Show or Plesantville. It was just very different and I will end on that. We ended the night going to a peking duck restaurant. It was very good- and interesting to watch them bring the whole duck out and carve it.
Saturday:
This was the best day we've had in Beijing- blue skies and clear- I could actually see the stars in the city that night!-one thing I have missed a lot. The Great Wall was one of- if not the- coolest thing I have seen my whole life. The day started out rough, the Mexican President was in China and decided he wanted to visit- so we got stuck at the bottom of the wall for about an hour while people from Purdue got stuck at the top so the president could see. Once we got up though it was just amazing. Mountains just make me a happier person and climbing the wall was one of the most surreal/amazing experiences of my life. I could have spent the whole day ( or a week) there but we had to go to the emperor's tombs in the afternoon, which wasn't as cool but it's neat to see the history. We then had dinner and went home. I don't know if I am starting to really love the food or just really hungry by the time I get to eat- but I think I'll get home in 6 weeks and crave Chinese food on a daily basis!
Sunday:
We started with the New Summer Palace- paid 10 rmbs to go to the temple on the grounds. We had to walk up a lot of steps but the views were worth it and this was my highlight for the day. In the afternoon we went to the old summer palace- which was just a bunch of ruins. Then dinner and then we went to the opera last night. It was very interesting and I'm glad I saw it, but I wouldn't say I would ever go back in my life. It was not what we would consider an opera it was more of a musical and not a very good one. One of the Chinese grad students said she has to read the english subtitles on the side to understand it still and she's seen it like 3 times. When we got home I went out to a local bar on a campus to have a beer. This was fun because it was all international students. We met and made friends with people from Ethiopia, China, Leigh High, and Belgium. It was very relaxing to sit outside and talk with students from all over the world.
So after those days you can see why I slept in, hung out and indulged in American food this afternoon. The next few days I have off- training is different for everyone and we're still trying to figure that out. My life will slow down a little for the next few days and I will be able to blog more. Sorry for the long update- Hope all is well!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Pictures!!!!
Ok, the website for ALL my pictures (over 800 so far) are at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/whitneycwright
Enjoy and you will be able to find all my pictures from now until the end of my trip on here!
Now off to bed!
http://picasaweb.google.com/whitneycwright
Enjoy and you will be able to find all my pictures from now until the end of my trip on here!
Now off to bed!
Pictures!!!!
http://picasaweb.google.com/whitneycwright/China1?authkey=AnXag4eSOPw
Here is my first album of about 500 pictures! I will write more tomorrow or sunday about what I've been doing. I just figured everyone would like to see pictures! I'm so exhausted, but it was a great day and the Great Wall is tomorrow! enjoy!
Here is my first album of about 500 pictures! I will write more tomorrow or sunday about what I've been doing. I just figured everyone would like to see pictures! I'm so exhausted, but it was a great day and the Great Wall is tomorrow! enjoy!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Free days!
First I would like to start off by giving you a link to Allie's pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/acb4hf
Facebook will work here for like 10 min. then stop, so it's been hard to load pictures. I will start a website like this though so it's easier and you can see them. Probably later today. Yesterday morning we went to the zoo. It was not the best zoo I've been too- we didn't see many animals out or looking extremely healthy, but it was interesting. They have a bunch of panda's there (the main reason we went) they use to be at a panda reserve, but that was ruined with the earthquakes in May so they have moved them to Beijing for the time being. There were sings up everywhere for donations because they are going to try to move them back to the wild reserve as quick as they can.
In the afternoon we went with Bowen (the grad student with us who is from Beijing) He took us to all these shops that tourists don't go to. Allie and I would go in and see what we wanted go outside and tell Bowen and he would get it for us very cheaply. We got some good finds. During the time we were there Bowen some how lost his cell phone. Now anyone that knows me knows I am the queen of losing cell phones. I tried to cheer Bowen up by telling him that I lost mine in a cab in NYC and at a store on Hollywood BLVD and each time got it back. We called it, someone picked up then hung up and turned the phone off. He explained that phones here you can sell for a lot of money and we weren't at the nicest and friendliest of places when we were shopping. So Allie and I felt so bad Bowen currently has my phone and we took him out to his favorite restaurant to cheer him up. We went to a Korean BBQ place and I have to say it was the most amazing meal I have had so far. A little spicy, and I surprisingly tried everything on the table (which was a lot of food) they cooked it right on the table and it was amazing.
When we got back we ventured to Matt and Marks room - they are kind of our adventure buddies. We ended up walking 45 min. to WalMart- I was so surprised to see it actually said Wal-Mart outside. It was 4 floors and out of all for floors they had NO pretzels.....the only thing I have been craving since I've been here. We got chocolate cake instead and took a taxi back to the room and ate it. We then passed out after such a long few days.
Today is another free day and Allie and I decided to sleep in and take it easy. She's working out and I cleaned the room a bit- We're going to go to the temples when she gets back and then maybe meet the boys at the night market. WE shall see how that goes. The next few days are super busy, heres the emailed schedule we got:
BOCOG TOURS (Reserve entire day)
Friday, July 11
• Beijing Water Purification Plant
• Lunch (Included)
• Beijing Suburbs
• Dinner at Quan Ju De (Included)
Saturday, July 12
• The Great Wall
• Lunch (Included)
• Ming Dynasty Tomb
----- Dinner on you own --------
Sunday, July 13
• Yuan Ming Yuan Park
• Lunch (Included)
• Summer Palace
---- Rest/Break ------
----- Dinner on you own ------
• Chang An Opera Theatre
Monday we have another free day and I start work Tuesday. I will try to update a little each night. I am most excited for the Great Wall!!!! But the Opera is suppose to be amazing!
Ok I'm going to go shower and get ready for the day- only 7 weeks left. I think I'll really miss China surprisingly....maybe even the food! haha. As my dad said this morning "enjoy the adventure".....I will surely do that and it is truly a huge adventure
Facebook will work here for like 10 min. then stop, so it's been hard to load pictures. I will start a website like this though so it's easier and you can see them. Probably later today. Yesterday morning we went to the zoo. It was not the best zoo I've been too- we didn't see many animals out or looking extremely healthy, but it was interesting. They have a bunch of panda's there (the main reason we went) they use to be at a panda reserve, but that was ruined with the earthquakes in May so they have moved them to Beijing for the time being. There were sings up everywhere for donations because they are going to try to move them back to the wild reserve as quick as they can.
In the afternoon we went with Bowen (the grad student with us who is from Beijing) He took us to all these shops that tourists don't go to. Allie and I would go in and see what we wanted go outside and tell Bowen and he would get it for us very cheaply. We got some good finds. During the time we were there Bowen some how lost his cell phone. Now anyone that knows me knows I am the queen of losing cell phones. I tried to cheer Bowen up by telling him that I lost mine in a cab in NYC and at a store on Hollywood BLVD and each time got it back. We called it, someone picked up then hung up and turned the phone off. He explained that phones here you can sell for a lot of money and we weren't at the nicest and friendliest of places when we were shopping. So Allie and I felt so bad Bowen currently has my phone and we took him out to his favorite restaurant to cheer him up. We went to a Korean BBQ place and I have to say it was the most amazing meal I have had so far. A little spicy, and I surprisingly tried everything on the table (which was a lot of food) they cooked it right on the table and it was amazing.
When we got back we ventured to Matt and Marks room - they are kind of our adventure buddies. We ended up walking 45 min. to WalMart- I was so surprised to see it actually said Wal-Mart outside. It was 4 floors and out of all for floors they had NO pretzels.....the only thing I have been craving since I've been here. We got chocolate cake instead and took a taxi back to the room and ate it. We then passed out after such a long few days.
Today is another free day and Allie and I decided to sleep in and take it easy. She's working out and I cleaned the room a bit- We're going to go to the temples when she gets back and then maybe meet the boys at the night market. WE shall see how that goes. The next few days are super busy, heres the emailed schedule we got:
BOCOG TOURS (Reserve entire day)
Friday, July 11
• Beijing Water Purification Plant
• Lunch (Included)
• Beijing Suburbs
• Dinner at Quan Ju De (Included)
Saturday, July 12
• The Great Wall
• Lunch (Included)
• Ming Dynasty Tomb
----- Dinner on you own --------
Sunday, July 13
• Yuan Ming Yuan Park
• Lunch (Included)
• Summer Palace
---- Rest/Break ------
----- Dinner on you own ------
• Chang An Opera Theatre
Monday we have another free day and I start work Tuesday. I will try to update a little each night. I am most excited for the Great Wall!!!! But the Opera is suppose to be amazing!
Ok I'm going to go shower and get ready for the day- only 7 weeks left. I think I'll really miss China surprisingly....maybe even the food! haha. As my dad said this morning "enjoy the adventure".....I will surely do that and it is truly a huge adventure
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
A little break
The last couple days have been far less hectic than the last week. Each morning we've had a lecture given to us on Chinese culture and media. It's been interesting, but it's hard to pay attention for 3 hours when someone is translating the whole lecture.
Monday night we had a reception with our group and the group of UNC students (20) that are staying in our same complex. It was really fun, we got to try a lot of food- Duck! I know my parents would be very surprised at how many things I've tried! After the reception we went with the 2 grad students who are kind of our "babysitters" to a bar. I found my first jager bomb, but surprisingly that wasn't the highlight of my night! Outside the bar this kid has a shirt on and it said buffalo wild wings and under that it said Strongsville. I freak out and it turns out they were a group of students from OU that are studying over here for the summer. It was really cool and just insane how small a world it is. The bar ended up being a dance club and it felt like Wes's wedding all over again. One of the guys joke that the bar should have paid me because when we got there we were the only ones on the dance floor- after about 2 hours I had gotten about 25 chinese people to dance with us. I, of course, was there the latest with 2 of the other guys in my group.
This morning after class we just hung out in the room for a while to relax then had an adventure on the subway. Matt, a guy on the trip, had been exploring for a while yesterday with his roommate and Allie and I took him with us so he could teach us how to use it. We ended up at an area that looked like a small time square and then walked to the "night market". The night market is a road of street venders of the most insane foods ever. We (Matt got it and we all tried it) got Squid and Beef and who knows what else I ate tonight. They were closing up about 20 min. after we got there and so we will definitely have to go back. We ended the night walking to Tiananmen Square, partly because we wanted to see it at night and partly because we were trying to find a taxi that wasn't trying to rip off tourists. Because where we were was such a tourist trap there were a lot of fake taxis, one tried to make us pay a flat fare of 150 when our total cost to get back was 41. So we made it back and everything ended up ok.
The next two days we have free days. Tomorrow morning we are going to go to the zoo to see all the panda's. So now I'm off to bed and will write again soon! Hope all is well!
Monday night we had a reception with our group and the group of UNC students (20) that are staying in our same complex. It was really fun, we got to try a lot of food- Duck! I know my parents would be very surprised at how many things I've tried! After the reception we went with the 2 grad students who are kind of our "babysitters" to a bar. I found my first jager bomb, but surprisingly that wasn't the highlight of my night! Outside the bar this kid has a shirt on and it said buffalo wild wings and under that it said Strongsville. I freak out and it turns out they were a group of students from OU that are studying over here for the summer. It was really cool and just insane how small a world it is. The bar ended up being a dance club and it felt like Wes's wedding all over again. One of the guys joke that the bar should have paid me because when we got there we were the only ones on the dance floor- after about 2 hours I had gotten about 25 chinese people to dance with us. I, of course, was there the latest with 2 of the other guys in my group.
This morning after class we just hung out in the room for a while to relax then had an adventure on the subway. Matt, a guy on the trip, had been exploring for a while yesterday with his roommate and Allie and I took him with us so he could teach us how to use it. We ended up at an area that looked like a small time square and then walked to the "night market". The night market is a road of street venders of the most insane foods ever. We (Matt got it and we all tried it) got Squid and Beef and who knows what else I ate tonight. They were closing up about 20 min. after we got there and so we will definitely have to go back. We ended the night walking to Tiananmen Square, partly because we wanted to see it at night and partly because we were trying to find a taxi that wasn't trying to rip off tourists. Because where we were was such a tourist trap there were a lot of fake taxis, one tried to make us pay a flat fare of 150 when our total cost to get back was 41. So we made it back and everything ended up ok.
The next two days we have free days. Tomorrow morning we are going to go to the zoo to see all the panda's. So now I'm off to bed and will write again soon! Hope all is well!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
It feels like I did more in the last 3 days than the last 3 years of my life!
Where to begin? The past 3 days has just been insane. This is going to be a fairly long post, just to warn you!
On Friday morning we got up and went to some media outlets. The first was people.com.cn. This is an online edition of a paper that as I understood it bloomed out and is now a lot bigger than the printed edition. The were talking a lot about convergence and how they were on top of new technology. It was very interesting and this paper is actually owned by the government. They had a whole room of reporters that are going to cover the Olympics and we quickly realized that their news is not the same as our news. On ever television I have see they are replaying the 2000 and 2004 Olympic games, especially events the Chinese won those years. It’s very interesting and they also have tv on the public buses that just play these in a loop. I am quickly realizing that their government is more like their religion and it’s very interesting. We went to a very fancy hotel for a buffet lunch that day and it was amazing. It was the first time I had had really good bread and butter and , I know this will sound stupid, but it’s the first time I’ve had salad on this trip. They have told us not to order fruit of veggies that aren’t cooked, and I didn’t realize how much I would miss a plain old salad. At all the really nice places we have also been offered watermelon for dessert, something we are only allowed to eat when served to us in a proper place. I eat a lot of junk food, but when all the healthy stuff you’re used to eating is taken away from you it kind of sucks! Mom aren’t you proud right now? We had a conversation about what I would miss most, and trust me salads did not come up in my guessing! I have realized what I miss most, but that is to come.
So after lunch we get back on the bus and go to Beijing Youth Daily. We had a tour guide named Tony that spoke really good English. We have a game on this trip to see who can find the Chinese person with the best American name. They pick their names by having an English teacher give it to them, or just by a name of a celebrity or character in a book they like. So far we’ve had Tony, Steve, Clever, and Sponge. We are guessing Sponge came from Spngebob Square pants, but who really knows! So after Tony gave us a tour (the building was over 20 stories and he took our group of about 10 to the 4th floor bar) we all got back in our group of 60 (it is really hard to travel with 60 Americans in a group and am very excited to have lots of free time to explore in smaller groups!) We had a presentation and instead of them talking about their newspaper they basically asked us to work for them for the next 2 months. Gave us their business cards and told us to call them with stories. This is not allowed at all by the Olympic committee, even my blog is pushing it! It was just funny to have that speech. We got back around 5 and I fell asleep to be woken up at 6 by Allie because we wanted to go see acrobats. We get all ready and run outside to grab a cab, but when we get outside it was a little dark to one side, I say, “we’ll be safe to walk to a cab at least”- NOPE starts pouring in about 2 seconds. I HATE wet jeans more than anything in the world and we realize we won’t make it in time, especially because we have to still by tickets and we don’t speak Chinese. We go back up to the room, lay down for a nap at 6pm and I’m woken up by Allie at 1:30 am and realize there is no way we weren’t jet lagged or no way we were going out that night.
Saturday morning we get up to go to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. First we realized we hadn’t eaten since lunch, and I was super grumpy so we go explore. What we find is a 24 hours McDonalds and for the first time on the trip I found breakfast food- pancakes sausage and hash browns! This is what I miss most about the US- of course I miss all of you too! But really I am such a breakfast person and they don’t have different foods for breakfast! McDonalds might become a weekly thing, especially because I got all that for under 3 US dollars! The things I realized here are:
1) these 2 places are a lot like D.C..- I thought that we would see a lot of foreign tourists (or anyone else that is white). Not to sound bad, but there are so many people here and I knew I’d be a minority, but I figured at tourist attractions there would be other people from Europe or the states. But there were just tons of Chinese people and we quickly realized that they came from many other providences to see this. I know, you’re probably thinking this is a really stupid Whitney comment, but the more I thought about it- there are a lot of foreign tourists in DC, but a majority are Americans coming to their country’s capital. Its just funny that sometimes I still don’t feel like I’m in China- this was a moment I realized it.
2) it is not like D.C. in the fact that instead of monuments to many different people and presidents- everything is for Mau. EVERYTHING. It’s funny to hear the history and stories our tour guide tells us and the stories students and people we get to know tell us about the history of China. But this can be similar to how they teach the civil war differently in the north and the south back home. It’s funny that as different as China and America are, I find myself drawing parallels to things in our past. I really knew nothing about China before I got here.
3) Their history is OLD. This is another, Whitney that’s the dumbest comment ever! But seriously, we were at the forbidden city and they’re like this all was build in 1420.........and I’m tthinking of Amy Grand singing “in the year of 1492, when Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” (I know, huge dork) It’s just insane to think about the history that I took in yesterday.
So that feels like it should be a full day, but it was only one-third of it!
Next we went to lunch then on a Hutong tour. This started at the bell and drum tower (two huge tours that were used to tell time for all the people of Beijing years ago.) We went up the drum tower and I will try to post pics very soon. Then we rode a rickshaw (no clue if I’m spelling that right at all). We went to a Hutong and went into a lady’s section.
Ok, not what is a Hutong (and mom and dad, no I didn’t celebrate the 4th, some people went to pizza hut- but if you remember I was in bed by 6) A Hutong is translated into narrow allies. Basically how I will describe it (probably not well, but I have pictures) is a neighborhood- or a block (smaller than a block in the US- but I don’t know what else to call it.) Anyways it’s surrounded by walls and has many different rooms or “houses connected”, and they’re all connected by allies- but it’s all out in the open. The Hutong we were in yesterday had 28 rooms and there were 5 grown brothers that lived in it with their families. So we sat in one room- which was like a studio apartment but the size of a dorm room, which was one of the brothers, Next door there was a kitchen on one side and their sons room on the other (he was 28- mom and dad aren’t you glad Wes just bought his own house?) across the “street” was the eating area. They all share bathrooms and kitchens (we found out today some don’t have bathrooms).
Crazy- then we moved on to some guys garden- I believe his name was Gong and he is known as the most corrupt politician in China. We found out today that he was friends with one of the emperors- really strange story, but he was a man with very girly features and I guess he looked like one of the emperors wives (well not a “wife”, because they only had one but they had many other wives so to say that just didn’t live in the main palace) Anyways she died and he became the emperors lover. Somehow I don’t see this being a story that would be talked about in America, if it was an American politician. Anyways he took a bunch of money because he could and when the emperor died he was 3 times more wealthy, so the emperor’s son had him killed and all his money went back to the government. – more on this in a second.
So after that trip we came back and went to dinner, then we decided it was time we tested out the night life. We (Allie and I) went with 2 of our guy friends, Matt and Mark to the bar district. We walked around and found that workers and what would be like our bouncers on the outside of bars would come up to us because we’re American and try to get us in their bar. We went to a few- all with live music which was fun. We had a fan club at one because Allie got up and did the Solider Boy dance (mom and dad I’m not going to explain this one because it would take too long- just ask will). We also went to a Reggie bar- interesting (Wes I got woowoo shots in honor of you) We mostly stuck to bottled beer- because 60% of alcohol in Beijing is counterfeit and could have really bad stuff in it- thank you Allie’s travel book! We cap off our night with what else- 24 hour McDonalds! Amazing the give us our own picture menu so we can point.
Sorry this is super long I’ll try to blog more frequently and shorter!
Today we had our first off day, so Allie and I wake up at 7 and go on another Hutong tour, which ends up being just about the same as yesterdays and we get nervous when we start off again at the Drum Tower. Anyways we have a guide who is a girl about 27 I would guess, went to college and was an English teacher before moving to Beijing 2 years ago to start giving tours. I think she will move back to her original city and do something else soon- she didn’t seem very happy. She rents a room in a Hutong with a friend- very small and she has to walk 3 min to a public restroom to use it day or night because he Hutong doesn’t have one. She was so interesting and although we had taken a similar tour- it was so much better to go as 2 people than 30 and we got a lot more stories and could ask a lot of questions. We talked about where historical artifacts could be found and she said the government gets them and sells them for money and I explained to her that most of ours are kept in museums in DC or around the country so the people could visit them. We talked about how many young people in China celebrate Christmas- when she was in college they have a big party with her friends on the night of the 24 and give each other apples. But basically it’s a party.
We visited 2 Hutongs, the first being a very wealthy family- I can’t describe I’ll post pictures later. The seconds a working class family, who we got to have lunch with. The guy was an artist and I bought an original painting- for a whopping 200 rmbs, which is like 25 dollars (dad I’m sure you’ll do the official math)- its beautiful I’ll post it in a picture too. Other than that I just am hanging out in the room relaxing after a few busy days. I’m going to go get a snack with a girl pretty soon- Allie’s working out and I eat- then we’re going to try to figure out how to do laundry tonight! Should be a great time.
Also I figured you all would like to know I’ve mastered the taxi’s we go to the front desk and show a picture or map and they write it for us in Chinese we give that paper to the driver. To get back we have a business card with a mini map and the address in Chinese and we just hand that to the driver. I actually know my way around pretty good now after buses and taxis and walking. I feel pretty good. Also no traffic laws really- sometimes there aren’t even lines on the road. For anyone who has seen elf- “the yellow ones don’t stop”- well none of them stop here. Bikers don’t follow traffic signals- everyone honks (even though we found out today in the city that’s illegal) and nothing yields to pedestrians.
It’s great! The athletes won’t be happy in a month when they get here with the smog! But it will sure be interesting to watch it all take place! I’ll write again soon- and don’t worry not so long! Send me a message or email- I’d love to hear from you all!
On Friday morning we got up and went to some media outlets. The first was people.com.cn. This is an online edition of a paper that as I understood it bloomed out and is now a lot bigger than the printed edition. The were talking a lot about convergence and how they were on top of new technology. It was very interesting and this paper is actually owned by the government. They had a whole room of reporters that are going to cover the Olympics and we quickly realized that their news is not the same as our news. On ever television I have see they are replaying the 2000 and 2004 Olympic games, especially events the Chinese won those years. It’s very interesting and they also have tv on the public buses that just play these in a loop. I am quickly realizing that their government is more like their religion and it’s very interesting. We went to a very fancy hotel for a buffet lunch that day and it was amazing. It was the first time I had had really good bread and butter and , I know this will sound stupid, but it’s the first time I’ve had salad on this trip. They have told us not to order fruit of veggies that aren’t cooked, and I didn’t realize how much I would miss a plain old salad. At all the really nice places we have also been offered watermelon for dessert, something we are only allowed to eat when served to us in a proper place. I eat a lot of junk food, but when all the healthy stuff you’re used to eating is taken away from you it kind of sucks! Mom aren’t you proud right now? We had a conversation about what I would miss most, and trust me salads did not come up in my guessing! I have realized what I miss most, but that is to come.
So after lunch we get back on the bus and go to Beijing Youth Daily. We had a tour guide named Tony that spoke really good English. We have a game on this trip to see who can find the Chinese person with the best American name. They pick their names by having an English teacher give it to them, or just by a name of a celebrity or character in a book they like. So far we’ve had Tony, Steve, Clever, and Sponge. We are guessing Sponge came from Spngebob Square pants, but who really knows! So after Tony gave us a tour (the building was over 20 stories and he took our group of about 10 to the 4th floor bar) we all got back in our group of 60 (it is really hard to travel with 60 Americans in a group and am very excited to have lots of free time to explore in smaller groups!) We had a presentation and instead of them talking about their newspaper they basically asked us to work for them for the next 2 months. Gave us their business cards and told us to call them with stories. This is not allowed at all by the Olympic committee, even my blog is pushing it! It was just funny to have that speech. We got back around 5 and I fell asleep to be woken up at 6 by Allie because we wanted to go see acrobats. We get all ready and run outside to grab a cab, but when we get outside it was a little dark to one side, I say, “we’ll be safe to walk to a cab at least”- NOPE starts pouring in about 2 seconds. I HATE wet jeans more than anything in the world and we realize we won’t make it in time, especially because we have to still by tickets and we don’t speak Chinese. We go back up to the room, lay down for a nap at 6pm and I’m woken up by Allie at 1:30 am and realize there is no way we weren’t jet lagged or no way we were going out that night.
Saturday morning we get up to go to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. First we realized we hadn’t eaten since lunch, and I was super grumpy so we go explore. What we find is a 24 hours McDonalds and for the first time on the trip I found breakfast food- pancakes sausage and hash browns! This is what I miss most about the US- of course I miss all of you too! But really I am such a breakfast person and they don’t have different foods for breakfast! McDonalds might become a weekly thing, especially because I got all that for under 3 US dollars! The things I realized here are:
1) these 2 places are a lot like D.C..- I thought that we would see a lot of foreign tourists (or anyone else that is white). Not to sound bad, but there are so many people here and I knew I’d be a minority, but I figured at tourist attractions there would be other people from Europe or the states. But there were just tons of Chinese people and we quickly realized that they came from many other providences to see this. I know, you’re probably thinking this is a really stupid Whitney comment, but the more I thought about it- there are a lot of foreign tourists in DC, but a majority are Americans coming to their country’s capital. Its just funny that sometimes I still don’t feel like I’m in China- this was a moment I realized it.
2) it is not like D.C. in the fact that instead of monuments to many different people and presidents- everything is for Mau. EVERYTHING. It’s funny to hear the history and stories our tour guide tells us and the stories students and people we get to know tell us about the history of China. But this can be similar to how they teach the civil war differently in the north and the south back home. It’s funny that as different as China and America are, I find myself drawing parallels to things in our past. I really knew nothing about China before I got here.
3) Their history is OLD. This is another, Whitney that’s the dumbest comment ever! But seriously, we were at the forbidden city and they’re like this all was build in 1420.........and I’m tthinking of Amy Grand singing “in the year of 1492, when Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” (I know, huge dork) It’s just insane to think about the history that I took in yesterday.
So that feels like it should be a full day, but it was only one-third of it!
Next we went to lunch then on a Hutong tour. This started at the bell and drum tower (two huge tours that were used to tell time for all the people of Beijing years ago.) We went up the drum tower and I will try to post pics very soon. Then we rode a rickshaw (no clue if I’m spelling that right at all). We went to a Hutong and went into a lady’s section.
Ok, not what is a Hutong (and mom and dad, no I didn’t celebrate the 4th, some people went to pizza hut- but if you remember I was in bed by 6) A Hutong is translated into narrow allies. Basically how I will describe it (probably not well, but I have pictures) is a neighborhood- or a block (smaller than a block in the US- but I don’t know what else to call it.) Anyways it’s surrounded by walls and has many different rooms or “houses connected”, and they’re all connected by allies- but it’s all out in the open. The Hutong we were in yesterday had 28 rooms and there were 5 grown brothers that lived in it with their families. So we sat in one room- which was like a studio apartment but the size of a dorm room, which was one of the brothers, Next door there was a kitchen on one side and their sons room on the other (he was 28- mom and dad aren’t you glad Wes just bought his own house?) across the “street” was the eating area. They all share bathrooms and kitchens (we found out today some don’t have bathrooms).
Crazy- then we moved on to some guys garden- I believe his name was Gong and he is known as the most corrupt politician in China. We found out today that he was friends with one of the emperors- really strange story, but he was a man with very girly features and I guess he looked like one of the emperors wives (well not a “wife”, because they only had one but they had many other wives so to say that just didn’t live in the main palace) Anyways she died and he became the emperors lover. Somehow I don’t see this being a story that would be talked about in America, if it was an American politician. Anyways he took a bunch of money because he could and when the emperor died he was 3 times more wealthy, so the emperor’s son had him killed and all his money went back to the government. – more on this in a second.
So after that trip we came back and went to dinner, then we decided it was time we tested out the night life. We (Allie and I) went with 2 of our guy friends, Matt and Mark to the bar district. We walked around and found that workers and what would be like our bouncers on the outside of bars would come up to us because we’re American and try to get us in their bar. We went to a few- all with live music which was fun. We had a fan club at one because Allie got up and did the Solider Boy dance (mom and dad I’m not going to explain this one because it would take too long- just ask will). We also went to a Reggie bar- interesting (Wes I got woowoo shots in honor of you) We mostly stuck to bottled beer- because 60% of alcohol in Beijing is counterfeit and could have really bad stuff in it- thank you Allie’s travel book! We cap off our night with what else- 24 hour McDonalds! Amazing the give us our own picture menu so we can point.
Sorry this is super long I’ll try to blog more frequently and shorter!
Today we had our first off day, so Allie and I wake up at 7 and go on another Hutong tour, which ends up being just about the same as yesterdays and we get nervous when we start off again at the Drum Tower. Anyways we have a guide who is a girl about 27 I would guess, went to college and was an English teacher before moving to Beijing 2 years ago to start giving tours. I think she will move back to her original city and do something else soon- she didn’t seem very happy. She rents a room in a Hutong with a friend- very small and she has to walk 3 min to a public restroom to use it day or night because he Hutong doesn’t have one. She was so interesting and although we had taken a similar tour- it was so much better to go as 2 people than 30 and we got a lot more stories and could ask a lot of questions. We talked about where historical artifacts could be found and she said the government gets them and sells them for money and I explained to her that most of ours are kept in museums in DC or around the country so the people could visit them. We talked about how many young people in China celebrate Christmas- when she was in college they have a big party with her friends on the night of the 24 and give each other apples. But basically it’s a party.
We visited 2 Hutongs, the first being a very wealthy family- I can’t describe I’ll post pictures later. The seconds a working class family, who we got to have lunch with. The guy was an artist and I bought an original painting- for a whopping 200 rmbs, which is like 25 dollars (dad I’m sure you’ll do the official math)- its beautiful I’ll post it in a picture too. Other than that I just am hanging out in the room relaxing after a few busy days. I’m going to go get a snack with a girl pretty soon- Allie’s working out and I eat- then we’re going to try to figure out how to do laundry tonight! Should be a great time.
Also I figured you all would like to know I’ve mastered the taxi’s we go to the front desk and show a picture or map and they write it for us in Chinese we give that paper to the driver. To get back we have a business card with a mini map and the address in Chinese and we just hand that to the driver. I actually know my way around pretty good now after buses and taxis and walking. I feel pretty good. Also no traffic laws really- sometimes there aren’t even lines on the road. For anyone who has seen elf- “the yellow ones don’t stop”- well none of them stop here. Bikers don’t follow traffic signals- everyone honks (even though we found out today in the city that’s illegal) and nothing yields to pedestrians.
It’s great! The athletes won’t be happy in a month when they get here with the smog! But it will sure be interesting to watch it all take place! I’ll write again soon- and don’t worry not so long! Send me a message or email- I’d love to hear from you all!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
I'm alive
Just wanted to write a quick note to say I'm alive! It's been a really busy and adventurous few days! I don't have much time now because Allie and I are about to go out on another one, but I should be back this afternoon with plenty of free time to write. Friday we toured a bunch of media outlets in China then Allie and I laid down for a nap at 6:30 and didn't really wake up until Saturday.....a little jet lagged. Yesterday we went on a site-seeing tour where you follow your tour guide with a flag.....really fun and I took over 200 pictures. We saw the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square and then went to a Hutong and other palace and got to test out 4 different types of tea. Today Allie and I are going to go on a more detailed Hutong tour and then go from there. I will write again soon!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
adventure in a Hutong
Here are pictures from yesterday's adventures
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2274225&l=bd540&id=15900202
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2274225&l=bd540&id=15900202
My first snickers!
We have an hour off until our first lecture and Allie went to the pool, so I figured I would update this real fast.
First of all, congrats to Wes and Em.....closing on their new house today! And I would like to welcome Lenny into the fam (their new dog) It's about time that we have a dog in the family again. (Hint mom: great graduation present to buy me a dog).
Secondly I was given a Chinese cell phone today, so if anyone has the great urge of going and buying a phone card and calling me here it is: 13910046887 .....you can also text, but I have no clue the cost of that.
That out of the way, Allie and I woke up this morning and walked to a local coffee shot. It was really good and the menu had pictures so we did a lot of pointing and smiling- which I'm sure my life will consist a lot of in the next 2 months. We honestly make a really good team. We got to try on our uniforms so we could see Chinese sizes, my shoe size is a 3.5- pretty awesome! We meet with our venue leaders. I got switched from the track venue to the gymnastics venue- kind of disappointing but I'm working for the head of the venue so that could be good. Allie was disappointed because she got moved to field hockey, but its the olympics and it will be amazing I'm sure. We start training July 15. the 11th-13th the Olympic Committee is going to give us tours of Beijing, its good to finally have some information.
I went to a bank to exchange some money and that was a huge mess, but I now have chinese money and feel really weathly when it costs me 2 dollars to eat dinner! I went with a few guys over to a little connivence store and we had fun trying to find stuff. I bought my first snickers bar and am enjoying that right now! Thats been our day so far, pretty eventful. We have a lecture in about an hour then a break for dinner and a banquet tonight. I'll write more when I can!
First of all, congrats to Wes and Em.....closing on their new house today! And I would like to welcome Lenny into the fam (their new dog) It's about time that we have a dog in the family again. (Hint mom: great graduation present to buy me a dog).
Secondly I was given a Chinese cell phone today, so if anyone has the great urge of going and buying a phone card and calling me here it is: 13910046887 .....you can also text, but I have no clue the cost of that.
That out of the way, Allie and I woke up this morning and walked to a local coffee shot. It was really good and the menu had pictures so we did a lot of pointing and smiling- which I'm sure my life will consist a lot of in the next 2 months. We honestly make a really good team. We got to try on our uniforms so we could see Chinese sizes, my shoe size is a 3.5- pretty awesome! We meet with our venue leaders. I got switched from the track venue to the gymnastics venue- kind of disappointing but I'm working for the head of the venue so that could be good. Allie was disappointed because she got moved to field hockey, but its the olympics and it will be amazing I'm sure. We start training July 15. the 11th-13th the Olympic Committee is going to give us tours of Beijing, its good to finally have some information.
I went to a bank to exchange some money and that was a huge mess, but I now have chinese money and feel really weathly when it costs me 2 dollars to eat dinner! I went with a few guys over to a little connivence store and we had fun trying to find stuff. I bought my first snickers bar and am enjoying that right now! Thats been our day so far, pretty eventful. We have a lecture in about an hour then a break for dinner and a banquet tonight. I'll write more when I can!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
The starting line
Ok, this might have to be semi-short because I'm EXHAUSTED and we only have one hook up to the internet so Allie and I must take turns with the computers. Our flight was an hour late taking off from Chi-town- not too huge a deal. We sat on the runway because there was a plane stuck behind us. I sat next to my summer welcome roommate, crazy that we met 4 years ago beginning our college experience and now this. It was really not a bad flight- except that my mom told me that the plane would be so big I wouldn't be able to tell I was on a plane.......NOT true. There were 61 rows with about 10 to a row, except first class. It was really a rough start to the flight, especially anytime we tried to eat. It was amazing flying over Canada (on Canada Day) and the Arctic Circle (it was amazing, but really is actually melting). The best part is that after we got to China (we could see we were flying over it by the screen on the plane) there was the most amazing mountain ranges. I didn't realize that there were mountains so close to Beijing. The worst part of the trip was that when we got about 10 min from landing we could see nothing but grey clouds. AWFUL, the smog here is SO bad. I can't even compare it to L.A. last year when I was on spring break. We were walking to dinner tonight and you could feel it, anytime you go outside you feel like you need to take a shower. Hopefully as the olympics draw near, it will get a little better, but I don't know how it can do that in such a short period of time. When we got here we went through customs, they just waived my group through, didn't look at anything. We were meet by some students from Renmin and bused back to the university. The best part of this may have been the other bus missed the exit, so just reversed backwards on the highway to correct itself. I'm glad that I was on the other bus. Overall this city is extremely neat, not that different from any large city. We drove past where I'll be working and it is AMAZING! We also saw the swimming arena and hopefully I can get close enough and inside to take pictures. Dinner was an adventure, we all walked around and went to a Chinese place on campus where the students asked if we wanted dumplings, rice, or noodles. I got chicken and rice, which was very good but right now I just feel like a piece of pizza! I'm sure this will get a lot better in the next few days, right now it's just really unorganized. We meet with the olympic people tomorrow and then have a lecture and reception. I will try to write more at that point.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2273879&l=16ac1&id=15900202
That is a link to photos from my journey from Missouri to here. I took too many pictures out the plane window and my battery died at the airport (which I guess is the largest building per square feet in the world- don't know if that's true). And no mom, I didn't really sleep on the plane. Maybe 2 or 3 hours total, I was too busy exploring the arctic out the window! I'm off to finally sleep after being awake since yesterday at 7 am.......it will take me a few days to get this day thing down. Hopefully I'll have more info tomorrow!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2273879&l=16ac1&id=15900202
That is a link to photos from my journey from Missouri to here. I took too many pictures out the plane window and my battery died at the airport (which I guess is the largest building per square feet in the world- don't know if that's true). And no mom, I didn't really sleep on the plane. Maybe 2 or 3 hours total, I was too busy exploring the arctic out the window! I'm off to finally sleep after being awake since yesterday at 7 am.......it will take me a few days to get this day thing down. Hopefully I'll have more info tomorrow!
Mom and Dad...I made it to China......could totally live here because there is a giant IKEA, Allie already flooded our bathroom and we flew over the north pole.....TOOK AMAZING pics. Have to go to dinner, will write more after we get settled and post pics. Get a cell phone tomorrow and a bike......this could be interesting
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
"I had as many doubts as anyone else. Standing on the starting line, we're all cowards"
Nerves are starting to set in.... ok I've had them forever China is just coming next week. I got all my shots last week and the nurse told me everything I have to be afraid of, so I'm pretty set. I figured it was time for me to update this a little more with what exactly we're doing (this changes day to day and no one is real sure).
We leave from Chicago on July 1st at 12:43 pm......I swear my dad made that time up- what plane really departs at 12:43???? We get into Beijing at 3pm July 2nd. (3am July 2nd here I guess if you're on the east coast, lovely Ohio time) Crazy really- 13 hours on a plane sounds like my kind of day!
We will be getting back August 28. We leave China at 4:10 pm and get to Chi-town at 4:04- thats even a better deal than gaining an hour every time I come back to school. From there we fly to St. Louis and are bused back to lovely Columbia.
When we're in Beijing we will be staying at Renmin University. I will be rooming with the lovely Allison Bennett, which I'm sure will be an adventure for both of us. It'll be ok my mom bought me a book with a great map in it and the lovely Miss Bennett put together a great first aid kit.
As far as what we're doing when we are there.....your guess is as good as mine. What I do know is that I'm working for the Olympic News Service and that I'm at the National Stadium where all the track and field events are held. This I'm pretty excited about, they told us we will be assigned a sport and will interview the athletes after every event. Once we have the interview we'll enter it into a computer so members of the press can use our quotes in their stories. I don't know for sure if I'll be doing that because I got assigned that national stadium and not a specific sport, but I'll find out very shortly.
The most exciting part is the fact that we get uniforms to wear. They're pretty hot! I'll make sure to bring them back and wear them to all the bars in Columbia next fall! I'll try to post a picture and everyone can start calling dibs on what they want: hat, fanny pack, zip off pants.....it'll be fun to wear everyday!
I am slowly packing up everything and my parents get here Friday to help me organize and move. It's just so surreal that it's finally here. I fell like I've been talking and thinking about going since September and now that it's here- yes, I'm nervous but at the same time I don't think it has hit me yet. It probably won't until I've been there a week.
As far as getting ahold of me you can leave comments on here or email me at:
wcw5y2@mizzou.edu or
whitneycwright@gmail.com
They are giving us Chinese cell phones when we get over there and I will be figuring out as fast as possible how much they cost and if I can send texts. I'll be sure to update you all as soon as I know something else
I will take lots of pictures and post them as soon as I get a chance. Hopefully I'll be able to update this blog once a day or every few days. Emails are ALWAYS welcome. Thats all for now! The countdown is at less than a week now!
We leave from Chicago on July 1st at 12:43 pm......I swear my dad made that time up- what plane really departs at 12:43???? We get into Beijing at 3pm July 2nd. (3am July 2nd here I guess if you're on the east coast, lovely Ohio time) Crazy really- 13 hours on a plane sounds like my kind of day!
We will be getting back August 28. We leave China at 4:10 pm and get to Chi-town at 4:04- thats even a better deal than gaining an hour every time I come back to school. From there we fly to St. Louis and are bused back to lovely Columbia.
When we're in Beijing we will be staying at Renmin University. I will be rooming with the lovely Allison Bennett, which I'm sure will be an adventure for both of us. It'll be ok my mom bought me a book with a great map in it and the lovely Miss Bennett put together a great first aid kit.
As far as what we're doing when we are there.....your guess is as good as mine. What I do know is that I'm working for the Olympic News Service and that I'm at the National Stadium where all the track and field events are held. This I'm pretty excited about, they told us we will be assigned a sport and will interview the athletes after every event. Once we have the interview we'll enter it into a computer so members of the press can use our quotes in their stories. I don't know for sure if I'll be doing that because I got assigned that national stadium and not a specific sport, but I'll find out very shortly.
The most exciting part is the fact that we get uniforms to wear. They're pretty hot! I'll make sure to bring them back and wear them to all the bars in Columbia next fall! I'll try to post a picture and everyone can start calling dibs on what they want: hat, fanny pack, zip off pants.....it'll be fun to wear everyday!
I am slowly packing up everything and my parents get here Friday to help me organize and move. It's just so surreal that it's finally here. I fell like I've been talking and thinking about going since September and now that it's here- yes, I'm nervous but at the same time I don't think it has hit me yet. It probably won't until I've been there a week.
As far as getting ahold of me you can leave comments on here or email me at:
wcw5y2@mizzou.edu or
whitneycwright@gmail.com
They are giving us Chinese cell phones when we get over there and I will be figuring out as fast as possible how much they cost and if I can send texts. I'll be sure to update you all as soon as I know something else
I will take lots of pictures and post them as soon as I get a chance. Hopefully I'll be able to update this blog once a day or every few days. Emails are ALWAYS welcome. Thats all for now! The countdown is at less than a week now!
Monday, June 9, 2008
And it begins
I figured with the countdown at 3 weeks I should probably set up this blog. I've been thinking about this trip for so long and it's now quickly approaching! I know this because of the lovely phone calls and lists from my mom of things that need to get done.
I had to blog for a class once, and absolutely hated it- so hang in there I'll try my hardest to update as much as possible once I get over to China. I figured this would be the easiest way to keep in touch with everyone- emails are still very much welcome. I will try to update this blog a few times before I leave July 1st with as much information as I have at the moment- which isn't a whole lot! Thats it for now I will update soon!
I had to blog for a class once, and absolutely hated it- so hang in there I'll try my hardest to update as much as possible once I get over to China. I figured this would be the easiest way to keep in touch with everyone- emails are still very much welcome. I will try to update this blog a few times before I leave July 1st with as much information as I have at the moment- which isn't a whole lot! Thats it for now I will update soon!
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