Day 55 - An Extinguished Flame

Hey Everyone!

I can't believe it's been two weeks since we started...and now it's over!  The entire day was filled with "lasts" - last time to check into security, last time to walk on the Green and last time to enter NIS.

The Olympic News Service volunteers gathered at a local bar to watch the closing ceremonies live on a big screen projection.  It was incredibly awesome to watch it and be a part of it all.  I couldn't help but feel sad as this was the end to the Olympics and our volunteer experience.  It was also a celebration for our hard work the past two months.

So tired right now.  I'm going to bed but I'll post pictures and video from the last day tomorrow.  I feel like I've pushed so much to get as much as I can out of this experience and am really looking forward to some R and R.  It has been so worth it!!!!

Enjoy the Closing Ceremonies - amazing visuals and use of people.  As other news agencies have commented, Beijing has set a new standard for the Olympic celebration!

Ted

Day 54 - Women's Finals

Hey Everyone!

Saturday we worked again for women's handball.  We got to watch two matches including the gold medal match between Russia and Norway.  I didn't know too much about handball going into the competition, but after watching a couple of matches, I find it much more interesting.  I didn't realize how much each team scored during a game (sometimes getting as high as 30 points).  We didn't do to much at the press tribune so it was nice to be able to just sit and watch the games.  the rest of the day was spent trading pins and shopping at the super store.

Ted

Day 53 - Day Passes

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The Olympic Green has been off limits to only workers and spectators that have tickets for events that day.  Someone told me corporation pavilions and the Super Store said they weren't getting a lot of the actual Olympic spectators.  Within the past week, more and more people have been getting the opportunity to get on the Green using day passes.  It's been great to see so many people on the Green - it's really alive!  However, the crowds are sometimes difficult to manage.  For pin trading, it's great because there is "fresh meat" to trade pins with.  (We've become obsessed with the pins).

Friday we worked the upper press tribune.  There isn't as much traffic for the handball competitions, so much of our time is spent just watching the Games which is totally fine with me.  We got to see the men's semi finals.  It's pretty laid back compared to gymnastics.  I just feel lucky that I can watch some Olympic competitions.  The rest of the work schedule fills up the rest of the week.  We even work on the 24th, the last day of the Olympics!

Ted

Day 52 - Hello Handball

Hey Everyone!

Wow - the first day of handball was weird.  NIS is completely different... but not really.  Workers transformed the venue last night into a handball stage.  The broadcast mixed zone is completely gone and seats are now in its place.  The floor is a handball court and the press mixed zone is completely reorganized.  There was also a lot fewer people.  It's like gymnastics was a dream.  Things were completely changed and reorganized to the point of seeming like we weren't in the same building.  It was a rainy morning and it took a little longer to get to work.  We arrived at 9:ooAM and ended up sitting around for awhile.  The BOB (Beijing Olympic Broadcasting) group was practicing with the new camera setup.  Julie and I went down to the FOP (Field of Play) and asked the camera guy to get us on the jumbotron!  It was so cool!  Our job for the next few days will be to direct journalists to the press tribune to watch the handball matches.  We got to watch one match and then ended up leaving because they were overstaffed.  We walked around the Green and toured the Coca Cola pavilion.  The entire building was focused on how green the company was trying to be.  It was a neat display of ingenuity and creativity.  They also had a line to get your picture with the Olympic torch.  At night, a bunch of us went to Club Bud - the Budweiser pavilion - to party.  It was amazing to rub shoulders with athletes and hang out with other ONS people.

Ted

Day 51 - Farewell Gymnastics

Hey Everyone!

Today was our last official day as gymnastic volunteers.  The atmosphere was kind of like those end-of-the-year grade school parties where people are in good moods.  We showed up around noon and prepared to go to the press tribune.  The Gymnastics Gala was the only event scheduled today.  The stadium was transformed into a showcase stage with black lights and Chinese architecture.  The show was spectacular and included Beijing Olympic medalists and Chinese acrobats.  It was basically a "review" of the past two weeks.  After the show, we headed down to the floor and got pictures standing with the apparatuses!  It was SO cool to be on the floor.  However, it was bittersweet because workers were already taking down the stage in preparation for the handball events that would take place soon.  As we gathered our stuff in the ONS office, you couldn't help but get sad.  The bare room had been our home for the past month.  It didn't seem like it had been that long, but like Sally said, once the Games start things go really fast.  In true ONS tradition, the managers and sports information specialists clapped as we left the office.  It was an emotional day, but not the end.  Tomorrow is a brand new day starting early at 9AM: same venue but different sport and job.  I'll be working in the press tribune directing journalists.  It's going to be weird, though.  I'll be wanting to walk over to the ONS office, but a new group is taking over the flash quote reporting.  I'm looking forward to a new day and new job!

Ted

Day 50 - ONS wraps up

Hey Everyone!

Last night was our last official day of work for ONS!  We covered parallel bars, horizontal bar, balance beam and men's trampoline.  The competitions were amazing and it was great to see Jonathan Horton medal in the high bar.  Trampoline was the last apparatus.  I didn't even know it was a sport until now, but it's actually quite challenging.  It was sad as everyone was completing their final flash quotes.  I can't believe it's been so long since we've started working.  It feels like things have flown by.  I remember going stir crazy because we couldn't do enough work.  Now, it's almost over, but the experiences we've had will stay with me forever!

Ted

Day 49 - I May Look Asian...

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So I've been meaning to talk about something that's been quite the talk with my friends.  I'm Asian...no that's not it - but rather I don't speak Chinese.  All of the Chinese people I talk to say they first thought I was Chinese when they saw me.  I guess I can understand that because of my appearance.  I tell them I was born in Korea but was adopted to parents in the U.S.  It's very common for me to be waiting at the subway or walking around on the Green and having someone walk up to me speaking Chinese.  I shake my hand and say "Sorry!  English!"  The light bulb goes on in their head because the look on their face is priceless: first it's shocked, then it's embarrassed.  They laugh and back away.  It's pretty funny.  In fact, it happened 30 times today - we counted.  Jokingly, I asked one of my Chinese friends to make a sign that reads "I do not speak Chinese".  I put two holes in the paper so it can hang from my lanyard, but I haven't worn it around yet.  It's been the center of funny conversation, but I wish I could speak the language fluently.  I feel stuck in the middle between being Caucasian and Asian.  I've grown up in the U.S. all my life, but as corny as it sounds, I feel a connection with the people here - maybe because they look like me.  I don't know, but it's been great being here.

Ted

Day 48 - Compare and Contrast

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Today we didn't have to go to NIS until 16:00 - it felt so weird walking to work as the sun was preparing to set.  Men's floor and pommel horse along with women's floor and vault were on the docket today.  It was a very confusing shift because we were separated into groups working the different apparatuses.  I worked men's pommel horse and stationed myself with NBC Sports.  I also got an interview with the BBC crew.  It was crazier than a circus in the broadcast mixed zone.  There is limited space and NBC is at the end of a small passageway.  To get to the NBC box, you have to finagle your way through light stands, tripods and people.  It's quite a tight squeeze!

I realized how much the Olympics is a contrast between the extremely happy and extremely disappointed.  One Chinese athlete that did not place in the floor exercise was interviewed on the in-house video system.  She fought back tears as she gave the interview, while behind her, the medal ceremony was taking place.  There, the happiest gymnasts stood beaming from ear to ear.  One woman competing in wrestling lost the match.  So distraught, she laid face down on the floor and wouldn't move even after the officials tried to drag her off the mat.  Finally, as she was walked off the floor, the winner raised her hands in victory in the foreground.  It's quite a contrast, but that's what the Olympics is all about.  Some win and others lose in the Olympic rapids of competition.

Ted

Day 47 - World Records

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Fellow bloggers back me up!

9.69 seconds - that's the new world record for the 100 meter dash. Jamaican Usain Bolt did exactly what his name promised... he bolted across the finish line in record time - and we were there! BOCOG gave us tickets to the athletics competition this evening - including what some say is the most watched event at the Olympics. The Bird's Nest was amazing. Like my friend Julie said: you can't truly experience the Olympics until you set foot inside National Stadium. It has not totally sunk in yet - what we saw. The evening started at 7PM and we got to see women's heptathlon and shot put finals. The main event was the 100 meter dash which was scheduled last in the evening around 10:30.

The stage was set with a special montage and entrance music. The athletes got into position and the crowd - screaming and talking throughout the night - dropped the volume to almost whispers. The anticipation was almost too much to handle. The gun exploded. With it, hundreds of photo flashes went off like a sparkling wave across the stadium. People cheered and the stadium was alive. One athlete pulled out from the pack. At 9.69 seconds, Bolt crossed the line - a new world record! Even before he crossed the line, he was already celebrating with his hands outstretched. It was over so fast that it took a second to see who had won. Bolt was overjoyed and made a victory lap - first embracing his friends and family and then addressing the crowd. With his shoes in hand and flag around his back, he embraced the new record as the world's fastest man.

Back in the stands, we all were going crazy. We had just witnessed history and couldn't believe we were present for a new world record. The atmosphere in the stadium was in full party mode. People were cheering and music blasted from the surround sound speakers throughout the stadium. Some people said that at these Olympics in Beijing no records would be broken. I'm wondering what they're thinking now.

Speaking of records: we watched Michael Phelps win his 7th gold this morning in the ONS office. We were all huddled around the television. The race was incredible! There was a moment of doubt at that photo finish, but when the scores came up and he had won by just a tenth of a second, the whole office went crazy!

Here in Beijing, it's Olympic mania. Almost everyone you meet has something Olympic. Every TV in every store and bar has the Olympics running. Even now, the TV in our room is tuned to CCTV 1 showing a handball match. It's Olympics 24/7 - something I've always wanted to experience.

Ted

Day 46 - Pin Culture

Hey Everyone!

Today was probably the most perfect day outside since we arrived.  It had rained for almost two days straight, but we were rewarded with a sunny Friday.  Sarah did a great job describing what a lot of us having been going through these past few days.  I can't believe I've been a part of this enormous story.  It never really hits me until I'm sitting in the stands.  I'll be watching the big screen television and then realize it's happening LIVE right in front of me!  I usually watch it at home religiously (I used 16 VHS tapes in 2006!) and now, it's an entirely new experience.

Speaking of experiences: today, we went around the Green and ventured north to the super store.  It is HUGE!  You name it, they have it and more.  THOUSANDS of pins to buy!  For the most part, people want to trade the Missouri pins, but sometimes, they just don't like it.  It happens most to non-Chinese people.  Some people will physically try and take your pin from your lanyard!  It's so fun to try and trade with people...you start to only look chest-level and ignore people's faces.  We have entire strategies to get pins and it's always fun to see what new pins people got throughout the day.  The most sought after ones: a Samsung pin that has a phone on it that actually slides open and closed.  NBC pins are extremely valuable, too!  It's an entire culture during the Olympics - and you have to learn the language if you want to collect!  Check out some pins on my lanyard in the picture!

Ted

Day 45 - Rain on the Beach

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Today was the men's final for all-around.  We got to work around 9AM for the 11AM start time and got our seats in the press tribune.  It was another great competition as we watched China's superstar, Yang Wei, perform.  The U.S. team did very well, too, but not enough to place.  By the time everything was done, it was raining out - pouring actually.  The media entrance by our ONS office was buzzing with international reporters putting on bright pink ponchos and waiting for their rides.  It was a privilege to meet Richard Engel, NBC's international reporter often seen in Iraq (and basically anywhere that is really dangerous).  We got some ponchos and headed out after we were done putting our quotes into the computer.  Three of us headed to the beach volleyball venue - remember that day we stood in line for 5 hours getting tickets?  Despite the rain, we felt it would be a waste if we didn't at least go.

There was hardly anyone in the stadium, but we held onto our ponchos and umbrellas and watched four matches.  We got to see the U.S. men play an incredible match!  It was the first time we were able to cheer because we weren't working.  It kind of felt weird doing it, too!  The rain let up eventually and we were able to just enjoy the evening.  It was actually cool and felt like an October evening.  Unfortunately, both times we've come to beach volleyball, it's been raining.  I guess we weren't meant to see beach volleyball the stereotypical "sunny" way.

Day 44 - Silver and Gold

Hey Everyone!

I'm finally getting a break from the incredible work and leisure schedule these past 24 hours.  Last night, four of us went to the Worker's Stadium - a venue southeast of the Olympic Green.  After we got off work yesterday, we went straight to the venue to watch two games of Women's Soccer - Brazil vs. Nigeria and Sweden vs. Canada.  The Brazilian women were great to watch and the three scores the team pumped out were all done by the same woman.  We were seated high in the stands and had a good view of the field.  There was a 45-minute break in between games and we got some food - popcorn, chips and snickers bars.  The venue food is very cheap, but it's not the healthiest.  I got a drink and candy bar for little over a dollar.  In the U.S., it would have cost at least $5.  The second game was more intense.  We had Canada fans to our left and Sweden fans to our right.  Every time the ball got close to the goal, everyone started screaming.  I had never been to a professional soccer game before.  Goal-scoring was probably the highlight of the evening.  The whole stadium erupted with cheers.

Today, I went to the NIS and observed the women's team final competition.  It was, again, an intense competition.  Tenths and hundredths of a point were crucial.  I kept watching the big monitor and then looking down at the actual competition live and couldn't believe I was there!  All of the ONS reporters sit up in the press tribune (boxes in the stands) during the competitions.

The competition was great today - still in awe of it all!

Ted 

Day 43 - Men's Team Final - Victory!

Hey Everyone!

Today was Men's Team Final for gymnastics.  We got to work at 8AM and prepared for the day.  We had some extra time after looking up info on our athletes and a few of us went over to the McDonalds on the Green.  I was CRAVING a hash brown and was dying for an excuse to go over and get one.  After our fix, we headed to the press tribune to watch the events.  The entire day was incredible.  As you all probably saw on television, the men did a wonderful job!  The last few rotations, the tension really started to build.  At this time, we were all heading to our positions for the interviews.  I headed to the broadcast mixed zone and got to watch the men compete on the pommel horse - about 20 feet away!  When the U.S. team had finished and realized they just got the bronze metal, every single one of them went crazy including the coaches.  It was a neat moment.  The medal ceremony followed soon after.

Visit http://www.nbcolympics.com/gymnastics/news/nesid=199300.html#gymnasts+rally+bronze to see the interview in the mixed zone.  I was literally inches from the camera and just a foot away from the athletes as they talked with Andrea.  So coo!

I have to say that watching the medal ceremony was probably one of the coolest things I've seen during these Games.  True, the U.S. did not win gold, but it was the atmosphere and nuances that made it so spectacular.  The athletes cleared the floor and the podiums were set.  The winning teams walked into a screaming stadium.  The Chinese, with the gold, had the most supporters in the house and they were going wild.  Set to dramatic/movie score music, the presenters handed out the bronze to the U.S.  The Japanese came forward to receive the silver and shook the hands of the U.S. team.  The Chinese walked up last and shook hands with the U.S. and Japanese teams.  This was a special moment.  Many local Chinese I've talked to say the Japanese aren't their closest friends - but here, they were joined through sport and had put that behind them.  Both teams seemed amiable.  The final announcement over the PA proclaiming China as the champion caused an immediate eruption from the crowd.  Camera flashes went off like confetti all around me.  It was like one of those endings to a Hollywood sports movie.  As the Chinese national anthem played and the flags were raised, I couldn't help but get shivers at what I was witnessing.  The U.S. men's team suffered the loss of two valuable players (Morgan and Paul Hamm), but they were able to surprise everyone and rise to the challenge.  The Chinese were infinitely proud of this moment as well - and it showed.  This truly was an Olympic moment.

Ted

Day 42 - The "Tonight" Show

Hey Everyone!

Man, it was an incredible day today - but what can you expect when you're in China for the Olympics?  This morning we went to Beach Volleyball qualifications bought by BOCOG.  It was a really pleasant surprise!  We arrived early to make the 9AM start time.  The sky was dark.  Officials were handing out ponchos - and about half an hour in, we needed them.  It didn't really rain too hard, and most of us were so into the matches anyway it didn't matter.  It was a really awesome venue and the DJ did a pretty good job at getting everyone rowdy.  Random 80's dance music would cut in between each point.

 The Chinese "cheer" Lynette was talking about in an earlier blog post was resounding throughout the morning.  We got to see Latvia and Argentina play in addition to three other matches.  The Chinese women were especially fun to watch because the crowd was really into it.  I got my hands on some "thunder sticks" (with help from Shawna!) which helped me cheer and blend in with the crowd.

In the evening, we headed to the Green to be in the crowd for the Today show...or should I say Tonight show.  Due to time zone changes, the morning show is done live at 7PM here to be shown live 7AM on the east coast.  It was SO cool to be there.  I called home and told my mom to watch it.  They took several bump shots - shots in and out of commercial break - of the crowd and many of the interviews done with athletes were done with the Mizzou crew in the background.  Al Roaker even mentioned Mizzou before a weathercast!  The talent came down to say hi during breaks and we got some great pictures.  

Everyone was really nice and appreciative we were there.  We also saw Cullen Jones and Sarah Brightman do some interviews and watched the Today Show crew try their hands at noodle-making.  It was an amazing evening.  Anne Curry spoke to us off the cuff during a break and told us journalism students some really great things.  She said that journalism is alive and it is only as good as the people that are doing it.  Fame isn't great - but it can help you do great things and help other people.  I think that that was one of the coolest things of the evening - getting to hear Anne speak.  It was totally in the moment and she was just seemed down to earth.  It's probably easy to just hate coming to see the mobs of people that just want to take pictures and get autographs.  Everyone, however, was genuinely happy to see us - something I'll always remember.

Ted

Day 41 - Thunder and Rain

Hey Everyone!

Today was another full day at the NIS.  Thunderstorms exploded overhead while we worked inside.  I got to work early to watch the U.S. Women's team compete.  Later, I interviewed some German athletes during the third subdivision.  There wasn't anyone in the broadcast mixed zone that spoke English (NBC, BBC, CBC not working at the time) so I helped out in the press mixed zone.  After work, Ashley and I stopped in one of the sponsor pavilions.  The Omega pavilion - the official timekeepers of the Games - had a store devoted to showing the history of their time pieces and the intricate detail that it takes to make one of the watches.  Much of their handiwork could only be seen with magnification.  It was really interesting.  I'm hoping to stop by the other pavilions tomorrow.  The atmosphere on the Green has really changed.  Throughout the sponsor pavilion corridor, there are live bands and dancers.  Last night, a Japanese group was doing a traditional dance.  Today, a Chinese group was trying to do a Spanish song.  There's also CocaCola, Samsung and Adidas pavilions - just to name a few.  I hope they give out some freebees!  Tomorrow evening, we're going to the Today Show on the Green.  Tune into the show Monday morning and maybe you'll see us if we can make it out there!

Ted

Day 40 - The Opening Ceremonies - A Local Perspective

Hey Everyone!

Wow - it has been a whirlwind these past 48 hours.  Last night, I got to bed around 2:45AM and was up at 8 ready for work.  This is the first chance I've had to reflect on the past few days.  Here's what's been going on...

August 8th, I left the hotel at 12:30 to get to the Olympic Green.  I wasn't sure how bad the traffic was going to be and I wanted to get some footage around the area.  Security was the highest I've ever seen it and I ended up having to walk to the Green - we've always taken the bus.  I must have passed through five checkpoints before I was even CLOSE to the Green.  It was funny, I wasn't quite sure how many levels of clearance I had every time I approached a checkpoint.  I pretended I knew what I was doing and walked briskly through.  When I was

 stopped, I tried to reason, but it doesn't help when the police officer doesn't speak English...and he thinks you speak Chinese.  I walked around for awhile and finally ended up getting to the entrance around 4:00PM!  I was dehydrated and tired from walking so long and being rejected by the guards.

At the NIS, we met journalists that had come to interview the athletes pre-Opening Ceremonies.  The NIS was the staging area for all the athletes before the Parade of Nations.  I went outside and watched the start of the Opening Ceremony with a bunch of volunteers on the Olympic Green.  

About two hours before the ceremony, people started pouring in.  I can only describe it as an international gathering and melting pot of countries from all over.  Everyone was in a party mood and we took the opportunity to take pictures with as many people as we could.  It was a mutual sharing of photos and there never seemed to be enough people to take the pictures!

There were monitors set up...but they were not showing what was happening inside!  I was disapointed, but many of us made a pact that if it came to that, we would want to say we were there in person.  We could watch it whenever we wanted to.

I got to see the drummers line up for the opening portion of the performance and got some pictures with the actors.  They were all very popular!  Then, we gathered around the large chute that was set up for the athletes to send them into the stadium for the Parade of Nations.  It was incredible seeing all the countries go by.  The Chinese people were feeding off the athletes when they responded to their cheers.  It was one surprise after another.

By

 the time 11:30PM rolled around, we were getting tired.  Many of us wanted to stick it out to watch the flame.  Close to midnight, the cauldron was illuminated and without hesitation, it was lit in a bright flash.  Fireworks followed in a cornucopia of colors and shapes.  One formation was in the Olympic rings.  Not only were they shot off by the stadium, but down the entire Green.  The sky was literally filled with fireworks and we were surrounded!  It was one of the best shows I've seen!  As an extra treat,

 fireworks continued to go off as we headed to the subway - conviently, they were in the same

 direction!  Words cannot describe the evening...here's a better attempt.  (waiting for the fireworks)

Today was our first day on the Olympic Green during the Games.  Seeing the flame watching over us was very cool!  We entered the NIS and got ready for our first round of competitions.  I worked with the NBC Sports people - national.  We interviewed all of the men's team after competition in subdivision 1.  When you see the interviews with them, I'm standing literally inches from them scribbling down quotes.  It was so much fun!  I stuck around for the other subdivisions throughout the day helping out and

 observing the competition.  

I also heard today there was a murder near the Drum Tower.  That is located in Ho Hai - an area we visited awhile back - the place with the rickshaws.  It is very sad to hear about the incident.  Haven't heard too much about that here locally.  (Drum Tower performance weeks before)

Will try to keep you updated on this incredible journey.  Hope you enjoyed the start to the Games!  Thank you to all for checking out this blog - I hope it can help you see another side of China.

Ted

Day 39 - *****THE 2008 OLYMPICS HAVE BEGUN!!!!!!*****

HEY EVERYONE!

Wow - what a once-in-a-life-time experience!  I'm super tired, but wanted to give you some quick thoughts before I head to bed.  (working tomorrow at 10AM!)  We got home around 12:30AM.  The show was absolutely phenomenal - from the outside.  We actually didn't get to see the show from the inside...but got to be in the atmosphere of the Olympic Green.  It was electric about two hours before the start because everyone was coming to get into the Bird's Nest.  We got pictures with people from all different countries.  Everyone was so excited!  Then, we positioned ourselves by the chute where the athletes would parade in before the Parade of Nations.  It was so neat to see them walk by and the crowd got really energetic over athletes that responded to them.  Then, we sat and watched the firework display on the Green.  We were surrounded by fireworks at the finale and it was such an incredible sight!  I am jealous you all get to watch it again!  It was all that I had hoped it would be - and that's just the beginning!  Tune into the gymnastics competition tomorrow to check out the men's qualifications.  I'll be in the broadcast mixed zone - inside the arena in a line of cameras.  If you see any interviews on NBC, I'll most likely be standing right there!

MUCH more to come later...now off to bed!

Ted

Day 38 [20.5 HOURS!!!] - Calm Before the Storm

Hey Everyone!

I was on the Olympic Green tonight!  Wanted to get one more viewing before the craziness begins.  You can see it, too.

Ted

Day 38 [Olympics Eve!!!] - Beijing Huan Ying Ni!!!

Hey Everyone!

It means: "Beijing Welcomes You" - one of the slogans for the Games.

This is it: it's the eve of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and we are just one day away from the start to the festivities.  Our managers at the NIS gave us special accreditation to get into the Olympic Green today and the 8th.  The entire complex is on lockdown for the opening ceremonies.  A lot of us at the NIS agree that even if we won't be able to watch what goes on inside the Bird's Nest (there MAY be a live site or monitor set up outside the stadium), 

it's a rare chance to be at the center of the world for the evening.  We'll get to see the athletes prepare for the Parade of Nations and experience the fireworks firsthand.

For those of you new to the site: welcome!  Including myself, there are four other journalists contributing to this blog page.  The five University of Missouri  students are in Beijing working for the Olympic News Service, an internal news gathering operation that's unlike any other.  A journalist working alone during these Games may not be able to cover every event he or she may want to.  ONS covers every competition at every venue.  We grab quotes from athletes as they finish their competition and put them on a wire service that journalists can access throughout the facilities.  It's a way for journalists to gather information on the go.  Lynette, Sarah and myself are at the gymnastics venue.  Matt is at Field Hockey and Mark is working the Triathlon.  We hope this blog can give you some behind the scenes stories as well as give you a unique perspective to the Olympic Games and China.  We've been blogging for about a month now.  Please feel free to check out our previous posts!  Again, those new to the post: welcome!  Those that started at the beginning with us: thanks for staying!

Ted

The beginning:

Day 37 [2 DAYS TO GO!!!!] - Podium Training

Hey Everyone!

Last night, Laura, Shawna and I went to the home of one of the professors from Renmin University.  A cultural exchange program, started by Renmin, allowed small groups of students to visit with the school's professors.  We took a cab to a large complex of apartment buildings.  His apartment, shared with his wife, 50 day-old girl, mother in law and father in law, had a great view.  We chatted for a bit and then headed to a nearby shopping district for dinner.  He took us to one of his favorite restaurants: a hot pot.  It was my first time to eat this type of food so I wasn't sure what to expect.  The server showed up with a huge pot - divided in the center with one side containing spicy broth and the other containing mild.  Then, she served different side dishes to place into the broths including lamb, beef, seaweed, root, mushroom and bamboo.  It was really good and I tried most of everything!  

The bamboo tasted the most exotic leaving a tangy sensation.  The lamb was my favorite.  The meal was wonderful and it was great to talk with a Chinese professor.  He teaches economics at the college and it was interesting to hear a Chinese perspective of world economics.

Today, we had podium training at the NIS - the men's gymnastics groups were training on the different apparatuses in the main arena.  We got to watch them try out the different apparatuses.  After the different teams rotated around the arena, they all went through the mixed zone and we got to interview them.  I got to interview two Canadian hot shots along with the Canadian press.  It was a media circus, but it was a lot of fun and a great experience.  I can't wait to start working in the broadcast mixed zone with NBC!  We got done with work around 11PM...and started that morning at 9AM!!  Long day, but exciting and a preview of the days to come!  I can't believe we are only two days away.  I can still remember when the countdown timer read 45 days.  Now, we're just about to start.  Once the 8th hits, I'll be soaking in as much Olympic mania I can get!

I even got to take a picture with one of the ladies that carry the flags for the parade of nations!  Watch for them on the 8th!

Ted