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

Hey Everyone!

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 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 7 - Precious Metals

Hey Everyone!

Just a quick post to show you our pins we received.  Trading pins during the Olympics is very popular and is a great way to meet people from all over the world!  The University of Missouri gave us 150 commemorative School of Journalism pins to trade throughout the games.