hello, beijing.

and i'm back... for one last post.

2008-08-28T05:48:00.003+08:00

Waking up only a few hours after going to sleep yesterday (was it yesterday?) was the easiest part of leaving China. The hardest might have been the goodbyes... to the country, the way of life, the Olympics... the people I've spent the last couple months with.

With some great help I made it to a taxi and said farewell to the south gate of CUC... the very gate I had climbed so many times. Drove past the popsicle man I came to love... and looked back at the subway station I cursed so many times... only to wish I wasn't leaving it all.

As soon as I found the note from Megan in my bag I lost it. I can't imagine not waking up in the 801... cracking the door open to see who else is already awake... and then going and bothering them, without even thinking twice. I know we're not dying... and the Beijing Summer08 reunion is already in the planning stages... but there's something about that mosquito infested dorm that you can't find anywhere else.

After sitting in the airport for hours and napping on the leathery recliners looking out over the runway (quite nice, actually) I looked around and realized I was the only white Westerner where I was sitting. I realized it would be the last time in a while that I would be that only one... again, almost lost it. I've never thought I would feel so at home somewhere so different. I never thought I'd feel so lost heading home... but then again, a year ago I never thought I would be in China at all.

Soon the others came filtering in... the Puerto Rican boxers, track and field athletes from Guyana, Canadian wrestlers... all of us wearing our Olympic accreditation still. Boarding the plane, I realized I could probably take mine off... though I didn't even want to. It seemed like the last little bit of Olympics I could cling to for a bit longer.

Several hours of drifting in and out of sleep and I was arriving at JFK. The first American flag I saw was outside the Port Authority building... I don't think I'll ever forget it. And as soon as I stepped off the plane and into an airport full of English signs and voices over the loudspeaker I knew it was real... no more China. Through customs I took the "US Citizens" line... strange... and was asked the series of "why are you trying to get back into this country" questions by Ryan the customs man. He asked if I had a good time, I said "the best." To which he said, "I'm going to do you one up today... you're getting a kiss going through customs." Before I could even process what he was saying, he smacked a Hershey's kiss on the counter and smiled. I laughed out loud... especially happy to have some English-interaction again.

While at JFK I met a great family who had their share of traveling too... I was talking to their young son who was marveling at the pins on my backpack. I told him I had even more pins in my bag and pulled out the panda pin I had gotten from my Newsweek photographer friend. The boy's eyes lit up as he told me that he and his sister LOVE pandas. His sister, who wasn't feeling well, perked up as soon as she heard the word panda. I fished around my bag for the Fu Wa panda keychain I had too and told them they could have them. Not only did I make these kids' days... but their parents gave me that silent "Thank you" and smiled. They were all fascinated with my trip to China and the Olympics... and I was so happy to just be able to talk to strangers again. I love human interaction... and although it happened occasionally in China, it was never a guarantee that I would be able to strike up a conversation with people I didn't know, just because of the language barrier.

And then it was home to Chicago... where it all seemed to real to be home.

Then the reverse culture-shock set in. I saw American money and freaked out. I felt scared riding in a car on a highway with semi trucks. I keep forgetting that I can flush toilet paper here. I looked for bottled water until I realized I can drink from the sink again. I washed my face with cold water... out of habit. I woke up after sleeping from 2am to 2pm today and immediately got on my computer to see who else was awake on Skype... only to remember that we're all in different places now. I'm still a little our of sorts, but it's staring to sink in that I'm back. Mom's food and my brother's hospitality (I shack up in his room on a futon when I'm home... spreading my stuff out everywhere... and he never minds) are helping me feel like I'm "home."

But even more than that, I feel like fall is always a crazy time for me... I always get wrapped up in all the changes that seem to take place this time of year. Being back in Lowell is even stranger than usual. It's been four years since I haven't had to be at Purdue right now. Crazy amounts of things are happening... coming home from China just brought it all to my attention.

And so here I am, at the end of a summer of adventures. I will miss everything about China... even the things that seemed so annoying. I'll answer "Xie xie" instead of "Thank you" for a while, I'm sure. I'll especially miss having my eyes opened to a new culture.

Thanks again to everyone who has kept up with my trip through this blog, it was a great experience to write it all down and I've really enjoyed sharing it. Believe me, I'm sad this is my last post... for this journey at least.

Thanks for the comments, the feedback and the e-mails regarding posts. It made my day whenever I saw that I had comments waiting.

Thanks also to the NWI Times for featuring our blogs on their Web page, and for featuring the three NWI bloggers in a print story as well (the grandparents are bringing it over so I can finally see it!).

Take care, all the best,
Zai jian,

Alysha

odds and the end.

2008-08-26T01:30:00.003+08:00

Last night we got the whole group together for the last time. Early in the afternoon we began what would be a marathon journey to the northwest corner of Beijing. Tan, a Purdue alum, had invited us to her home (very very nice home) for a barbecue and to watch closing ceremonies. She roasted an entire sheep for us... no joke, I cut my meat from the loins of a sheep on a spit.

We enjoyed our last meal together, sharing it with someone who is a part of the Purdue family. We watched closing ceremonies with mixed emotions about the next day or so. And we headed out, one last time, into the streets of Sanlitun.

It wouldn't be a good "last night out together" if we didn't come home as the sun came up... and then wake up just a few hours later to start saying goodbyes.

The day moved in slow motion. The streets were so quiet. Hardly any Westerners were out. It was a perfect late summer day... and it felt like the people of Beijing were happy to have their city back. I was glad to have it too, for one last day.

I can't really even explain this feeling right now. For a lot of the people on this trip, they're headed back to Purdue and will get to see each other. For a few of us though, this is it. It's my last official moment as a Purdue student. I'm on the threshold of my post-college world. It's scary and wonderful; it's hard to break it all down into words even.

So now it's 2am, most of us are still awake... packing, trying to figure out how we feel about leaving, saying goodbyes. I have to be out the door in about six hours. And all I know is I'm waking everyone up to say goodbye once again. I feel like we shouldn't even sleep... or we should all pull our beds out into the hallway and all talk about the trip. Maybe that's a little childish, ha.

I guess I'll wrap up this scattered post and try to get a few hours of sleep. I'll be sure to get my act together a little bit and write up some great end of the trip reflections. It might take a day or two to decompress, but it will be great and glorious.

See you on the other side... of the Pacific, that is.
I was hoping to have a more focused "end of it all" post... but maybe this is more appropriate.

top 5s.

2008-08-24T12:57:00.002+08:00

It's all coming to an end... only two days left. It seems only fitting to give a recap of some of my favorite moments and I am obviously going to do it in my favorite format of Top5 lists.

Top5 Things I Have Missed From Home
1. Dairy products. Milk and cheese especially.
2. Being able to run outside without getting sick from breathing in smog.
3. A shower where I have some say over what temperature it is. I'd love to have a non-ice-cold morning shower.
4. Text messages. Yeah. Call me silly and ridiculous, but what I'm really saying is that I just miss being able to communicate with everyone on a daily basis.
5. Mom.

Top5 Things I Will Miss About China
1. The friendliness of everyone. I'm not sure if it was because we were Americans, or if it was because we were Olympic Volunteers, but everyone was so happy and intrigued by us.
2. Being able to get lost in a city where I know about three phrases, and still make it home thanks to inventive communication and a smile.
3. Living at CUC with people I now consider to be great friends. I haven't lived in a communal living situation since freshman year, and had almost forgotten how fun and hilarious it is.
4. Every adventure to find something. Getting lost has never been so fun.
5. Conversations with Chinese friends, talking about differences together and suddenly finding similarities. (Like when I found another girl who knew just about everything there is to know about Sex&TheCity.) Makes the world feel a little smaller.

Top5 Things I Won't Miss About China
1. Riding the subway to and from work for an hour and a half. If you didn't get a seat, and you were on a non-air conditioned train... have fun spooning with all of sweaty China.
2. Smoggy air. I really do long for fresh air.
3. The unorganized, over abundance of people situations from work. It was a real challenge to be patient with problem-solving skills (or lack thereof) and constantly changing time schedules.
4. Feeling filthy all the time. No hot water in the shower, gross air and the lack of cleaning products (like PineSol and Clorox) made me always question how clean things (including myself) were.
5. Dead mosquito carcasses all over the walls of our room. I kill them and leave them... just to remind the others of what their fate could be.

Top5 Non-Chinese Restaurants
1. Luga's. This is by a landslide my number one favorite non-Chinese restaurant here. I know I've talked about it in my blog... but, honestly, you just have no idea. It changed my life.
2. Paul's. American food. Cheap. And enough room for our entire group. Plus, Paul is the coolest guy and hasn't missed a day of work in like three decades.
3. Donata's. This doesn't make the Top5 because of the food quality, but because of how many meals were enjoyed from this lovely little restaurant near campus. Food was pretty good... especially all those "Pasture Feeling" pizzas and shared club sandwiches... but I think the comfort of Donata's is what earns it a Top5 spot.
4. My popsicle man. Technically, because so many of my meals were popsicles, I will count him as a restaurant, but not a Chinese restaurant. Cheapest popsicles in the land. Conveniently located just outside the subway.
5. PB&J. This is also not a restaurant, but it may as well be. We made more PB&J sandwiches than ever. And even without milk, they've never tasted so good.

Top5 Incredible Olympic Moments I've Seen
1. Watching Usain Bolt break the Men's 100M world record. It was everything I could have ever imagined... camera flashes everywhere, people going crazy.
2. Being at BMX for the very first time it has been an Olympic event.
3. Watching opening ceremonies from a crowded street with thousands of other people.
4. Watching Michael Phelps dominate that pool... I don't care if I only got to see it on TV, he's a pretty remarkable machine.
5. Seeing Chris Hoy and the rest of the British team rock track cycling.

Top5 Hilarious Things About Work*
1. "Maybeee.....now you can have a rest?"
2. Absolutely refusing to eat the food... but getting the drinks and the banana.
3. "Now we can go to the Photopositions."
4. The day of the Mini-Olympics and all the games we played to pass the time on non-busy days.
5. All the communication barriers that, although they were difficult at times, it usually yielded something we could laugh at.
*I'm sorry, but unless you were there, these things might not make much sense. I can't ignore it though.

Top5 Room 801 Moments
1. The day Megan and I turned the TV volume all the way up, stood on our beds and sang the Star Spangled Banner during a medal ceremony... and then realized the cleaning ladies were standing in our doorway smiling and laughing.
2. Brownshower. Most specifically the recent brownshower where while Megan was screaming about the brownshower, I was screaming about a giant bug crawling around our room. Utter chaos.
3. Every morning and our "waking up" routine. If you ever come in here before we're ready to speak... be careful. We need our morning time.
4. Megan's late-night birthday note to me... telling me to have a great first day of work. It hangs on our wall as a memory (or, non-memory) of my birthday night/working the next day.
5. The 5gallon challenge. (See blog post for entire story.)

I think most important is this last one... I came on this trip to learn and experience. And I must say, it's been a wild ride. I can't decide if I'm ready to go home... and I can't decide if I want to stay here. It's a pretty charged moment for me, as I feel like I am really on the brink of something really big. I've had a trip that changed a lot in my world, and I'm ready to keep the momentum going.

Top5 Things I've Learned

1. No matter what you've seen or where you've been... or even where you haven't been... there is no way to compare what you've done before to what you're doing at the present moment. China blew my mind at how different my perceptions were compared to what I was actually experiencing. And even though I still don't have overarching statements about "What I think China is," I'd much rather have it this way. Think about if someone asked you what you think America is... you'd never be able to answer it, taking into account all of the different things and people there are. It's the same for anywhere, which sometimes gets overlooked. You can never compare an entire country or culture to anything else... everything is what it is, and at the present moment. The China I saw is not the one that you would see if you visited even a month after the Games ended. The China I saw is not the one you would see if you visited on business. The China I saw is certainly not the one you would see if you had visited ten years ago. Everything can only be taken for what it is at the exact moment you see it... and I rather like that.

2. Communicating with others is such a gift. You might never realize how personal, how intricate communicating with other people is unless you try to communicate with a language barrier. I know before I came here I valued interpersonal communication for sure. But now I see it as this brilliant interaction... something I could get emotional over... because of how truly remarkable it is to connect with someone else, especially when you are working with two different languages. It's amazing how I've had short conversations where neither party knew the language of the other, yet the communication was there... I didn't need to hear that we understood each other, I could feel it. I've learned to express what I'm really trying to say in the clearest way possible. I've learned why people get frustrated (mostly because I got frustrated so much myself) over language barriers, but how breaking down those barriers can be so rewarding. Mostly, I've learned that everything I learned through college wasn't as common sense as I thought, and can really see how it is applied after this experience.

3. I'm a tumbleweed. I've learned I should never plan too far ahead because chances are I will change my mind about what I want to do. Before this trip, I planned on moving to Chicago, getting a job and starting from there. Now all I want to do is travel the world and be an anthropologist... learn six languages... live minimally... take pictures... write books. I just have a thirst for experience... which I've always had, but this trip really kicked it in the pants. I'm ready to start pursuing some of those dreams and goals. This hasn't shattered my plans... I'm still moving to Chicago and getting a job... but I'm trying to squeeze another adventure in before that happens. And I am for sure planning my next great journey because I feel more alive seeing the world and different cultures and people than I do anywhere else I think. I can't get enough, so why would I stop myself?

4. The world is so much smaller than we think it is. I've met people from every corner of the world. I've hung out with friends from home IN BEIJING. I've had conversations with people from an entirely different culture and been able to see things in common. Granted, I was here for a global event and the atmosphere was very international, but all the same, we were brought together for a common cause. People here know about America more than I know about China... and that makes me wonder why that is the case. I promise after leaving China I will read more international news... and really figure out where things are happening and how it affects the world, rather than just acknowledge it. I want a greater understanding of how the rest of the world functions with the US, not just how the US works on its own (which is so often the viewpoint we are presented with). So many people from around the world are working with and in other countries... and that trend isn't going to reverse itself. I looked around at the people here for Olympic events... so many people have international careers for things you would never expect (example: BMX racing). I'm really ready to start building some skills (namely, learning more languages) that will help me get into this worldly group of people, because I really think they've got the right idea.

5. Patience really is a virtue. Patience with others, patience with changing plans, patience with everything. I would have never survived without sharpening my skills a little bit. And yes, we did have to blow off some steam, but it only helped us realize that we were growing and learning how to be more understanding in a lot of situations. So many times I just wanted to jump into a situation and try and do it how I thought would work best... but it is at those moments when I would step back and think, if this country of billions of people is making it work (because really, they are a global force), maybe I'll learn something if I watch and take it all in. I know the situations I was in are really small scale and aren't much compared to an entire country's economy and political decisions, but in a small way it is the same. This country is making it work... so why would we try to force a different idea upon them just because we think it will work better? I think we can apply this idea to a lot of global situations where one country thinks it sees a way to make another "better" and then ends up disrupting the entire balance of that culture. Just be patient, take a look, realize that whatever is going on is working the way it is for a reason.

As with any great experience, it's seemed too long at times and too short at others. This really was an opportunity I couldn't pass up, and I'm glad I didn't. I'm also pretty sad that this blog is winding down. I've really enjoyed all of the comments, and am flattered that reading this has become part of some of your daily routines. I hope that it's provided a good window into what I'm experiencing here and I'll be a little lost in a few days when I don't get to blog about the crazy cultural daily adventures I have. I promise to do my best to make these last few days worth reading.

bmx: day II.

2008-08-22T20:37:00.002+08:00

After the rain yesterday, BMX was rescheduled for today, a beautiful and very sunny blue sky day. I was back at my previous photo position, though some changes were made... an area was now roped off just for photographers.

The good part of this: now photogs have space all to themselves; they don't have to jockey for space with everyone else allowed in this area. The bad news: I have to do some serious convincing to keep them in their cage, which is much smaller than the area they had to work with the other day. It is also much hotter and there are about three times the photogs out since today were final races.

My usual photographer friends head up and say goodmorning and start filling in the too small space we now have to work with. As more and more keep coming to this position (which they now know to be one of the coveted photo angles), I have to keep them calm and explain that yes, we now are confined in a roped off area and they can not leave that area or I will put them in time out. This works fine for the guys (and girl today) who get there early enough to stake a claim in the precious territory, but as more stragglers fill in, things get hectic.

I have already "modified" the barrier ropes to give them a little more space without encroaching too much into the athletes' zone. This seems to satisfy some of them. I also obtain some cold water and pass it out... keeping the peace. Additionally, I construct a sort of "gear check" area for them out of the way so they aren't tripping over their backpacks in the roped off area.

Then I meet the difficult photographer... he's standing outside the ropes, and is really pushing the limits on how far he is going into the athletes' area.

Me: Excuse me, sir, can I ask you to stand inside the ropes please?
Photog: There's no room in there. I'll stand right here.
Me: I'm sorry, I can't have you blocking that gate into the track. We need the area clear.
Photog: Believe me, if someone needs to get through, I'll be the first to move.
Me: Sir, I can't have you stand here. All photographers must stay inside the designated area.
Photog: Well, I'm just going to stand here next to this guy. If he can stand here, I can.
Me: He's designated as someone who can be in the athletes' zone. Photographers can not stand out here. I understand the area is crowded, there's nothing I can do about that.
Photog: (moving to the other side of the position) What is this empty platform? Why can't we stand up there?
Me: That's the BOB platform. It's only for the TV cameras.
Photog: The camera is all the way at the other end, can we use this side?
Me: Sorry, sir, you can't. The camera rolls back and forth, using the entire platform.
Photog: Can we at least climb on the railing behind the platform?
Me: No, that shakes the platform, and the TV camera. The only place photographers can stand is within these boundaries.

At this point, all of the other well-behaved photographers are giving me grins and looking at me out the corners of their eyes. They know they've been in that guy's position before... wanting a better position to get a better view. They also know that I've been busting my photo staff vest all morning trying to give them everything they've asked for to make their job a little easier.

The difficult photographer moves, a bit unwillingly, into the photo area. I extend the barriers some more and help him check his gear in my makeshift gear area. I apologize again for the conditions, and thank him for moving.

Two minutes later...

Photog: (turns around from where he is now standing inside my photo ropes) Hey you know, they were smart to put good English-speakers over here. You're tougher to boss around than those Chinese guys. (Smiles)
Me: Actually, that's exactly what they were doing.
Photog: (extends hand to shake) What's your name?

And so from there I felt like I had just survived a job interview. He turned out to be a really nice guy from Portland... and commended me on my ability to hold my ground regarding my super exclusive photo position.

Several other photographers, despite how crowded and hot it was, told me I was doing a great job keeping the mood positive and making sure everyone was getting what they needed (and getting along with each other). As it turns out, being a photo assistant is sort of a combination of negotiator, enforcer and elementary school teacher. It's simple stuff really, as long as you can communicate clearly and stick to your guns. No, you will not climb on my railings. No, you can not open the gate and walk onto the course. No, you will not be mean to each other. Or I'll take away all of your recesses.

Oh and today I reached a new level... "Sir, please get off that athlete's bike. You are not allowed to be riding it, nor are you allowed to be over here."

Not even kidding, this guy is, in the nicest terms, a pain in the ass. He made just about every photo assistant and manager upset the other day, and today I caught him riding around the athletes' prep area on a bike! His story is that he's an Italian journalist who somehow also got photo accreditation... and the right to make our lives miserable. He wouldn't listen to me; insisting that he needed to deliver this bike to the athlete and rode away. Why didn't the seven workers posted at the security check for this area stop him as he rode around? Why didn't the manager also standing there not seem to care when I told him the situation that this guy did not have clearance into the athletes' area? Because they couldn't be assertive enough; nor did they even understand what I was saying. Their only job was to make sure everyone that passed by them had the number 2 on their accreditation. This photographer only had a 4. Somewhere things got lost in translation and now I've got a photog riding an Italian athlete's bike around.

I let it go. There was nothing I could do. It wasn't my job to make the Chinese volunteers do theirs. But it was upsetting that even a manager didn't seem to care, especially after I explained the situation and asked him to do something about it.

Even though I was busy, I still managed to watch some races... especially the finals. USA took bronze in Women's, silver and bronze in Men's (a crazy wipeout in the second turn mixed things up a bit... taking out a couple guys who were in the running for top three and allowing the Latvian guy to take over and go for gold). But once again, as soon as the races were over, it was back to making room for the photographers to shoot the medal ceremony (this involved asking about 12 volunteers to put away their cameras and move so that people who were supposed to be taking pictures from those areas could do their jobs... I know, I'm abrasive, but you'd have to be here to understand what it's like to feel as though you are the only one concerned about keeping things organized).

This also involved a bit of American pride on my part when the volunteers wouldn't let Mike Day's family through to the medal ceremony. The volunteers gave their standard answers of "I'm sorry, you can not go through here. Please wait a moment until after the ceremony." I heard this followed by Mr. Day telling them that they were the athlete's parents. At this point, I'm ready to help an athlete's family see their kid accept a medal more than I am willing to help this volunteer block an entry.

With some firmness and some smiles, the volunteers understand that the family needs to get though, and let's them. They all said thanks and ran to greet their son/brother/boyfriend. A few other Team USA affiliates saw what I did too and smiled and said thanks. Not going to lie, it felt good to not only help a family, but to make the rules work how I wanted them to. There was no reason they shouldn't have been let through. Later, in the elevator the sister/girlfriend saw me and said, "Hey, that's the girl that got us through!" The entire Day family thanked me again and again, and I congratulated them on their good day.

Honestly, if you're not willing to be flexible and bend the rules for justified reasons, you're just going to make things difficult for everyone. I made the Day's day (ha) just by reasoning with some other volunteers. Everyone was happy in the end... and it all worked out. Isn't that what managing events like this is all about? I've said it before, but my trip here was less about working for the Olympics specifically as it was about learning how a major event like this is organized and managed. I've learned a lot about that as well as cultural communication. I'd say those are two pretty valuable skills, best learned in real-life situations.

Even better than having photographers thank me for keeping things under control today was when my bosses told me the same thing. I think they realized that BMX was far less organized than track cycling (after all, it was the first year) and were happy that I was willing to be assertive with some feisty photogs.

I even saw Oliviea (the UCI head honcho) after the races. He came over to say hello and ask what I thought. I congratulated him on the first year of Olympic BMX running about as smooth as anyone could ask for, and told him I had a great time being there. I really hope that BMX gets picked up for the next games... the venue was so fun, with so much energy... everyone was so sportsmanlike and really looking out for each other... things that I think are important in the next wave of Olympics.

We've had a lot of discussion this trip about the sports in the Games... what we think are "sports," what we think involves true "athletic" ability, thoughts on venues and spectators and what the Olympics have really become. Our group agreed, almost without question, that BMX is a good addition to the Games. We hope it sticks.

If it does, I'll be able to say I was at the very first running of Olympic BMX ever. If it doesn't, it won't change the fact that I had such a great two days working the venue. Mountain bike is tomorrow, our last day of work. Let's make it good.

rained out. no problem.

2008-08-22T16:10:00.003+08:00

Welcome to monsoon season. Welcome to taking the hour and a half trip to work at 7am, only to get there to hear the BMX events for the day have been canceled due to rain.

We didn't mind though. It's kinda like getting up and getting all ready to go to school and finding out there is a snow day. We decided breakfast at Paul's was just what we needed. I agreed with an omelet, toast and home fries.

It rained all day and I had no problem with just hanging out in my bed (which I now refer to as "my office" because I drag this little table over to my bed and use my computer from there... the air conditioner floods my desk and I don't want my computer to get caught up in that mess).

I took a crazy good nap and then alternated between looking for places to apply for jobs and travel Web sites. I've begun making my trade-marked Pros/Cons list for just about every aspect of my future, and I must say it is going well.

Honestly I didn't do much at all yesterday because of how tired I was (I got wrapped up in looking for jobs and couldn't sleep the night before). It was quite nice though. Eventually the rain subsided and people dispersed. Some people had purchased tickets to Softball and Women's Soccer, so they went out and about.

A few others (including me) had tickets into Club Bud (the Budweiser sponsored hospitality club for athletes, Beijingers and visitors like myself). It's a well-established Olympic tradition that there are hospitality clubs like this... and we wanted to check it out. Basically, it's a giant party with lots of free Budweiser, lots of athletes and lots of foreigners. The club had all kinds of areas... dance floors, places to watch ongoing events on big screen TVs, lounges and this huge outdoor patio with tents, a pool (no swimming, please) and these sweet little round couches with canopies over them. Red lanterns were strung up everywhere and there was a huge dance floor that mostly held people gathering to talk. We definitely went for the outdoor area (you know my affinity for rooftops) and snagged a round couch.

We didn't stay all night (nor do I want you to get the impression that we were crazy wild kids... we sure weren't), but we did enjoy the people watching from the comfort of our outdoor cabana tent. I love watching people from all corners of the world mixing together... the free beer was obviously helping them along, but still, people are fun to watch.

Since we had to work early again, we cut our low-key night on the town short and headed back to CUC, satisfied that we had experienced the "Olympic party scene," if you will.

bmx: day I.

2008-08-22T15:19:00.002+08:00

Walking around the BMX venue, all you heard was, "Ready to make history?".... "Let's make history."... "This is history, guys!"

And it was. The very first time BMX has had a place at the Olympics. From what I have heard (and I mean this the way people say things like, "Well I heard that..." or "They said...", where the "heard" is rather unreliable and "they" are some ambiguous group of proclaimed experts), the Olympic Games are looking to attract attention for more young people, thus the inclusion of BMX as a step in this direction. Whatever the reasoning, it was obviously a big day out at Laoshan.

My designated photo position (the location I manage, keeping the photogs under control) was the second turn of the course. The difference with this photo position and the others is that this one is where athletes, coaches and other people affiliated with the teams can roam around... including where the riders ride their bikes through after their race. It's a pretty busy area, and it was popular with the photographers because just before that second turn is where the men have the big jump... great for in-air action shots. As you can imagine, being the photo police in this area is a little different than just telling them where to stand.

The other problem is that there was no specific area for photographers only, which meant that coaches and team members could be taking up space that photogs wanted and vice versa. Really there wasn't much I could do since everyone could be in this space. I just let it all happen, and everyone seemed to be okay.

But thanks to the mixed bag of people hanging out in this area I was not only inches (sometimes not even that) away from the BMX riders (which, btw, and I'm not just saying this, are so cool... more on that later), but I was around all kinds of people. I met the guy with Team USA who travels to cities before the games to arrange lodging and logistics for the team. I met the guys who design and build the start gate mechanics for every BMX course in the world. I met the UCI head honcho. I met the guy who actually oversaw and was the boss of the physical course (building it, maintaining it, etc.) and for most other BMX courses around the world... if you saw someone out in the middle of the track hosing it down or sweeping it off between races, that was Tom.

And Tom, being the cool guy that he is, saw me without a hat on this sunny day... to which I responded that girls didn't get baseball caps, and I'd rather go without than wear a bucket hat... to which he jumped up and ran to get his own hat. He tossed it to me, saying it was too small for him anyway, and now I could make everyone jealous (his hat, because he is an "official official," is grey... managers get red, we low-end-of-the-totem-pole volunteers get blue), which is exactly what is happening.

Person asking where I got my grey hat: So, um, how did you manage to score an official's hat?
Alysha GreyHatWearing Daytner: Oh, I'm friends with the guy who built the course. It's cool.

Hanging out with these cool people in my corner of the photo position world was also great because these VIPs have access to things like blue Powerade. It is key to make friends with those who have the blue Powerade.

It was a pretty great day overall, minus the problems of other volunteers and mangers thinking I wasn't supposed to be standing where I was. I responded by showing them my credentials... including maps of the venue showing where photo positions are... about five times. That is how many times I got questioned, despite my photo vest, uniform and accreditation. The photogs laughed every time someone came over to me to tell me I wasn't supposed to be there. They got a real kick out of it.

See, it wouldn't really bother me so much if one of those times I got reprimanded for leaning on a railing, being told that it wasn't good for the "Volunteers' Image." Whoa whoa whoa whoa. Not good for the image? First of all, I was up by the railing because there was about a six-foot wide area that the photographers had to share with cyclists riding up from races, as well as all of the people that are in the entourage of the athletes. Stepping back only puts me in the way of all those people. Secondly, allow me to discuss how the other volunteers who were supposed to be helping me were leaning against a wall in the shade with their eyes closed. Maybe I'm just more aggressive... or maybe (and here's a crazy thought) I'm actually doing my job, which is to interact with and manage the photographers... not sleep against a wall.

Ever since we have gotten here, we have noticed the overwhelming amount of sun protection this culture appreciates. They shield themselves from the sun at all times. Which is really a great idea, especially with the threat of skin cancer in every one of the sun's rays... but when hiding from the sun prevents you from doing your job, you need to find a new way to deal with it. And that is exactly what is happening. (In fact, on the second day, because the sun was so bad, I was left to man a huge area myself because it was too sunny for the other volunteers.) The two girls who were supposed to be helping me did not move from under the umbrella they stood under... too far from the action to help the photographers in any way. I can respect sunscreen. I can respect shade. But I can't respect the fact that I was told I wasn't promoting a good image, just for being up in the action where I was supposed to be and not hiding under an umbrella.

What's even worse is that we were told that under no circumstances were we to be taking pictures during competition days. (That's why the blog lacks pictures... sorry!) Training days were fine, but if we were working at the venue, photos were out of the equation. Let's also talk about how about 80 percent of Chinese volunteers have been taking pictures, mobbing athletes and getting in the way in places they shouldn't be... all with cameras in hand... all on competition days. I'm not trying to be a tattle here, I'm really just expressing frustration for how the American volunteers are really doing our best to respect the "image" they want us to uphold... we're really trying to conform to their ways while at the venues... and the Chinese volunteers are running around like kindergartners. Oh yeah, and most of the managers are doing the same thing. So how could they expect anyone to obey their rules? But they expect it out of the Americans. We apparently are held to a higher standard. Thank goodness, too. I'd hate to see what an event in America would be like if some of the same things were going on as are here.

Ok so, sorry for that. It's not complaining, it's just giving you a sense of what it is like to be the minority in a culture that has very opposite ideas of work ethic and professionalism (from what I have seen).

On the other hand, the BMX community is one of the coolest groups ever. Since the sport is still growing, the pool of athletes is still small... riders are still young... and everyone involved in BMX basically knows each other. Heck, they've grown up together. This makes for a very fun atmosphere. Everyone is friends, no matter what team they are on, and people like those VIPs I met know everyone on a personal level. It's really refreshing to see competition with such good-natured athletes behind it. Plus, the riders are not at all stuck up... I mean, they're riding through packs of photographers, only to stop to say hey to a team member or coach on their way through. None of that pretentious athlete junk. Just cool kids on bikes.

And I've never really watched BMX before, but it's crazy! Crashes happen just about every race, so you never know who will be leading the field on riders. Plus, bikes flying over hills... I mean, whoever thought this one up knew it would fun to watch.

It was a great day. I was outside. I watched history happen. And I walked away with blue Powerade and a grey hat. Not much more I could ask for.

how now brown shower.

2008-08-19T23:51:00.003+08:00

This morning was a fiasco. First of all, the phenomenon known as brownshower returned to the 8th floor. Megan was in the shower... and all of the sudden I heard her yell "Nooooooo!" I knew then what we had on our hands.

And this time, brownshower struck in interesting ways. We had brownshower, but not brownsink. Lauren and Traci had brownsink, but not brownshower. Chris and Phil had brownsink and brownshower. Leroy and Chad had neither. So, I was third in line for the use of Leroy's brown-free shower. Chaos.

Off to the Velodrome we went for the final day of Track Cycling. As much as I enjoyed it, I'm really excited to move on to BMX and Mountain Bike. Today I did have to lay down the law to one photographer who got really irritated with me... over the set-up of the photo positions at the track. I was like, listen buddy, I didn't design this place. If you can't work around a railing, I don't see your photo career going leaps and bounds. Angry little elf.

After the races and medal ceremonies, Val, Christina, Chris and I bolted for the door and snagged a cab across town to Luga's (burritos. duh.). We were starving and so ready to get some tasty tasty Mexican food. No sooner than we sit down at the tiny little table just outside the front door, three guys from the Holland Heineken House (the giant mega-Olympic party location... huge tradition at past Olympics) walk up and ask how long we will be since we were at their favorite table.

We hadn't gotten our food yet, but told them it was all theirs when we were done. And, as it usually ends up at Luga's, we all just ended up crowding around a tiny table talking. Now here's the crazy part... in the middle of saying that I've seen so few Americans here compared to the number of other countries... I look up, and who do I see but Kyle Sloan. Apparently after our dinner last night, he (like us) is hooked on Luga. He said he came for lunch, and was returning with some other Olympic family members for an evening out. Luga is crazy addictive.

After the worst cab ride home ever (it cost us three times what it should have because the driver didn't remember to tell us that he didn't really know where we needed to go), I was ready for a shower, a blog and bed. But, just as China has a surprise around every corner, there was brownshower waiting for me when I got home. But this time it was sneaky.

I turned the water on... brown/black for just a second, and then it was fine. I hopped in... lathering up the hair.... and as soon as I open my eyes, I'm being doused in coffee silt water. Grrrr. I step to the side and as I am contemplating what to do, it clears up. No big deal. I'm at the point now where brownshower is what it is. I've accepted it, and I jump back in. A minute later, again by surprise, I'm brownshowered again. Again I wait, it clears up. Seriously, I'm not even phased. Finally, I finish up with clear water and am thankful that it was pretty hot tonight.

So with less than a week left, I'm really ready for a taste of home and family, but then as soon as I get it, I'll be ready to be off again. We'll see what happens. For now, it's just a little more China.

love cycling. hate crashes.

2008-08-19T11:16:00.003+08:00

After working a few days in the Velodrome while actual events are taking place, cycling now has a very dear place in my heart. I can't get enough.

If you've watched any of it on TV (and from what I have heard, there isn't much) you might be a bit turned off... but like many sports, watching it live changes your mind. Especially when you are watching it from the top of a turn in the track... where you can hear the athletes talking to each other and see the expressions on their faces.

Although, based on the size of some of the lenses my photographer friends are using, you can probably see the expressions on their faces too... down to the whites of their eyes. Seriously, these guys' equipment is the size of a Chinese gymnast. And they just toss it around like kids toss around toys... they leave cameras and lenses lying around everywhere in the moat (which isn't very big to start with). I think it's cool though that they can do that. All the photographers are very professional and obviously, if they are at the Olympics, they're pretty good at what they do.

Yesterday there were a ton a photogs because the Women's Points Race was the first event, and there are lots and lots of riders in the race. And when there are lots and lots of riders... bad things happen. Bad things like crashes.

Sarah Hammer (USA), Satomi Wadami (JPN) and Verena Jooss (GER) went down... and didn't come up. I saw the whole thing about 12 feet below me and it was nasty. Some others went down too and got up, but the Japanese girl got her head/neck run over and I seriously thought she wasn't going to move. All I could hear were shutters clicking and the sound of the other riders flying past the crash.

Honestly it wasn't even some huge crash in the cycling world, but watching people get run over by bikes isn't cool no matter how big or bad the crash is. In fact, it was at this moment that I learned how little I like watching people get hurt when I can't do anything to help them. Had I been able to leap over the bar and slide down the track to help the situation (If Ho, call Pro) I think I would have been fine, but because I could only watch from above my reaction was less than desirable.

I felt all the blood leave my face, felt the heat wave and sweat start pouring out of my body, felt the weak knees and heart pounding... to the point where I had to go sit down for a moment. Seriously, Alysha... really? You can't even keep it together when you see a cycling crash? No. I couldn't. I'm so lame.

Once I regained composure I got back to work... keeping photographers in check and making friends with them so they will sneak me coffee out of the media lounge. The NBC guys have even offered to bring Starbucks from the fully functional 'bucks in the NBC headquarters here... where they all get whatever coffee they want... for free. Sounds like heaven.

The rest of the races were pretty excellent, but I realized how much I like the Australia/New Zealand situation during the Men's Team Pursuit where they were riding against each other. I came up with an analogy for the two countries; I feel like AUS/NZ is kind of like Purdue/IU. Both countries are kind of on their own down in their corner of the world (like two schools in Indiana). The two countries compete in races against each other, and everyone goes nuts for their respective team, but in the end, they all party together anyway (maybe like a certain favorite football rivalry weekend). Whatever it is, there's a cool, friendly but competitive vibe (maybe a mate from either country would disagree with me completely, but from where I'm sitting, they look like they get along). And honestly, I have yet to meet someone from either country that is not completely chill.

After the events ended, I was off to meet up with good friend and colleague Kyle Sloan (older brother of Bridget Sloan, crazy good Silver medal-winning Team USA gymnast). Pretty cool when your friends are hanging around Beijing when you are. Never really thought that would happen. So we took him to Luga's, our favorite Mexican restaurant that serves (not even kidding here) the BEST burritos I have ever had. Ever.

[K.Dools: Remember how our favorite Mexican delivery place was really owned and operated by Chinese people? Who would guess that the best and maybe only Mexican food in China is operated by a Hispanic person? If this isn't globalization, I don't know what is.]

And after an evening reminiscent of some good times at Purdue, we cabbed it home and ended another successfully fun day in China. Pretty sad that this is my last week here, even though I am excited to get back home.

But that reminds me... I had this crazy napdream the other day... sooo good. One of the photographers was talking to me, asking me what my plans were after I left China. Upon telling him that I'm in the process of securing employment (sounds much better than "begging for a job") he said, "Well, some colleagues of mine and I are going on a three month trip around the world, starting in South Africa, documenting the way people live. We'd love to have you along to help out, write down everything we see, help us stay organized." My napdream response to this was, "Omigosh YES. But I don't have much money, and I have a lease in Chicago." Then he said, "Well, we wouldn't be able to pay you, but we would cover all of your expenses on the trip and we would also pay your rent while you came with." And this is where my napdream ends... but it leads me to believe that maybe this could happen.

I really would pack up and peace out to travel around the world. Some of you know about my latest plan (I know one person in a similar job-hunt predicament does... let's call him L.Reed or Luke R. to protect his identity) which is that if I don't have a job by October 1, I'm going to drain my savings account and do the whole "backpack Europe" thing. I am maybe 45 percent serious about this plan right now. I would put a job on hold for another month and just live it up traveling. Right now it scares me that a real job means no more vacations longer than a few days. The ol' Daytner travel bug has bit me.

As I write this, Megan just got doused with coffee shower... the brown is back. I've gotta go. This situation demands my attention.

90,000 of my closest friends.

2008-08-17T01:14:00.006+08:00

I love track meets. I always have. Lots going on; people hangin' out; good times.

Thinking of those days of sitting in the LHS infield listening to Naumo yell at our 4x800 relay team... I compared it to where I was tonight: The Birds Nest. The track meet of track meets. What a beautiful, wonderful site.

Those of us who were able to ask off of work headed to the Nest all decked out in RW&B, flags in hand and had a face painting party on the subway ride there. I think our RW&B war paint was what got so many pictures taken of us. After tonight, there's no telling how many Chinese photo albums we're in.

We got to the Olympic Green around dusk and thanks to one of the top five low smog/blue sky days we have had here, everything was just breathtaking. The only people allowed on the Olympic Green (the area with several venues, including the Nest and the Water Cube) are people with tickets to the events... so happy to have the chance to see the venues that close, and on such a gorgeous night.

Our seats in the Nest were between the first and second turns of the track, with a great view of the start/finish line. And the place was PACKED. It was so cool. Picture 90,000 people doing the wave... picture 90,000 people cheering like mad people... picture 90,000 people losing their minds when Jamaica's Usain Bolt BROKE THE WORLD RECORD FOR THE MEN'S 100M!

Yes... I was there. I saw it happen. I have it on video. I danced to the reggae in celebration.

Seriously, at the beginning of the evening I said to everyone something like "how cool would it be if something AMAZING happened tonight... we could say we were here." Hey guess what kids, it happened. It. Was. So. Cool.

When we got to the event I didn't even know we would see the Finals for the Men's 100M, and there I was, watching one of the most well-known world records be broken.

This is not to say I didn't enjoy watching the Women's 800M Qualifying, Men's Long Jump (including our boy Trevell), Women's Shot Put and the Ukrainians dominate the last few events of Women's Heptathlon (they took Gold and Silver, USA took Bronze)... but watching humans run as fast as those guys did is just phenomenal.

One of the coolest things was when the women finished the Heptathlon events, they all took a victory lap holding hands and taking bows together... with Ukrainians and the American draped in flags. It was really great, like they had all become really close Olympic friends. I felt a little emotional.

So after the events ended (they didn't have the Medal Ceremony for the Men's 100M... not sure why, but I think it is tomorrow) we headed outside to take some night photos of the Nest and the Cube, and of me doing some really great gymnastics moves on my imaginary light-up balance beam. Don't worry, I know in the past these situations have not worked in my favor, but I did not injure myself nor did I harm others. Judges are still deciding whether or not to include my score in this year's individual all-around event. Nastia, look out girl.

After a busy subway home we arrived at our stop only to find the pesticide truck coming around spraying trees... AND ME. There was no where for us to escape to... no joke, the people who hid under the bridge got it less... but I was in fight or flight mode and my avoidance tactic did not work so well. I showered immediately upon returning home, and am hoping that my kids don't have seven arms. Sick. I got chemically violated. Anyone who thinks pesticides are a brilliant idea has never been hosed down with the stuff. I was sticky and gross. And I didn't like it.

big day, part II.

2008-08-16T09:31:00.002+08:00

Upon arriving at Laoshan, we could feel the Olympic energy like never before. For the first time there were spectators pouring in with all kinds of national pride. There were press and photogs everywhere. I walked into the photo workroom (my station for the night) and was greeted by the site of maybe 15 photographers all wielding HUGE lenses (which, btw, they toss around like they're toys).

I answered a lot of photographers' questions, especially when all four of the other Chinese volunteers would jump up to provide an answer, all talk at the same time and confuse the photographer who would then look at me. I've played the role of "information girl" before, and I really love it. I don't know why I'm so patient with people asking the same question over and over; I think it was all those years as a Purdue tour guide.

After a while in the workroom (where on the TV we saw the very first cycling race, which also included the very first crash... Poland), I was told to go up to the moat. The moat is a little balcony area around the top of the track on one side where photographers stand. This is where most photographers go because of the great shots they can get of the start/finish line. So I donned my turquoise XXL photo vest and made my way up there where I found Christina in the moat already. My bosses Ding and Kai told me that they needed people who spoke English up there more than ever because photographers weren't listening to the Chinese volunteers. Christina said the same thing and was glad to have another photo enforcer up there.

So I got to watch the races all while telling photographers to not hold their equipment over the track (safety first, please)... not to stand on chairs (again, safety first)... put their photo vests back on (no body likes a photographer without a vest)... and almost (not even kidding here) to put your shoes back on and stop climbing up the railing. I just let him go though... it was during the medal ceremony and really doubt he was going to like me telling him to find his shoes as he shot that emotionally charged moment.

I watched the medal ceremony from the moat too. If you watched it on TV, I am directly behind the podium, about 20 feet up at the edge of the track. Also, you might have seen some of my other friends on TV; we all wear turquoise vests over our uniforms.

So all in all, I'm going to say it was a decent first day of real work. I would love to be doing a lot more, but none of the volunteers, even the flash quote reporters (the job we were originally here for) were busy the entire time. With so many volunteers it is a bit impossible to keep everyone occupied all the time.

It is fun though to be running around an Olympic venue with the credentials to get almost anywhere in the building (the only places I can't go are the athletes lounges). I love the crowd with everyone chanting and waving flags and yelling in different languages to their countries' athletes. And I especially love the medal ceremony because (just like I always do) the athletes tear up a little bit during their own nation's anthem... grown men in spandex bike suits crying. Chances are slim, but I'd love to hear the Star Spangled Banner being played in that velodrome. Gets me every time.

big day, part I.

2008-08-15T08:46:00.003+08:00

This will be the first post of two today. It's the first day of cycling events at Laoshan; the first day of putting everything into action. It's a big day.

In a conversation yesterday, I said that today could determine a lot about this trip. I'm hoping that at the end of the day, part II of this post will say that my job is really worth me being here and that I'll gain a lot in the next eleven days. Don't get me wrong, this trip has been amazing so far, but not at all in the way I expected.

I applied for this trip because I thought I would get experience working as a reporter for the Olympic News Service. When I found out that four of us had randomly been bumped over to Photo Services, I was still optimistic. Then when we found out that working in Photo Services means there will be little to do until the Games start, we were a bit let down. Here we are, eager to get to work, and we're being told that there isn't anything to do. (This is the point where I start making this trip productive on my own terms... meeting people, learning as much as I can from my bosses, etc.)

But today is the day. Today we will see if our jobs are really going to round out this trip. I'm optimistic that the four native English speakers in Photo Services will be utilized quite a bit, as we already have been, but with the Games being grossly overstaffed with volunteers, we might not be doing as much as we hope.

I know that this experience is, indeed, the chance of a lifetime. But when deciding to come to China, I had to put my post-graduation plans on hold... I had to delay getting a job... I had to find some money to pay for this trip. And I didn't do all of that so I could stand around in an Olympic venue, no matter how cool that might be. I came to use the skills I have as a college graduate... I came to learn how an event like this is planned and carried out... I came to work, and so far, that work has been a bit lacking. This is why today is such a big day. I'm hoping to come home and blog about how much these last eleven days will keep me busy and make me feel like I am accomplishing something rather than just being a glorified Olympic tourist.

No matter what, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. But I can't help but want to be challenged and motivated at my job. Today, I guess, I'll see if it will work out that way.

allow me to clarify.

2008-08-13T20:20:00.006+08:00

It was brought to my attention by an anonymous comment on my previous post that my word choice was perhaps ignorant: Imagine that. Working in China and you're "forced" to listen to instructions in Chinese. I'd love to respond to this, because, frankly, it's exactly what I meant.

In writing about being forced to sit in a meeting conducted entirely in Chinese... where our boss told us, yes, this meeting will be in Chinese and, yes, she knows we won't understand a thing. Our "translators" spoke precisely three sentences to us during the half hour meeting. How foolish to have two of the native English speakers sit through a meeting in Chinese. Especially when the native English speakers at the venues were brought there specifically for their communication abilities.

We are working where we are working because (and this has been said to us by nearly everyone we work with) the Chinese students need help with their English skills and communicating to other English-speaking people (namely press) that will be at our venue. It's really not up to me that English has become such a worldwide language... it happened, and I'm thankful I am a native speaker of it. I've said a number of times in previous blog posts that I am motivated to learn Mandarin. But since I don't, and I'm working with people who are aware that they need help from native English speakers, I do find it fruitless to have two of us sit in on a training that is in only Chinese.

In addition, working at an Olympic venue, regardless of the city, is an international experience with all kinds of languages being spoken. It is understood that not everyone will be able to communicate in their native languages. But it is also understood that, when working on a team with others who do not speak the same language, all parties have to work together. Most days, our supervisors will not even address the group English (all of the Chinese students we work with do speak English, however they are not perfect).

It takes a great deal of patience to work with the communication barriers I work with, and yes, it is difficult to justify wasting my time sitting through a meeting I can not understand when I could be working productively somewhere else in the venue.

Thanks for pointing this out. I realize it must be hard to understand exactly what our work environment is like, and I am happy to clarify.

red, white and politics.

2008-08-13T09:02:00.004+08:00

An interesting conversation happened at work. We were told there was some "training" going on, but that it would be in Chinese. (A lot of times, we are just forced to sit and listen to sessions in Chinese, it is not ideal at all.) However, two of the workers are assigned to be our "translators" during this meeting... a situation that would not work so well since these "translators" only know basic English and are still learning. As the conversation began, we soon figured out that this was a training about Olympic 51, or the article in Olympic regulation stating that no political activism of any kind can be brought about at the games. This means no shirts, banners, chants or cheers that might cause a political rift at the Games. Ideally, the Olympics should be able to be held in any participating country, and Olympic 51 keeps the politics out, sort of like playground rules for countries... no big kids picking on the little kids, or you'll get a time-out.

And although China is concerned with upholding Olympic 51 for all practical reasons, they are very concerned about the situation in Tibet. Our boss said to us that she knows there are some negative perceptions about China, and we want to do our best to keep these perceptions separated from the Games. I couldn't agree more. The Olympics is a place for countries to gather for sport, not for protest. It might be the only time that everyone is gathered up in the same place and they aren't talking about war, trade and economy. It's like a Safe Zone for the world.

As this meeting continued, students were sharing their ideas about "the politics." We were asked, as Americans, what we thought about "the politics." Our responses were, "Well, what part of politics, what do you mean?" We weren't even able to answer the question because for whatever reason, the idea of politics couldn't translate. The the Chinese, politics is about decorum, perhaps more of what we would call "politically correct/incorrect." For them it has nothing to do with elections, offices, political parties, laws or any part of a hierarchy of power. This is why we couldn't understand their question. For us, concepts of "politics" are so broad, for them it is a very easy answer. Not to mention, we also had a language barrier complicating things. I guess it is a little hard to explain, but it was a little hard to understand what was going on.

After work, despite how worn out we were from doing so little, we tapped into some energy reserves and found it in us to head all the way to Sanlitun for burritos. It just had to be done. A burrito and a quesadilla later and we were watching the Spain vs. China Men's Basketball game, making friends with some Americans at the restaurant. As it turns out, our friends work for the State Department at the US Embassy... real good people to know if you're in China. It was great, as always, to chat with other Americans about why they're here right now and what role they have with the Olympics.

All these political moments in one short day. Makes me thankful there are nice American Embassy guys looking out for us over here. Makes me glad I can vote, speak my mind, wear whatever T-Shirts with whatever political messages I want, chant USA when I want, say good things about the president, say bad things about the president and anything else that moves my political heart.

kara patterson and the amazing race.

2008-08-11T22:25:00.007+08:00

Allow me to preface this post with how extraordinary it is for us to find what we are looking for in China without some difficulty. If we find it on the first try and with little adversity, we are pretty excited. But sometimes, even if we get tragically lost along the way, we still wrap it all up into a tremendous day... proof that you're never really "lost" at all, just a little Beijing detour.

It's 7:00am... the Purdue students, uniform-clad and still groggy, gather on the front steps of the CUC International Center for a yearbook-like group photo. It was requested of us (and who wouldn't want an 8x10 glossy of us in those uniforms?) by some important people, so we obliged. And 7am is the only time we are all at the dorm at the same time.

With just enough time to change and get stuff together for the day, a bunch of us left for the beach volleyball venue where we had tickets for the day's matches. This is where the "amazing race" beings. It's clear that because it is about 8am there is no way we are going to get three taxis from CUC to Choyang Park. However, this takes us about 25 minutes to figure out. Begrudgingly heading to the subway some of us smile at how easy the solution to just take the subway in the first place might have been... but hey, a cab ride is pretty tempting, especially when we stood in line for about 12 minutes until we got to the train.

Upon arriving in Sanlitun, we hail cabs to take us the rest of the way to the park where the volleyball is... one cab makes it, two do not. This takes another fair amount of phone calls and patience to get everyone rounded up again. No sooner than we are through security and have our tickets checked that the group faces another transportation dilemma: a tram-like shuttle. Problem one: two of us have very very little cash on us, and since I already forked over the money for the cab ride, I wasn't about to pay another 10 yuan to get on a tram to somewhere I can easily (and willingly) walk to. Problem two: the tram didn't appear to have enough room to accommodate our large party. No big deal... the amazing race continues and the two of us walk over to the venue. After entering the least convenient door to where we sit (another glitch) we arrive at our seats to meet the group.

The matches were awesome... we saw Men's Angola vs. Australia and Women's China vs. Belgium. I've only watched beach volleyball on TV before, but it is super fun live. The venue was literally a little beach surrounded by spectator seating and had all kinds of music and energy just bouncing around inside. Even the rain didn't stop us from enjoying the matches.

Because Chris and I were off work today (in the photo world, we work in pairs... Val & Christina work opposite days that Chris and I do... at least until the 14th), and because my lovely friend and Team USA Olympic javelin goddess, Kara Patterson, arranged for us to hang out in the Olympic Village, we left to get some food before heading to the Village.

Based on recommendations from the group, we attempted to find a nearby Italian restaurant. We made it out of this huge park by using some of the few Chinese words we know "shi men" (West Gate) and finally made it to the street this restaurant was on. We walk one way... decided to walk the other... and decided to turn around again. At this point, we're revamping the plans and are okay with finding whatever food we can. No sooner do we agree to just ditch this original restaurant than it appears right before our eyes. Clearly, our navigation skills outsmarted us.

After lunch, however, is a little different. This is where "the race" really picks up. We finally touch base with Kara after some communication difficulties (namely, me not having a phone and leaving CUC so early that I didn't receive emails sent after 7:30am) and tell her we're grabbing a cab and we're on our way. A very enthusiastic elderly volunteer and his entire volunteer staff help us find the Olympic Village on the map and then translate to a taxi driver where to take us.

As it turns out, we really didn't know where we were heading because the first cab dropped us off... we asked another barely English-speaking volunteer for further directions. He helps us get yet another cab to where we need to go. (This is where it is important to remember we have very little cash on us).

After some attempted entrances to gates we (or our cab, for that matter) did not have clearance to, we finally get somewhere we think is close to the Village. We walk several blocks to a giant bus station and, once again call Kara (who, at this point is being remarkably patient with how deranged we are). A few more phone calls... a few more blocks walked... a few more barely English-speaking volunteers... a few blocks back-tracked... and we are at the correct entrance to the Village.

Because we are visitors, we have to check in, walk to guest services, go through security, hand over our passports for temporary security clearance (which was super cool that there were passes just waiting for us... with our names and everything) and finally get our accreditation beeped into the Village. Finally. In like sin.

I'm already marveling at the Olympic buzz of athletes and coaches and various other important-looking people when my favorite Olympian comes running toward me. Yay for Kara for not only inviting us to the Village, but for putting up with how late we were in arriving and the tens of phone calls it took for us to all finally be in the same place. (FYI: Kara Patterson is one of the two Team USA Women's Javelin throwers and fellow Purdue student. She and I met as BGR Supers in Shrevehart together last year... the best year of Shrevehart ever.)

And by the way, the Olympic Village is amazing. Kara took us to the common areas where people can hang out and work out... tons of people just playing ping pong, watching movies, watching other Olympic events, oh yeah, and getting drinks out of the Coke machines with literally a wave of the hand. (I drank a PowerAde in the Olympic Village. I am almost jealous of myself.) We saw the gardens nestled between the apartment buildings (also awesome) the athletes live in. We saw Kara's home for the next few weeks (and some of the awesome Team USA swag she now sports). We saw the different countries' flags flying from every balcony of the apartment buildings.

Oh yeah, and we saw Lindsey Davenport (amazing at tennis). Not to mention we saw tons of other crazy good athletes that I couldn't even name or recognize. But, we met (as in, I shook their Olympic hands) the other Team USA Women's Javelin thrower, Kim Kreiner, Alfred Kruger (Hammerthrow), Trevell Quinley (Long Jump) and Mike Robertson (Discus). It was just so cool to be walking through the Village and have Kara see a friend, say hello, and introduce us. I know that athletes are human... but it was just amazing to meet people so dedicated to their athleticism... people who the world will watch and cheer for... people who represent the country I miss and love so dearly since arriving in China. (Which brings up another point... now that the Games have begun, I can't help but secretly wave my invisible American flag everywhere I go. Although when in uniform I can't show any bias, I am going crazy cheering for the US at all other times.)

And so, naturally, Kara had to go practice being even more awesome at throwing javelins really really far. I gave her a huge Good Skill hug and Chris and I left the Village... overly satisfied with our outing. But now, it was back to the race.

Ah yes, what a lovely idea to take a taxi back to CUC. After such a long day already (it is about 4pm at this point), walking to find the appropriate subway seems daunting. Oh wait. Between the two of us, we only have about 14 yuan... and decide to buy water and ice cream (ok, so I wanted the ice cream) and hold out for the subway. Here's the problem, the subway lines that run up through the Olympic Green (the area with the Bird's Nest, Water Cube, Main Press Center, Olympic Village, etc.) are only accessible to those with the correct accreditation. But the buses, now those are available to any Olympic affiliate.

We wait for "number bus two" for about ten minutes... board the already packed bus and laugh about how this is the third mode of transport we have used today. A quick two stops later and Chris thinks we're at the right stop... depart bus... annnnnd realize it is not the right stop at all.

Laughing at how crazy it is for us to try and find our way through this city, we spend our last pennies (I literally gave some American pennies as payment) to some street vendors for "Go China!" ninja headbands. These headbands would give us the power to continue this journey.

More barely English-speaking volunteers help us along the way... and after about two kilometers of walking, we find a subway station... and some other rowdy Americans from Downers Grove, Illinois. We all bond in the subway about how life in China is nothing like we expected it, but so great all the same (kind of the theme of our rambling about the city today). And as they departed at their stop, I noticed how the train fell silent. Maybe we were being "loud Americans," and just talking up a storm. But this is when it occurred to me that my loudness was out of enthusiasm for fellow countrymen and friendly conversation, how could I think it was a bad thing? Call me a "loud American" all you want if it is in reference to chatting it up with strangers. Why is that so bad anyhow? I've been loud forever.

Upon arriving at the CUC dorm, we check the clock... 7:30pm. What an amazing race of a day... finding our way around a city with barely any money, one cell phone, various crummy maps that never seem to have what they need to have on them, a positive outlook on being lost, communication disadvantages and some rain gear.

After all, when you're lost, you usually find new ways home... and if you're lucky, you find ninja headbands.

the ol' beijing thunderstorm.

2008-08-10T22:45:00.003+08:00

Things have been pretty quiet the past day or two since Opening Ceremonies... hard to believe, I know.

At work today most everyone was fixated on TVs, watching every and any event they could. There are some channels with no commentary so that whatever station picks it up can add their own language's commentary. Even without any explanation of the events, it was still amazing to be watching the events from just a few kilometers from where they were taking place.

Because the photographers we work with were not at the venues, most likely because they were at the road cycling event, we had very little to do today aside from watch televised events. Thus, we entertained ourselves with watching the Olympics... and creating an Olympics of our own.

Our Olympics included five events: States & Capitals, Hangman, Extreme Tic-Tac-Toe, Pen the Pig and Rock, Paper, Scissors. It was an all day affair, quite competitive also.

After work a few of us went out to dinner and some planned on staying to watch the USA vs. China Men's Basketball game (since coverage at this restaurant was in English). Two of us decided to not stay that late and headed out into the worst... and only thunderstorm... we've seen in Beijing so far. It was a soggy, barefoot run to the subway... and an even soggier, barefoot run from the station to our dorm. All I can say is, drenched to the bone... but so hilarious. Everyone with umbrellas was just looking at the two Americans running barefoot through a thunderstorm, most likely judging us.

And so that's it. I wrung out my clothes and turned on the basketball game which I am watching as I blog right now. Sorry for the tragically uneventful day. Tomorrow is a bit more promising.

8.8.08.

2008-08-09T00:58:00.006+08:00

I don't know if Mom remembers this or not, but I remember watching the 1994 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies in Lillehammer, Norway, and seeing all of the camera flashes from the crowd. I asked her something like, "Mom, if you could go to the Olympics, how many rolls of film do you think you would take?"

(Rolls of film... ha.)

"I don't know, maybe one or two," was her answer... to which my childlike wide-eyed response was, "Really? I think I would take one hundred!"

Tonight I remembered that moment... which I honestly hadn't recalled until now. It's true, I can remember exactly where I was watching those Games. And something about remembering how awestruck I was watching that ceremony fourteen years ago came back to me tonight standing in Wangfujing Plaza.

Five of us decided to opt out of the "watching Opening Ceremonies at a restaurant or bar" option and headed to the streets. All we wanted was to be with the people... all of them... cheering, singing and watching this day they have been waiting for since 2001. Wangfujing Plaza had a giant TV screen, and thus, a giant crowd. We nestled our way into a crowd of mostly Chinese people, but there were people and flags from tons of others. For the first time, I felt the One World, One Dream motto rushing over me. We were all there, packed into a street, watching for our countries' flags to appear on the giant screen... waiting to cheer our hearts out, for our own nations and for each other.

Everyone was cheering for everyone, it was beautiful. As soon as the crowd realized there was a pocket of people cheering for a country, they would all join in. When the US flag came on, I went nuts... and was joined by everyone. There were "Go America" chants (in Chinese, even cooler) and tons of applause. It was also interesting when George Bush appeared on screen... and the cheering didn't end, but became sort of muffled and awkward... for sure not a surge in enthusiasm (at least that was my impression of the crowd's reaction).

Obviously the artistic elements of the ceremonies were amazing... no detail was spared in making sure the dancing and performances were gorgeous. Some of the craziest things I have ever seen were on that huge screen tonight. I loved the human Birds Nest and the dancing body calligraphy... but also the people running around the globe... and the drummers... and pretty much the whole thing.

The atmosphere of where we were just made it that much more amazing. I've honestly been wanting to be in a crazy crowd like this my whole life. And I did it... and it was greater than I could have imagined. Even when people started to shift around and we got all crowded and, for a moment, were practically on top of each other, the whole experience was so full of energy. People were also very polite, even when stepping on each other... and we noticed as we were leaving that ordinary people had formed a sort of human chain, just holding onto each other, to keep a path clear for people to walk. I can't say I could ever see that happening in the States.

I also can't say I'd see people cheering for so many countries other than our own at home. I probably wouldn't see people chanting, "Sit down please," asking the crowd to all sit so that everyone could have a better view (and get this, it worked). People were smiling at everyone. There was no animosity or people getting annoyed with patriots of other countries. There was just this feeling of a global community... all spread out on a Beijing street.

It's hard to explain it all in words... especially at 2am after standing/sitting in a street for five hours. But those five hours were absolutely filled with the Olympic spirit and energy that I've been anticipating since I arrived. The Games are here. The world is watching. And I'm just spinning around in the middle soaking it all up. I'm so completely thankful for it all.

Lauren and I clinging to each other in Russian/American love while being tossed around like rag dolls.

cycling assets.

2008-08-07T10:04:00.010+08:00

Now that the athletes have arrived, hanging out at the velodrome has become exponentially cooler. I spent a good two hours yesterday watching practice... and believe me, it was something to see. When the guys get going the tires make the coolest sound on the track, almost like thunder. I can't wait to hear a real race in there. Not to mention, the bikes they ride cost about one million dollars. Can you imagine? These bikes are so sweet... and light as a feather.

And as you can imagine, athletes are pretty easy on the eyes. The sprinters are super muscular, with giant thighs the size of small children... the distance guys are long and lean. We had no problem staring... especially since most guys in a helmet and sunglasses look pretty darn good (it's a different story when they take that helmet off.) And apparently, one of the Netherlands cyclists had no problem staring either. Christina and I were watching from the top of the second turn, and were the only non-Chinese people in there. All of the Dutch cyclists are riding in a line to warm up, just drafting off each other. Pretty soon, we notice one of the guys in line (one without sunglasses) giving us a glance... a long, extended, "I see you watching me, and I like it" glance. Yum.

After we two girls stopped giggling and smiling they were already around the track again, and sure enough, there was our guy... staring right at us (while still staying in line with his teammates... the old drive and look away trick). Next lap... he's staring... and SMILING. He is for sure looking at us. We are for sure okay with it. This continues a couple more laps and then he's off the track... and we're still giddy with the fact that not only were we a couple meters away from world class cyclists, but one of them was clearly checking out the American volunteers (us).

The other teams we saw were Germany (also attractive), Belgium (also very attractive), Ireland (not so attractive, and only one guy) and Czech Republic (very very attractive). But the silver tuna is still Theo Bos of the Netherlands. He's the handsome one in the bunch... and none of us girls have been shy in claiming him as our cycling crush. In fact, yesterday there may have been an argument of who saw him first.

Germany

Netherlands

Czech out the Czech... from the front... and the back.

The creepy part of this entire situation is that the other Purdue students (the flash quote reporters) have to know everything about these guys. There is this mainframe Olympics stalking facebook-like network that you can look up just about anything on any athlete. Needless to say, there are pictures... which after our little encounter with the Netherlands cyclist, we tried to find out who he was. Pretty unsuccessful, and this is also where we learned that minus helmets and sunglasses, they're far less cute.

Other than creepin' on the cyclists, work was pretty slow. Right now we are really just waiting for the Games to start (tomorrow!) and for things to get into high gear. On the way home on the subway though, as usual I completely passed out into an uncomfortably positioned nap (something with my head leaning back onto the window... looking like a bum). I am woken up a few stops before mine by three adorably rambunctious little girls clamoring for the seat next to me. I smile, and still dazed I get up to offer my seat to them too. All three of their mom's smiled and in English, said "thank you." It was a cute mother-daughter outing, and the three girls were hilarious. One of them was me when I was a child (the girl on the left)... Asian bowl-cut, LOUD, and pretty sassy. And if it weren't for her dress, she might have (as I was) been mistaken for a small Asian boy.

Their moms saw that I was an Olympic volunteer, so I showed them my giant yellow pass that says what my job is... they saw it and explained to the girls... who then took a look themselves. I seriously meet so many kids this way... they love the Olympic pass. I asked one of the moms if she minded if i got a picture... obviously she did not. They were some of my favorite subway friends so far.

Later in the evening we had a sort of American bonanza. The birthday girl, Andrea, was honored with all kinds of American goodies... Doritos, Chips A'hoy, pizza, cream cheese, real cheese, MILK (so goooooood), Tang and the most fabulous birthday cake I have ever seen. It was fabulous and amazing... and a bit disgusting.

But not as disgusting as what would happen later... I was all ready to jump in the shower... towel and all... and I had turned the water on to let it get mildly warm. Without looking, I am inches away from the water, when suddenly I notice it is BLACK. Midnight water was pouring out of our shower (and thus, all over our bathroom). After some exclamation... several people came running down the hall to see what my roommate and I were screaming about. Cameras came out... pictures were taken of this phenomenon. The girls next door turned their shower on... same thing... black as night. Hilarious. I mean really. What do you do when your shower is spouting coffee grounds?

It's fine this morning, but believe me, I am a little nervous about stepping into that shower area after almost being doused in China knows what.

And so that was the day. Full of all kinds of surprises.

peanut butter dreams.

2008-08-05T19:09:00.003+08:00

This morning I headed out around 9am to get to a 10am yoga class... and just barely made it. Any trip on the subway takes at least 40 minutes. Not always convenient. But finding the studio without difficulty was pretty rewarding and before I knew it, I was gearing up for a fabulous one and a half hour un-air-conditioned yoga session. Let the sweating begin.

The studio was very cool, and is both Chinese and English-speaking, so taking a class was no problem for this American girl. The instructor spoke both... freely switching back and forth as she led the class. The small classroom, as typical of yoga classrooms, was hot. But it was also wall to wall people... it was an interesting way to practice, having people less than six inches from you. I'd say it was successful, I felt great afterward.

I packed up my sweaty self and headed out into the even hotter world. I returned to the tailor and picked out the fabric for my dresses. I'm sure the lady measuring me was really glad I hadn't showered after yoga, but then again, this is a nation of sweaty people. I'm pretty excited to get two (yes, two... I couldn't help myself) new dresses since I have been wearing the same one for every occasion since high school graduation.

After the busy morning, I stopped at Wal-Mart (ew) because it's the only place here that sells peanut butter... and I needed more. I'm trying to watch my money spending (ignore the part about me getting two tailor-made dresses) since I realize that whatever money I have currently has to last me until a real paycheck lands in my hands. I'm not alone in this, though. A lot of us here are turning to PB&J to keep our debit cards in check. But obviously, eating PB&J is no punishment at all... I'd eat it if I was the richest girl in the world.

Actually, now that I think about it... this is my second-and-a-half jar of peanut butter. Within our little community, it's as good as cash. I might start doing all of my deals in PB. Honestly, name another protein-rich food that can be eaten alone or with several other delicious things (bread, crackers, bananas, etc.) and does not require refrigeration. (Excluding tuna, another "I'm broke" favorite of mine, because here tuna is like 1 USD a can... yikes.)

In fact, last night was another midnight birthday celebration. Guess what the candles were in... PB sandwich. No big deal.

I know, I know, seems like a pretty boring day, right? But I'm crossing things off my list of things to do before I leave, and trying to get it done before 8.8.08. Speaking of the Olympics starting this week (!!!!), the influx of white people is huge here. Makes me feel a little less special. It's like I want them to know, "Hey you... you silly white person... I've been here a month! Where have you been?!?!? Yeah, that's right, not here!" I guess I'm a little territorial of China. I know I should share, but it's been fun being the foreigner. I've never been stared at and whispered about so much, and I don't even mind.

I will say, though, I've never been the odd man out in the crowd really. I've never been the stare-ee, the one singled out, the one being talked about on the subway. I'll tell you what... you notice everyone doing it. I can't imagine being that person all the time, especially if the attention was not just out of curiosity. I don't get the feeling that people looking at me are thinking, "Who does this American think she is?" but if they were, I'd feel pretty terrible. I think I understand a little more about how people perceive differences in a crowd; if you've never been the one being stared at... find a group of people completely different than you are, put yourself right in the thick of it, and see how it feels. It's an experience to value, and will for sure change the way you judge and observe others.

the list.

2008-08-04T22:03:00.002+08:00

Less than a month left... it's go time. Time to make The List... of all the things I still want to do before heading back to the States.

Yogalicious Yoga is one of my passions at home, and although I did attempt to pack my mat, its 2.5 lbs in my suitcase was just too precious. I found a yoga studio in Sanlitun that offers classes in English and Chinese and your first class is only 50 RMB (about 7 USD). It's something I've missed dearly, so I'm excited to cross this one off the list... hopefully tomorrow.

DressMeUp After some searching today, Chris and I found this really good tailor shop where you can get suits made for less than 150 USD. Although we went because he wanted a suit, as soon as I walked in, a lady grabbed me, "You need dress?" Um, yes. I would love a dress. She told me to bring in a picture of what I wanted... and it could be done. I'm going in armed with ideas and ready for a custom dress.

Olympicize I'm sure you've all seen photos of the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. Those are just two of the venues, but the most high profile because of their designs. I've ridden past them, but haven't gotten close enough for good pictures. I want to get over there before 8.8.08 (only a few days away!) and check them out.

SayGoodmorning At Temple of Heaven Park, if you get there around 6am you will see the park filled with people practicing TaiChi, dancing and other early-morning Chinese recreation. Then the park opens up the temples where, according to tradition, are highly connected with the Earth and Heaven. Sounds like something my inner Earth-child hippie would love.

ArtsyFartsy There is an art district in Beijing known as 798. It's housed in old warehouses and the like, with all kinds of galleries and exhibitions. Some others have been there and say it's really something to see. I'm hoping to walk away with some original art.

SingToMe Live music anyone? I've read about a few seedy bars that have live bands on occasion. I'd love to check them out. Chinese music is pretty sparse compared to how much American music is poured into this country. In fact, a friend at work let me share her mp3 player with her and the first song that came on was Busta Rhymes. Can you imagine? Here I think I'm going to get a taste of Chinese music and Busta just starts bustin'.

BikeDay Three other Purdue students rented bikes for the day and it was apparently the funniest, most daring adventure they've had so far. I'm next in line. Beijing is very much designed for bikes... lots of alleys along streets that make it easy to ride. Now I know I'm no smooth criminal on a bike, in fact I might die trying to navigate (bikes are actually tossed right into the mix on streets as well... cars, busses, bikes, mayhem), but I'm willing to try. And I want to mount a camera to the handlebars and film my clumsy ride through the streets of this city.

ThankYouCanIHaveAnother I think everyone else on this trip has gone and gotten massages. They're super cheap here, and why wouldn't you want to take advantage of that? I have yet to enjoy a Chinese person working their magic on my shoulders, but I'm not leaving until I do.

I have left getting an Asian haircut off the list, though it may get put back on depending on how frustrated I get with my current mop of hair. I know if it happens, it will be on a whim and you'll all only find out after the fact. Muhahah.

I think these things will really round out my trip. Most of them are on the lower end of the "I'm a Tourist" continuum. I think because I no longer feel like a tourist here. Strangely enough, it's feeling like home. I rather enjoy that.

i met ken.

2008-08-03T22:25:00.002+08:00

It's not every day that you meet Ken.

As I was on my third tour of the Velodrome photo positions today (where we will be assisting photographers) our Australian expert friend Ron was showing around some photog folks. Out of nowhere, one of the men turns around and, with hardly any hesitation...

Ken: Hi, I'm Ken from Getty.

... Ken asks Christina and I some friendly questions such as how long we have been in Beijing, where we went to school, what our jobs are, etc. When we tell him that we're actually the photo assistants in charge of photography issues at the venue...

Ken: That's great! My guys working here sure are lucky... I'll tell them to keep an eye out for you two!

... This all happened right after Christina and I had been discussing the possibility of maybe someday getting to meet a few of the photogs. We clearly had no concept of how closely we will be working with all of them, because as it turns out, we will get to know them all. Funny thing about this is... do you know who Ken is? Ken is the Getty Images boss for ALL OF THE OLYMPICS. All Getty photographers work under him here. And there he was, just happy to meet us.

I swear I got chills thinking about how cool it was to meet Ken. I'm not trying to be a creep here, but the Olympics Getty Images top dog is, to me, like running into a celebrity. Can't even explain how awesome. I'm still spinning.

living and life.

2008-08-02T10:40:00.008+08:00

In just a few days, I will have been in China for a month. I've already eclipsed the longest amount of time I've been out of the country, and feel like I have actually learned quite a bit about another culture. In retrospect, I wish I had studied abroad for an entire semester during school. I know it would have been amazing...I've already grown really close to the people I am here with...I will finally understand how people feel when they return from a Study Abroad trip with a different perspective on so many things.

Lately I've pondered what I will say when people ask me what I've learned about this trip. It's obvious that what I thought I was going to be doing here has changed drastically. My expectations, my preconceived notions of China, my perceptions of the people I am here with... it's all been washed away and replaced with even better things. I honestly didn't know what to expect when I arrived here. I mean, for months we were strung along and didn't even know whether or not we would be on this trip. And now, a month in, I can start to see how much I have gained by being here.

Since arriving in China, I've watched the way people communicate a lot. I've pushed my own communication limits... trying to speak to Chinese-speaking friends in English, trying to learn how to speak to them a little in Chinese. I've explained a lot of English words and concepts to non-native English speakers... I've watched them suddenly understand something they have struggled with because they've never had the chance to ask a native English speaker. They've watched me fumble over the tonal qualities of Chinese, and cheered in unison when I pronounced something correctly.

I've become better at expressing myself in simple, clear terms to help people understand what I am saying. I've learned how no matter what language barrier there might be, some hand gestures and a smile will get you where you need to go. The power of just knowing "Hello" and "Thank You" is remarkable. Even the patience involved with communication gaps is something we have all learned, and I don't think I have met someone yet who was angry that I couldn't speak Mandarin. What's even more amazing is when, without knowing the same language, you can laugh about something with a complete stranger.

Aside from the things I have learned about cross-cultural communication, I've begun calling this an "anthropological adventure." I feel like I am studying China and its people so much... so many things are completely different than what I've seen before, but as always, people are still people... and you see things that are familiar as well. I've fished out a few photographs I've taken of what I like to call "real China"... the China not glazed with Olympic anticipation... the China that is so interesting and remarkable with or without a global event on the horizon.

People here are so capable of mobility, at any age. I have yet to see a stroller, and I have seen one wheelchair. Parents carry their kids in their arms before they learn to walk... no baby carrier, no strange backpack things with little chairs in them... and this leads me to believe that kids learn to walk at very early ages. In a city of so many people, there simply isn't room for strollers and all the giant kid-carrying contraptions we see so often in the US. Wheelchairs too... I've seen people who have to be pushing 90 riding bikes, walking faster than I can and carrying on as if they are as fit as a 25 year old. One of the most common things you will see in China is a strange squatting position that everyone uses... rather than sit on the ground (benches are very limited here also), they squat. I've tried it... and it's killer on the knees... but here it's just something everyone does, no matter what age.

Sun protection here is far and away better than anywhere I've ever seen. As soon as the heat of the sun is felt, umbrellas pop up, newspapers are used to shield faces, hats and visors grace everyone's heads... mostly women, but some men too. I've learned that the fairer your skin was (in ancient times) the more wealthy you were, because you didn't have to work outside in the sun. Today people here still cover up... I'm interested to see skin cancer rates among cultures such as the Chinese compared to the US where we frequently worship the sun.

The people of China are also a very recreational culture. People play games and sports regularly, and as a community. It is common to see several people gathered around two men playing a game of Chinese chess in the street. In the evenings, the track and soccer fields outside our window are filled with people... not necessarily working out to attain a better physique, but rather for health and social benefits. Hardly anyone here is body-image obsessed. You don't see people straining themselves lifting weights or doing push-ups until they collapse. Rather, they enjoy each others' company with a slow jog around the track or a friendly pick-up basketball game.

Communal work is one of the more interesting trends I have noticed. Because China has so many people to employ, many jobs are done by twice or three times as many people as the US would employ. Doesn't it make sense though? Americans work themselves to the bone, yet we still have homeless and unemployed people. Here everyone has a job, and while it may not be the most productive or strenuous, it works for their culture. Even people well into American retirement age are still working. And why not? If they can work at a comfortable pace and with others, it's a pretty healthy way to grow old.

Homes here are modest, there simply isn't enough room for people to be greedy with space. I know it is summer, and that might be one reason for so many people taking to the streets, but I also think it has a certain quality of community. Eating, playing and even doing laundry in the streets is not unusual. In a country where many people most likely don't have air conditioning either, outside is the place to be on a warm evening.

It's a really remarkable thing to observe people. My interest in anthropology is even greater after having a chance to really sink myself into China. It's just fascinating to see how other people live compared to what you are used to. And the crazy thing is, no matter how strange it may seem, no matter how absurd you think another way of life is... it works, and people still find so much joy in life. I think of how many people in the world survive on so much less than Americans... or at least Americans today... and I wonder what we could accomplish if we all took just a little less.

Maybe we'd leave our huge homes and take to the streets to get to know our neighbors... maybe we'd give up a little personal space to take public transportation instead of our own cars... maybe we'd take a little break from work to enjoy relaxing with our families... and maybe we'd realize that we wouldn't miss the things we gave up as much as we thought we would.

green apple skittles and a new magic box.

2008-08-01T13:50:00.003+08:00

Life has been different lately. I can't really put a finger on it, but something's up. Maybe it's the change in work schedule... maybe it's the elastic in my volunteer uniform pants... maybe it's the fact that green skittles in China are not a familiar lime, no no, they are green apple. Was this an international change? Have I missed something?

Anyway, as I was musing about why green skittles are not lime, a Chinese man comes into our room, speaks to me (I mysteriously know exactly what he is trying to communicate), and takes our magic box. (If you don't know what the magic box is, refer to the post about the 801. It is the nightstand between the beds that has switches to every outlet and light in the room... an electrical mothership, if you will.) He replaces it with a new magic box that matches the rest of our furniture and tries it out to see if it works. After some pointing and nodding by all parties involved, we got it to work and thus, have a new magic box.

I can't even put my thoughts into coherent writing right now.

I bought some vitamins, I think they are helping my nutritional status.

I am contemplating getting an Asian haircut. (Thoughts on this?)

I sneaked into team Ukraine's lounge at the venue.

I miss K.Dools/A.Dayt roommate style mayhem.

I learned to play Euchre and my partner and I won. Strange.

I've got four pairs of shoes under my desk, not sure why. I never store my shoes there.

I accidentally locked myself in the bathroom yesterday and had to MacGyver out. (Our bathroom doorknob is broken, if you close the door while inside, you can not get out. Rather, you can, but it takes 5 minutes of sheer panicked fumbling with it, fearing that you will be locked in for at least four hours until someone comes home and hears you trapped in there.)

I wore a fanny pack yesterday and liked it.

All of these things, I have no idea why, but it's all just out of order. Am I going mad? Is China's smoggy air infiltrating my nervous system? It's just crazy!

Or maybe we've all just been out of the States for a month and it's starting to sink in... because I've noticed I am not the only one who seems to be spinning off her axis a little bit. Nbd, it's sort of fun up here in crazy world.

noodles and kung fu.

2008-07-30T16:53:00.003+08:00

At work there are only four of us Purdue students in a section with at least twenty Chinese students. We are the only foreigners, and thus, novelties. There's Val, who has beautiful dark skin thanks to her Mexican heritage... Christina with adorable red hair... Chris who is 6'3" and towers over everyone in this country and me, the girl with the "beautiful name." As a group, we stand out in a crowd among our Chinese counterparts (except sometimes, as Christina said, Val and I can be hard to point out due to our dark hair). All of the Chinese students are eager to practice their English with us (which is all really impressive and makes me feel guilty for not knowing Mandarin... and for never considering it as an option) and are so helpful.

Yesterday after work one of our friends said he would take us out for noodles, since we had asked if he knew any good noodle places. Well, in true Chinese hospitality for guests, our entire group from the cycling venue went out with us... and when it was time to pay the bill, it had magically been "taken care of" for the four Purdue students. We were obviously grateful, and laughed when we found out that they had all been discussing in Chinese how they were paying for our meals... right in front of us (another practical example of why Mandarin could be handy).

The food was great too... I had a spicy noodle dish that tasted like the best Pad Thai I could imagine, tasty tasty spring rolls (not like what you would expect from a spring roll, though) and some popular dessert known as Bing Shan or translated, "iceberg." It is a pile of shaved ice topped with everything. And by everything I mean black, red and green beans... mango... mashmallowy things that were not American marshmallows... several kinds of jelly (like what we would consider jell-o)... cherries... different marshmallowy things... and all kinds of other surprises. The crazy thing... it was delicious. All of it. We even got another mound of shaved ice with just black beans on it... also delicious. I am amazed at all of the new tastes I have found here... things I can't even explain because I have never experienced anything like it before.

After dinner (all still wearing our matching volunteer uniforms) we headed to movies because (again, in great hospitality) one of our friends bought us all tickets to go see Kung Fu Panda. The movie theater was the craziest place I had ever seen and looked like a city inside. I didn't know if I was in a hologram or if I could really reach out and touch it. I feel like a lot of thing here are like that... over-the-top extravagant with bold colors and unlikely design.

Since we were early for the movie, the arcade seemed to be calling our names. After crashing my race car and tearin' it up on the basketball court I made my debut at arcade shooting games. Yes, I played House of Death IV with my automatic machine gun and killed lots of zombies. I must say, it was unexpectedly fun and I hope to shoot many zombies in the future.

As for the movie, if you haven't seen Kung Fu Panda you're missing out. It was in English with Chinese sub-titles, so that was great for us. Plus, watching a movie set in China while in China was pretty cool. (I would compare it to watching The Little Mermaid while actually under the sea.) Some of the jokes were things I think I only understood because I've been here for almost a month. The animation and graphics were great and Jack Black, always a favorite of mine, was a pretty awesome panda.

We treated ourselves to a taxi ride home rather than the subway and got back home at almost midnight... a long day indeed. I showered in the hottest shower I've had since I arrived (my logic is that the later in the day you shower, the hotter your water... 8am showers are still pretty icy), and fell into bed.

Another great day in China.

what's in a name.

2008-07-30T16:24:00.002+08:00

Most of our Chinese friends at work introduce themselves with their Chinese name... and then by their English name, which doesn't necessarily have anything to do with their Chinese name. They say they do it because it is easier for us to remember and pronounce. As someone who's first name is often mispronounced (btw, Mom, the Chinese people understand your logic... they all say it perfectly the first time), I would never say to someone, "Hello, my name is Alysha (uh-lee-sha), but you can call me Tina if that is easier." For this reason, I try my very best to pronounce our friends' Chinese names and use those names (their real names) rather than take the easy out with the English version.

As it turns out, most of the students knew my name from reading the list before I even arrived(and they have not been shy in telling me this) because they "thought it was so beautiful!" and "sounded Russian!," (an interesting observation since I am fifty percent Russian---though my name is not traditional and I don't speak a word of Russian). And I did meet a girl named Di Yisha... the closest I've found to Alysha.

And adding to that, I thought it only fair that I ask for a Chinese name, even though they can all pronounce mine fine. I was given the name "Sha Li" because it sounds similar to my English name and it means beautiful jasmine (like the flower). However, if you say it with the wrong tone, it means stupid. Now I am trying to master writing the characters for it.

Speaking of writing characters, watching someone write Chinese characters is fascinating and I am convinced it requires at least thirty percent more brain power than writing English or another language based off the Greek alphabet. It has to be extremely neat, or you risk your characters meaning the wrong thing... and each character has to be written from up to down and left to right. No exceptions. Another thing there are no exceptions on... everyone is right-handed. Perhaps by now, in a culture that has trained all people to use their right hand as their dominant hand, all people have evolved and are born right-handed. I'd like to see a Punnet Square for that one.

The reason these conversations all began was because we had to hand in a written response at work. I, as usual, employed my "All Caps, All the Time," writing style, lining it up perfectly on a blank page of typing paper by using a lined sheet underneath. It's just something I enjoy, writing neatly, that is. Well when all pages were turned in, I noticed a group forming around a page they were holding up and passing around... I could tell right away that it was mine. I don't know if the Chinese students were just fascinated by my English writing, or by my distinct font... either way, they ate it up.

i've got some scorpion in my teeth.

2008-07-28T09:41:00.004+08:00

I know several of you have cautioned me about the things I may or may not be eating here in China. But what fun is the Beijing Night Market without throwing a little caution to the wind?

The Night Market is every evening, and you can eat as much lamb testicle, centipede and snake as you want. About 40 stalls line up along a street, kind of like the Taste of Beijing, except the food vendors are very aggressive. "Hey, I love you, eat my snake," was one of the things yelled to us... quite the pick up line.

After the initial overwhelming feeling of all of this crazy "exotic" food, we wanted to sink our teeth into something. I started with a skewer of caramelized fruit... delicious. But since we didn't have much time, we went straight for the scorpions. And not the big ones, just the little ones. The vendor fried them up for us, and we were off.

Surprisingly, you just pop the whole thing in your mouth... tail, eyes, legs... everything. Even more surprising is how much it tasted like popcorn. Salty, crunchy, pretty good for scorpion if you ask me. In fact, I sort of wanted more. (I'm also pretty sure I had a scorpion leg wedged between two teeth.)

We're all planning on going back before we leave. I'm hoping to eat things so disgusting you can't even imagine. (Except shrimp. Gross.)

sexist hat-ism.

2008-07-27T18:43:00.003+08:00

Yesterday at work was the day we've all been waiting for... Olympic Uniform Day. Free swag. Cool swag. Adidas swag.

The entire process of dishing out uniforms to 25 people took... not kidding... over 3.5 hours. Systems of efficiency here are non-existent. There was little organization, and a lot of wasted time. We moved boxes from one place... to another place... to another place. We walked with those boxes from one place... to another place... to another place. We opened up boxes... stared at them... stared at them some more. We began to distribute the loot... confusion... confusion... confusion.

We American eager beavers were practically having anxiety attacks watching this happen. We just wanted to jump up and yell, "It's not that difficult, folks!" Finally, someone stepped up and explained what, to us, was the obvious way to complete the task. The Chinese volunteers were amazed... and, after some careful thought, went along with it only to find that we got the job done in about fifteen minutes.

As Americans, we're taught that wasted time is bad... efficiency is good. We're told ways to multitask. We learn how to delegate. It's just what we do. Quite the contrary here.

Anyhow, we got our bags of gear... three shirts... two pairs of pants that zip into shorts (money)... one jacket... one rain poncho... one fanny pack with water bottle... one pair of shoes... three pairs of socks... oh yeah, and one hat. ONE hat. And here's where I get upset... the hat you recieve is determined by your sex.

All this time I was prepared to recieve two hats... a bucket hat, and a baseball cap. Oh, but no. Because I am female, I recieved only the bucket hat. Girls=buckets. Boys=baseball. What.

You might think I am crazy... someone hands me a bag full of clothing that would retail for at least $300 USD, and I get jazzed about a hat. Well yes. A bucket hat? Really? I look like a fool in it. And I love baseball caps. But noooooo, I'm a girrrrrrl. And even after a clever attempt to switch it out... and even more clever attempts to trade (btw, trading a bucket hat for a baseball cap is like trading a 1990 Grey Corsica for a Benz... never gonna happen)... I am stuck with the bucket.

And that's all we did at work. Four hours of uniform distribution. Popsicles on the way home.

the 801.

2008-07-27T15:03:00.007+08:00

I have recently received inquiries about what our living quarters look like, and although I took these photos the first day we moved in, I have simply neglected to post them. Please enjoy how clean our room looks, as it is no longer in such pristine condition (however, we are not even close to having the dirtiest room here). Also, we think the cleaning ladies have stopped mopping our room... perhaps they don't like when they come in to empty the trash at 10am and we are all still in bed.

Please enjoy this tour of our humble abode at Communications University of China.

This is the entry to our room, on the left you will find our combination bathroom/laundry room (handwash only, of course). Notice the shower/toilet combination. This makes for great multitasking, and minimizes the need to wash the bathroom floor since you basically flood the whole place when you take a shower. It is important to not leave the roll of toilet paper in the "showering area" or you will have a sad soggy mess.

Starting from the left, and working our way around the room, allow me to show your our beds. This is the nicest they have ever looked... except every Monday when the cleaning ladies come and change our sheets. The only problem with is that usually we are (once again) still in bed when they come to do this. We're not bums, promise. You will also notice a strange box between the beds. This is actually a master control switchbox with switches for all lights and outlets in the room. Convenient.
Megan's desk and the window.

My desk, the TV we have turned on I think once and our water jug. There are a couple drawers under the TV, and each bed has two underneath. Perfect for when you actually do laundry and have clean clothes to put away.

But wait, before you go, check out the view from the window. The track and athletic areas are all right outside our window. It's great for listening to the guy who sings Chinese opera while he jogs every morning. No joke, the physical activity of this culture is something to see. I'll see if I can't creep on some people during their morning workouts and give you some insight as to what we get to enjoy every single day.

It's no penthouse, but we call it home. And with a Western toilet, a/c and fresh sheet Mondays, how could I complain?

photo assistant extraordinaire.

2008-07-25T21:00:00.009+08:00

When you think of work... do you think of arriving at 8 or 9am, powering through the morning, taking maybe (if you're lucky) an hour for lunch, struggling through the afternoon and then trudging home around 5 or 6pm?

When you think of work... do you think of productivity, meetings, e-mails, accomplishing tasks and completing projects?

Or when you think of work... do you think of playing games like Mafia (Sarah... the Chinese people love this game), napping, taking two hours for lunch and riding motorized scooters around?

Because let me tell you what the past three days of "working" at the Laoshan Cycling Velodrome have been like. First, we catch the subway at about 7:30, play musical subway and jockey for a seat for our hour and a half train ride to Laoshan. Then, we arrive and ease our way into things with a morning training session that may or may not last for about 30 minutes. We exchange Chinese and English cultural knowledge with our colleagues until lunch around 11 or 11:30, and then proceed to nap, read or just "have a rest" in general until 1:30. Then another training session or two takes place, perhaps a tour of the Velodrome, mountain bike course and BMX track and some more hanging out follows. Finally, we all engage in Chinese-English communication barrier games trying to get to know our team... and we call it a day around 3:30pm so that we don't have to hit rush hour on the way home. A popsicle on the way to the subway, and we're good to go.

Honestly, it's not "work," it's just fun. We're getting to know the venue we will be working at, as well as the team working with the photographers that we are working with. There are about twelve of us all together, four Purdue students and the rest CUC students from all over China. Our managers are the coolest people ever and have worked as photographers and journalists all over China, as well as an "Overseas Expert" from Australia and an event consultant from Switzerland. They have all worked Olympic Games before and are super great to talk to.

Even though we do get a little bored... minus taking the scooters out for a high-speed spin today... we know that once the Games start, there won't be a dull moment. Our jobs as Photo Assistants basically make us the right-hand-men (and/or women) to the photogs. We're talking about me, Alysha, wearing a sweet photographer's vest, in the middle of a cycling track (while events are running), telling photographers where they can and cannot stand/sit/kneel, getting them any information they need and helping them in the photo work room after the event is over. Not only will I feel the sweat of Olympic cyclists, but I will be even closer to the blood, sweat and tears of photographers from the likes of AP, AFP, Getty and Reuters. (Todd, don't worry, I will stare at their fancy equipment for you!)

I think this is an awesome job. A little different than what I expected, but even better than I could have imagined. I can't even think about how cool I will feel being able to roam around Olympic events... telling ballin' photogs what to do. I am basically a bouncer for photographers. And there's a pretty decent chance you might see me on TV.

Now that I have gotten caught up in explaining what I will be doing, allow me to tell you where I will be working. The cycling venue is actually a "cluster" because three events are held on three different courses. Mountain biking is (of course) on a mountain. BMX is on a BMX track (the bikes that fly over the little hills). And track cycling is inside the Velodrome in a 6,000 person capacity stadium (photo above). Btw, BMX is making its debut at the Olympics this year... history, folks, is being made before my eye.

Also, the Velodrome is maybe the coolest thing ever. Think about a roller rink... propped up to 47 degree angles at each end... and stadium seating around it. Apparently when the bikes get rollin', the whole place sounds like thunder. Below is the view of the starting line (yes, I was standing on the track... be jealous).

So despite the fact that we will have only three days off for more than a month, our work is not that strenuous. I will add, though, that I am trying to get as much out of this experience as possible. I'm talking up a storm (and listening up a storm) to all of our managers and their previous experiences. I'm taking note of the way our venue is organized, the way the PR for the entire Olympics is panning out and especially the differences I have seen from the perspective as an outsider to someone living and working in an Olympic city. I think I will gain more from the little things I pick up with my astute observations of the way events are run than from actually working as a Photo Assistant. (Isn't that the truth about life anyway... you learn more just by opening your ears and widening your view? I mean, if you were thrown into an event like the Olympics, would you just stick to what you were supposed to do, or would you wander around and ask some questions?)

I'm asking questions.

[Speaking of questions, I love all the comments I'm getting... both via blog and e-mail. But if you have questions... or want me to go run around and take pictures of something, let me know and I'll do my best!]

22.

2008-07-23T21:49:00.003+08:00

Easily one of my top-five birthdays of all time. Easily.

It all started with a my evening/his noon Skype to Luke... who had suggested I try to celebrate my birthday in traditional Chinese fashion. Unfortunately, according to my research, Chinese culture does not dictate a large and glorious celebration of one's birth unless you are a newborn or very very very exceptionally old. Plan B: annnnd go.

While still on the Skype, midnight struck and I was greeted by several of my fellow Purdue travelers singing happy birthday over a candle-adorned stack of Moon Pie snack cakes. And even though Luke and I have not been in the same country on either of our birthdays for maybe ten years, he was almost here... thinking of how he will be turning even older than I in just one short week (mu haha).

(I was also greeted by an impecibly timed e-mail from several time zones away. To achieve the midnight e-mail is one feat, to do so from halfway around the world is another. You my friend, are bold and daring.)

After feasting on marshmallowy deliciousness we piled into a room to watch The Departed. I, as I do with every movie, fell asleep and missed the end. I hear it's a great film.

In the morning I wake up to find my desk littered with handmade construction paper cards and the door to our room decked out in Happy Birthday swag... including a banner made of toilet paper. I also find an video of a mountain top birthday wish... all the way from Spain (!) in my inbox. From there it was off to "The Good Dining Hall" for some breakfast. I chose a buttery looking bread thing in the shape of a slice of pizza. A breakfast fit for a birthday.

Some city sights and a popsicle later and we were all back at CUC, plotting the adventures of the evening. Meanwhile, it is not even dawn on my American birthday time... which means that I technically was wished Happy Birthday for about 36 hours. I must do this every year.

An Irish pub was named the venue for dinner, and I must say, my fish and chips were remarkable. From there we taxied over to a bar with a rooftop patio... and enjoyed the beautiful Beijing evening. I must add that last year I spent my special day on a rooftop in Hell's Kitchen, NYC. This means that I have celebrated two consecutive birthdays on rooftops. I now declare this tradition and will see that it continues for years to come.

I must say, everyone here (especially the roomie Megan) made my day exceptionally wonderful and special. And we're all too familiar with the feeling of checking your e-mail on your birthday to find it littered with "(Insert name) has written on your Facebook wall." It all made my day (or my 36 hours).

It's all said and done now... I'm 22. My golden birthday. Exceptionally great.

5 gallon challenge.

2008-07-22T18:29:00.006+08:00

We have a five-gallon water jug in our room... everyone does... because tap water in Beijing is not fit to drink. When it gets empty, "they" magically replace it with a new one.

Three days ago, room 801 was given a new jug of water... and with that came a challenge.

I call it the Five Gallon Challenge. Can two people drink five gallons of water in three days? We will see. My roommate Megan and I accepted this challenge (well, she accepted it, with much coercing from me, the initiator of said challenge) and documented our progress.

At 11:58pm on the third day, we finished our jug, just in time to declare ourselves victors of the 5 gallon challenge.

rooftop reading club.

2008-07-21T20:56:00.003+08:00

Karaoke last night was everything I never expected. Fifteen, and then about thirty of us, crammed into one room (all karaoke is in private rooms here) and decoded the Chinese karaoke machine. Some Spice Girls, Celine Dion and N'Sync later and things got pretty hilarious. We had a great time despite the shadier than shady karaoke bar.

When we all came alive at 10am, a few of us decided it was rooftop beach day for sure. A bucket brigade to fill the pool and a borrowing of some iPod speakers led to perhaps the best turn out for rooftop beach yet. It was a beautiful day, sunny and hot hot hot. We all spread out our blankets and cracked open the books. Pretty soon, a bunch of us were all reading, sharing details of our latest books. Mine is Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin... a book about a K2 mountaineer who gives up everything he has to build a school in an impoverished village in Pakistan. It's wonderful. It combines basically everything I love about life... nature, adventure, living in rewarding, simple ways.

We're all getting pretty anxious to start work. It's been great hanging out and seeing the city, but we're ready to catch the Olympic spirit. I know that once the Games start, things will fly by. Honestly, I get a little misty thinking about this trip being my last connection to Purdue as a student. A lot of our conversations here revolve around food (mostly things we wish we could find here)... and I think I brought up those delicious Oasis tuna wraps with S&V chips (you might know that this is in my top five meals of all time and that I would do dangerously illegal things to obtain one). It really saddened me to think that I don't know when I'll get another one of those deliciously tuna-y delights. It hit me then thinking about the other things I'll miss about WeLa and Purdue. I'm one of the three of us on this trip have graduated... it throws me off a little when the others talk about classes and professors... I realize that all of that is over for me. The bittersweetness is sinking in. (But right now, things are pretty sweet.)

[Birthday Eve. 22 here I come.]

it's morning in china.

2008-07-20T19:20:00.006+08:00

I don't know what it is about today, but I'm way off.

Last night Spain called =) and after a lot of catching up, I was all smiles as I crashed into bed at almost 1am. Maybe the off day is due to waking up two and a half hours later at 3:30am to see the sunrise raising of the Chinese flag at Tienanmen Square. I rolled out of bed, threw on my best tourist gear and met some of the others for an early morning cab ride.

As it turns out, the compound of CUC locks and chains its gates until about 5am. With no option except up and over, we scaled a seven-foot iron gate with six inch spikes on the top. Talk about a way to wake up. Lucky for us, there was a cab parked right outside the gates... with a sleeping driver in it! I wasted no time in rapping on the window. Nothing says goodmorning like an American tourist waking you before dawn.

After a treacherous cab ride, our small group squeezed into the hundreds of people standing outside the Forbidden City to watch the ceremony. I could barely see, and many of the people in attendance were pretty aggressive in jockeying for a better spot. The sun rose... I couldn't see anything... the army marched out... I couldn't see anything... China's anthem played... I couldn't see (or hear) anything... the flag went up... I couldn't see anything. Overall, it was quite the anti-climactic ceremony... especially before 5am. And as you can see, the best picture I got (by practically leaping into the air above the crowd) is also a little lackluster.

In search of breakfast and coffee (something I miss dearly after my near-rehab addiction while working in Maryland... I have yet to find some), we walked forever. A few of us went our separate ways and I did what I have been needing to do since we arrived... break away and get lost on my own. I found breakfast and mapped out what was left of my morning.

I wanted to get back to Silk Street to pick up some additional gifts, but it didn't open until ten. I decided to walk the forever and a day to Wal-Mart to see if I could find an alarm clock, sewing kit and vitamins, three of the things I can't believe I forgot. I found the clock... but walked away with no vitamins and no needle and thread. And when I put some apples in a bag and went to check out with them, the cashier said something to me that I didn't understand and took them away. Apparently I did something wrong in trying to purchase them... maybe I didn't weigh them or something. No apples. No happy.

I walked back to Silk Street, arriving just as it opened and did some bargaining. I'm pretty sure I got ripped off today. Not thrilled about that. Actually, I am pretty frustrated at this whole souvenir situation anyway. I hate souvenirs. Most of this stuff here can be bought back in the States... and a lot more of it is junk. Either way, I have to push through it since I know people are expecting things. Grrr. I'd much rather make a sweet photo slide show to share than hand you a silly jade Buddha. Whatever. I'm over it.

Finally, I head home to nap at 10:30am. I wake up disoriented, confused, hungry for things I can't find here and just generally grumpy. Why is this? I don't know. After some lounging and wishful e-mail checking (nothing is more saddening that no open your inbox and find zero new messages), I decided to do some laundry. Laundry is done by hand... with a tub... and a washboard... in the shower. It is a messy process, you usually end up sopping wet and your room is a drip dry factory with soaked clothes draped over every surface. It makes me appreciate everyone who ever washed clothes by hand, everyone who took part in the invention of the washing machine and Mom and Baba for washing so many loads of my laundry through the years. As someone who loves doing laundry under normal circumstances, this hand-wash situation is disheartening, not to mention time consuming.

I am also slightly homesick, Purduesick, BGRsick, Toddsick, friendsick... and all those other things and people that I miss.

I choose to remedy this day by going to the Karaoke all-you-can-eat buffet (why have one when you can have both). Over and out. I will survive.

musical subway.

2008-07-18T21:56:00.003+08:00

I love a good bargain. And I love it even more when I feel like I worked for it. Such was today's journey to the Pearl Market (a five-floor emporium of pearls and pearl-related treasures). After a hot hot hot subway trip... walking several blocks in the wrong direction... a popsicle to cure the fact that we walked so far out of the way... a man in a rickshaw yelling "Hey, let's go!" to Lauren and I... and (as always) coming inches away from death trying to cross huge streets... we made it.

We pulled up our stools to one of the stalls and began to work our magic. Bargaining is an art, a science and sometimes just luck. Row upon row of pearls and other stone and shell jewelry is overwhelming enough... but to have four ladies trying to haggle you in every way they can is madness. The key is to remain calm, polite and always always have a bottom line budget for yourself.

After biting just about every strand (all real, btw), I walked away with four various pearl necklaces, and five miscellaneous pairs of shell and turquoise jewelry for about 50 USD. I'd say I did well. (Note: those of you who may receive any of these items as gifts from my trip, please understand that the love is not in how much I paid, but rather, how savvy I was at bargaining.)

With such a great start at the Pearl Market under our belts, we headed to a really cool Hutong (street) with tons of shops, bars and cute little restaurants. Lauren got a 40 minute massage for about 6 USD while I poked around in every shop up and down the street. I didn't score any more bargains, but saw lots of fun things. It is important to note that this entire time I am sweating my life away and look homeless. Who would want to bargain with me, I have no idea.

I think the best part of our day, however, was the little game we began to play on the subway. One stop that we need to make is the first stop on the line, which means an empty train pulls up to the platform. In order to understand the competitive atmosphere of public transit, picture small lanes that people line up in, three men/women across. As soon as the train pulls up and the doors open, chaos breaks out as people from all doors rush in to try and snag a coveted seat.

We decide that we're going to play for keeps. We devise a plan and put it into action.

I am in the second row, middle man of the line-up. Decent position. Lauren is right behind me, with a hand on my shoulder. Train arrives... doors open... and they're off! I fake left, spin right, glance at my options on both sides of the train and slide home into a two-seat opening... I look left, waiting for Lauren to slide into the vacancy... and it's already too late... she's gone! Seconds later she surfaces laughing as I grin from my seat that is now surrounded by angry standers. She went left upon entering the train... an area that has no seats... common beginners' mishap.

This ballet of musical subway seats is the craziest, most competitive action I've ever seen on public transportation. I must say I am proud of my ability to prevail at musical subway, even in the hot rush hour of a Friday afternoon. For me, it wasn't about the seat. It was about the win.

We celebrated with another popsicle on the way home. Just another successful day in the life of a Beijing risk-taker.

kids these days.

2008-07-17T12:57:00.005+08:00

When you are American... you crave sandwiches. Give me the bread, turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles (!) and mayo. Yesterday, it was Subway that came through when it counted.

A fellow sandwich craver and I took the subway to Subway (ha). We did everything we are not supposed to do... we got cheese (cheese here is unpasteurized, and thus dangerous if you aren't used to it)... we got fresh vegetables (no doubt washed in China water)... and I'll tell you what, I would have gotten ice in my iced tea had it been there. Guess what... we're fine. I think that we're all getting used to the water (most of us are living on the edge and even brushing our teeth with it) and as long as we don't drink a river or something crazy like that, we will be just fine.

After the delicious and wonderful sandwich, we did what any kids would do on a hot summer day... we climbed through windows onto the roof, blew up a kiddie pool, filled it with water and had a rooftop beach party. It was beautiful, and of course, drew spectators who were amazed at our crafty ways. The funny thing is, the cleaning ladies were more concerned with us tracking in dirt from the roof than they were that we were actually on the roof. Needless to say, I am proud of all parties involved with the creation of rooftop-beach.

Later on we met up with one of the supervisors for the volunteers at Laoshan Velodrome and she took us to an amazing American diner-style restaurant called Paul's Steak and Eggs. We walked in, were greeted by Paul himself and became the happiest kids ever when we saw menus full of burgers, steak and eggs (of course), chicken strips, fries and grilled cheese sandwiches. We ate like Americans. We laughed like Americans. We had the greatest time like Americans.

We also found out that Paul has satellite TV and will be showing the NBC coverage of all Olympic events. Paul is great. He is our friend, and we love him.

accidentally awesome.

2008-07-17T11:39:00.006+08:00

When you are told that you need to be on a bus at 6:30am, a typical response would be to raise an eyebrow. When you are told to be on that bus at 6:30am because it will take you to your next phase of Olympic Volunteer training, you basically jump up and down with happiness. If you haven't noticed, so far we have pretty much been on vacation. I was expecting to be put to work as soon as I got to China... but I'm savoring this time to explore because once July 22 (my birthday) comes around, we don't have a day off until the Games end on August 25.

So the two people in our group working at the Main Press Center and the four Photo Assistants for Laoshan Velodrome (I am one of these four) head to the MPC for what we thought was training. As it turns out, the four photo assistants were not supposed to be there. At this point, we didn't care at all since the MPC is a beautiful, brand-new giant facility buzzing with Olympic excitement. We were kids in a really big Olympic candy store.

Since the four of us were basically stranded at the MPC, we made friends with some other Chinese student volunteers and they offered to show us around. From this point on, I will have a huge smile on my face, my jaw will be dropped and my eyes will be wider than ever. We saw everything at this building... giant press rooms where reporters will be frantically writing stories, workrooms for AP, Getty Images, AFP, Bloomberg (if you are at all interested in News Media... this is a dream) and even a huge huge huge press conference room that holds 800 people! The four of us wasted no time in asking if we could sit at the front desk... daydreaming about what amazing people will be sitting in those very seats in just a month.

One of the coolest things I saw was what they call "Pigeonholes." These are a series of little shelves that the most recent information for the events are filed into. Every sport has a section, and the shelves stretch on forever!

Basically it was the best. And we're all really glad we got on that early bird bus.

Short story: We were also the studio audience for a Chinese CCTV talk show. Hilarious. And everyone wore headphones because everything was interpreted. So when the host would tell a joke... we would laugh a few seconds later after we got the translation. That is all.

shut your month.

2008-07-14T11:45:00.009+08:00

The final day of the three-day-tour we all looked a bit rough. It has been in the high 30s here, extremely humid and even quite sunny. I drink so much water, and sweat every drop of it out. Everyone just looks like soggy noodles. But, the third day of the tour was a day at the Summer Palace, a perfect place to spend a hot China day.

The Summer Palace is where the Emperors of Beijing would spend their summer months. It is essentially a vacation plantation; series of buildings, temples and gardens with a (man made) lake overlooked by a (man made) hill. For the modern day tourists, there are also restaurants and shops tucked into the mix.

We got there at about 10am (several of us still feeling the night before, oops) and decided the last thing we wanted to do was walk. Luckily, one of the most popular things to do at the Summer Palace is rent a boat to take out on the lake. Split into two groups of six, we rented six-man paddle boats and (not without some language barrier difficulty) headed for open water.

I guarantee my boat was the better six, based on the conversations about "The Old Beijing Traffic Jam" (a lewd game about making up inappropriate names of potential sexual actions) and names like "Nicole Bel-Aire" (another lewd game involving the creation of names that would be adult-entertainment aliases). Forgive me, but you must know how hilarious this group of people has become together. Picture six kids in a paddle boat in a Chinese lake laughing so hard they are drawing attention from passers-by. Honestly, this group of Purdue students works so well together. Never a dull moment thanks to our perfect rhythm of humor, argumentative conversation, inappropriateness and just general ridiculousness. I think we are all having the great times that we are because of the friendships we are building. And, honestly, what else do we have to do besides talk to each other? We don't have TV, movies, board games, athletic equipment or cars... so we are all we have for entertainment. And trust me, it gets entertaining.

Post Summer Palace we went to some ruins... the ruins of what I am not really sure. Some element of understanding gets lost when you travel in large groups in sweltering heat. But I'm pretty sure the ruins and gardens were part of another vacation spot for China's elite.

The evening's activities included dinner and the traditional Peking Opera. Dinner was perhaps the most interesting meal of our three day tour... several of the dishes at this one were, well, interesting. The first thing that rolls out is a pile of, what look like scallops, but are actually gelatinous tofu... we think. The one and only Lauren Harrington and I dive right in... letting everyone know whether or not they should try it. The answer is yes... but only to see how awkward it is.

No one likes it, and is so creeped out by the jiggle of it, that no one even wants it on their plate. To be polite, we casually plop the jell-o tofu into our tea... out of sight, out of mind. Later in the meal, I almost accidentally drink my tofu tea. This spawns one of our "great ideas" to dare someone to drink the tea... tofu and all. The prize for this: one cold beer. Worth it.

The victim takes the tea down... not without difficulty, and not without very strange faces. Some sips of Coke to wash it all down... and its all over. Respect was earned. But why would it stop there? Two more tofu-teas are slid his way. One more makes it down... number three is a no go. Meals are usually this eventful, again, this group is a riot.

From dinner we headed to the opera. Five of our tickets were in the so called VIP area; I was bestowed one of these tickets. The theater was pretty bare bones... kind of like a movie theater... so the VIP area was just an area up front with tables that had delicious tea for us. Our seats were, however, about eight feet from the stack of speakers.

Peking Opera is one of those things that can't be described. The sets were very simple, costumes and makeup completely elaborate and the performance... well, the singing was quite shrill. The high-pitched almost screaming songs were blasting those of us sitting by the speakers. There were also English subtitles on large TV screens; translation was minimum and very choppy... most of us couldn't figure out the storyline. All of this considered though, it was a pretty fun experience. Especially when subtitles were wrong and said things like "Shut your month!"

And so our three day tour came to an end. Farewell "number bus six."

better than great.

2008-07-14T09:51:00.003+08:00

Everything about the Great Wall completely exceeded my expectations. First of all, when they say "climb" the Great Wall... they're not kidding. At some points it is basically a ladder. The stairs are uneven and up to a foot and a half high and the parts without stairs are the steepest possible slopes a human could cling to. It was excellent. Additionally, it was maybe the most beautiful day I have ever seen. Bluest of blue skies, hot hot hot and breezy.

After the Wall, we went to the Ming Tombs, a huge underground city where 13 of China's former emperors are buried. The place was a bit tourist-ified... plexiglass protection in front of things... emergency lights everywhere... wire mesh holding up the ceilings. I would love to have seen in in its raw state.

Because it was at least 37 or 38 degrees outside, we were ready to get back to CUC and just cool off. And cooling off we did... that is, until we made a spontaneous decision to go out with the Australians to a club called Bananas. And let me just say, if you think the Beijing subway is crowded... try a Beijing dance floor. We had a really fun time, though we were a bit bewildered by some of the things going on. I guess if a club is called Bananas, you might expect a man to lower from the ceiling wearing a grass skirt and fake bananas to entertain the masses with his oily banana body... but it sure took us by surprise.

sewage before duck.

2008-07-12T05:53:00.007+08:00

We're officially in tour mode... all of the foreign students who are volunteering at the Games are here now. And we roll eight tour buses deep. And by that I mean we have police escorts for our bus-caravan (does a caravan of buses make it a carabus? think about it.), people line the streets to wave to us, and it is literally a production for us to go see our carefully orchestrated sites.

Our three day tour locations are supposed to be representative of "how great life is in China" and "a chance for us to see all the good things happening." Which, is understandable. The people of China are very proud, and our tours are designed to show us all they have to be proud of.

An early morning visit to Beijing's wastewater treatment plant gave us an up-close look at how wastewater is turned into reclaimed water used for basically everything but drinking. And while blogger isn't allowing us to upload videos right now, be sure you ask me about my sewage tour video montage when I get home. Seriously. I've never taken a tour of any sewage plant (others said this might have been a popular 4th or 5th grade field trip), so to take one in Beijing... well, I never in my wildest thought that would happen.

I'm the type of person who reads non-fiction... so to me, a water treatment plant is pretty cool. Especially if you are being led around by Henry the tour guide. (I kid you not, this picture is in no way posed or planned

After the tour, it was back on the bus (we bonded not only with the bus... but with each other) for a two hour drive to the "countryside." By that, we mean we sat in traffic for two hours to get to the far northern reaches of Beijing city limits. We drove through crazy fields of all kinds of strange and awesome trees, corn fields (!), and through what they consider "rural" areas. We kids from Purdue had a more advanced view of what we thought rural China might be... but then again, 8 flashy, fancy brand new tour buses can't cruise just anywhere.

I saw so many great photos being driven past... I just wanted to hop out of the bus and get back to nature. But sadly, we bypassed the agriculture and went to the village of Xiang Tang. We saw a beautiful temple, a retirement home where people showed us traditional ways of painting and Tai Chi, and then it was back on the bus.

I think we were all expecting something different, but this countryside tour was really, again, a way for us to purposefully see certain things that the People of China want us to see. I was intrigued by everything still. I found myself keeping very quiet and to myself, mostly so I could take it all it. It really hit me that I'm in China... seeing things so different than America... seeing things that I only dreamed about in my Asian-obsessed youth. It seemed foolish to complain about the heat (especially when our buses were blasting the a/c)... or to get frustrated with other group members... I was all about taking everything I wanted to take from the day. I was aching for some time to really reflect.

That being said, I'm so thankful that I value and respect different cultures. It's so important to me to show the kind of respect that just seems necessary when visiting other places... to really listen to the people who are trying to tell you about what they are proud of. I don't know, call me lame, but I get so into it and I just have to tune out all the people who are less than enthusiastic about connecting with the experience. Maybe I haven't traveled enough, so I still get a little culture-awe-struck. But if that's the case, I don't want it to change. No place can ever be compared to any other place... no experience matches another... I can't just cruise around without feeling like I am experiencing something so special. I could meditate to how remarkable this place is.

And once I finished meditating, I'd go eat the traditional dish of Peking Duck for dinner... because it might have been one of the best meals of my life. The second of two amazing meals for the day, the Peking Duck was awesome. The stories of how they get the duck from ducking to table are a little rough, so I won't share, but basically they have a very special way of cutting an preparing it in front of you. You then take the duck meat and skin, place it in a sort of wonton wrapper with some sauce, oniony-things and celery-y-things, and eat it... um, I can't even describe how good this was. Everything that was served was amazing (and believe me, I got my chopsticks on everything... no matter what it was)... but the duck was just delicious. The meal is a very traditionally and special occasion... a little less special when there are about 400 students there, but we had a great time and I can't say enough about how great the food was.

Peking Duck is a long way from Chicken Fish Soup.

christmas come early.

2008-07-12T05:37:00.003+08:00

When you (and your roommate) wake up at 5am (every day) because the bright morning light filters through your unblocked window...you feel like you are more prepared for the day after looking into the dense smoggy foggy cloudy world for a few early-morning hours. It takes some mental zen skills to step out into that every day. Today, however, when I rolled over to take in the light, I saw something... a glimmer of hope... I rushed to the window like it was Christmas morning! BLUE SKIES! The bluest of blue skies! Like, all the way blue with the pollution just sinking in around the horizon! There is sun, there are shadows, glorious!

We were told that to see a true blue sky in Beijing, is like teaching pigs to fly, or hell to freeze. It's the rarest of rare and as luck would have it, it happens on our day to go to the Great Wall! I smile because I am fortunate.

p.t.p.o.p. playground.

2008-07-11T07:13:00.006+08:00

Thankfully, I have nursed myself back to full health and yesterday I was functioning as the able-bodied youth that I am. All of the well-wishes helped!

And how would you celebrate getting healthy while in China? Why, the Forbidden City of course! Five of the girls took the subway (this time, it was exactly how you picture a Beijing subway...packed to the gills with people...kiss your personal space goodbye) to Tiananmen Square and entered the Forbidden City. It was a "high smog index" day so pictures didn't turn out very clear, and all of us were winded just walking up the stairs. But still, it was amazing. Built in the early 1400s, it is amazing that it has survived all that it has, and I love that in a city of 16 million people there is still this HUGE space set aside dedicated to the history of China. Seriously, there are just giant open courtyards inside... easily could be filled with skyscrapers to house thousands... but they remain untouched.

All of the buildings have beautifully ornate decoration on them. Some have been restored, others, even with peeling paint, were remarkable. The Imperial Garden was magnificent too... giant, old trees nestled between pagodas and temples...lotus flowers next to golden statues... mosaic river-rock walkways... it was worth inhaling all of that smog to get to.

Without a tour guide, we did our best to understand the buildings and what they were used for, but really, it was just an overwhelming place. So much history was within those walls... so much history that means so much to the People of China. When your country has been ruled by dynasties for 4000 years, its powerful stuff.

Additionally, if you have a fascination with the phenomenon I like to call "People Taking Pictures of People," a historic landmark in China is a GREAT place to be. I was bouncing with glee by how many PTPOP there were. (If you are unfamiliar with my concept of PTPOP, it is where one person, with camera, backs away from his/her friends/family/colleagues...aims, says something like "cheese" or "smile," takes the picture, and then returns to the group with the camera. This is an elaborate choreography of culture and technology... people fumbling with unfamiliar cameras, groups of people lining up digital cameras for one person to take repeated pictures of the group, different ways of posing in front of whatever it is the people are being photographed in front of... I just love it. I can't even explain it! Do you know what I mean? If not, next time you go anywhere where people have cameras, watch the way they take pictures of each other. It will change your world.)

Later that day we got to bonding with the QUT and Emerson students on the 10th floor roof terrace we commandeered. Had the air not been so thick with heat, sweat and smog, we could have seen the beautiful lights. Instead we had about 200 meter visibility. But for a summer night, you can't ask for much more than sitting outside with good company and some bevs. That's one thing we can all understand.

FTB:24.

save ferris.

2008-07-10T05:59:00.002+08:00

The ball is really rolling here and yesterday we had some big business to tend to. As a group (and by group, I mean all of the foreign students here... Purdue, QUT and Emerson) we were welcomed to CUC by the Vice President and given a brief history of Beijing and China. It was during this presentation that I realized I was really, really legit sick. After it ended I peaced out to my bed until my roommate woke me for our second session, at which point in time, I was in bad shape.

My fever had escalated to a temperature I can only guess to be somewhere between the Equator and the surface of the Sun. I was burnin' up.

This second session though, was very important as it was our first meeting with our Olympic Committee Supervisors and involved some serious business. We had to sign our letters of confirmation, saying that we were, indeed, here and going to work at the Olympics. We received SIM cards for our cell phones (I didn't bring or buy one... but if it appears absolutely necessary, I will). We tried on the uniforms (!) and shoes that we will be sporting. And we met with the people who will be our direct superiors and who will train us.

By the end of this meeting, the chills and goosebumps on my body were outrageous. I, once again, ate some Advil, drank some water and went to bed. But aha! This time I was going to outsmart this fever. I put on pants... a long sleeved shirt... a hooded sweatshirt... and socks (ew, who wears socks to bed!?!). I climbed in under my thick comforter and entered the sweat factory. The socks didn't last long, but everything else, combined with my flaming temperature, I think/hope might have caused me to break my fever. In fact, I slept from about 3pm to 5:45am this morning, waking only to realize how sweaty I was and drink more water.

At present, I am feeling a little better. I hope to eat today. And i think if I just take it easy and maintain my steady intake of ibuprofen I should recover in time for the weekend (we have a three day tour of the city lined up, and I'm NOT sleeping through it). Thanks for all of your concern, I promise I will be okay!

pretty lady: you need prada.

2008-07-09T05:45:00.008+08:00

Yesterday we met the group of Australians from Queensland University of Technology, and were all rounded up for a campus tour by our CUC ambassadors. They showed us the grocery store on campus, the dining halls and took a group of about 35 Americans and Australians to the bank... we were the loudest group I have ever heard. Pretty sure that bank considered closing its doors after we left.

After that, the whole lot of us went to lunch together at the dining hall. Now, let me explain this dining hall situation. You get a little swipey card, load it up with money, and swipe for every item you purchase. There are items from 1RMB (Chinese unit of currency, also known as the yuan) to 6.50RMB for you ballers out there. Basically 1USD is almost 7RMB... so you can eat an entire lunch, and buy a drink, for about 1.50USD. Sound like a bargain? It is. Want to know why? It's no Earhart Dining Hall... it's barely tolerable. Now, I was all about trying everything and eating different things here... but this food is something else. The first night, I got some soup with lots of noodles. It appeared to be chicken, and tasted like chicken for the first few slurps. Then... suddenly it became fishy. I hung up my chopsticks right there. And we now affectionately call it "Chicken Fish Soup."

The lunch with the Aussies wasn't great either. Turns out the onions and peppers I got also were laced with chunks of fat. No kidding. Chicken it was not. Thus, another failed attempt at feeding myself.

I have, however, been keeping myself hydrated to the maximum (which is good, because later in this blog post I will become very sick). Water, Minute Maid OJ, Gatorade... the bevs are pretty much the same as the US. They are all a tiny bit different, but at least they are familiar.

After our campus tour and lunch, we all headed out to the infamous underground Silk Market. To the left you will see me as a hot mess on the Subway. No a/c on most trains + thick smoggy hot air + one billion people = sweaty sweaty sweaty. Surprisingly though, it really didn't smell. Interesting.

So the Silk Market is this mall with tons and tons of stalls of fake designer goods. You walk through the aisles and all of the vendors yell to you, pull your toward their booths, and generally harass you to buy their wares.

They yell all sorts of things to you as you drift through a maze of fake Coach and Fendi. "Girl in skirt, buy my shoes!" "Pretty lady, you need Prada!" "Girl, Girl, buy more bags, buy more bags!"

If you are not ready for it, they will take you under so fast. Once you decide what you'd like to buy, you have to haggle them. They use calculators to show you the price and put on a whole song and dance as to why you are getting the best deal of the century. If you even try to walk away, they chase you. It's an art really.

This being said, most of us white Americans got taken for a ride and paid too much for what we bought. We are ready, though. We will strike again. And we will be prepared.

Aching for something familiar, we headed to WalMart. Yes, I know. I committed international sin and went to WalMart. But honestly, I needed some peanut butter. If I'm not eating Chicken Fish Soup, I'll need my protein somehow.

WalMart was remarkably familiar, aside from the fact that everything was in Mandarin. And I do give the people of Beijing credit for not using plastic bags. Apparently they are on their way to being outlawed, forcing everyone to use reusable ones.

After a long day, I took my Tide, Skippy, Ritz Crackers, Listerine and bottle of Great Wall wine back home. At this point I am getting hungry, so I dive into my PB. Meanwhile, it was the general consensus of the group... and we were quite forceful in our declaration... that we were NOT, under any circumstances, eating in the hot dining hall shoebox. We were going to Pizza Hut.

Here, Pizza Hut is fine dining, seriously. There were granite staircases and real plates. (Just think Katie McQ... a classy, classy hut.) But on the train on the way there, I started to feel quite faint. Not sure if it was the long day, the unbalanced diet or just me still adjusting to things here. Everyone else is fine. I am the weakest link. I suffer through a small piece of cheese pizza (thinking food would be a good idea)... and cursed myself for not feeling well because it was DELICIOUS. Just like America.

Came home, a walking pile of death and illness. Take two Tylenol PM and crawl into bed. I for sure have a fever as I sweated through the night... chills... aches... throat swelling shut. Miserable. Not to mention our beds are like cinder blocks (as a fellow student said). Right now I am sweating my life away, drinking mass quantities of Gatorade and water... blogging because I couldn't go back to sleep on account of my weakened condition.

In a minute I'll try to eat a spoonful of PB, was it down with Advil and go take a shower in someone else's room who was bestowed with the glory of hot water. (Oh yeah, our shower only functions as a cold shower. Others have heat, we do not. We are told there is not a chance in the world this will get fixed. Say hello to icy cold mornings for 7 weeks.)

So even though I am not feeling well AT ALL. I must persevere. I will put on a hooded sweatshirt and sweat through the day, hoping to break this fever. I will put on my giant sunglasses and be invisible, thus not allowing people to question why I look so tragic. Ugh. A sick American in China.

welcome to china.

2008-07-07T10:31:00.005+08:00

I made it. I'm here. Beijing is my new place of residence until August 26.

After a great great 4th of July (in my opinion, the best "last day" to have before leaving the country), I awoke at 4:30 on the 5th to get to O'Hare. I took a four hour flight to Vancouver (magically, I had an entire row to myself), sat in Vancouver's stunningly beautiful airport for about 3 hours (flight delayed about an hour and a half), took another 11 hour flight to Beijing (not as bad as I thought), met some fellow Boilers at the airport and took a taxi-van to our dorm (yes, here they call it a dorm... though I can't stop calling it a residence hall). All of these travels took me about 24 hours... I think.

To be honest, I had no clue what time it was, what day it was or when I was supposed to be sleeping since I left Lowell. I think I figured it out though, and thanks to frequent cat-naps on the planes, I am pretty well-adjusted.

Beijing is a gigantic city, but everyone lives very locally. We are staying on the campus of the Communications University of China... but we think that anyone can live here, not just students. Nothing within any reasonable distance of us is in English, making finding food a very interesting process. This morning four of us set out to find our first Chinese meal. We walked outside the campus gates (there are, literally, guarded gates--see Mom, Baba, it's safe) and found a pastry shop. By pointing to different things and then showing how many we wanted using our fingers, we managed to secure some food... for about fifty cents USD each. (Holla' at a playa' when you see her eating Chinese pastry in the skreet... it's no NYC, Katie!)

That's about as far as we have come so far. It's hard to explore when you really have no grasp on where you are, or in what direction to head. I hope that our orientation tomorrow will give us all some guidance.

tuesday time zone.

2008-07-01T21:50:00.004+08:00

Today's time zone is Eastern Time. Tomorrow through Thursday's time zone is Central Time. Friday through Saturday is every time zone between Chicago and Beijing. As long as I can keep this all straight, I'll be fine.

Being that this is my last week before China, there has been some effort of preparation. However, I can't remember the last time I didn't pack the night before a trip (or the morning of), no matter how long I would be away from home. Going for a weekend? Pack the morning of. A week? Morning of. Two weeks? Morning of. A month? Maybe the night before, but that's pushing it. Two months? The night before (but only because I had an early flight).

Have taken care of most other things... called the bank and American Express so they know I am not some Olympic renegade making false charges in China... got some shots (the medical kind)... have conversed with others in my group about meeting at the Beijing airport and sharing taxis to our living quarters... and tried to talk to as many friends and family as possible in these last couple days.

I still need to turn off my cell phone, purchase gifts for anyone I might meet and deem worthy of a gift (Chinese tradition), collect addresses in case I decided postcards are in order, make copies of my credit cards and passport... oh yeah, and pack my suitcase.

And as if having the chance to go to the Olympics isn't enough... it has been recently announced that my dear friend (and fellow Shrevehart Stormer) Kara Patterson will be representing the USA by being a completely awesome javelin thrower! Now I can say I know an Olympian, cross that one off the list.

I'll do whatever possible to make it to the Track & Field venues that day. Even if it means abusing my "Volunteer" credentials. Maybe. (I hear you just have to show your issued fanny-pack and you're in.)

pseudo celebs.

2008-06-26T21:02:00.000+08:00

The West Lafayette/Lafayette Journal & Courier did a brief story on us. I think my quotes could have been a bit more focused. Oh well, I'll get 'em next time.

ready.set.china.

2008-06-25T03:08:00.000+08:00

If you had asked me last October if I had really expected to get to the Olympics, I don't think I would have been so certain. But here it is, eleven days away. I've been asked several times how in the world I managed to land this opportunity, so here it is, the abridged version of my journey thus far.

September 2007: Hear about Purdue's Study Abroad program to the 2008 Summer Olympics. There were not many details available except that students would get the chance to work with the media at the Games.

October 1, 2007: Pick up application for program...
October 31, 2007: ...turn in application for program.

Sometime in December 2007: (Finally) notified that I have made it to the next round of the application process and that details will follow. Meanwhile, I delay applying for a "real job" upon my graduation, due to the unknown status of the Olympic Internship.

Spring Semester 2008: Attend training meetings with other "Olympic Hopefuls," find out that those of us who make it will be working in the Cycling venues.

March 1, 2008: Members of Olympic media organizations visit Purdue University to administer several tests to determine who will be selected.

March 19ish, 2008: (Finally) notified who has been selected! (Note: I am included in this group, hence, the blog.)

March 23, 2008: Surprise family at Easter with my good news.

April-June, 2008: I learn more about the trip and what to expect as information becomes available. I also graduate, accept a month-long internship in Maryland before I leave, move out of my apartment at Purdue, look for a permanent job for September and attempt to secure housing in Chicago for when I return. No big deal.

I leave for Beijing on July 5 and will be posting through the end of August. I've never been to China, and I've never been to the Olympics... but I'm pretty sure I'm in for a memorable summer.