The Last One...

September 22, 2007 --- DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT





I suppose this blog entry marks the end of an era, albeit a short one. Well, here is my long-awaited capstone. The disadvantages of being a double major at a liberal arts college makes life difficult if you wish to study abroad. Having a signficant feeling of regret, I craved to travel before life got too complicated. I told myself to do it now before the bills, the kids, and the wrinkles. While some openly told me they thought this was a cop-out, a time-buyer before I got a real job, I ignored what I eventually realized was a bit of jealously and was proud of the most amazing decision of my 23 year long life.

When I’m older and I look back at my year I know I’ll be proud of what I did.
1) I traveled. In one year, I traveled to 15 cities in China, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam. I viewed the amazing site of the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, ate seafood and drank the country’s number one beer in Qingdao, I scaled the sacred mountain of Tai’Shan and woke up early enough to watch the most b eautiful sunrise I have ever seen, I climbed the Great Wall of China twice and was left absolutely breathless each time, and I saw what the future is like in the fast-paced city of Hong Kong. I rode elephants, slept in hammocks, and partied in Thailand. I sipped on Singapore Slings and felt like I was back in the West in the expensive but wonderful country of Singapore. I climbed the immense and jaw-dropping site of Angkor Wat and visited the worst of humanity at the Killing Fields in Cambodia. And finally, I experienced anti-Americanism and went on a history museum binge in Vietnam.

2) I learned a new language. During the summer before my senior year of college, I met weekly with a family friend to learn how to write cover letters and resumes. When he asked me if I knew any languages, I knew my high school French skills were dwindling, I said that I had regretted not learning another one. And he said to me, “Well, do something about it.” Talk about a kick in the ass, that is exactly what I needed. Now I am no where near fluent but I’m pretty proud of myself. I learned that the best way to learn is to practice with the locals. I may have made a fool out of myself more than once, but it works!

3) Assimilate…assimilate…assimilate…if that means learning to not complain because you have to use a squatter then I succeeded. (well most of the time). Learning to be a part of a completely different culture is challenging but it was so rewarding.

4) I was a teacher and a friend! I’d like to think that all of my students flourished under my tutelage but I am aware that the possibility of this happening to all 800 students was near impossible. I was their doorway to the West and they made traveling down to the SouthCampus each day worth it! I still receive at least two emails a day from my students asking me about the NBA and CSI episodes that they caught online. My knowledge of both subjects is quite weak but knowing that they just want to keep in contact is awesome.

In my final week in Beijing, I experienced the most bizarre set of emotions. Sitting in my room, I sometimes would burst into tears and would then be fine ten minutes later. (You can ask Mike specifically, he would sometimes say, “Oh no, here it comes! Get out!”) If you know me well, I am one who usually has my plans laid out in front of me. (And usually in two separate planners. Wow that is so sad) For the first time, I will be going home without a plan. I suppose I shouldn’t complain because this will probably be my last responsibility-free time of my life. People have asked me why I never went home during the year. I always answer honestly. “I will be home (in America) for the rest of my life. This is my year to take full advantage of China and the enjoy the life I have created for myself here.” It sounds a bit harsh but it is true. Unlike some of my colleagues, I rarely felt homesick. With the help of the amazing Skype program, I was able to talk to and see my family daily and I think that helped me adjust so quickly. I truly believe that I am more open-minded and unbelievably optimistic.

The seven of us have joked all year that our group is called “The Real World China.” Like the MTV show, we were thrown together, as complete strangers into an apartment in a foreigner-less city. Unable to speak the language, unsure as to eating new and wild foods and attempting to assimilate into a new and completely different culture was hard but, we did it!

So as we slowly walked through the terminal at Dulles International Airport, completely aware that the goodbyes were about to begin, I felt like I was going to throw up. First, we said goodbye to Cait, my roommate, who was off to Syracuse. Then Francine, a newcomer for the Olympics, who was off to Warwick, RI. And then there were five. My connecting flight to JFK was delayed an hour and a half but the boys’ flight to Logan Airport was on time. I dug through my backpack and put my Yankee hat on, just in case the waterworks were going to be present (who are we kidding, it was 100% guaranteed they’d be there). And without discussion, we all just knew it was time. Waterworks—BEGIN. I was a disaster. Every single day of my life for the past year has included these guys. They were first my friends and then my family. I think my hesitations were in part due to my nervousness about what life would be like without them. We know we’ll see each other again and our paths will cross in the future. We have experienced something that no one else we know has. We are bonded by the red country…forever.

I have spent an immense amount of time thinking about how I would end this. That is not an exaggeration considering, most of the photos I take, I always ask myself, “Is this photo blog worthy?” It wasn’t until I re-read my entire years worth of blog entries and my trip on the flight from Beijing to Washington D.C. that I figured it all out. As I sat in a window seat of a completely full flight home, a conversation with my two row-mates ensued. A 21-year old Emerson student who had just finished a fascinating journalism internship in Beijing sitting in the middle seat introduced me to the girl sitting in the aisle seat. Having already discussed our life stories, the Emerson student briefly explained my deal, a girl who's spent the year in China, to the young and nervous looking Chinese girl. When he stood up to use the lavatory, Sisi, the 22-year old Chinese student inquired about my year. She asked me if I was going home for holiday or going home for good. I told her that I had been in China for a year and the time had come for my inevitable return home! I then asked her why she was flying to the states. In perfect English, she told me that she was going to the United States for a year to study at Ohio State. This would be her first time to America and in a very emotional tone, she explained her tearful goodbye to her family just an hour beforehand. Her hesitancy, timidness, and very obvious anxiety gave me a surreal sense of dejavu. My own anxiety of returning home suddenly ceased. I smiled at her, leaned across the middle seat and simply said, “You are going to be just fine!”

I just want to thank all of my loyal blog readers for everything. You are all the reason I kept this blog going. Even when I would have rather been lazy by catching myself up on episodes of Lost and The Office, I picked my brain for interesting and hilarious stories to share with you. Thank you for all the email responses, the cards and packages that I received from many of you from 7,000 miles away, and the emotional support! I am so grateful to have such great friends and family. Xie Xie! (Thank you!)


August 28, 2008 --- BEIJING INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The Olympics are OVER.

You know that feeling the day after Christmas when you are finished shopping, ripping open all the presents, cooking huge meals and then you can finally just sit down and say, “Wow it’s over!” Well, that is my exact feeling right now. After a month and a half in Beijing, it is ALL over and it was well worth it!
Besides feeding and getting to know the Olympic athletes, my favorite part of the games was actually getting to see the events! Since you last heard from me, I was really lucky enough to get to see the Modern Pentathlon, and the USA MEN’S WATERPOLO SEMIFINALS!!! If you can believe it, a Russian won the Modern Pentathlon and I was there in the pouring and questionable Beijing rain to see it.





The modern pentathlon features five events packed into 12 hours; fencing, shooting, swimming, horseback riding, and a final run. We acquired the evening tickets, so we were able to see the horseback riding (yawn) and the running event. Watching thirty something horses run and jump over the same jumps wasn’t the most exciting hour and a half of my life but we made the best of it! And then, the most shocking thing began happening in all of the events I was able to see. Horses began failing to clear the hurdles. We saw riders fly off the horses and horses fall down and I think I had my eyes covered half the time. I couldn’t believe I was at the Olympics and watching this madness! Everyone ended up being fine but I was more than ready for the horseback riding event to be over.







The running event was also a bit bizarre. The running event is a 3K staggered start and the start order is determined by the points ranking after the first four events. So the last place athlete may not begin running until the first place runner is half way finished. The strangest part is that the running event is on a track but the athletes do not run the typical laps around the track. Instead, a course has been set up where the runners must zig zag through the lanes. It seems a bit stupid but I guess it makes the dullness of running around a track less boring.
My favorite event by far was the USA Men’s Waterpolo Semifinal. My fifth and final event was finally the Americans! (At this point, I had felt I was turning part Russian after all the Russian events!) But acquiring these tickets was pretty funny. I had just finished an 11 hour shift of work that began at 5am and I walked into my room and fell into my bed. Five minutes into what I thought would be the best nap of my life, I heard a knock on the door. Cait had just been given a small pile of tickets and my great nap of all time suddenly changed from a permanent plan in my day to a mere idea. I threw on red, white and blue, and was in a cab faster than the time it took me to fall in my bed.






The water polo event was a blast! First, to be in the USA section, cheering with other Americans, and waving American flags made me feel like an American again! And, because we had been serving these athletes every single day, twice a day, we had gotten to know them pretty well. (Like I said previously, the water polo players were the most friendly and we all knew them on a first name basis). So that definitely made this event really amazing!









Now, I know nothing about water polo. Tony (their leading scorer) and I had a discussion about this one day at lunch. I told him that I thought lacrosse was to the east coast as water polo is to the west coast and he agreed. (wow I am so profound sometimes..haha.) But anyways, it is not that difficult to understand, unlike Grecco Roman wrestling for me. Basically it is a mix of soccer and basketball in a pool. The USA ended up winning 10-5 and the American fans went wild, including me! It was nice to feel obnoxiously patriotic again!

One of the biggest things that I had hoped to see during my time in Beijing was the Bird’s Nest! (The home of the track and field events). But because of tight security during the games, your only chance of getting a glance at this spectacular structure was if you had a ticket to an event in or near the venue. Luckily, water polo and the modern pentathlon were both in close proximity so I took full advantage of the photos, even from a distance.





To be honest, it is one of those things that takes your breath away. I was in awe. And to see the flame was just awesome. It is not only massive but the design is something that any architect would love. To the left is the water cube (the home of all of Michael Phelps’ eight gold medal victories) and at night it is completely lit up! Both venues are beautiful.

And finally, the story of the Olympics (at least in China) was the USA men’s volleyball team. On the final day of events, the men’s team beat Brazil in four sets to win the Gold Medal after the biggest tragedy at the games. As I’m sure you all know, head coach Hugh McCutcheon’s father in law was murdered during the games.





During that match, I was working a shift at the USA House and I can’t put into words the atmosphere of that place. People were crying, cheering, hugging each other and screaming all at once! I threw my serving tray on the bar and just stood in front of the tv with goosebumps. I feel like it’s one of those stories that can be made into a movie one day and to think that I served them every single day was pretty cool. In the days leading up to the finals, my grilled cheese obsessed men’s volleyball team was pretty much silent. The only discussion that I overheard going on was strategy and Brazilian names. The men’s volleyball team were all super tall and really nice! It’s one of those Olympic stories that epitomize the Olympic spirit! I hope you all had a chance to watch a little bit if not all of that game!

Here is the staff at the HPTC on our last day. While it was sad to say goodbye to the Olympics, I think we were ALL ready to be done working. Waiting on people is definitely not my next career move but it was something that I took advantage of and enjoyed completely.




Overall, the Olympics were even more than I thought it would be! I feel so unbelievably lucky to be a part of this experience and I think it was such a great way to transition back to the states. For all my fellow PC grads, the Providence Digest has asked me to write another article for the next issue and accompanying this article will be the picture below. AJ, Cait, Mike and myself took a photo with two other PC grads ’05 who work for the USOC and Lopez Lomong. He was the USA’s flag bearer during the Opening Ceremonies and he has a remarkable story of survival from Darfur. He was such a nice guy and his enthusiasm at the games was contagious. So PC’ers, check that out this fall!!!




I hope everyone has enjoyed my updates from Beijing! Next stop, AMERICA!

I may qualify as being a stalker.

Like I said in my first Olympic blog, there are a few things that we are forbidden to do. Socializing with athletes, asking for autographs and taking pictures are some of the minor no-no’s among others that we were told not even to think about… With the Closing Ceremonies just days away and the ability to count my flight home on two hands, this little rule follower has decided to live on the edge.






It’s not too exciting, but I snuck some photos. Here is the Women’s Volleyball team who are currently one of the favorites to watch on TV at HPTC. They have made to the quarterfinal, which will commence this evening! (My time). They are so tall. I feel like I am standing next to giants when they come in and boy do they eat! I snuck this photo because they were singing Happy Birthday to a teammate and everyone’s attention was on them!






One of the biggest disappointments for me has been the absence of both the women’s and men’s gymnastics teams. I was really looking forward to meeting them. Instead, the men’s coaches are three meals a day people and I often comment on the competitions when I serve their table. (They are a quiet bunch and normally I think they would come off as rude, but I just think they are serious). So yesterday I was busy working when I noticed my austere bunch sit down in my section. And then! Much to my surprise, the entire men’s gymnastics team followed suit, silent and stone-faced, they sat down. After my 4am alarm that morning, I felt my first second wind of the day! I followed many of them to the buffet line just to see them a bit closer. I was in shock! They are all short but incredibly built. I think it would be safe to say that they were all within inches of ME! I definitely expected them to be at least six feet tall because on tv they look like monsters.

So in conclusion, my men’s gymnastics team was a nice group. But just like every other team, they didn’t mingle (another little surprise for me). I at least expected some teams to intermix and converse with each other, but for the most part, teams sit with teams and say little more than “Hello” to other athletes.

I know I’ve discussed the water polo team several times but they are the loudest, most fun, and biggest eaters we have at HPTC. They have put an effort into getting to know our names and are one of the only teams that jokes with us. (I think they realize that we are people first, servers second). Two of my co-workers in particular who work behind the coffee and smoothie bar, have a bit of an obsession with them!!! (That would be Cissy and Josh) and because the water polo players frequent their area so often for “another strawberry smoothie bro” Cissy and Josh are two of their favorites. So here is an illegal photo they took with the hilarious water polo players!







In other news, I went to my third event after work yesterday and I was lucky enough to get to baseball! But don’t get excited, it wasn’t filled with your Derek Jeter’s, A-Rod’s, or my fav, Robinson Cano’s. The play itself felt like a minor-league game, but the atmosphere was awesome! We went to Cuba vs. The Netherlands on a beautiful Beijing night and sat right next to a group of almost drunk Cubans who were anything but bored!






I have mentioned earlier how great an international sporting event is but I need to reiterate this. I absolutely love being around the fans because the rest of the world knows how to party!!! We watched the Cubans rout the Netherlands and after every $.50 beer we consumed, we ourselves were becoming pretty great fans. The four of us sided with the Cubans because we liked their fans so much! We had another great night and another awesome experience at an Olympic event.






With just days left before the Closing Ceremonies, we expect to see a decrease in service at HPTC because most athletes are finished training and competing. But I promise you all that I will try to continue to be a little stalker and take as many secretive pictures as I can! I wish you were all here to be a part of this. Everyday I wake up (unfortunately at 4am) and still can’t believe that I am a part of this huge event. It is incredible!

(This picture is pretty hilarious. The Olympic mascots are called Fuwa’s and they are everywhere and on everything!!!) Anyways, the mascots came out between innings and at one point, one Fuwa was trying to be clever but fell flat on his or her face and couldn’t get up. The entire crowd erupted in laughter. I just thought many of you would find this funny.)






Here is a picture of the Olympic mascots. Each Fuwa is a color of an Olympic ring and has a rhyming two-syllable name and when you put their names together – Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni—they say “Welcome to Beijing.” It’s a pretty cool idea!





Last but NOT least…..please cheer for the USA beach volleyball team; Phil Dalhuasser and Todd Rogers! They are so unbelievably nice and so funny!

My two events and some insider secrets!

I am really enjoying my placement at the High Performance Training Center because for the most part, the same people come in every day and I am building a pretty great rapport with most. I love serving the hilarious diving coaches, the very serious gymnastics coaches (I swear they never smile), the meat heads on the wrestling team, the beautiful swimmers, and the surfer dudes on the water polo team (to name a few). But I have been able to get to know the members of the United States Olympic Committee best because they have been here the longest. And I now know that it pays off to be really nice to these people!

I got off work after 10.5 hours the other day at 3pm and decided to leave the building for a walk. As I was leaving BNU, I heard “Hey Sheila! Come here!” It was one of the USOC employees who likes his coffee with a little milk and has one at both breakfast and lunch. “Here I want you to have this. It’s one ticket to wrestling and it begins in 2 hours.” My first event—I was SO excited!! And I wasn’t even bummed that I had to go alone. (I am constantly surrounded by people demanding things from me so this was a short vacation!!!)







Now let me begin this story by telling you all that I didn’t know a thing about wrestling, and I still don’t. I didn’t know how it was scored, how long the matches were, or who I was even watching. To my pleasant surprise, I was there for the bronze and gold medal matches!!!!! So I walked into the arena, found my seat and embraced the peace of being alone, when a large family behind me noticed my American credentials and began a conversation about their knowledge of the sport. Their’s was more minimal than mine! One woman said to me, “When I asked what sport we were going to see, they said wrestling. So I asked if the American named Grecco Roman would be competing.) I burst into a fit of laughter and didn’t feel so bad anymore. I wasn’t the most clueless in the place. (Sidenote, Grecco Roman is the name of the type of wrestling we were there to see).






One of the funniest things happened before the matches even began. The city of Beijing is full of bright and bubbly Olympic Volunteers who are more than ready to help anyone with a question. But at this event, I saw cheerleading at it’s most interesting. Scattered throughout the venue, these blue and yellow shirts were stationed to get the crowd ready. I am very curious to know the name of the cheerleading class they took to prepare for the Olympics.


(The Chinese volunteers are hilarious)





So as the bronze medal match began, I really tried to take it in and understand what the hell was going on. But sadly, when it comes down to it, all I see are men rolling around a mat with each other and grabbing in questionable spots. This is the first international event I have ever been to and I was mesmerized by the fans. Decked out in their countries garb, these fans were unbelievable. The support is just so awesome to see. To continue with my great luck for the day, the gold medal match was between an Azerbaijanian, and A RUSSIAN!!! I was so excited and I was sitting just seats away from the Russian fans. It’s funny because I catch myself rooting for the Chinese first (when the Americans aren’t competing) and the Russians second. I’m still a little upset I never made it to Russia this year but this is just as good.


(The Russian fans!)






Each match lasted what felt like no more than five minutes and my Russian wrestler won Gold!!!! Still sitting there with an unreal amount of confusion, I couldn’t help but smile when I watched all three athletes hug their coaches and wave to their respective set of fans scattered throughout the arena. When they stood on the podium and watched their nations flags being raised, a ridiculous feeling of emotion ran through me. I was watching the jumbo screen scan over the athletes and there’s me, the clueless fan getting all teary eyed because the athletes were doing the same. It was a really cool feeling watching these massive men try to contain themselves on the world’s stage.














The following day, I had my entire morning off so five of us searched high and low for tickets to anything. (I was hoping it wouldn’t be Grecco Roman Wrestling but that would have been fine, I’m at the Olympics!) From one sport where I felt like the biggest idiot in the room to one of my favorites, I got women’s basketball tickets!!! So five of us ventured off to the basketball site at 9am to watch a double header…Belarus vs. RUSSIA and Spain vs. Czech Republic.






The second I heard Russia, I knew we’d be watching American Becky Hammon. Apparently the story is that the USA women’s basketball coach didn’t want her so she decided to play for Russia where she plays when she’s off-season with the WNBA. I heard this was a big debate in America, but you would all know about this much better than me!






Becky Hammon interviews with a reporter.







The atmosphere of this game was less exciting than the wrestling because this was only group play. Again, the Russian fans pulled through because they’re awesome but as a whole, the Chinese spectators are there to cheer for everyone.

We had a great time at the basketball games. The entire time I kept saying to myself, “I wish my sister Clare was here….She would have loooooved this.” These girls were huge and really good. Although, I think the USA women’s basketball team is in a far different league than these girls. Our team is jam packed with talent.






It was back to work for me today and I can’t grasp the fact that we only have 10 more days. Tomorrow I will officially break the 200 hour mark for work but until then, I am enjoying a nice night off. I’m not used to this, I don’t know what to do!!!











Quick Notes:

If you watch Women’s Water Polo…cheer for the USA. They are the nicest group of girls!

I met my future husband. His name is Trey Hardee and he is a decathlete. He is ten times more handsome than Phelps (no lie) but Phelps is a God. You’ll all be invited to the wedding, I promise.

Cool story—In Men’s gymnastics, the Hamm brothers both pulled out because of injuries. The last gymnast to be named as the alternate is Alexander Artemev and he didn’t find out until just days ago. He is the nicest guy (really quiet) but today he competed in the All-Arounds!!! Talk about the thrill of a lifetime. One day you’re the last alternate, the next you’re at All Arounds.

Tyson Gay came in the other day and he was realllllly quiet! I was standing next to the world’s fastest man. No big deal.

The USA baseball team cracks me up. On two separate days, six different guys asked me about where to buy beer and where to go out around here. My reaction was, “Are you allowed to do that?” and theirs was, “Are you kidding? Our coaches are nervous we won’t be able to find enough beer.” I was telling the field hockey players this story and they laughed and said, “Yeah they party hard. They’re baseball players. Even during the Olympics.”

Last night I had to go to the USA House and Mary Lou Retton was there! She is absolutely tiny and I don’t think she stopped smiling. She is EXACTLY how I pictured her to be. She’s adorable and is still in awesome shape.

Fairfield’s James Blake just knocked Rodger Federer out.

Michael Phelps has race number 6 tomorrow!!! Can’t wait.

And that is all for now! Another update soon!

Another GREAT Adventure.

After almost three full weeks of work I finally received a much-needed day off. One in which I envisioned myself with my feet up, sipping a nice cold beverage and a little something I call relaxing. But even after my continuous ten hour days always on my feet, your truly chose the exact opposite of the ‘perfect day off.’ Hello Great Wall of China…part TWO.




The nice thing about my work environment is that my co-workers are all around my age. So naturally, a group has formed and I must say it’s pretty solid. My new friends include two recent college grads from Staten Island, two Michiganers, and a kid who just spent his past year teaching English in Thailand to name a bunch! Since this is all of their first time in China, Mike, Ian, Anthony, Cait and myself have been perfect little tour guides, bringing them to the sites in Beijing and taking them out to traditional Chinese dinners. So it is only fitting that our Great Wall adventure be together.






If you remember a previous blog, the seven Tongliao teachers traveled to the Great Wall last year. We visited the more touristy and basically rebuilt section of the wall called Badaling. I have been informed by many of you that Matt Lauer filmed a segment of the Today Show there last week and some of the members of the USA basketball team visited that section yesterday.


Badaling Section.










Simatai Section.






So as we were planning the trip, Mike, Anthony and I decided that we wanted to see a more remote section of the wall. We chose the two-hour trip to Simatai, a favored section of Wall for hikers. It is unrestored and the most difficult section to climb. We booked a private bus and twelve of us ventured two hours northeast of Beijing for a spectacular climb.






We spent about four hours climbing from the West end of the Simatai Wall to the East and back! It was phenomenal. I remember writing in my previous entry that Badaling took my breath away but Simatai did not even compare. It was more majestic and more authentic. This section of the wall was not restored so at one point, we reached an end to the wall because beyond a certain point, the wall begins to crumble. In some areas, we walked on sections just two bricks (40cm) wide, which locals call the taint, or “stairway to heaven.” Even when you think it is inaccessible (I was holding on for dear life because there were no railings), reaching the watchtower of the most difficult areas was amazing.





Our group did a pretty good job. After about a half hour in, we noticed a change in pace, so we split up. The smokers were having a bit of difficulty so they took their time, while six of us continued on, taking quick breaks at every watchtower.




When we left Beijing, the smog was tremendously bad. Even two hours out of the city, we had pretty hazy skies. I would have wished for a clearer day so that our views would be better but overall we had a great time. But it was HOT. I think we were all soaked and those that chose not to apply sunscreen looked like the Chinese flag the next day. The best part of our trip was everyone’s reaction. For Mike and Anthony, this was their third time to the Great Wall (a new section) and my second. We still had the same reaction and were in the same state of awe as the newbies. The Great Wall of China truly is Great and to think that this structure was built by man boggles my mind. There is a reason why this is the greatest fortification in human history.

Ralph Lauren and The Opening Ceremonies!

In the two weeks leading up to the Opening Ceremonies, I can’t recall seeing a blue sky. But after last night’s fantastic opening ceremony, I think it was the $100 million dollar performances and fireworks that scared the smog away. I woke up this morning, stepped outside and was in awe of the weather. Today is gorgeous and the sky is crystal clear.




For the opening ceremonies, I was told that I would be moving off site to “Club Bud” (Budweiser’s House) for the night because they needed a few caterers to work at the first party Budweiser was to hold. Myself, Cait, and Kathy from Kentucky were chosen to head over there and serve some of the world’s press. I met reporters from all over the world, most were from America, but overall everyone was there for the same reason…to eat our food, drink Budweiser and watch the Opening Ceremonies.















The Red Carpet










One of the bars at Club Bud





One VIP area
















The Budweiser Pool




Now the ridiculously GREAT news…The Budweiser House, “Club Bud,” hosts a party every other night and I have complete access to all of them! Anyone important or any celebrities that come to the games will be seen here and all parities will go until 4am. I was credentialed for Club Bud because we have three more parties to work at in the next two weeks. (Johnson and Johnson, Adidas and Hilton!) I don’t understand how I got so lucky!!!!

(I am sitting in the VIP area of the pool deck)




The party went well and I was able to watch the entire Opening Ceremonies as I worked but the biggest tease was having to serve cold, fresh, Budweiser beer to reporters when all I wanted in the Beijing heat and humidity was one for myself. Knowing that this party was for the media, I didn’t expect to see anyone interesting because I assumed anyone important would be at the ceremonies. As I walked around the VIP section however, I recognized a set of eyes that I knew I had absolutely seen somewhere else. Sitting there in a tan suit with dark glasses was CARL LEWIS!

At one point, I was handing out huge chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies and raspberry cakes for dessert. When I approached his table, his buddy asked me if there was sugar in the cookies. I laughed and said, “hmm, I’m not sure but I’m going to go with yes.” And Carl Lewis started laughing and hitting his buddy. “Look at them man, what do you think?”





As the party started to die down a bit, I had a short break where I stood next to the bar and watched the athletes march into the Bird’s Nest. There has been so much talk amongst the athletes this week about what they were going to wear for the Opening Ceremonies so I was so excited to see. When they announced the United States, I realized that I was standing with a very tall woman alone next to the bar. It was Carl Lewis’ sister and we bonded for a good five minutes discussing the gorgeous Ralph Lauren outfits that our athletes were wearing. We also joked about how Kobe looked so “out of it” and it was no surprise that the basketball team was lagging behind at the end of the group.




The next morning I was in the elevator with Kara Goucher, a middle distance runner for the Track and Field Team and I asked her how the ceremonies went. She said they were awesome but they were sooooo hot in their outfits! Last night was incredibly humid and hot here in Beijing. But hey, they looked really good!






After the United States marched in, many of the guests left the party. Most of the stragglers were those that were beginning to stumble a bit and the Chinese reporters who were still glued to the four-hour show on the television. The Chinese that remained were so emotional. When the Chinese team walked through the doors with Yao Ming as their flag bearer and a 9-year old survivor of May’s devastating earthquake, I got goose bumps. It really continued to make me realize how important these games are for the 1.4 billion people of this nation. After the torch was lit, every single person in the room gave a standing ovation to the television. It was awesome!





Update—In a previous blog, I mentioned a boxer who was telling me that he was “too fat” and had to start cutting his weight to make is 119 weight class. Well I just heard that Gary Russell Jr. is no longer competing at the Olympics. Yesterday morning during his weigh in, he collapsed from dehydration. The stress that these athletes are under to cut weight is unreal.

Michael Phelps’ Moustache Has Arrived

I heard rumors amongst many of the USOC employees that a Mark Spitz look-alike would be walking through the doors this morning for breakfast. But these were not the only whispers flying around the High Performance Training Center. In addition, there was an overall excitement for one particular newly arrived guest. Yes, ladies and gents, the one with the ‘stache…Michael Phelps. I was having a Cinderella moment, carrying a rather heavy busing tray filled with dirty plates and saliva covered utensils, when Prince Charming walked through the door. I have been here for three weeks, met tons of the athletes but I had my first “star-struck” moment. Now normally, I’m not the type of girl that falls for facial hair, however, the five o’clock shadow isn’t so bad sometimes. But the Fu Manchu, which on any other man would make me gag, did not incite any negative comments around the many females in the room trying not to gawk at him.




So what is he like? Here’s my play by play…He entered the room, went up to the buffet, chose his food (alone), sat at a table with coaches and a few swimmers and was basically silent. I expected a much different picture from the “about to break Mark Spitz’s record” and the “swimmer who will win eight gold medals in Beijing” guy. Instead, I witnessed a quiet, subdued, and extremely focused person. I was later speaking with the head nutritionist for the USOC Training Center in Colorado Springs about Phelps. I asked him if he was a nice guy and his answer was absolutely. He told me that during his training (which is now) and during his competitions, he is super focused because one day of stress can be a disaster to an athlete of his caliber.

After I decided I had had enough of the walkby’s and got over the fact that he unfortunately didn’t sit in my section of service, I returned to my job as Cinderella. And as I lifted one more tray full of dirty goodies, I turned to walk to the dish room when I was caught off-guard by the man walking towards me about ten feet away. He was alone and so was I, so I just said, “Hello!” and he responded “Hey, What’s Up?” hahahahaha Brilliant Sheila.





One more funny story…About five minutes later, I returned to my section of the restaurant and found there to be two new patrons at one of my tables. I must have had missed them walk in while I was staring at Michael Phelps. So I walked over and noticed a woman with a huge bag. We were told to tell athletes, press, USOC employees, doctors, trainers, anyone to store their luggage or athletic bags in the baggage room. This obviously makes sense, so that we don’t have to trip over everything. I approached the woman and said, “Good Morning! If you’d like, you can put your bag in the luggage room while you eat.” Extremely startled by my presence behind her, the woman jumped and said, “Oh no, I am just here to get a banana. But Thank You!” It took me a half a second to realize who just told me she wanted a banana. It was 41 year old Dana Torres, sitting in a chair looking up at me with a huge but confused smile on her face! She won the first of her nine Olympic medals in 1984, a year before Michael Phelps and MYSELF were born! Let me just tell you all, that woman is in ridiculous shape and if she hasn’t taken any performance enhancing drugs (I’m not saying I believe this), then oh my, what genes!

So it’s been quite the morning. I was wondering when I would finally feel star-struck but now I know it’s because I had to wait for the swimmers to arrive. On one final note, there is a tradition at the Olympic Games and I am so into it. Pin collecting and pin trading are an international phenomenon. I didn’t realize it’s importance until I noticed my colleagues and everyone else in the HPTC arguing over PINS!





Once you collect many of the pins, you can begin trading with others who wish to have one of yours. At the moment I am leading the pin count amongst my fellow caterers and every member of the United States Olympic Committee. There is something to say about someone who is cheery and friendly at 5 am. I hate doing it, especially before my coffee, but look what it’s got me! I have ten right now and I won’t stop being SUPER BUBBLY until Michael Phelps slips me a USA Swimming pin! When everyone says, “Hey, how did you just get ANOTHER pin?” I say, “Personality baby, personality!” hahaha