the blog

I'm so sad the Olympics are over...

I can't remember the last time I followed the Olympics or even a sporting event so closely. It's particularly special for me because I went from planning to boycott the Olympics to being a huge fan. I will continue to find China's approach to human rights and free speech puzzling but have also been reminded an outsider's perspective is always limited. China is developing into a modern country over a period measured in years. Historically this development has spanned decades and centuries for today's developed nations. This rapid evolution is something that's never been done and they are figuring it out -- rightly or wrongly -- on the fly. Anyway clearly another topic.

I ended up going to Beijing at the last minute and it turned out to be one of the most amazingly fun and inspiring times I have had in a long time. I didn't sleep for the first 40 hours after I landed as there were so many amazing things to do. Opening ceremonies, rooftop dancing, opening competitions (badminton, beach volleyball, gymnastics...), etc. I finally fell asleep at a bar and was brought home and put to bed by my friends.

The Chinese people took such amazing pride in putting on an event for the world. Many of the students volunteering were working 12-16 hours a day!. Yet everyone was so happy and excited -- I even enjoyed going through security. They were humbly proud and wanted to share their excitement with the world. It was just awesome.

I flew into Beijing on opening day on a domestic flight. I knew it was going to be a special couple weeks when shortly after takeoff the pilot came on and said, "I want to welcome you to Flight [blah, blah]... This is a big day for my country. Today is the opening of the Olympics and I hope everyone enjoys it." Then the flight attendants opened bottles of champagne spraying them all over the place. Music started playing and everyone was up dancing in the aisles.

One of the songs played was, "Beijing, Beijing, Wo Ai Beijing." The song is so catchy that when I got to Beijing it was stuck in my head but none of my friends had heard it so by the end of the week we were concluding that I must being going mad because we never heard it again.

Well they just played it in the Closing Ceremonies! Yoohooo. I've not gone mad. I've not gone mad. And I've found the song!! What a perfect way to close the games for me.

I saved the song to my profile -- in the block titled 'Random' is a link to Amy Wong's blog where you can hear the song and see the lyrics. Everyone automatically has a public Xerpi profile. You can access it by clicking profile in the top right corner of your Xerpi page. This is also where you can update settings to your email and other information. To do this just click on the pencil in the upper right hand corner of the gray information box.

As for me I am sad these Olympics have come to a close but so thankful and excited by the amazing reminder of the pure joy and inspiration of life, living and dear friends!

"Beijing, Beijing, Wo Ai Beijing." Yoohooooooooooo!!!