Beijing 2008!

08-08-08! Wow! Watching the Beijing 2008 Opening Ceremonies for the Olympics from my living room in CHINA, was...just amazing! Wow!

History in the making! This is the first Olympics allowed to take place in China. I hope everyone back home had the chance to watch the ceremonies. Eight is a very lucky number here in China, thus the opening ceremonies being held on 08-08-08. If you were able to see the opening ceremonies, you will have to agree with me that China, BY FAR has some of the best pyrotechnic masters in the world. Also, their conceptual engineering and imagination, not to mention their attention to detail was absolutely amazing! I'm so proud of China. This was a momumental step for them and they accomplished it with grace and dignity. And I'm so happy to have been here for this historical event. Some of the soccer games are being held here in the Shanghai Stadium. So, Allen and I are planning to take Brandon to one of them. :) I think he'll love it!

And as proud as I am for China at this moment, I can't tell you how my heart swelled with pride at seeing our very large and [unusually] conservative USA team walk onto the track. At first I was stumped by the lack of red they wore in their uniforms...but then I was so proud of [us] when I realized it was a clear effort of respect for the Chinese team, knowing it is their color of choice, especially as they are hosting their very first Olympics. I realize this may NOT be the reason...however, that's MY story and I'm stickin' to it! Regardless, I'm so proud of the US team...how could I not be? :)

Since this IS such a historical event here in China, I thought I would write down some of the things going on around here leading up to this event...at least here in Shanghai and what I have heard about Beijing.

A few days prior to the ceremonies, Allen mentioned there were armed guards at all the toll road booths. Businesses here in Shanghai, located near the subway or other mass transportation stations, were closed for business. Beijing also had massive business closures all over the city. Today, the day of the ceremonies, very few people were on the road past 6 pm since they started at 8 pm. LOTS of people were at friends or families houses to watch the ceremonies on TV here in Shanghai. While driving during the day, several people were setting off fireworks near construction areas...some of it falling on top of our van (sounded like little rocks and other debris). There was a lot of excitement about the upcoming events and a lot of "buzz" around town. Lots of people were talking about which sport they were going to watch and why. The object of many people's affection...Yao Ming, of course. ;) A lot of stores are selling the little Olympic characters, even Toys-R-Us. We bought a Band-Aid canister with the little characters on it and all the band-aids inside were of the little Olympic characters. So, every billboard we pass that advertises the Olympics, Brandon exclaims, "Look Mom, just like my Band-Aids!" Yes dear, I know! haha

Just an FYI...the Chinese seem to celebrate EVERYTHING with fireworks. Our neighbor had a new balcony put in and the project lasted for about two weeks. When they were done with the work, the completion of the project was celebrated with very loud fireworks (which sounded just like popping gun fire) right outside our front door. Yah.

Anyway, I hope many of my friends and family caught the ceremonies on TV back home and thought of us. I was thinking of all of you! I miss you!