Bye Beijing!

It’s been three weeks, and now it’s over.

After countless press conferences, athlete interviews, sweaty shirts, Snickers, Chinese dinners, taxi rides, security checks, elevator & bathroom attendants, “fapiaos” (that’s Mandarin for receipts), water bottles, live shots, and other interesting experiences I can’t remember right now … we’re heading home.

We’ve met wonderful people from all over the world, but the warmest thank you goes to the Chinese people who welcomed us and made us feel at home.

The Beijing Olympics were simply spectacular.

Xie xie China!

-Aixa

 

 

3 … 2 … 1

For my news people: I just tracked my last package in Beijing!

For my non-news people: I’m done!

We’re only in Beijing for another couple of days. Now that the work is done, we can sightsee, enjoy the city, and relax!

Can’t believe three weeks of Olympic work have come and gone!

-Aixa

Go David … and David!

David Payne and David Oliver won silver and bronze in the 110 meter hurdles.

I interviewed David O. before coming to Beijing — he trains at Disney’s Wide World of Sports.

I was rooting for him all the way!

In the end, Dayron Robles from Cuba took gold, David P. from Cincinnati took silver, and David O. came away with the bronze.

I interviewed both Davids today, and they’re so proud of their medals.

They’re really friendly and funny guys. Everyone loved them at our workspace!

Way to go guys!

-Aixa

Congratulations Dawn!

I admit I was rooting for Damu Cherry.

She trains in Clermont, and I interviewed her twice before coming to Beijing.

During Tuesday night’s women’s 100 meter hurdles final, I was on Team Damu and my colleague Andy Ireland from KCCI in Des Moines was on Team Lolo (as in Lolo Jones, the woman many believed would win the gold).

Neither one of our ladies won.

Instead, Dawn Harper, the third American in that event, finished first.

I interviewed Dawn today, and I have to confess … she’s great!

I asked Dawn if she cared that people considered her the underdog, and she said she didn’t mind.  Dawn said she and her coach always knew what she was capable of, and she proved it Tuesday night.

So even though I’m sad Damu didn’t medal, I’m also on Team Dawn!

 -Aixa

I’m back (better than ever, sort of)!

I’ve been absent from the blog scene the past couple of days because I’ve been sick. Nothing major, just a sore throat that stripped me of my voice and energy for the better part of two days.

But ice cream cures everything, and I’m happy to report I feel 90% better!

-Aixa

Really?

Banana Flavored Popcorn!

Yikes!

I don’t like popcorn enough to try it. Guess I’ll always wonder!

-Aixa

Thank You Translators!

I spent all day Saturday with these two ladies — with Mady the first half of the day at an orchard and with JoJo at night at a teahouse.

Both of them are sweet, patient, and help us a TON!

Lunch with Mady

At the Teahouse with JoJo

Xie Xie Mady and JoJo!

-Aixa

 

Bringing Home Gold!

He did it!

Port Orange’s Ryan Lochte won his first individual Olympic gold medal. He’s leaving Beijing with two golds (200 backstroke and 4×200 relay) and two bronzes (200 IM and 400 IM).

After his win, he and his parents stopped by our NBC workspace to be interviewed.

Here’s the neat part: when a gold medalist comes by our office, we have the winning moment ready to go on a big screen … and then we play it!

The Lochtes (Ryan, his father Steve, and his mother Ileana) were over the moon to watch the race!

It was a genuine and sweet moment. His parents were crying, and Ryan was beside himself!

Congratulations Ryan!

The Port Orange YMCA, the Daytona Beach area, and the rest of Central Florida are proud of your successes!

Now go enjoy the rest of the Olympics and explore Beijing!

-Aixa