I’ve been out of touch electronically while I’ve been in Singapore all week. I’m really glad to be back in Beijing!

What a transformation! It’s like they got an air transplant! Clear, blue skies, lower humidity, and fifteen degrees cooler! It’s invigorating.

I’ve missed the Olympic Village and all the wonderful eating opportunities. There is so much food to choose from here, and (I have mentioned that I enjoy my dining adventures – haven’t I?) I am really glad to be back.

I went to cheer for our track and field team mates today. I really am ready to compete! I envied them out there going for it!

My mom will be here tonight. She should be nearing Tokyo soon. I can’t wait to see her.
My training schedule and travel along with the fact that there was no wireless connectivity in Singapore have made blogging impossible for the past week. I’m looking forward to having a regular connection and more time to communicate.

Oh! I rode a hot air balloon in Singapore! That’ll be a story for my next blog.

Thanks for your interest! Stay tuned to cheer for Team USA! What an experience!

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The Opening Ceremony -- Words can not describe it

Amazing!

Exciting!

Wonderful!

Touching!

Stupendous!

Awe inspiring!

Grandiose!

Captivating!

I have nothing in my previous experience to which I can compare this experience. I imagine that they did a good job of capturing the opening ceremony on television, but the feeling of the combined experience of personally interacting with the citizens of Beijing and the scale, pageantry and beauty of the opening ceremony as I experienced it was overwhelming. I may well live the rest of my life without ever knowing anything to equal it again.

Even the heat, the oppressive humidity and the throngs of people interacted to add to the experience. Electrifying anticipation – that’s how I describe waiting for my turn to march in the opening. The feeling of anticipation and excitement that every one of us felt multiplied the emotional impact of the night’s events. I don’t think the world has ever seen such a show, and to be a part of it . . . well just imagine stepping into the light of the bird’s nest knowing that the best athletes in the world had, or soon would, trod that path too.

I have to echo my team-mate’s observation, “They get it,” said Sheila Taormina of the people of Beijing. They understand the dynamic and the whole spirit of the Olympics. We hold more in common than we have in difference we people of this planet, and to me, the opening was a celebration of our sameness. It was exhilarating, it was exhausting. I am thrilled to have been there.

I hope you are following along with our progress in the games. Hooray for our saber fencers and our basketball team!

Wow! For some things there just aren’t adequate words. This has been one of them.

Next stop -- China!

Our ambassadorship training yesterday was interesting and informative and it added to my excitement about and understanding of the cultural differences between our countries (China and the USA). It also brought home what an historic event this Olympiad will be. This is a great opportunity for everyone involved, and I am more thrilled than ever to be a part of it.

I’m in United’s red carpet lounge waiting for my plane, munching celery sticks and thinking about what a privilege this trip is. We’re all sporting new Team USA outfits we received yesterday. They picked up our bags at the San Jose State Student Union (the University hosted yesterday’s training event), so we had one less thing to contend with en route. The food here in San Jose was incredible (you might not think it to look at me, but I do enjoy eating – I burn the calories). Even on an off day like yesterday, I managed to get in a nice run.

It’s a great day to be me. I’ll rest on the long flight, maybe watch a movie and listen to my MP3 tunes; I’ll be thinking too about shopping opportunities and about what exotic goodies await us. My coaches, Janusz Peciak and Michael Cintas, are on this flight too. In just a few minutes now we’ll be on our way!

The photo is Janusz and I. It was taken just a few minutes ago at the San Francisco airport.

Next blog from China!

On the road to Beijing -- finally!

I packed up my air pistol yesterday in the morning. It shipped out immediately thereafter, but I won’t see it again until Singapore. International logistics – I’m sure glad that somebody is on top of all these details.

I’m headed for the west coast this morning. People will be coming in from the numerous training centers scattered across the country for all the varied sports. This will be the first time that so many of this year’s USA Olympians will be in the same place at the same time, and I’m told that this is when the fun begins. I’m really looking forward to it, it feels like it’s finally starting.

Right now I’m at the Denver airport with the weight lifting team. We left Colorado Springs two hours before sunup this morning. Our flight to California takes off in a few minutes, but I wanted to capture the moment while I had a few seconds to myself.

Everyone we pass has a smile, a nod, a thumbs up or an encouraging comment. It feels like riding a wave of positive energy just walking through the airport. What an honor to represent this country. What an opportunity to see the world this way.

The experience is gaining momentum, but there are occasional quiet moments, and I plan to upload more of my experiences over the days between now and the games. Thank you for your interest. Go Team USA!