Living in the Great White North

Optimus

2009-02-19T12:00:00.000-08:00

My sweet new jeep Optimus as in Optimus Prime!

Inside and out it's pretty awesome. And I must say it has treated me really well since I have had it. Works well in the snow and it isn't super huge.

I am quite proud of my Canadian plates!

Slowly but surely...

2009-02-06T16:11:00.000-08:00

The view as you drive into Cochrane.

My new church in Calgary.

Okay- finally here are more pictures of what my new home looks like.

This is the sunrise I saw yesterday as I stepped out of my apartment.

I know, you are all impressed as was actually up to photograph this but such is life when you have an 8 am class!

It was beautiful. Definitely helps encourage you when you are up early.

This is what the outside of my apartment looks like. I am through the door on the right and down stairs.

I am right on the edge of student housing so this is what the rest of the community looks like around me.

This is the school.

This isn't the greatest picture but it gives you an idea of how the school is at the top of a hill on the east edge of town. The city of Cochrane is in the valley between two ridges.

This is the Sports Center I work at.

And this is a gorgeous sunset I got to see the other night.

It was amazing. Soon I hope to have pictures of the mountains in the daylight for you to see.

My New Home

2009-01-08T16:12:00.001-08:00

Welcome to my closet!

Okay so I am giving you a tour of my apartment and it just so happens that we are going to do it backwards from the back to the front. So here goes.

My amazing walk-in closet, clothing, dresser, jewelry.

Awesome curtain in which a nice size storage area lies behind.

Yes- I hung a map up in my closet- that's how big it is.

Outside the closet in my bedroom you have my desk.

Then there is the bed- awesome bedspread and lamp thanks to Debbie.

My rug from China is on the floor.

My Chinese curtains are hanging up along with some of my Chinese art and collages.

Continuing around the bedroom things get a little bare. I have an awesome painting by Kelly on the wall not pictured and I am waiting to hang up my earthquake art and get some bookcases in.

Just outside my bedroom is the art corner. My table takes up most of it and I hung my art prints all around.

Can't leave out the star wars calendar!

More art.

Directly across from the art corner is the bathroom.

Photos from Cambodia on the wall not to be out done by the coolest shower curtain ever.

It's a map!

Medicine cabinet, toilet, candles... and the frame is waiting for another Cambodia photo.

Thailand photos will go on the wall here above the sink.

So this is what you see if you turn right after walking in the front door. Bathroom on the left, art corner on the right, and bedroom straight ahead.

The kitchen is what you walk straight into once you enter the apartment.

Some camels over the sink, all your basic kitchen stuff.

The kitchen is open straight into the living room.

Awesome curtains donated by Debbie and made by a small Chinese man.

Art from all over the world is on the wall, Chinese lantern hangs over the couch and makes for great mood lighting.

TV in the corner surrounded by my scrolls and then a bookcase.

Furniture donated by the seminary and other students.

And there is the front door.
Pretty awesome. It is basically put together just waiting on a few more photos and frames to hang some small stuff up. Come visit any time!

Lakes and Mountians of Utah

2008-11-28T18:06:00.003-08:00

Antelope Island

We went out to Antelope Island over the holiday break.

We were surrounded by the Great Salt Lake.

There are buffalo all over the island.

If you look close you can see a coyote we spotted in the brush.

It was a nice sunny day after it had snowed.

The buffalo got pretty close to us, they weren't scared at all.

This coyote we saw walking across the frozen end of the lake at sun down.

Ah- nothing like living in the 'place no one wanted'!

Watch for buffalo on the road!

Sun going down behind the island.

Wasatch Mountain Range

Mountains around Ogden.

Mountains across from my parents house.

Sardine Canyon as a storm comes in.

Sunset on the mountains.

Brigham City.

Snow over the mountains.

Ogden Canyon.

Willard Bay- Salt Lake.

Pineview Resavoir

Fall leaves in the mountains.

Ginger

2008-11-28T18:06:00.001-08:00

6 Months of my Families Golden Retriver Puppy- Ginger.

South Korea

2008-11-28T18:05:00.001-08:00

After Thailand and Cambodia, Dad and I went to South Korea. We stayed in Seoul for two nights before flying home.

We took a tour of the DMZ (demilitarized zone). The first thing we visited was the Freedom memorial which is right outside the DMZ.

There are huge fences everywhere blocking of the zone.

The Freedom memorial is where Korean families in the south who are separated from their families in the north come on holidays to remember their loved ones they can't be with.

There are lots of different signs and memorials places around the site.

People have left white ribbons with peace phrases written down them.

The Freedom bridge is where the last POW exchange took place as the 39th parallel was closed.

Me on the bridge.

Freedom Bridge between north and south Korea.

The entrance to the bridge is gated off and covered with memorabilia.

Flags, ribbons, and papers tied to the fence.

The area is blocked off with lots of barbed wire.

Dad on Freedom Bridge.

Me with the bridge.

Explanation of the POW exchange.

Freedom Memorial.

There were cool sculptures in the distance but I didn't have time to explore- we were on a strict schedule. The tour bus had special permission to go in and out of the DMZ so we had time limits every where we went.

You could use the binoculars to look across the zone towards North Korea.

After the memorial we went into the DMZ and toured a tunnel that the North Koreans had dug into South Korea. The tunnel is deep underground and you can walk to the edge of the South Korean side and then it is barricaded with concrete walls and barbs wire.

This is a map of the tunnel we went down- you couldn't take pictures inside the tunnel.

This sculpture was near by.

It demonstrates a torn Korea.

And the hope that one day it will be reunited.

The last place we went was Dorasan Station.

Dorasan is the last train stop in South Korea and hopefully one day if the Koreas are reunited it will be the first stop into North Korea.

In 2008 President Bush and South Korea's leader commorated the opening of Dorasan station.

Pictures of Bush and his speech were on display.

The leaders both signed symbolic railroad ties and wrote notes of hopes that the Koreans would one day be united.

Outside the station there were cool benches to sit on to wait for the train.

Cambodia

2008-11-10T19:02:00.001-08:00

SIEM REAP

Headed to the Ruins

ANGKOR THOM

(looking up inside tower)

(guys climbing up to clean the ruins)

(face to face with the king)

(inside a tower)

ELEPHANT TERRACE

KING'S PALACE

LEPER KING

OTHER RUINS

ANGKOR WAT

(AK47 bullets from Khmer Rouge Killing Fields)

(Hindu god)

(Cambodian writing)

(Sunset)

(Sunrise)

Bangkok Aquarium and more...

2008-11-08T12:35:00.001-08:00

Dad and I went to Siam Ocean world which is one of the largest aquariums in South East Asia.

It was a really fun time and we saw lots of cool sea creatures.

Check out this monstrously huge lobster!

I like to call this the pineapple fish.

I had fun trying out my new camera on underwater shots.

These guys are my favorite.

They are lion fish.

Their big fins look kind of like a mane.

We took a ride on a glass bottom boat over one of the largest tanks at the aquarium.

"Yeah, I'm looking at you!"

The moray eels were pretty cool.

This crazy thing is a ribbon eel.

Check out this ugly guy.

Hey- it's Nemo.

I am pretty sure this is the ugliest fish ever.

Tiny catfish.

This is the wolf eel.

Needless to say these things are all reasons that I don't get in the ocean.

A plethora of fish.

Rays.

These river rats or nutrias are native to Thailand.

Next door to the nutrias were river otters.

They eat long beans.

The nutrias get fed right before the river otters.

Yummy!

And the otters know this full well! This guy watched attentively as his neighbors got fed and would try and stick his hands through the tiny hole in the wall as if begging for some of the goodies!

Some I thought I would never see unless on a beach in South America were baby sea turtles!

I don't know how they managed to get them but they were so cute!

Dad and I made a new friend!

This is at the entrance to the shark tunnels!

Across the way was a tank of huge sea turtles.

This one liked to push his fin against the glass and splash water down the side.

If you weren't careful you would get wet.

AHHHH! Shark teeth!

In the shark tunnel you were surrounded on all sides and even up above.

A spotted ray was in with the sharks.

We were there for feeding time- can you see the diver in the crowd of fish?

If you look close you can see a small fish the diver is holding under the ray that is about to be sucked into the rays mouth.

Another ray eating a fish while the others try to get in on the action.

Peek-a-boo! See the diver above the ray?

More ray feeding.

The diver again surrounded by the sea.

Don't forget the big sharks- they were there too.

After the aquarium we went back out on the streets for some shopping.

The food vendors were getting set up for the evening crowd.

Readying their grills.

Thailand has lots and lots of fruit for sale.

Normally in America we would see a staute like this and think it is only for decoration or commemoration. But in fact here it is a god that these women are offering prayers and sacrifices to on their way home from work.

The sky train was the best way to get around town.

A busy mall along the street.

Chicken and shrimp pops for sale.

A muslim vendor reading at her stall.

Weaving flower wreaths for people to buy and set before Buddha.

The streets were filled with people and wares.

All kinds of crazy fruit was on display.

Dragon fruit, asian pears, etc.

There was plenty of meat...

... and noodle to go with it.

Clothing too.

Street and Rivers in Thailand

2008-11-07T20:45:00.001-08:00

In Bangkok the rivers are as busy as the streets!

You can take taxi boats up and down the river.

The boats stop at different ports along the river .

This sign is at the back of the boats where monks get to ride for free!

Here are some monks waiting for the boat 'bus'.

Can you guess what this is? It's a monk's robe up close.

Dad on the boat.

It was a great way to travel.

Even on along the river there were billboards of the king.

Lots of buildings and houses were back up to the river side.

This guy was sitting along the bank.

The sky was beautiful- full of big fluffy clouds.

Along the ends of some boats are strands of flowers for good luck.

Inside the Buddhist temple people also drop coins into bowls for good luck.

Cling, cling, cling... lots of people were dropping coins.

Even the children were dropping coins and saying prayers to Buddha.

Here I am at the foot of a big Buddha.

It's a huge reclining Buddha.

The feet are made of mother of pearl inlay.

There is the big Buddha and then the little Buddha!

It's really long.

Along the street you can see different vendors making jewlery.

There was a lot of yummy fruit for sale.

Vendors with their wares.

More street vendors.

Another person making necklaces.

Music for sale.

Lots of narrow streets with lots of goodies.

The Grand Palace

2008-11-07T20:42:00.001-08:00

After Beijing Dad and I headed to Thailand.

We flew to Bangkok and on one of your days there we took a tour of the Grand Palace.

This was a sign we came across as we entered the Palace. Read the bottom line closely- it's the best part!

Dad and I are in front of the Palace- you can see all the temple roof tops behind us.

The Thai people have a strong history relating tying their governing and religion together. So as we walked around the palace we saw many people praying in front of different god statues.

You can see this guy even has a little Buddha that he hangs down his back while he prays.

There are beautiful flowers hanging everywhere but they aren't for decoration they are actually offerings to the gods.

Statues of different gods and demons are scattered throughout the palace.

Their faces were a little scary.

It was a beautiful sunny hot day that made the already fantastic architecture sparkle.

I liked this building because it had chimes hanging down that you could hear.

The Thai use lots of gold to decorate.

Most buildings have really steep roof tops.

Here I am in front of some building inside the palace. There were a bunch of different buildings that I don't really know what they are for.

Here is Dad between two scary looking guys!

I loved all the shiny gold.

The buildings were extremely intricate and tall.

Statues guard every doorway.

This freaky five headed snake was outside one building.

I really enjoyed taking pictures of the different architecture.

More cool buildings.

Off to the side sits a monk chatting with another guy.

We could hear chanting coming from this building where a monk was leading a prayer service.

More crazy demon guys were holding up other buildings.

You must always take off your shoes (and hats) before entering a Buddhist temple. It was so crowded inside the building with the chanting that some were participating from outside.

The photos look great but we were dying in the heat that day!

This woman has her song book on her lap so that she can participate in the chants.

Thai architecture can be identified by all the tall pointy spires jutting off the sides of the roof.

Lots of people were purchasing incense to burn and says prayers to Buddha.

You can see the smoke coming off the incense- the whole place was filled with that smell.

There are some very devoted Buddhists in Thailand.

This girl is walking up to the table where people have placed all sorts of offerings.

More incense.

You can also purchase gold leaf to then apply to small Buddha statues.

Along with the smell of incense was the sound of these young school girls chanting and singing.

Even inside and under the roof was decorated immaculately.

This was one of the government buildings. We couldn't get very close or tour many of them.

A small bell tower.

You have to take your shoes off to pray or enter a temple.

The face of a gold leaf covered Buddha.

My favorite picture.

Dad in BJ 2

2008-11-07T20:41:00.001-08:00

While my Dad was in Beijing with me we went to check out a new site in town. An old section of wall remained in the city and from the road you could see old astronomical devices displayed on top.

We went up for a closer look.

There were lots of cool devices that were used to measure the sky.

It was interesting seeing all the old mathematical tools.

There were also some cool dragon statues.

Below the wall was a garden with sundials and other objects.

This thing tells you what day of the year it is based on where the sun causes the rod's shadow to fall on the base.

This guy is an ancient Chinese astronomer. Behind him you can see the stuff on the wall.

This rock has carved on it the pattern of the sun and earths relationship and is used to calculate seasons and weather.

It was cool because I could actually read what some of the Chinese characters said.

The Chinese are famous for their sundials.

I am not sure what this thing did but the dragons sculpted around it were awesome.

Now this is a claw!

The dragons were very detailed.

Hey look- I'm atlas but I am holding up the stars instead!

Even Dad held hands with the dragons.

It was a pretty big sculpture.

There was a small museum area that had some explanations and history for the devices. This sign explains the four animal signs that the Chinese use to represent the four directions.

Later we went to the Forbidden City.

It is massive and the pollution was pretty bad but we still had a good time seeing where the emperors used to live.

Because of the Olympics lots of buildings had their paint touched up and looked great with all the red and gold detailing.

The architecture was amazing.

Here is Dad in front of one of the huge red doors.

I love all the doors.

There are even bridges inside the palace and rivers and moats that run through it.

Don't let the photos fool you- we weren't the only people there that day.

Outside on the street we saw this sign and still have no idea what it is suppose to be saying.

We also visited the Summer Palace while we were in Beijing. This is looking up the hill towards a Buddhist temple in the palace grounds.

This is looking down the long corridor that stretches around one side of the lake.

Above is the Marble Boat- it was a promenade one of the Emperor Dowagers built to have parties on.

The bottom part is made from stone but the top two levels are wood painted to look like marble.

More of the Long Corridor.

The Corridor is a nice place to sit and relax for a while.

We took this dragon boat across the lake.

View from the boat.

Oh yeah- I could be a mean dragon!

Every where you turn there are different painted gate ways.

The whole place is intricately painted. Similar to the Forbidden City.

The place would not be complete with out a little bamboo!

Of course I took Dad down to the Olympic square to see the infamous bird's nest and water cube.

We couldn't get very close because security was still tight even after the games.

Here is Dad in front of what is known around town as the dragon building.

We were able to get a little closer to the Water Cube than to the Bird's Nest.

Us and the Chinese were out getting our picture taken.

The pollution was pretty bad, but this shows the whole length of the dragon building.

The dragon had huge screens on it that showed the olympics.

We were there just long enough to see them turn on the lights to the Bird's Nest.

I like it when it glows red at night.

Here you can see both the Water Cube and the Bird's Nest behind Dad.

We had a really great time in Beijing.

Dad in BJ

2008-11-05T11:19:00.000-08:00

Dad and I spent a week together in Beijing before I returned to the States.

On one of those days we went to the park.

Not just any park but the Temple of Heaven. There was a group of women twirling ribbon near the front gate.

One of the prettiest activities that happens at the park.

Not only are there treats for your eyes but also your ears. These guys are playing a classical Chinese instrument called the Er Hu.

The Chinese love exercising and including in that is dancing. This guy is working his castanets.

Also in the park are flower arrangements with Olympic sports on them. This is me diving...

... and here is Dad weight lifting!

After fun in the park we looked around the historic temple buildings.

Olympic volunteers are everywhere even after the games are over to continue helping with the massive in flux of tourists.

The big red doors are still one of my favorite things.

Temple of Heaven is still my favorite place and I think Dad liked it a lot too.

Because the Olympics had just happened and because the Paraolympics were on their way, we just happened to stumble upon flags of all the participating countries! They were just sitting behind a building so we asked a guard if he would take our picture with them.

First Dad and I unfurled the American flag and then I held up the Canadian flag!

Around the temple of good harvest people were preparing a stage for receiving the paraolympic torch.

It was a great time to be there. We got to see the usual beautiful architecture and some new things too.

Here I am kissing a dragon.

Dad is hanging out with the dragons too.

If you look close, Dad is standing in the middle.

Father daughter door picture.

Another one of my favorite places is here at Hou Hai where there are lots of cool shops down the narrow alley ways.

That is where Dad and I road a rickshaw around.

Peek-A-Boo!

Dad couldn't come all that way and not see the Great Wall.

It was a lot of climbing and wasn't the clearest day, but it was fun.

I think it was Dad's favorite thing to see in China.

We had the privilege of being virtually alone up there. Not too much of a crowd that day.

Here is dad beside the wall on the mountain.

We climbed up and down the wall towers.

You could get some good views from up top.

The classic shot of Dad and the Wall.

Pretending to climb over.

Inside a tower.

Dad looking up out a sky light in one of the towers.

We had a lot of fun touring the wall, even if it was my 5th time!

Continuing our tour of Beijing, we find this communist statue...

... in front of Chairman Mao's Mausoleum. Mao (the leader of China's Culture Revolution and face of Communism) is preserved and on display inside. His mausoleum sits in the middle of Tian'anmen Square.

At the south end of the square is Qian Men- Front Gate.

An old piece of wall with the gate still in tact is there.

Front Gate is on one side of the square and the Forbidden City is on the other side.

Because of the Games there were huge flower sculptures all over the square with Olympic figures.

Here is Dad and I in front of the entrance to the Forbidden City which is also called Tian'anmen Gate. That means Gate of Heavenly Peace. That is Mao's face hanging on the front.

Around the corner you can find a large shopping district.

This rickshaw wasn't as fast as the one that road us around Hou Hai!

In the shopping district you will find several Olympic stores. This one is the largest. This picture was taken the day after the closing ceremonies. Man it was crowded!

Outside the store I found a few people to trade pins with. Yep, my little red head in a sea of black!

An alley way off to the side takes you from the modern back to the traditional and you can find all kinds of strange food to eat. Behind Dad are silk worms, liver, strange meats, scorpions, seahorse, etc. But we stuck with my favorite and just ate grapes coated in sugar on a stick. We aren't that adventurous!

Angles of Steel- Bird's Nest

2008-08-23T02:12:00.000-07:00

Here is an up close and personal look at the Bird's Nest from all angles.

Enjoy the pictures!

Handball

2008-08-19T04:25:00.001-07:00

Handball was the last Olympic event I attended this August.

The sport is hardly known in the US but I really enjoyed it.

It is kind of like water polo with out water. There are fouls, penalties, free throws, etc.

So you have a small ball that you can palm and you can dribble but mostly they pass it.

The court isn't very big compared to other sports.

When they go to score they usually jump up like you can see here and then try and through the ball down so that is bounces and goes in the net past the goalie.

This is Sweden and China women playing for the 5th and 6th place positions.

Don't be fooled by the women, this is a seriously rough sport. I saw two bloody noses and a dislocated shoulder during this game!

Here Sweden is going for a score as China's goalie attempts to block. It was a very close scoring game.

There hands, elbows, and hips were always all over everybody for good defense.

Here Sweden is winding up for a penalty or free throw shot.

China jumping up to try and score over Sweden's defensive line.

Sweden shoots.

Reaching for a pass.

Team China huddles up during a time out.

China breaks free and goes for a score.

Looking for an open hand to pass.

China wins!!! They were ecstatic!

It was a close game with China winning by just one point there in the end.

Inside the Nest- Track and Field

2008-08-19T04:24:00.002-07:00

Here is what it looks like inside the Bird's Nest.

Pretty much your regular track and field stadium.

Took this shot from the first level but don't be fooled my seats were no where near here!

Perhaps I am just new to this whole track and field thing since I didn't run in high school or college but I thought the little carts that brought out the hurdles were neat. I didn't know they did that.

The flame was burning brightly even in the day time.

It was big and I was seated in the third row down from the very top but really you could still see everything.

This is men's pole vault qualifying. Jumping right now is USA.

Me inside the nest.

I was there like 2hrs before it started!

Our vaulter makes it over.

Here are the medals for men's 2000m I think, I am typing this several weeks after the fact. But I do know that Kenya got gold and Morocco silver.

Here is Kenya getting the gold.

The medal platforms were actually facing my side of the stadium so that was cool.

These fun little cars were taken the hammers and chalk back and forth across the field to the hammer throw participants. I thought they were fun.

Here we have men's running- I don't know which, we saw a lot of qualifying and semi-final heats.

I was seating straight up from the finish line which for this race also happened to be the starting line.

My own photo finishing pictures!

It was a packed house that is for sure.

USA is in lane 7.

Round and round they run.

USA just barely made first in their heat as you can see here.

So while this running is going on the Women's Hammer Throw is also taking place in the middle of the field. This is the Silver medalist from Cuba doing her victory lap after the finals were over.

China took the bronze in the Hammer Throw - nice flag in the bag victory lap going on here.

Don't forget this whole time we still have pole vaulters jumping.

This guy made it over with room to spare.

On his way up...

over...

...and back down.

Men's hurdles.

I believe that is USA in lane 4.

Pushing towards the finish.

Here are the women getting their medals for the Hammer Throw.

More medal ceremony- don't forget people are still pole vaulting in the background!

Women running!

Here you can see in lane 6 the women from Bahrain is running fully covered like a good Muslim.

Men's discus throw medal ceremony. We didn't see this event it happened the night before.

This is the Men's 200m- we have three Americans racing and Ussian Bolt is in the yellow.

Ussian Bolt breaks the World Record!!! Look how far he is ahead! It was amazing!

That is Bolt's new world record. 19.30!

The victory lap!

Nice flag waving going on.

Bolt doing his famous lightening move.

There he is! I can't believe I was sitting right there in the stadium!

Here are the women's 400m hurdles.

Jamacia crossing the finish line first with USA behind coming in second.

The Jamacian girl broke an Oylmpic record in the hurdles that night.

Here is her victory lap.

USA makes her rounds. It was an awesome night.

On the Olympic Green

2008-08-19T04:24:00.001-07:00

So what most people don't know about the Olympics is that where ever the Olympic Green or Square is the sponsors have exhibits that you can tour for free.

Omega had a row boat outside where you could take your picture.

These are a few of the people who were in front of us. Everyone was having a great time! Asians LOVE taking pictures- especially when they are in them!

Here Kelly and I are at our rowing finest!

Another sponsor had huge stuffed Friendlies that we took our picture with.

I felt this was a much better option then getting my picture taken with the people dressed as Friendlies. (Most of you know I have an extreme dislike to people in costume!)

Over at the Samsung building my friend and I got in line. We thought the line went into the building, but after standing there for a good 5-10 min we began to notice that other people appeared to be entering the building without being in our line. As the line moved up we suddenly realized... oh-we are in line to get our picture taken with the torch!

So it was a good line to accidentally wander into! This is my best- 'Hey look I am running with the torch face!'

Kelly and I did the classic torch hand off that you always see on TV.

Over at the Adidas building they had a giant sculpture of Team China's jersey which Adidas designed.

Inside they has exhibits of famous runners shoes and a case showing you all the different shoes for different sports. They had a fake track area so I decided to pose for a picture and I started trend. All the Asians behind me then did the same!

I think Adidas has had some really neat and artistic ads this year in conjunction with the games. This is one of them.

Next we went to the Coca-Cola building which had the longest line and we probably waited for at least a half hour if not more to get in. I think it was worth it although I also had nothing else to do that day and was just really excited to be near anything Olympic!

So they had a cool little movie about coke and the Games and then they had Olympic Coca-cola paraphernalia on display from different years. They also had some torches on display from past Olympics. My favorite though were these sculptures.

Coke had an art contest and selected a local artist from every province in China. The artist then got to design an over sized coke bottle for them to display.

So every province in China is represented in this room.

Here I found the one for the other province I have lived in.

It had the minorities dancing painted on it.

They were really neat. I especially liked the ones that had stuff carved as well as painted on them.

I was proud of coke for supporting the arts and have decided that creating a piece of Olympic art that gets displayed at an Olympics is now a goal of mine.

Every bottle was different and it reflected China well.

Field Hockey- Where there is no ice

2008-08-19T04:22:00.000-07:00

Canada vs. Great Britain So it's the summer games and this is as close as it gets to ice hockey.

I really enjoyed the game.

So in field hockey you have sticks with a smaller rounder end on them that you use to hit a small ball.

We had great seats 2nd row behind the goalie but unfortunately there was a fence to keep us safe that interfered some with my pictures.

It was a close game, very exciting.

There's Great Britain's goalie.

There are two 35 minute halves in field hockey.

It was pretty fast pace with a lot of running sort of like soccer.

There's Canada's goalie with his painted mask!

Facing off...

Headed towards the goal...

... missed!

Chancing the ball in again...
... score!

Great Britain was pretty excited.

The end score was a tie 1:1.

Going in from the corner.

Fighting over the ball as it goes out of bounds.

Swimming in the Water Cube

2008-08-19T04:21:00.000-07:00

The Cube is just as awesome as it looks on TV!

This was the side you entered on.

Here are the Cube's bubbles gleaming in the sunlight.

What I hadn't realized but thought was really awesome was how the Bird's Nest and Water Cube play off each other. This picture for example you can see the reflection of the Bird's Nest in the Water Cube's bubbles!

This is from inside the Cube out in the hallway and stairwells.

This is inside the Cube where the pool is. Looks pretty normal other than the ceiling which is kind of neat.

This I believe is the women's 50m and that is Dara Torres for team USA in lane 5.

There they are jumping into the water to start their swim.

This is the men's 1500m and you have two team USA guys in lanes 3 and 4 and the record holding Austrailian in lane 5.

Here they are diving in for their start.

This is in the relays which we saw both men and women swim. No finals- all were just heats.
Here they are in the water ready to start with the back stroke. USA is lane 4.

This is cool- they jump way out of the water before landing back in and swimming.

Here they are swimming with USA in the lead!

The switch offs are cool because one person is diving in practically on top of the other person who has swam to the wall and will then get out.

Here is the finish where you can see Japan next to USA next to China- I believe we won the heat but I don't remember!

This is the butterfly for the men's relay I think! That is USA in the middle.

From inside the Bird's Nest you can see the Water Cube!

The Cube lights up all different colors at night.

The Cube with the Nest behind it all lit up.

The Cube has a nice reflecting pond that circles around it creating a nice effect at night.

This almost makes me think of Easter Eggs!

It was so awesome to be able to be there, in the Cube, and to get to see the events and the architecture. China did a really good job in showcasing both of these buildings. They really are the Yin and the Yang of Chinese modern architecture.

Water Polo- the 2nd greatest sport!

2008-08-19T04:01:00.000-07:00

This is the Water Polo venue.

As you can see the weather and pollution haven't been all that great during the Games.

Here you can see the Water Polo venue from inside the Bird's Nest.

This is what it looked like inside the venue. (This is not in the Water Cube)

So water polo is pretty intense. I can't believe people can actually swim for that long and focus on the game!

They can only throw the ball with one hand and they have to keep it above the water. They can't punch the ball into the goal either they have to slap it or throw it.

We watched 3 matches- the middle of which was USA vs. Russia- USA won!

It was really exciting!

So I was pleasantly surprised by this! This is the penalty box for them in the water.

Don't be fooled- these girls are not synchronized swimmers- they are rough. I am surprised people don't drown more in this sport.

Here USA scores another point!

USA goes for a block!

USA won 12 to 7.

They throw and swim all at the same time.

Team USA high-fiving after their good performance.

Water polo is like all sports combined into one and I have decided it is a new favorite- second only to hockey of course!

The Last Year of Softball

2008-08-19T03:50:00.000-07:00

Say goodbye to softball.This is the last year that both baseball and softball are going to be apart of the Olympics.

I got to see Netherlands play Japan.

I am not really a fan of softball but it wasn't too bad!

It was long, especially after the game was delayed because of rain.

Japan was really good.

Japan won 3-0.

Guess no more softball for me since the Olympics are about the only thing that can get me to a game!

Canoe/Kayak White Water Slalom

2008-08-19T02:28:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Slalom Park! This is the man made river that the Canoe/Kayak Slalom is run on.

These are the guinea pigs (notice Debbie they are real people!) who get to go down first to make sure the course is good to go.

Men in skirts! Those are the splash skirts that zips into the kayak.

This is the Father of the Canadian Kayaker Sarah Bouden. Her family was sitting a few seats down from us.

In Slalom you have to get your kayak through the green gates and then you go past and then loop back up through the red ones.

This is the men's C2 event- so two people in a kayak really but they called it a canoe.

This is South Africa.

Here is USA paddling through a gate.

There were some pretty big waves to contend with.

The biggest rapid was right in front of our seats. They called it the vortex!

This is USA in the vortex.

We had great seats along the river.

Japan diving into the white water.

Here is Sarah for Canada.

This is the women's K1- so one person in a kayak.

USA tackles the wave in women's kayaking.

China paddling along.

She almost disappears in the white water- don't worry, she resurfaces!

I think this is Slovakia and I believe she eventually medaled in the top 3.

It was pretty intense for a man made river.

Supporting the homeland with my snazzy bandanna.

Japan paddles into the vortex.

It was fun taking pictures and watching everyone take on the challenge of the river.

China was also in the canoe event.

My Olympic friend and I having fun at the event.

Olympic Soccer

2008-08-19T01:03:00.000-07:00

Put your headbands on and get ready! Everyone was decked out for the Soccer game I went to in Tian Jin.

No matter how young or old lots of people were carrying flags.

This is my Chinese friend and I holding the flag outside the stadium before the game.

Here is one of the many, MANY, volunteers helping make all this possible.

Everyone was excited on the way in to the stadium.

All kinds of people, all willing to have their picture taken.

These guys are holding their flag and getting some photos taken before the game starts.

We were there for women's soccer preliminaries.

Me and the soccer field.

I was super excited to be there!

I had my very own flag to wave as well.

But was also sure to be supporting my birth place!

Quite the fashion statement! In case you are wondering my shirt says 'jia you zhong guo' which means Go China!

Flag stickers were very popular.

I got to be at the China Olympics, watch team China play, and share the experience with my Chinese friend! Hard to beat that.

My ticket and flag (there was some time to kill before the game started!)

Oh excuse me, we weren't watching soccer we were watching football!

I loved all the different fans! Most of them may have never even been to a sporting event before. People of all kinds and types were there that day.

We saw two games. The first was Sweden and Argentina, the second was China and Canada.

It was hard to forget what country you were in.

Sweden and Argentina playing.

A young fan watching the game.

My neighbors in the stands.

China was there in full force!

The Sweden - Argentina match ended 1:0.

More faces in the crowd.

These girls were sitting behind me.

This little guy is watching the action.

I was comforted for the first time because I was not the only one walking around with the really huge camera taking a million pictures!

And now for the REAL game!

Here are teams China and Canada- we got to hear the national anthems played. You should have heard the 56,000+ Chinese all singing their anthem, it was intense!

Lots of families were enjoying the moment.

Here we are on the field. China in red, Canada in white.

More father and son pictures.

Almost had a goal, it was a very close game.

Lots of action down on the field.

The goalie grabs the ball out of the air!

A chest hit.

The final score! A tie!

Not bad at all for my first ever soccer game.

2008 Beijing Olympics!

2008-08-02T01:07:00.001-07:00

The Games are here! The city is ready and decorated for the occasion.

Friendlies or Fuwa (as they are called in Chinese) are every where.

In case you are not familiar with the 5 mascots they each represent one of the five rings along with each standing for one of five Chinese blessings and imitating 4 animals special to China the 5th imitating the flame. Their names spell in Chinese Welcome to Beijing (bei jing huan ying ni). The blue one is a fish, the black one is a panda, the red one is the flame, the yellow one is an antelope, and the green one is a bird.

Olympic gardens can be found all around the city.

These are found at Tiananmen.

People of all ages are out sharing in the Olympic spirit.

The Olympic rings are found through out the city.

Crowds were out all taking pictures.

Tiananmen is one of the few free places in the city so this was one place where it really felt like the People's Olympics.

One World One Dream- I practically see that slogan in my sleep! It is plastered all over the city.

A mini Bird's Nest ...

... and bush sport players. They are nothing if not creative, and perhaps a little over the top!

This is the real nest.

The water cube.
Count down clocks have been placed around the country and have been counting down for over two years! This one shows 7 days to go.

Bird's Nest hidden in the trees ironically enough!

A view near the Olympic Green that shows another stadium that will be used during the Games.

Both of these buildings are phenomenal in design and have become an icon of the Beijing Games.

The water cube is even more impressive at night when it lights up with different colors.

Not only does this building resemble a bird's nest but it also looks similar to China's dynasty window designs seen at places like the Summer Palace, and to the crackle finished pottery found in China.

This is another new building now dotting the Beijing skyline. It is right next to the Olympic Green and is an office building (or set of buildings) that was designed to look like a dragon.

But so far- the best thing about the Olympics being here are the tickets I have to events!

I am excited to get to be apart of the sports, the hype, and the buildings.

Lotus

2008-08-02T00:50:00.000-07:00

Marco Polo Bridge

2008-07-17T21:12:00.002-07:00

Marco Polo Bridge is a semi famous site here. You usually have to be here for close to a month before you look into visiting it. Doesn't really compete with the big stuff for short term tourists.
These are sculptures around the bridge showing you what it might have been like in the time of Marco Polo and before when travelers would have crossed.
No doubt all kinds of people have been on this bridge since it has been around since the 1100's.
The bridge is referred to as Marco Polo bridge because he crossed here and mentioned the bridge in his journal calling it a very fine bridge and one the city should be proud of!

These guys are working on laying out tile in the entry way. You can see further below not much has changed in how construction gets done in some ways.
The bridge its self is lined with stone carved lions from different centuries.
Lions are a very popular theme in Asia.
No two lions are a like.

The bridge has been restored in certain parts through the years.
Although the stones in the middle are the originals.
My feet standing where Marco Polo once was!
Looking down the bridge.

Lions go the whole way down on both sides.
Me on the bridge.
Me with a lion.

I love all the lions in a row.
Even the bars to keep you away from the edge had lions on them.
Smiley lion.
Lion family.
It wasn't too crowded that day.
There was some water in what is usually a dry river bed.

Me and the bridge again. The building at the end of the bridge marks the gate to an old town.

The bridge still has travelers who cross on bike to get into town.

You can see parts of the city in the background that have grown up around this place.
Cannons in front of the old town gate.
Sculptures portraying how the bridge was made.

This is going through the gate. This place is famous for being one of the sights where the Japanese invaded and a battle was fought in the 1930's.
Some alleys ways in side the walled in community.
People are still living in this walled in town.

More of the traditional style housing.
These are blackboards which are still used as a way to communicate news throughout a community.

Great Wall on a Clear Day

2008-07-17T21:12:00.001-07:00

So I know I have posted a lot of pictures of the Wall... But I finally had a day that actually warranted photos and made me realize how magnificent the Great Wall really can be.
This time I even climbed it! No wussy gondola ride.
You could actually see multiple mountain ranges.
It was so nice to be able to see past the closest tower.

It is hard to tell in the pictures but you could see the towers along the far off ridges and trace the yellowish line of the wall among the trees.
This gives a better idea of the wall snaking along.
Making my way down a slope inside a tower along the wall.
Not only was it clear and relatively cool but there was no one else there!
The length of the wall is what makes it impressive.

Being able to see how vastly is stretches along through the trees.
There really are mountains here- just no snow.

This is who I was with and who took these photos. I didn't believe there was going to really be sun so I didn't bring my camera!
The best part was getting our picture made at the bottom with these warriors in costume.

Some of us didn't fare so well in battle.
I think he is a little to happy about stabbing the foreigner.
I was fierce!
Let's not forget that this day of fun all took place and the Greay Wall!

Scorpion on a Stick!

2008-07-17T21:11:00.002-07:00

Everyone should be very impressed with this posting! The fact that I was even willing to get close enough to take these pictures and then have to see them again to post them is quite a feat!

In an alley way in Beijing you can buy and eat- scorpions! (and seahorse)

These are my two crazy friends that were willing to try it!

Here goes Ko- bravely taking the first bite! Check out the Asian in the background- he thinks she is crazy too!

Now we investigate the others... 3 more to go!

It takes Jacob a while to get up the nerve to bite one off.

But finally he dives in and rips it off the stick!

Now there are two left- which Jacob ends up eating since he couldn't find a trash can. After the first one though he decided they aren't that bad. They don't really taste like anything and there isn't much too them- it is just the concept of what you are eating! That is the hard part.

So there you have it- they skewer them alive- then smash them flat and stick them in the frier! Yum!

Doors

2008-07-17T21:11:00.001-07:00

Below are a series of photos I took of doors around the heart of the city. I believe they are a good picture of the lives and hearts of the people of this country. The different doors, doorways, and gates are one of my favorite things about this place.

Back Sea

2008-07-06T05:31:00.001-07:00

Another sunny day, another sunny lake.

This is Hou Hai which means Back or Behind Sea.

People out playing games, as always, everywhere!

This older woman is sewing sole insoles, shoes and other handicrafts to sell on the street.

One of my favorite things to do at Hou Hai is grab some Starbucks and sit outside enjoying the view.

A dock along the lake side.

Row boats, paddle boats, kayaks you can take your pick to tour the lake.

Once you veer off from the lake side you get into a system of alley ways.

They are traditional Chinese style.

So your typical red lanterns and pointy roofs.

Most doors open up into small courtyards. These are patterned after the historic Chinese home called a Hutong.
Here is a local artist painting shirts that are for sale.

Down the alleys are restaurants and homes. The traditional home will have multi-generation families all with different rooms off from the courtyard.

Some laundry out to dry in the sun.

Here is a row of small businesses and restaurants.

These guys work at a tattoo parlor and are giving this guy dreadlocks! There are all kinds of people back in this part of town.

Just a little ways down this guy is working hard laying a new side walk.

There are several intersections and roads going this way and that, it can be hard not to get lost!

This street is a little bit wider and full of different boutiques and specialty shops and cafes.

Bikes that the workers probably took to get here.

It was a beautiful afternoon.

Chinese traditional trinkets are for sale. It is more expensive in this part of town but you can find one of a kind items.

Finishing some stone work around the lake. We want to have it looking nice for when the Olympic torch comes!

Maybe this guy is practicing to be one of the athletes. You never know.

And back to the beginning with more games.

North Sea

2008-07-06T05:27:00.000-07:00

This city is has a plethora of large beautiful lakes that lead north stretching from the Forbidden City to the Summer Palace. This is one of them called Bei Hai or North Sea.

The center of this lake has an island with some kind of temple on it. You see enough of them and you really don't care what it is anymore!

This is a lady looking out across the water enjoying the scenery.

Couples are often seen out at the park together.

If you look close around these lily pads you can see all the tiny fish.

The Lotus were every where.

They are a very popular plant here in paintings and on the menu. They are actually quite tasty.

Can't go many places here with out seeing picturesque bridges.

The flowers were really pretty.

I walked all the way around one side of the lake through the park.

A woman eating fruit next to the lake.

An accordion player on a smoke break.

The lake is huge and as always here is full of boats.

Along the sidewalk you often see water calligraphy.

Here is an older man teaching a young girl the Chinese Yo Yo.

I am always impressed, it looks difficult.

The string winds around the middle and you roll it along the string.

It drew quite a crowd.

This was a first, not just calligraphy but Chinese painting done in water.

This is the artist at work, if you notice he has a protege!

She payed close attention.

A father a daughter sitting in the shade.

This young girl is getting her picture taken.

Beautiful traditional costumes.

The girls look so pretty posing for pictures.

Little Miss China.

I played ball with this kid. He's practicing for the Olympics.

A rare sight- people sitting on the grass!

Games are always a common park occurrence.

Forbidden City

2008-07-06T05:25:00.000-07:00

The Forbidden City Why forbidden? Well it was the home of the Emperor and so only he and his attendants lived inside the palace walls.
The moat, like in most castles, was the first line of defence against enemies.

This is the south gate- less crowded on this side so I like to enter here.

This was my 3rd visit to the city so I did exploring off the beaten path down alleyways, etc.

It was a really nice sunny day- the first in a month here!

The architecture is one of the main attractions here, you can see why.

There are huge red doorways all over the city.

In fact the whole city is red, just like the Chinese flag. Red is a lucky color in China.
Traditionally brides are married in red.

Here the masses are catching a rest in the shade.

Porcelain creatures watching over the palace activities- if only these guys could talk, they have had a front row view to thousands of years of history!

In a country this big you are never, ever alone.

This is a forgotten corner of the palace, looking through a slit in a locked door.

Some places inside the walls were built at different times and damaged over time.

It's a big place, stacked yellow roofs are seen all around.

These are all halls emperors once walked.

Looking through a doorway, others are looking back.

It is a maze of courtyards and stairs.

This is another less traveled section that has been barred off.

More corridors and painted ceilings.

Blue sky above the pointed roofs.

The scalloped edges make nice silhouettes.

More doorways.

It is a wonder that people don't get lost in this place, it all starts to look the same.

And this is only the back half of the palace!

A sea of yellow tiled roofs.

These guys are repainting one section.
Always busy restoring the palace.