Countdown: O DAYS!

After 2 years of watching the countdown clocks all around the city...8/8/08 @ 8pm FINALLY arrived!

Derek and I were fortunate enough to attend the following events: badminton, indoor volleyball, gymnastics, tennis, swimming, athletics (track & field), beach volleyball, table tennis, soccer and baseball.

Night of the opening ceremony in a little Xinjiang joint with our friends:



We visited the set of the Today Show the night before the Opening Ceremony. Me and my Olympic boyfriend, Matt Lauer:



Bob Costas and the boys:



The amazing Water Cube at night:



Ann Curry, aka--Steve's girlfriend, and the ladies:



Artistic Gymnastics:



Stuck in the rain at the Olympic Village:





One of our absolute highlights was soaking up the fans from all over the world. One World, One Dream.



Serena:



H.W.:



Apparently the person who took the photo was more concerned about getting a picture of me and Venus v. me and Derek.



Blue skies (YEAH!)...and extremely HOT temperatures:



Another Olympic boyfriend, Michael Phelps. Witnessing Phelps win two of his eight golds was our Olympic HIGHLIGHT. We almost missed his 200M Fly victory because my lovely husband knew of a "shortcut" in entering the Olympic grounds. Needless to say...there was no shortcut. Thank goodness for our relationship, we made it to the Water Cube with 5 minutes to spare.



200M Fly:





4x200M Free (please note Team USA at the turn...AMAZING):









Derek's Olympic girlfriend, Cindy! She looks even more stunning in person. Darn her.



Bird's Nest:







Tighty whities and China charms. This kid was having the time of his life!




Olympic visitors: Our friend, Geno, and Derek's brother, Kyle.

Men's Beach Volleyball--we were able to watch both Team USA and Team China compete.









I think the conservative Chinese fans saw body parts they had never seen before!









Zhongguo jiayou!





Table Tennis:



Track & field highlight--witnessing the US men take gold, silver and bronze in the 400M hurdles.



The epitome of an Olympic fan!



Doug Collins, Kyle, Derek and Jim Gray (who?):



Kyle with the 400M hurdles bronze medalist, Bershawn Jackson:



My second to last night in the Jing for a few months. Sooooo sad.



My last night in Beijing, the women's soccer team brought home the gold over Brazil.



The most eventful 2 weeks EVER! Loved it.