China!
March 31, 2006
One of the perks of being an Olympian is that you get lots of time off after the Games are over to settle down. After an amazing vacation in San Juan at the Hilton, I am back on the road. Only this time, my tan may start to fade. I am currently in Beijing, China. I am speaking at the YMCA here in the first ever Olympic Family Day. China is getting ready for the 2008 Summer Games and I am helping the community get excited for the Olympics. I brought my Bronze medal along, so I am sure all of the kids here will get a kick out of seeing an Olympic Medal. So far I have been able to visit the Great Wall of China, eat lots and lots of authentic food, and see some of the most amazing athletes in the world: the Chinese Acrobats! It has been wonderful so far. This is my 3rd trip to China: Team USA traveled here in 1997 to Harbin, to participate in the Friendly Cup versus China and Sweden. We walked away as victors in that tournament and it was an eye opening experience for me at the tender age of 17. Actually, I celebrated my 17th birthday on the Great Wall! In 2001 we traveled here as well to warm up for the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City. I have a great photo that I actually put in my book, "Breaking the Ice," where Kathleen Kauth, Courtney Kennedy, and myself sat on top of a camel on the Great Wall in traditional Chinese costumes. I will always remember that trip...
My trip to San Juan was so relaxing and such a great opportunity for the team to hang out one last time. I, of course, got sunburn. Fortunately, it is turning into a tan and will prep me for my trip to Houston on the 10th. I am flying there with my sister, as guest of GE and NASA to help with their portable ultrasound device. We will be going over 45,000 feet into the air and then crashing to the earth to simulate anti-gravity. I will help conduct some experiments on board the flight in anti-gravity! That experience should be amazing, so stay posted...
Until then, I hope all of my readers are well. I want to congratulate Wisconsin for winning their first ever NCAA championship and to Sara Bauer for winning the Patty Kazmaier Award: well deserved!
Bye for now!
Angela
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HEY I LIVE IN HOUSTON. IT WOULD BE A BLAST AND A HONOR TO SHOW YOU GUYS AROUND H-TOWN! NOT SAYING YOU ARE GOING TO BE UP FOR THAT CAUSE YOU DONT KNOW ME AND ALL, BUT IT WOULD BE ALOT OF FUN I PROMISE! AT LEAST IT WOULD BE GREAT TO GET TO SAY HI TO YA AND GET A PICTURE WITH YA AT THE AIRPORT! (I AM NOT EVEN SURE IF YOU READ THIS OR NOT, BUT I THINK YOU SHOULD EMAIL ME BACK TO SO I CAN SAY HI OR SOMETHING!.... FOR THOSE THAT DO READ THIS...WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHOULD SHE SAY HI TO ME WHEN SHE GETS TO HOUSTON?)
Posted by: mike at April 1, 2006 02:40 AM
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Hey great, keep up the good work. I think it is finally paying off. I have seen more hockey on TV here in illinois then I have seen before. They are even televising the boys and girls high school hockey semi finals and finals from wisconsin. iT is great.
Posted by: Pete at April 1, 2006 07:32 PM
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Its great that you get so much down time after great performances. Why don't you put up pictures of all the places you get to go as part of this experience?
Posted by: Charles at April 2, 2006 01:40 AM
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Wow, it sounds like you're having so much fun! I go to school in Waco, TX, so it'll be cool to think that you'll be having fun at NASA just a few hours away! If you haven't been before, NASA's really amazing. Be sure to take lots of pictures to show us!
Posted by: Chelsey at April 5, 2006 05:53 PM
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Thanks for coming to the Beijing YMCA. You were awsome with the kids for our Olympic Open House. You kept the kids entertained for a hour. I was really impresseed. I went to thr Beijing Rotary Club today and they were still talkiung about your prsentation last week. Thanks for being so wonderful. = Ray Jacoby YMCA Sr. Service Volunteer Beijing YMCA Nolita Branch China
Posted by: Ray Jacoby at April 11, 2006 05:39 AM
I am glad that you had a great trip to San Juan and hope you have a great trip in China and in Houston
Posted by: Caitlyn at March 31, 2006 04:57 PM