Rain!

Today was a little gloomy in Beijing. It was raining when I woke up and it rained on and off throughout the day and night. I was pretty wet by the time I just got back to my hotel but it was a great day overall.

I hung out in the room after a quick breakfast, watching "Happy Feet" on the only American speaking channel in my room. It was pretty relaxing and it helped with the anxiety I still felt because of the attacks the day before. However, I got really sick of sitting in the hotel room.

So, I went to the IBAF office and hung out there for a bit and watched some of the events on TV while getting to know a few members of the IBAF staff and just helped out around the office as much as I could. I actually was able to pick up a few tickets to some events. I picked up some tennis tickets for tomorrow, a ticket to the USA v. Angola Men's Basketball game for Tuesday night and some tickets for the Quarterfinals of the Women's Beach Volleyball. So, I kind of scored big! Thanks, IBAF for giving me those tickets!

After that I came back to the hotel to change as Jake, his wife, Page, and I were going to the USA House in Beijing for dinner. It was at a resort called Jasmine, something or other. It was a nice place. It was all American decorations and it was an all-American staff that the USOC actually flew over. I mean, they flew over waiters, retail cashiers, hostesses, the works... so it was nice to be surrounded by only English for an evening. So, we ate some dinner and had a few drinks with the other USA Baseball people in attendance. I, however, am not here working with USA Baseball. I am only working with the IBAF while I'm here but there are some guys from our office here and some other helpers that I have met while working with USA Baseball so it was nice to see them.

While we were there I was able to catch some of the USA v. Argentina field hockey (women's) game. Now, some of you don't know this but I have truly grown to love the sport of field hockey. It helped, though, that I went to a school that has an amazing field hockey program. I watched my first field hockey game this past year when our girls team went 25-0 and won the national championship. In fact, three of the girls from that team are on our Olympic team. While I've never actually met them face-to-face, it was nice to see them playing for team USA. It's a great sport that I've grown to love and it was nice to see our girls tie Argentina. Just as a side note, USA field hockey has never been a staple of International greatness for the sport. In fact, we hadn't qualified for the Olympic Games since 1996 and that was because we were the host country. But these girls have turned around the USA Field Hockey program and have represented well, beating a lot of the best teams in the world.

Anyway, talk about a tangent.

I stopped at the USOC store in the USA House and got a jacket and a souvenir for the trip. Afterward when we were ready to bail I got to sit out in the rain and watch the thunder-less thunderstorm that Beijing was throwing down while waiting for a taxi. The lightning was incredible and the rain was amazing. I love sitting in the rain so it was a plus for the evening.
So, we got back and now I'm just sitting here ready for bed, paying attention to the USA v. China men's basketball game. GO USA! Also, I just have to point out: Kobe Bryant is probably more popular here in China than any other Chinese athlete. The reaction to him during the Opening Ceremonies and on TV is insurmountable in comparison to other athletes at the games.

Anyway, not too much happened today but it was a great day. Tomorrow I have a meeting at the Baseball stadium early in the morning and then team USA is playing in an exhibition against China, where a certain predominant political figure in the world will be stopping by. Hmm... After that will be the game and I am so ready to watch some baseball!

Anyway, I'm off for some sleep!!! HOLLA!