big blog

After 3 days in Beijing I think I'm ready to go for the gold.  I am used to the hot, humid weather and I have adjusted to the new time zone, which is 15 hours ahead of my home in the U.S.

The question is, which event should I win?  I like ping pong, but I'm better at bicycling.  I also like diving, but shooting seems like a good thing to try.  I watched weight lifting yesterday and I think I'd be pretty good at that, too.  I should take a lesson first, though.

I think I'll stroll into the hutong and think about it over some dumplings this morning.  I found a shop with some great food, very nice people, and good prices.  The steamed treats should help my mind decide which events to win.  I feel sorry for my future competitors, unless they are happy with winning silver.  I am not.  It's gold only for me.

The best thing about being here is the support I've received from Ebaby! members.  They've found us on the streets, in shops and waiting outside our hotel just to wish us luck.  Thank you, members.  I'll do my best for you.

The Olympics will be the biggest race of my life.  I've had some other big ones as a childhood sprinter at the summer track meets in the park, but nothing compared to the international competition I will face in Beijing.

I'm trying my best to stay cool and focus on the task at hand - to win as many gold medals as possible.  I'm eating right, sleeping right, and blogging right.

But it's not all about me.  What's important is that I do my best to represent English, baby!  I've been chosen based on my heart, and I plan to leave it on the track for the members.  I will not let you down.

I will need your encouragement as I prepare, but also once I'm on the track.  Let's bring home the gold.  Let's do it for Ebaby!

In preparation for our trip to China, I got some vaccinations today.  It's recommended by the U.S. government to have shots for Hepatitis A, and because I'm going to Cambodia too, I also got some malaria pills.

I'm sure the risk is very low, but it's always a good idea to be safe.  Last time I went to China I got sick as soon as I got home and couldn't get out of bed for days.  I think it was the Norwalk virus... 

After lots of planning, we will soon take Ebaby! to the Olympics.  Jason, Captain Jeff, and I will arrive right before the opening ceremonies and spend a week meeting Ebaby! members in Beijing, making videos for Ebaby!, and enjoying the world's greatest sporting event.

We were happy to get our Chinese visas yesterday.  We've been reading a lot about the government restricting visas, but I guess they liked us.

We'll have a lot of updates coming soon so stay tuned!  Thanks to ETS and TOEFL for making this all happen. 

I'm calling it right now.  If Clinton wants to win the Democratic nomination in the Presidential election, her only hope is to tell the world that she will make Obama her Vice-president.

Obama's popularity is so high right now that nothing can get in his way.  Clinton keeps throwing jabs about his lack of experience.  She recognizes that he's a great speaker, but claims that's where his strengths end.

If she tells everyone now that she has bought into Obama-mania so much that she wants him as her VP, it will be the ultimate show of experience and send the message, "Bring your energy and enthusiasm to my experienced team, Obama, and together we'll do great things."  People would like this idea, and when Obama says he won't accept her invitation, it will make him look selfish.

Just to be clear, I'm a big Obama supporter.  I believe this is Clinton's only hope to win, but frankly, I hope she doesn't do it and Obama becomes our next President.