The Games Have Begun!
Friday night, February 12, I fought back the disappointment as all but 5 of my team took off for the Opening Ceremony. The 5 of us remaining worked to help customers while our office was open until 10pm. After that long day, I went home to shower and watch the Ceremony. I'd recorded it on DVR. My favorite parts were the Olympic Anthem, sung by a fierce opera singer, and Hallelujah, KD Lang's powerhouse performance. I fast-forwarded through the Athlete's parade. In Beijing, I remember I met a friend for a drink outsided during that long procession.
Saturday, Nick arrived, and the Olympics began to redeem my disappointment and exhaustion. Nick and I went to Short Track Speed Skating at the Pacific Coliseum and saw Apollo Ono win a silver medal in an exciting match where 2 Korean racers fell and hit the ice! After the event, Nick and I had an amazing feast at Cobre! We called it a night, and after I worked and Nick wandered around on Sunday, we went to Pairs Skating Short Program! We laughed together at the silly outfits, and gasped at the falls. When the crowd gave a standing ovation, I choked up and remembered that this is what makes all the hard work and long days worth it! Being part of an international crowd of fans is amazing! After the event, we met friends at Score Score for drinks and food before we hit the town for some dancing!
Nick left early Monday morning, and it was back to the grind for me. I worked from open to close, hoping to make up some time, since I left a little early on Sunday to make it to Figure Skating. At the end of the evening, tickets became available for the Vancouver Victory Ceremony, so I met Mitchell, Trevor, and Clifton, but I only made it for the concert portion. I was late because I hand-delivered tickets to a confused ticket-holder who showed up at the Hockey venue without her tickets. She started to yell at me and I told her she should be grateful that I brought them to her! After the concert, we went to Score again for a burger, and called it a night.
Tuesday after work, Men' Short Program Figure Skating tickets became available and I took a taxi there to catch the final 14 competitors. I got to see all the Americans (Abbott, Lysacek, and Weir) and all of the other top performers except the Russian Plushenko (currently in first) because he came back from retirement and didn't have ranking to be seeded later in the competition. Thursday, I'll get to see the Long Program with my parents. They arrive tomorrow around noon, so I'm super excited to share the Olympics with members of my family! I think they're excited too!
Saturday, Nick arrived, and the Olympics began to redeem my disappointment and exhaustion. Nick and I went to Short Track Speed Skating at the Pacific Coliseum and saw Apollo Ono win a silver medal in an exciting match where 2 Korean racers fell and hit the ice! After the event, Nick and I had an amazing feast at Cobre! We called it a night, and after I worked and Nick wandered around on Sunday, we went to Pairs Skating Short Program! We laughed together at the silly outfits, and gasped at the falls. When the crowd gave a standing ovation, I choked up and remembered that this is what makes all the hard work and long days worth it! Being part of an international crowd of fans is amazing! After the event, we met friends at Score Score for drinks and food before we hit the town for some dancing!
Nick left early Monday morning, and it was back to the grind for me. I worked from open to close, hoping to make up some time, since I left a little early on Sunday to make it to Figure Skating. At the end of the evening, tickets became available for the Vancouver Victory Ceremony, so I met Mitchell, Trevor, and Clifton, but I only made it for the concert portion. I was late because I hand-delivered tickets to a confused ticket-holder who showed up at the Hockey venue without her tickets. She started to yell at me and I told her she should be grateful that I brought them to her! After the concert, we went to Score again for a burger, and called it a night.
Tuesday after work, Men' Short Program Figure Skating tickets became available and I took a taxi there to catch the final 14 competitors. I got to see all the Americans (Abbott, Lysacek, and Weir) and all of the other top performers except the Russian Plushenko (currently in first) because he came back from retirement and didn't have ranking to be seeded later in the competition. Thursday, I'll get to see the Long Program with my parents. They arrive tomorrow around noon, so I'm super excited to share the Olympics with members of my family! I think they're excited too!
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