Pin Slut!

Okay, whilst the rest of the world athletes fight it out for the medals, there is another underground "medal" tally going on with the staff, journalists and volunteers - The Pin Tally!

We were told to bring along some pins from our home countries for exchange. I simply ignored this very useful advice and brought nothing with me. Pins are hot collectibles and after shrugging off pins for the first 3 days, I couldn't resist anymore. I became a pin slut!

So it was endless begging, pleasing, committment to little favours and chatting up sessions all for the sake of that ONE pin. The number of pins on one's lanyard seemed to suggest how sociable and popular that person was. I was a late-bloomer and so booked my spot at the bottom of the pin tally.

Still a couple more days to go, let's see how I can catch up!

4am

It's 4am now, and I am still somewhat wide awake.
I wonder if it's the adrenalin of the Men's Basketball quarterfinals or supper with some fellow volunteers that is keeping me awake.

I just can't believe how fast this whole Olympics experience is going to end, in another 3 days. It is an irony really - I was so mega unhappy at the start, but am enjoying every moment of it right now.

The Olympics is really a huge celebration of mankind. In an intense international event like this, you see the worst and the best in people. I am happy to have experienced both. Whilst discovering the meanest and most cynical of mankind in some journalists, I have seen the best of sportsmanship, patriotism, caring and sharing in the people here.

Olympic Green

The Olympic Green is a huge area that resembles a country with its own transport system of shuttle buses, IBC (International Broadcast Centre), MPC (Main Press Centre), McDonald's, shopping area and mini concert stage.
It's one of the most spectacular icons of this year's Olympics because it houses the Bird's Nest, the Water Cube (where the swim events are), the Gymnasium and the "Pagoda" where all the world's premier broadcasters reside.
Have a look!

Journey to the Bird's Nest

And so, I made it to both the Bird's Nest and Basketball game on Saturday.
Getting to the Bird's Nest alone is an experience, mainly because it's located in the Olympic Green. More about Olympic Green later... here's how crazy the crowd was!


Just in case u can't figure out what the words are (due to my shaky hands on the train), it's Olympic Green where the Bird's Nest is located!

Myths

I learnt a few hard facts whilst here in BJ:
1) Whatever impression you have about the population of Beijing, dispel it! It's 10 times more massive than you think.
2) They still do spit on pathways. The local men (and women sometimes). But they apparently have improved lots.
3) There is no such thing as personal space here. Your personal standing space, and sometimes breathing space is always being enroached on. And we are talking about shoulder to shoulder, buttocks to buttocks!
4) Beijing can probably set the Guinness record for squeezing the most number of people in one train cabin. Try taking the subway at peak hour - this is when you see the most skilful of them all plonking themselves into the train however freaking cramped it is.
More to add on... till laters.

Live from Wukesong Day 7

It was a fairly peaceful day with the women's basketball games on today. No major upsets nor big hoo-ha for journos to storm the mixed zone.

It suddenly dawned on me: It's Day 7 and in 10 days, the Olympics will be over and it's back home for me.

Strange really, I was yearning to go home at the start of the games. But now, I am enjoying this whole experience. It's just been great chatting with the local students and learning how similar and different we are despite speaking the same language.

Athletics vs Basketball

I admit - I haven't stepped into the Olympic Green and I haven't been in close proximity to this year's Olympics icon, the Bird's Nest. Here comes my chance: a ticket to Athletics at the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) tomorrow at 7pm.
The thing is, there are 2 crucial games for the Men's basketball at the same time and I wanna watch that too. Choices!

Live from Wukesong Day 6 Part 1

It's USA vs Greece now in the Men's Basketball.
The US dream team is doing too well, and I wish another team can put them in place!

It's nearing the crucial matches and the teams are playing their hearts out now. I only hope China can score a victory against Germany this coming Saturday to secure them a spot in the quarter-finals.

Laters...

Simple pleasures at Wukesong

More on the simple pleasures...
There is no better to keep awake on a quiet night than supper!
Here's what we get for supper!
Specimen 1: Chef Kang cup noodles with preserved vegetables (which are a staple every mealtime) and sausage-in-a-tube! Though the sausage tube looks dubious, it turned out to be a yummy accompaniment to noodles coz it tastes like my first love Spam (aka luncheon meat)!
Specimen 2: Mongolian brand 'Yi Li' packet milk. The milk packaging here is different from back home. They have the usual tetra packs and bottled packaging but this packet form is the most popular. You simply bite off a corner and start sucking the liquid. Another popular milk brand is 'Meng Niu', also from Mongolia (This brand has stepped on Singapore shores). I know this brand becoz one of my friends here is from Mongolia! How cool is that?!
Specimen 3: Perhaps the most unhealthy yet satisfying of all is this crab flavoured noodle snack. It works exactly like the Mamee back home. You sprinkle the packet of seasoning inside, break up the noodle-cake and give it a good shake! It's a childhood snack for the Chinese here too!

I wonder what's for supper tomorrow! Looking forward... :P

Live from Wukesong Day 5 Part 1

Women's Basketball turned out to be less exciting... perhaps because of the lack of big names.

I don't know if it's due to fatigue or because I am still recuperating from being ranted at by the Spanish A-hole from some EFE Agencia last evening, but everyone is feeling a little deflated this evening.

I was briefly perked up by a Double Cheeseburger from Macs a fellow volunteer bought for me - ahhh... the simple pleasures in life! :D

Live from Wukesong Day 4 Part 1

And so, it's the men's basketball games today.
The highlight was the match between China and Spain. Spain is undoubtedly one of the strongest teams alongside with Argentina and needless to say, USA (with their league of NBA biggies!)

The Chinese were the underdogs with their fair share of NBA stars too like Yao Ming and Yi Jian Lian, who sent many hearts fluttering (& probably broken too). They were pretty impressive in the first 3 quarters with plenty of 3-pointers and even led the game by 14 points at one point in time.

The game drew closer when the 4th quarter started and the Spanish finally caught up to draw the game at 72 points, stretching the game to extra time. Spain won ultimately... boo!

But the Chinese audience scored big time as they possibly created the most phenomenal atmosphere ever! We are talking about the audience going berserk every single time the Chinese players even touched the ball! 中国队，加油! was the only chant I heard the entire game, accompanied with uncountable number of Chinese flags.

I was rooting for China too, together with my fellow volunteers. It felt as if we were breathing with the players and probably felt as nervous as them. To a better game against Angola on Thursday - 中国队，加油!

Clarification

And so, I thought it's time to clarify this.
I came for the Olympics thinking I was going to be an ONS reporter. Well at least, that was what I signed up for, trained for and apparently promised.
I must have either thought wrong or something, somewhere or someone screwed up.

It was decided that I was allocated to the mixed zone (the hell of media operations where journalists can get really rude and anal!). On the bright side, I suppose English is a pertinent language to know here and I can be useful here.

Laters...

Live from Wukesong Day 3 Part 3

I am happier ready to slumber in my comfy room.
All thanks to the efforts of the volunteers who tried their best to ensure that the bus arrived! (Booboo to the people at CUC who have failed badly in their administration!)

Live from Wukesong Day 3 Part 2

End of shift for today... Now coming to the part for the shuttle bus at 1.15am.
FAITH.

Live from Wukesong Day 3 Part 1

It's Day 3 and after the chaotic and massive mixed zone after the USA and China game, everyone in the mixed zone seemed a little tired. It's just the final game of the night now where Australia meets Brazil. I am just looking forward to home sweet home.

On the upside, I have been rather comforted by the kindness of some fellow volunteers here. I have 2 friends in the workroom who specially reserved a bottle of chilled Coke. That saved my sanity! :D
And my fellow colleagues in the mixed zone are a gutsy and caring lot!
We all braved and survived the horrors of the mixed zone together.

The management at the venue - a couple of the higher management were rather impressive too.

Anyway, more later... perhaps.

Letdown

While the rest of the world rave about the most sensational game in basketball history between USA and China (101-70), I have my gripe about something else.
After working damn hard in the mixed zone, I was looking forward to the shuttle bus to take us home sweet home.

Once again, we were let down.
The bus, stupidly, left at 12.50am, which was 10 minutes earlier than scheduled.
Why??!!

Is it the last straw yet?

I don't have many straws (of patience) left... maybe a couple more left.
Is this enough to last me for the next 15 days?

Testing my patience

I just got back to my dorm 15 mins ago, becoz the shuttle bus that was supposedly arranged for us volunteers didn't show up! And so, over 30 volunteers were stranded outside the basketball stadium at 1.30am!

I really cannot fathom how a simple task like this can screw up at an international event of such magnitude. I thought the idea is straightforward. Ensure that basic neccessities like food and transport is taken care of PROPERLY for the volunteers, and in turn, the volunteers will take care of the international media properly. It's THAT simple!

Will it be better tomorrow??!

Live from Wukesong Day 1 Part 3

End of Day 1. It was a close match between Russia and Latvia, Russia won by a mere 5 points.

I am so looking forward to my room and bed... but the shuttle bus comes only at 1.15am, so I have to last another 50 mins.

More tomorrow... signing off...

Live from Wukesong Day 1 Part 2

It's 11.30pm now, the 3rd quarter of the game between Russia and Latvia (Women's). First night shift and it's quite a challenge keeping awake and alive at this time.
A simple supper of cup noodles pumped some energy so hopefully I can last another hour. Some of my friends are on the graveyard shift - they stay till 3am!!

I wonder how I can stay alert for the hottest game of the Olympics tomorrow night (USA vs China Men's at 10.15pm)!!

The game is really close between Russia and Latvia (41 vs 48). Final quarter to go before we wrap up for the night! YAY!

Live from Wukesong Day 1 Part 1

It's Day 1 of the Olympics and the basketball season has kicked off and so has my night shift (4.30pm - 12.30am).
Basketball is the most popular game in China and the stadium was in a state of delirium this afternoon when China emerged victory over Spain.

The atmosphere was amazing... the stadium was styled in NBA fashion where cheerleaders came out during timeouts to lead the crowd in cheering and applause.

The USA women's team is playing right now (agst Czech) and apparently Bush is in the stadium.
So that's kind of cool... I can say for once in my life that Bush is in the vicinity. :P

There was a little commotion in my work area, where a journalist was upset about a miscommunication that resulted in a delay for his story. Being one of the rare English speaking pple around, I had to intervene and was glad that things turned out alright in the end.

Anyhow, I am waiting for the game to end and then we will have to handle the group of American journalists.

Wish me luck!

Let the Games begin

The long-waited day is here for the billions of Chinese in Beijing... the Olympics!
After thinking through the various options of places to watch the Olympics (other than the Bird's Nest becoz we are sadly not given tickets to go!!??), I decided to invite a couple of fellow local volunteers to watch the opening ceremony in my humble abode over pizza and Coke.

I was really impressed with their patriotism. Each time the cameraman did a closeup on their Premier, the girls went into a screaming frenzy which was comparable to their excitement about Federer and Kobe. Political idols - how many of that do we have around??!

On another note, Zhang Yimou is an artistic genius. He got us hooked on the opening ceremony for more than 3 hours. That is a feat in itself. I can't imagine how overwhelming the feeling was at the venue itself becoz watching it on tv is awesome already! I thought the diverse cultural elements of Chinese history was so aptly and beautifully captured in each performance.

With this glorious moment captured in the history of China and the Olympics, I begin my night shift from 4.30pm to 12.30am at the basketball stadium, which once again promises another high point (basketball is China's most popular sport).

Looking forward to the clash between most-prized (& higest-priced black market ticket) game of 2008 Olympics, Men's Basketball China vs USA this Sunday.

It's 9 August... Happy National Day Singapore!

Yummy Yum NO!

Mealtime at the Olympics venue isn't always a treat, especially when you are NOT at the main press centre where McDonald's is readily available). At the various venues, we get lunch boxes that look like this. My aussie classmates call it slush!

It was a little interesting at the start... Then it isn't funny anymore when you eat this every single day... it gets depressing when you realise you HAVE to eat this for the next 3 weeks at least once a day.

And so, to preserve my sanity and tastebuds, I decided to give myself a little treat with a nice, reputable set lunch at Time Cafe, Jianwai Soho, Beijing. At only RMB78, it's ten times the price of my humble dinner the night before (I had wanton soup and noodles at a street restaurant for only RMB7 = SGD1.50!).

It started with a very managable serving of minestrone soup, followed by a glorious salad toss with pan-seared tuna topped with pastry sticks.

I was on the verge of licking up the plate after the drought of gourmet food.
The main course of lamb chop and filet mignon was so tempting, I took a couple of bites before remembering to take a photo!

To sum up this lunch, it was a lifesaver!