Friday, August 8, 2008

WELCOME TO BEIJING

I am finally here!!!! After all the years of working and waiting for this moment, it's actually happening. It is the craziest thing. I feel like I'm living in a dream right now. Every morning when I look out my 7th floor window over looking the heart of the Olympic Village, I want to pinch myself to make sure I'm actually awake. Am I really here?! I'll be walking to get breakfast or hanging out in the athletes lounge and I'll just have a moment where I realize all over again that I am at the Olympics! It is definitely not a dream. 

When we arrived in Beijing and walked out of the airport we were hit hard with the hot, humid air. The smog wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but I was more surprised with the temperature. It was boiling! I don't think I will ever complain about the air conditioning being too high in my house ever again. I seriously have a new found appreciation for it. Before we became too uncomfortable in the humidity we were whisked away in a private car to the Olympic Village, where from there the heat was a distant memory. It was the most surreal feeling driving in the Olympic lane through Beijing passing all the new facilities, the stadium and Olympic flags everywhere. When we pulled up to the Village, the COC mission staff were there to get us to our rooms as easily and quickly as possible. I recognize so many of them from the Pan American and Commonwealth Games. It's so great to see familiar faces and share this excitement with so many amazing people. It really is something special. 

I could go on and on and on about the Olympic Village and it still wouldn't do it justice. I can hardly find words to explain it. It's basically a mini city in the heart of Beijing. We all live in condo's that have gardens, parks and ponds separating them. There is never nothing to do. The athletes lounge is the most relaxing place in the Canadian section where we can all just go and chill. You meet new people every day and everyone is so friendly. I already signed up for tickets to go watch water polo, swimming and gymnastics. I'm trying to do as much as I can to soak up this amazing experience. It's hard for me to sometimes just go back and sit in my room because I want to be doing something every minute of every day! I don't want to waste any time here, this is what I've been waiting for my whole life. Tomorrow I think some of us are going to have a little Dance Dance Revolution competition in the international athletes building. It's a great way to just unwind and relax after a long day of training or a stressful competition day. So far the village has more than lived up to my expectations. I'm sorry I can't explain it better. When I upload my pictures I will definitely be posting them for all of you to see first hand. Come to think about it I'm going to go and explore a little bit. The village is so huge I have hardly seen half of it! Bye for now :)


11 comments:

Dream Journey said...

Good luck, Alex! Look forward to seeing you in action, along with all the other Canadian athletes!

Marty Avery said...

Hey! Alex! Did you know WebHubTV has named you the sexiest and most beautiful female athlete at these Olympics. They published a list of the top 50 and you are number 1. The story has gone all over the world in English, Russian, and Chinese.

Also, The Independent, in the UK, called you the most glamourous, ahead of the same sort of list.

The list was compiled by webtv.hub.
The top ten list for the 50 sexiest female Olympians is:

1. Alexandra Orlando - Canada

2. Maria Sharapova - Russia
3. Rita Dravucz - Hungary
4. Alona Bondarenko - Ukraine
5. Amanda Beard - United States
6. Jelena Jankovic - Serbia
7. Lauren Jackson - Australia
8. Victoria Pendleton - Great Britain
9. Stephanie Rice - Australia
10. Tatiana Golovin - France (ANI)
...
Rhythmic gymnast Alexandra Orlando of Canada clinches the top spot in a list of top 50 sexiest female athletes competing at the Beijing
hindustantimes.com/Redir.aspx?ID=f5322040-7736-4794-b0ca-439b95b6d484&SectionName

I believe this means people all over the planet are now cheering for you more than ever!
atb
Martin Avery

Michael S. Hugh said...

I think you great job describing it - Saw your interview on CBC - you're doing us proud
Godfather Mike

Diego said...

You're now well known in Italy too ..
Best of luck for the competition!

vimal said...

All the best, Waiting to see your action in athletes, wish you to get a gold medal.

regards,
vimal

Febin Joy Arappattu said...

All the best for the BIG event.....

Marques said...

Good Luck from Brazil to you Alex... you are the best star in Beijing... please look at my city Salvador-Ba... Brazil.. for you next vacations... bye.....http://www.emtursa.ba.gov.br/index_anim.asp?idLinguagem=2...

Dan said...

Hey Alex, i'm you fan from Brazil, i think you're the best and need to say good look for you at Beijing 2008.

xoxo

Febin Joy Arappattu said...

I'm from India and I got to your page accidentally while searching for Indian medal winner Abhinav Bindra's blog. After going through your page, I saw some of your previous performances in youtube. As I've wished earlier.. All the best for the BIG game... You CAN do it. Nothing is impossible. A nation's prayers are with you... I'll add mine to it. All the best. I think Rhythmic Gymnastics is from August 21 to 24th... isn't it? Do well... :)

Unknown said...

I notice that

1) Only male well wishers

2) Wherever you are, the confetti seems to get stolen. At least you are totally committed

webmaster said...

Good Luck for Beijing, Alexandra! I'm Italian just like your grand-parents.

Ciao dall'Italia :-) e Forza Alex!