A change, here and there

There are a few reasons why it’s always nice to come back home.
Obviously nothing tops being with my family, my dog and everything that’s familiar. Ah yes, then there’s the green, the clear blue skies and beauty of open spaces in Canada. Sometimes though — just sometimes — all of these things just cannot make [...]

Olympic obsession

The Beijing Olympics came to an end yesterday, and for whatever reason, I’m feeling sad it’s all over. I’m far far away from China and back in Oakville, but still eating up any news about it, constantly reminiscing through my own photos, watching all I can on TV, and even doing research to prepare for buying tickets to [...]

Buh-bye Beijing

It was the perfect way to spend my last day in Beijing. Our athletics ticket brought us right into the Olympic Sports Centre, where we were able to see all the new venues close up.
In one word, the Bird’s Nest is amazing. Its architecture is majestic and modern; its size, overwhelming and intimidating. There’s just [...]

Losing Liu Xiang

Beijing Olympics Athletics Mens 110M Hurdles
Originally uploaded by duidui520

This was one of the moments Olympic fans were all waiting for — Liu Xiang’s big 110-meter hurdle race on his home turf during China’s momentous event. I watched the first two heats on CCTV this morning and before it all began, a journalist talked excitedly above [...]

Batter up

Olympics 093
Originally uploaded by april.fong4

I’m having the time of my life over here. After I finished writing my article for Embassy, my cousin Martin and one of my best friends, Lindsay, flew over from Seoul to join me in Beijing.
On Thursday, Iain and I sat on a bus for two hours (each way) to get [...]

Fill ‘em up

Olympics 009
Originally uploaded by april.fong4

If you’re watching the Olympics on TV and notice there’s still seats to be filled in Beijing, well, it’s true. Even though it was announced months ago that tickets to events were all sold out, there are lots still floating around. At least for the less desirable events anyway.
After meeting my [...]

China’s Olympic dreams

halterofilia

Originally uploaded by Beijing 2008 Info

Meet Chen Xiexia, the first from Team China to win a gold medal for the country. Small, mighty and adorable with a great smile, she is the perfect poster girl for China’s Olympic achievements thus far.
Then there’s Du Li, the 10m air-rifle shooter and Athens gold medalist. Expected to [...]

Olympic tickets in hand

My Olympic tickets

Originally uploaded by april.fong4

I picked up my Olympic tickets yesterday afternoon with Iain. I can’t tell you how happy I am to finally have them in my hands. Rowing, baseball and athletics… here we come!

Let the games begin

Ditan Park Opening Ceremony 2

Originally uploaded by april.fong4

When the countdown began, my South African friend Kate turned to me and said: “Can you believe it? This is IT. They’ve waited seven years for this moment…”
With hundreds of Chinese people and visitors from around the world, we watched the 2008 Olympics opening ceremony at 地坛公园 [...]

Blink and it’ll all be over

Despite all the sadness my family and I have endured over the past few weeks, this summer seems to be passing by quickly.
I leave Hong Kong in three days. And then, I’m off to Beijing. I can’t believe that I’ll be there next week, able to see all the changes myself. That I’ll be sitting [...]