beginning of the end...

It has been seven weeks, some felt longer than others, but our time here is down to two days. It's hard to wrap myself around the idea that I just spent seven weeks in China; it's even harder to fathom that I worked at the Olympics. Nine months ago, when I first applied for this opportunity it seemed like such an impossibility. There were 6,000 students qualified to apply for this position; I didn't think I stood a chance. Now I sit here wondering how I am ever going to watch the Olympics again without wishing I was standing there. As cliche as it sounds, it was dream come true. I have heard that word uttered over and over again during the last two weeks, but I can't think of any other way to put it. Ever since I was a little kid my Mom and I watched the Olympics together. I thought one day I would participate as an athlete, maybe in ice skating or soccer. I was never good enough for that, but deep down I always resolved that simply attending the Olympics would be perfect. Over the years I grew out of my naivety and realized a trip to the Olympics was no easy fete. With each passing Olympics I slowly squashed any ideas of me ever attending the Games. It's sad what adulthood can do to our imagination.

Then last September came. The opportunity of a life time weaseled its way into my life. Of course none of us can predict the future, but had I followed the plan I started with when I left for college four years ago this never would have happened. It's just amazing how a few choice decisions paved the way for this. My departure is bittersweet. There are countless reasons I want to leave, none of which I will get into here, but just as I convince myself that I am ready to leave I start to think about what I will miss. I know this feeling all too well; it was the exact same thing that happened when I was in Italy. More than anything I want to go home to my bed, my family and friends, American food, and a car. But I know that after 48 hours I will be longing for the people, the sites, cycling, and maybe even a box lunch.

My expectation was that we would come here, work together, and then go home to our separate lives again. I again under estimated the power of study abroad, limited entertainment, and living in a confined space together. Study abroad has this amazing power. I don't know what it is....being together 24-7, funny cultural differences, food cravings or insanity, but it has this ability to pull people together. I can't explain it. The things that went on here, Peking Opera make-up, Donatas nights, taxi rides, Silk Market, Chris Hoy, "blah, blah, blah," spidey sense, etc are some of the funniest moments of my life. Once again I find myself wondering how I lived without these people. With Italy it was hard because everyone was across the country, Connecticut, Kansas, Texas, but this time it is the world. Yes, all the Purdue people live in Chicago or Indiana, but Krystyna, Ernst, Amy, and Andy live all over the world...England, Holland, Australia, and Spain. I guess I'll just have to visit. (I really need to get a job that pays well!!)

Once again I have been lucky enough to have an incredible experience. I have learned so much over the last few weeks. No only about other people and the Chinese culture, but about myself. I am so fortunate that I had studied abroad before this because I was able to do things differently this time. Many people have asked me which was better, Italy or China. They are too different to compare. Italy was that first leap, proving to myself that I could live away from home for 3.5 months, and learning the ins and outs of traveling abroad. China was about fulfilling a dream. I live and breathe sports so seeing and working at the ultimate sporting event mind-boggling. At times, I don't even feel like it has actually happened; it has almost been an out of body experience, like I am watching myself in a movie. If I do nothing else of importance in my life (God I hope that is not true) I can always cling to my weeks working in the Velodrome.

Today is the last day with all of us here, Lauren leaves tomorrow, a bunch of us leave Tuesday, and then the last group goes Wednesday. Today is chalk full of free meals, good-byes, and last hurrahs. CUC is giving us a free lunch downstairs in the restaurant. Tan, a Purdue alumna, is making us dinner at her mansion somewhere in Beijing (apparently it is a subway and bus ride away...BOOOOOOOO) and then we are going to try and meet up with the managers that are left. Maybe I don't really want to leave after all.