Sorry for the long delay between posts. It seems that northern Michigan is the last remaining place on the planet where continuous Internet connection is a foreign concept. A quick plug for the majestic Walloon Lake and a heartfelt thanks to Nanny & Pop for sharing with me that tiny little sliver of Heaven.
SO much has gone down since I've been gone in regards to this trip, but where to begin? First, our class blog has been posted. I've started a new section on the right for links to the blogs of my classmates as well as that class journal. My study abroadmates are excited to share their version of the trip with you, and I'll be posting to the class blog once every 15 days or so. They will list alphabetically by title, but will denote the date of their last update below the link in white. Check 'em out!
And finally for tonight, a few administrative details:
1) While I will arrive in Beijing on Sunday, I will not have Internet access until July 8. Please don't get discouraged! I have not forgotten about you!
2) Please don't call my cell phone while I'm abroad. I will not respond. Ridiculous international calling rates are not my style. But, I am excited to hear from you via the contact info to the right!
3) I have heard rumor that due to the Chinese control of the media and Internet usage, I might have spotty access to some Web sites that promote "free speech" (i.e. www.Blogger.com, the host of this blog). I have been training my at-home back up blogger on how to use this site, so if needed I can send my posts to her via e-mail and get them to you in a timely fashion. No worries, I can still read your comments, and we'll keep you posted.
More tomorrow!
XOXO
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
I'm official!
I received my "Letter of Admittance as a Games-time Volunteer for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad" today. Exciting, but it didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know. Here are the details.
Assignment: Press Operations at Laoshan Bicycle Cluster from Aug. 8-Aug. 26
Perks: Accreditation card, uniforms, meals during work hours, free public transit between designated places and limited accident & medical insurance
I am responsible for all my personal expenses including travel, meals outside of work and living arrangements. The Purdue Study Abroad program has hooked us up with the Communication University of China to host us in their International Exchange Building (dorm for foreign students).
You will all love the uniforms (HAHA!); check out the photos below.
XOXO
Assignment: Press Operations at Laoshan Bicycle Cluster from Aug. 8-Aug. 26
Perks: Accreditation card, uniforms, meals during work hours, free public transit between designated places and limited accident & medical insurance
I am responsible for all my personal expenses including travel, meals outside of work and living arrangements. The Purdue Study Abroad program has hooked us up with the Communication University of China to host us in their International Exchange Building (dorm for foreign students).
You will all love the uniforms (HAHA!); check out the photos below.
XOXO
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Internship details
I am destined to be an intern with the Olympic News Service (ONS). Each group of ~15 students has been assigned to a sport. The Purdue group's assigned sport is cycling. This said, I will be spending many of my work days at either the Laoshan Velodrome, the Laoshan Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) Venue or the Laoshan Mountain Bike Course once the Games begin. I've included a link to each venue's site in the "Links" section on the right.
To the extent that I've been informed thus far, my job will be to attend cycling events and pay close attention to the details and results of the races. Then, I will interview athletes in the mixed zones and gather quotes to be assembled on a flash quote report. I will also attend post-event press conferences to collect reactions from coaches and athletes about the competition. In a very short amount of time, I will be required to turn those raw quotes around and deliver them over a closed-circuit Internet-based program to the Main Press Center for the Olympic Games. From here, those reports will be made available to the various media outlets to be distributed to the masses across the globe.
When we were first assigned to cycling, I was somewhat disappointed. I was really hoping for a sport that I knew a little something about. My first reaction was, of course, "Lance Armstrong!" As it turns out, Lance doesn't ride in the Olympics and never has. Since February we've been studying our cycling. I've learned about the bikes, the courses, the races and all the athletes. It has been quite a task, and I'm sure there's tons more I have yet to learn.
The Games don't begin until August 8. Starting the morning of July 8, we will be enrolled in classes to continue to learn about the ways of the Olympic News Service and the Chinese people. The duality of this cultural and job-specific training will allow us to be fully-equipped to take on our duties as interns at the Olympic Games. As time has passed, I couldn't be more excited for the experience!
More as it emerges.
XOXO
To the extent that I've been informed thus far, my job will be to attend cycling events and pay close attention to the details and results of the races. Then, I will interview athletes in the mixed zones and gather quotes to be assembled on a flash quote report. I will also attend post-event press conferences to collect reactions from coaches and athletes about the competition. In a very short amount of time, I will be required to turn those raw quotes around and deliver them over a closed-circuit Internet-based program to the Main Press Center for the Olympic Games. From here, those reports will be made available to the various media outlets to be distributed to the masses across the globe.
When we were first assigned to cycling, I was somewhat disappointed. I was really hoping for a sport that I knew a little something about. My first reaction was, of course, "Lance Armstrong!" As it turns out, Lance doesn't ride in the Olympics and never has. Since February we've been studying our cycling. I've learned about the bikes, the courses, the races and all the athletes. It has been quite a task, and I'm sure there's tons more I have yet to learn.
The Games don't begin until August 8. Starting the morning of July 8, we will be enrolled in classes to continue to learn about the ways of the Olympic News Service and the Chinese people. The duality of this cultural and job-specific training will allow us to be fully-equipped to take on our duties as interns at the Olympic Games. As time has passed, I couldn't be more excited for the experience!
More as it emerges.
XOXO
Thursday, June 12, 2008
23 days and counting...
Today I received a bit more information about the upcoming trip. Good news for you: I will be required to post at least five times per week on here throughout the journey! This blog is going to be a major part of my study abroad class grade, which will be reflected in my Purdue transcript come fall. I have also been asked to make the link available to my local news outlets so my community can have the opportunity to keep up with us Boilermakers.
In addition, we will be required to maintain a class blog to which each person going will contribute. As soon as that's up and running, I will link you to it. I will also provide links to the personal blogs of each of my fellow study abroaders as they become available.
Lastly, is there anything you would like to see posted here? I have tried to make a running list on the right side of links, stats, and other info that might be of interest to you all, but only you know what you'd like to see. Please let me know, and I will make it happen!
XOXO
In addition, we will be required to maintain a class blog to which each person going will contribute. As soon as that's up and running, I will link you to it. I will also provide links to the personal blogs of each of my fellow study abroaders as they become available.
Lastly, is there anything you would like to see posted here? I have tried to make a running list on the right side of links, stats, and other info that might be of interest to you all, but only you know what you'd like to see. Please let me know, and I will make it happen!
XOXO
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
How to post comments
Many of you want to know how to post comments. If you look under this post (and every post), there is a line that says, "POSTED BY KELSEY AT 11:00AM 0 COMMENTS." Clicking on the word "comments" will take you to any already posted comments and will allow you to post a new comment if you wish.
Once you're in that screen, it is really easy to do. If you have a Google account (i.e. Gmail), you can enter your username, and it will link everyone to your Gmail account. If you just want to use your name, click on, "Name/URL," and type your name.
Once you've done that, just enter your comment in the box and click, "Publish your comment." It will then appear for all to read.
I hope this clears things up!
XOXO
Once you're in that screen, it is really easy to do. If you have a Google account (i.e. Gmail), you can enter your username, and it will link everyone to your Gmail account. If you just want to use your name, click on, "Name/URL," and type your name.
Once you've done that, just enter your comment in the box and click, "Publish your comment." It will then appear for all to read.
I hope this clears things up!
XOXO
Thursday, June 5, 2008
About this "blogging" deal
Hello all!
First and foremost, thanks for taking the time out of your crazy life to share a few moments in mine. It truly means the world to me to think there are a select few, fantastic individuals that might give me an audience.
With that said, you should know that I intend this blog to be a running chronicle of my study abroad trip to Beijing, China and the 2008 Games of the Summer Olympiad. Please do not hesitate to post comments, thoughts, questions, etc. The only way I know you're reading is when you leave a little something for me, too! BEAR IN MIND that whatever I post, everyone reads. The same goes for your comments, so don't post something you wouldn't want my mother to read, because I guarantee she's reading ;-)
In the next month (that's right, exactly one month from today I leave from Chicago O'Hare!) I'm just going to post sporadically to get used to how this thing works. I hope to have details of the trip up as I receive them. I'm thinking about a FAQ section, too. I keep getting the same questions from everyone, so I'd like to get that information up for all.
That's enough for now. Thanks for reading!
XOXO
First and foremost, thanks for taking the time out of your crazy life to share a few moments in mine. It truly means the world to me to think there are a select few, fantastic individuals that might give me an audience.
With that said, you should know that I intend this blog to be a running chronicle of my study abroad trip to Beijing, China and the 2008 Games of the Summer Olympiad. Please do not hesitate to post comments, thoughts, questions, etc. The only way I know you're reading is when you leave a little something for me, too! BEAR IN MIND that whatever I post, everyone reads. The same goes for your comments, so don't post something you wouldn't want my mother to read, because I guarantee she's reading ;-)
In the next month (that's right, exactly one month from today I leave from Chicago O'Hare!) I'm just going to post sporadically to get used to how this thing works. I hope to have details of the trip up as I receive them. I'm thinking about a FAQ section, too. I keep getting the same questions from everyone, so I'd like to get that information up for all.
That's enough for now. Thanks for reading!
XOXO
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