We are all in Shanghai

Last night all of us arrived. When I tried to post last night it appeared the site was blocked. This morning when I up at 4am and happened to deicide to check on how the Packers were doing I gave it a shot and it works. We can see Shanghai stadium where openinj games are and Sara will compete in her events from our hotel window. Last night they had a practice for opening games, fireworks included.

On to Shanghai

Yesterday Ann and I went on a tour that included the world's largest budda. It's in a place where "you can't get to from here" so was an all day adventure. This morning we walked to the Hong Kong botanic garden (big surprise, I expect to be at all of them in any city we are in). This afternoon we meet up with the other 3 in Shanghai. No word on Sara but the Team USA website shows them having a grand time yesterday.

Grams is safe and sound.

Even in Hong Kong, Dad can't stop his use of all new technologies. Meanwhile, I am having to reset my crappy iPod so hopefully it won't freeze on the flight over. FYI, dropping your iPod on the treadmill is not a good thing.

Grandma is safe and sound in LA. Tim picked her up and met me at work. Tom, our registrar, was a complete doll and took her on a private tour of the Museum's vault. We went and had dinner and then took her over to her hotel. Don't worry though, I still haven't let her have her passport and her plane ticket. Traveling with me is like being on parole. I stopped short of fitting her with an ankle monitor.

We can't wait to meet up with mom and dad tomorrow - and see Sara in her Team USA uniform! We are all about Team Sara.

Sara is here

The Special Olympics webiste has a nice write up of the team's trip and arrival in Shangnai (click the link below). She was sheduled to be on the aircraft that refuled in Alaska and Japan. Grandma is now with Meg and Tim so all the pieces are in place for a great time togeter.

http://www.specialolympicsteamusa.org/blog.php?entryID=98&cat=10

Hong Kong

Ann and I made to Hong Kong on time Friday morning. Walked around a little and did a half day tour. Boat ride tonight to see the lights of the city. We assume Sara is now in Shanghai. They were to arrive early Friday afternoon.

Off She Goes

We are all very proud of Sara as she gets ready to leave. She has worked very hard the past year to train for her events. She is very excited to hook up with her team after the training they did this summer in Nashville. It has been a long 2.5 months of waiting for her to go to China.

She arrives on Friday afternoon the 28th. Opening games are on the evening of October 2nd. Her first event is not until the 6th. Below are the China times she will compete.

10/6 3:30 400 prelim
10/7 1:15 4x400 prelim
10/8 9:00 400 finals
2:50 Long Jump prelim
10/9 1:30 Long Jump finals
10/11 9:00 4x400 finals

Closing games are the 11th and she will be back in LA by the morning of the 12th.

A couple of websites of interest are:

Team USA http://www.specialolympicsteamusa.org/

China http://www.2007specialolympics.com/Webenglish/index.aspx

Both sites will provide updates on what is going on.

If you are up and interested, although they don't say what time zone....

Lastly, watch ABC's Good Morning America on Thursday, Sept. 27 around 6:40 a.m. to see two of our Team USA athletes being featured LIVE through satellite feeds from the Los Angels Airport back to the New York Studio.

As Sara would say, that is all for now friends.

Rocky wants to go

All the kittens want to go and watch me run in China but they can't. Today I helped out Lucille till 2. I also went running with Bridget this afternoon and I got a really cool shirt from her. Tomorrow I am off to LA with the delegation. The Southern California group is going to have a luncheon first before we go to the hotel so all the Southern California group can say goodbye to all of us. That is all from me. You will hopefully being hearing from my dad and my sister while we are in China.

Uniform

I will be traveling in the track suit on the right. Team USA will march in the opening games as I am dressed on the left. We have started to write my name on everything today. I hope to love the hat. I am going to put all my pins on it maybe that will make me like it more probably not though

Sara does TV

Here I am at KOCE Studio Real Orange with Ed Arnold and Eric who is going to be running the torch. I was nervous but mom said I did great and so did Ed Arnold thought I was good he said I should be Global Messenger off air. We are taping the eleven o clock one tonight. I like how I looked after the make up lady did me over that is all for now everyone

Last meeting before I leave for China

Last Night I had my last meeting before I leave for China for 19 days. We have to refuel in Alaska and Japan before we hit Shanghai China. On September 26th we are going to have a send off luncheon for the Southern California Athlete and Southern California Special Olympics that are going with us like Michelle at the Hollywood park before we go to LAX Hilton waiting for rest of Team USA arrive. I got alot of cool stuff too. I got a royal blue Sweatshirt Hooded and warm up pants and jacket for the airplane and alot of different colors shirts and a pair of new tennis shoe and I got Khaki Pants that zip off so they can be shorts too and we got tan hat. That is all for now until my dad come home so we can take a picture of me in my warm up pants and jacket. By the way only 11 day until I leave

Haricut and running and go to Lucille's

Today I went to go help Lucille with a girl named Lizzy until 2pm. I came home to get ready for my haircut and track with Bridget. Today I ran 2 100 and 2 400 and 1 800 and I did the running long jump. It was really hot outside though I had to run by myself because Bridget hurt herself in soccer this weekend. Holly made me look like a model too didn't she? That is all for now my friends.

running with Bridget and helping out Lucille tomorrow

Tomorrow I am going to go to Tereso to help out Lucille. I will be running with Bridget in the afternoon at Niguel Hills Middle School. Today I had a swimming and fittnessize class today. We hang out at the cafeteria till noon then we go down to the swimming pool. I see Steve and some students down at the pool they go swimming at ten o clock and then go up and have some lunch. I got out of the transistion program just in time because now it is really crowded. My parents are going to a wedding this weekend in Steamboat Colorado for one of our friends daugther. I am going to be home and On Saturday I am to go to the BBQ at the Shea Center and On Sunday I am going to do volleyball in the morning and then skip softball and go over to Chris's house for lunch that is all for now folks

hanging out with Chris and Nick

Today I went over to Chris's house to hang out for awhile. My mom and I went for a walk this morning around the harbor and got fish for tonight because the Parker's are coming over for dinner. Chris and I watched alot of show at his house we watched the people's court and Dr. Phil and Full house and US Women tennis semifinal's and some other shows. I am still running with Bridget once a week now that she is back in school and Heidi is off at college now so we can't run anymore this year. This weekend is also my daddy birthday weekend so Meg and Tim are coming for home for his birthday late tonight. I am still taking a swimming and fittnessize class until I leave for China. Next Thursday we have meeting with Michelle to find out more about China for me. I have volleyball and softball this Sunday that is all for now

Heidi and Me

Yesterday I went running with Heidi at the beach. We ran a little bit and then we did deep sand walking to work on our muscles. Heidi and I also do you some squats and lurch's . I also went over to Chris's house yesterday for awhile to hang out with him. We watched alot of show at his house likeThe People Court, Dr. Phil and other shows we like. Thank you girls for helping me train for China