I've been contemplating writing a blog for quite some time, but it always seemed like something got in the way of that- not enough time, resources, ect. However, God has given me a terrific opportunity to do so while I'm in Beijing and to think about life and consider its true worth with some time to spare. Anyway, let me tell you about some of my experiences. When I arrived here about four days ago (technically four because China's 12 hours ahead) I was a little apprehensive. I wasn't afraid of the unfamiliar but the familiar. You see, I visited China 2 years ago for three weeks ( I left a week before the Olympics), and the one thing I remembered about Beijing was how crappy the air was then with only half the factories running. Because I knew that so much stuff had been done to "improve" the Beijing environment for the Olympics, I knew that things would be different. However, when I got here, I adjusted well to the always smoggy air from Wednesday until the present. The sun did not come out for the first few days, but it was fine with me because I know how hot it gets in Beijing. The sun came out today though (Sunday), and I was highly upset, especially after the long day and night I had yesterday. After being told that we wouldn't begin working until tomorrow (Monday), we were suddenly called in yesterday and told that some of us had to leave immediately and others had to coach in a few hours- I was one of the ones who had to coach in a few hours. I was frantic by that point because I still hadn't bought any basketball shoes or shoes to coach in, so I left with the two who had to leave immediately and went looking for a shoe store. By the way, if your're ever in a foreign country and don't speak the language, this is NEVER a good idea. I was walking around on the street near the university hotel I was staying in (Renmin University) asking people if they spoke English, and I kept coming up short. So, I finally decided to take the subway since I was at least familiar with it I remembered the stop for the Pearl Market in Silk Street in downtown Beijing- too bad I didn't remember much else. But, I went and the Lord had to have been on my side because I suddenly remembered the stops as I was looking at the half Chinese characters, half American letters map. I got onto the crowded train and transferred from line four to line two until I found someone from Africa who spoke English and Chinese and was familiar with Beijing. She told me how to get there, and, after traveling for an hour already, I was there in minutes. I went to the market, bargained my shoes down to 100 RMB (about $13), and went back to my temporary home at Renmin, taking only two trains this time from line one to line four. I was so proud of myself when I got to the hotel with 45 minutes to spare, so I got ready and waited with another coach to be picked up by our Chinese assistant coach. We walked over and coached hard for 2 hours and went to dinner for another 3 hours. Needless to say, by the end of the night, I was EXHAUSTED. . .