Traveling = Stress

Wow, this so crazy. The stress of leaving the country is finally starting to hit me. I've just been so concerned with trying to enjoy my summer with my best friends, that I've actually looked passed all the things that really need to be done before my trip. In an effort to become organized, I've constructed tables with specific areas that I can physically write a check mark as I pack the listed item. I know this is extremely OCD, but something about checking something off on a piece of paper makes me feel incredibly accomplished.

I got the schedule for Men's basketball and the USA team will be playing China in the preliminaries. I might try to catch this game because of 2 things:

1. I 'm a huge Rockets fan and want to see Yao Ming in action.
2. The USA team seems really promising this time around. Lebron, Carmelo, Kobe, Dwayne and Chris? Oh! So exciting!!!!

It's 2 and half weeks, it's not like I'm moving to Beijing. I highly doubt that all the clothes that I've packed are really necessary. I always manage to bring one piece of clothing so greatly ridiculous that it just makes me laugh when I unpack it at my destination. I remember when I moved to Orlando, FL I unpacked a long sleeved sweater dress. Why, for the life of me, did I pack something like that in a place where the temperature didn't go below 92 degrees is beyond me. Somewhere in my logic, I justified that a cold front AND a dressy event would occur at the same time in August, in central Florida, in which a sweater dress would be needed.

NOTE TO SELF: No sweater dress in Beijing.

I just got off the phone with my mom. She always manages to talk some sense into me, thank God I get to go home for a few days before the big trip. I have some bonding to do with the family.

13 days till Beijing.....

The Introduction

Hello everyone!

As you know, I am heavily preparing for my life changing and all-around awesome trip to Beijing, China for the Summer Olympics. I've never planned so much in my life before, from dealing with passports and visas, to trying to figure out which events I really want to see. I will be in China from Aug. 5-17, and although that may seem like a long time, it isn't nearly enough to enjoy the country AND the Olympics.
A few of the events I will definitely have to see are as follows:

• Men's and Women's swimming (gotta love Ryan Lochte and Aaron Peirsol!)
• Men's basketball (Especially since the USA team is extremely amazing and actually wants to do well this year)
• Women's and Men's gymnastics. (My friend Steph is OBSESSED with this sport, so she totally got me hooked..)
• Women's beach volleyball ( My little sister really wants me to check this out)
• Track and Field (I love these events so much)

That's the list for now. I feel like 2 weeks isn't enough to fully experience China, but at the same time, I feel so lucky to even be able to make this trip.

One of the more interesting facts about my trip is that I will be doing the 2 weeks with people I've never met. I got accepted into this Olympic experience through another university's sports management program and it's quite a unique situtation, I almost feel like meeting at the airport is going to be similiar to the first episode of a reality show when everyone meets each other for the first time.

I have approximately 2 weeks left before I jet overseas...so now I'm just trying to juggle work, friends, family and packing. Hope everyone is well!

Let the countdown begin!