wow!!! what a week! we made it safely back from vacation and I am being 100% lazy the last 2 days i have off! loving it!!! I have also been catching up on the 2008 Olympics I missed and the Democratic Convention (which started last night). It is going on in my home city! We went downtown yesterday (not out of choice...my daughter needed books and the only place to check was...you guessed it...downtown!). We did not go into the center of all the activity, but the part we did see was very very very busy!!! Vacation was fun and hot (WOW!!! over 100 everyday we were in Vegas and the high 90's in Calaifornia!!). Boo loved her 21st birthday! Fun stuff!!! we have lots of pictures (between both of us we have tons and tons of pictures...it took her over an hour to download all of them!). More on our vacation later.
One of the things I was sad about was not being able to watch all of the Olympics. We saw a few things when we were gone but most of the track was lost and one of my favorites...synchronized swimming was not watched at all (sighy). I did get to see the water polo, volleyball (mens) and rythmic gymnastics. And the ending ceremonies...wow!! It was a great show. Now we have to wait 4 more years...and who knows maybe we will see some of it in person...hmmmmmm???? London...we plan to visit there and what better time? hmmmmmmmm?? Over all we did pretty good inthe medal standings (2nd behind China)...

Medal standing
Gold...........36
Silver.........38
Bronze.......38

Great Job America!!!!

wow!! more Olympics! I am so loving these 2008 Olympics. I am not sure why..maybe because they are from China and Ann just came from there...hmmmmm, not sure why but I am loving them. We are catching up with the events from last night (Hoff is getting ready to swim...).
Well, my team is having a pot luck tonight so i had to make enchiladas (long story of why i am making them when i started out bringing pop...). I love enchiladas!! Yummy...but they are a pain (a huge pain!!) to cook!! and add hot weather!! *SIGHY* The good thing is they are done and I can relax for a few hours (2 more nights until vacation!!...wahoo!!).



The Olympic rings

"These five rings -- blue, yellow, black, green and red -- represent the five parts of the world now encompassed by Olympism and ready to compete against each other. Moreover, the six colours (including the white background) thus combined represent those of all nations, without exception. The blue and yellow of Sweden, the blue and white of Greece, the French, English, American, German, Belgian, Italian and Hungarian tricolours, the yellow and red of Spain are side by side with the new Brazilian and Australian flags, the old Japan and the new China. It is a true international emblem."

Coubertin (Selected Writings II, p. 460, 1913).

As an image of Olympism, Coubertin thought the rings had deep significance: that of the union between men. He multiplied the image to create a total of five rings. He designed and commissioned the Olympic flag to mark the 20th anniversary of the IOC's founding, on 23rd June 1914 in Paris. Coubertin never said nor wrote that he saw a link between the colours of the rings and the continents. For him, the five rings represented the union of the five continents, but the colours were merely those that appeared in all the different national flags at the time.

-- The results of a survey carried out in six countries (Australia, Germany, India, Japan, Great Britain and the USA) in 1995 showed that 92% of those questioned correctly identified the Olympic rings, which made them the most-recognised symbol. They were followed by the McDonald's and Shell emblems (88%), Mercedes (74%) and the United Nations (36%). (SRI Sponsorship Research International).

-- 86% of those questioned associated the Olympic rings with the world's greatest sports event: the Olympic Games. (SRI Sponsorship Research International, 1995).

Medal Count

Gold..........10
Silver.........8
Bronze.......11

wahoo!!! Olympics update...i just finished watching last nights show and wow!! don't you just love gymnastics!! wahoo!!! and do not forget swimming...Phelps is on fire...do you think he is part dolphin???? I am so glad the Americans won the bronze in gymnastics! To think they lost there 2 stars and were still able to medal!! That just shows you how much you can attain if you commit yourself and believe!!! Congrats!!

We were watching the show last night and my hunny bunny made a comment about the theme music. He was mentioning how we have been hearing the same music for years and years and you know what..he was right. I had not thought about it my the Olympic music has not changed for eons!!! And the weird thing is I like the music and there is something about the music that is encouraging and makes you believe in dreams!!! Good stuff!!! I hope my girls will be sitting with their families one day and smile as they remember us watching the 2008 Olympics and hearing the "Olympic" music. Good times!

Pierre de Coubertin

Birth of a vocation

Pierre Frédy, Baron de Coubertin, was born in Paris in 1863. His family originated in Normandy where he spent many of his summers in the family Château de Mirville, near Le Havre.
He refused the military career planned for him by his family, as well as renouncing a promising political career. By the age of 24 he had already decided the aim of his life: he would help bring back the noble spirit of France by reforming its old-fashioned and unimaginative education system.
Coubertin, whose father was an artist and mother a musician, was raised in cultivated and aristocratic surroundings. He had always been deeply interested in questions of education. For him, education was the key to the future of society, and he sought the means to make France rise once more after its defeat in the war in 1870.

Sport for moral energy

Coubertin was a very active sportsman and practiced the sports of boxing, fencing, horse-riding and rowing. He was convinced that sport was the springboard for moral energy and he defended his idea with rare tenacity.
It was this conviction that led him to announce at the age of 31 that he wanted to revive the Olympic Games.
He made this announcement in a meeting at the Union of French Societies of Athletic Sports (USFSA), for which he was Secretary General. No one really believed him and his statement was greeted with little enthusiasm.

Revival of the Games

Coubertin, however, was not discouraged and on 23 June, 1894 he founded the International Olympic Committee in a ceremony held at the University of Sorbonne in Paris. Demetrius Vikelas from Greece became the first president of the IOC.
Two years later, in 1896, the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in Athens. On that occasion Coubertin was elected the second president of the IOC and he remained president until 1925. Due to the 1st World War, Coubertin requested permission to establish the headquarters of the IOC in Lausanne, Switzerland, which was a neutral country.
On 10 April, 1915 the acts ensuring the establishment of the international administrative centre and archives of the modern Olympic movement were signed in the Town Hall of Lausanne.
In 1922, the IOC headquarters and the Museum collections were moved to the Villa Mon Repos in Lausanne and stayed there for the next 46 years.

Defining Olympism

Pierre de Coubertin also wanted to be seen as a pedagogue. All of his projects, including the Games, had the same aim in mind: to make men.
His definition of Olympism had four principles that were far from a simple sports competition:
To be a religion i.e. to "adhere to an ideal of a higher life, to strive for perfection"; to represent an elite "whose origins are completely egalitarian" and at the same time "chivalry" with its moral qualities; to create a truce "a four-yearly festival of the springtime of mankind"; and to glorify beauty by the "involvement of the philosophic arts in the Games".
It is clear that the concept of the Olympic Games is far from a simple sports competition.

The unfinished symphony

Pierre de Coubertin withdrew from the IOC and the Olympic Movement in 1925 to devote himself to his pedagogical work, which he termed his "unfinished symphony".
At the age of 69, in 1931, he published his "Olympic Memoirs" in which he emphasized the intellectual and philosophical nature of his enterprise and his wish to "place the role of the IOC, right from the start, very much above that of a simple sports association".
Pierre de Coubertin suddenly died of a heart attack on 2 September, 1937, in a park in Geneva, and thus his "symphony" remained unfinished.
The city of Lausanne had decided to award him honorary citizenship of the city, but he died just prior to the ceremony.
In accordance with Pierre de Coubertin's last wishes, he was buried in Lausanne and his heart was placed inside a stele erected to his memory at Olympia.

Synchronized Diving (one of Boo's favs)

Lin Yue and Huo Liang (it looks like you are seeing a double image but in reality they are 2 different people!...amazing!!)

Medal Update...

Gold............7

Silver..........7

Bronze........8

Monday...the start of the week and the final count down before vacation! Wow where or where does time go....there is so much to do and like normal i have waited on most of it (except work i am caught up there and should be fine going into my vacation if i keep up...). Today I took Boo school shopping (Gigi decided to sleep in which is ok since she will not start for a few more weeks). We went to Target. which i have not been to in months, and i was happy. I forget how much i love that place! It rocks! And i found some fun scrapbook stuff (and what made it better was that it was on clearance!!!). We are hoping to catch some more of the Olympics (if not it will be DVR'd which will be cool!!). I was able to catch the swimming relay this morning (courtesy of the wonderful DVR!) and WOW!!!! AWESOME!!! INCREDIBLE!!! All of us (i saved it to make sure all 4 of us watched it) were at the edge of our seats and so stunned at the end!!! WOW!!! To me that is what America is about...coming out on top!!! Wahoo!!!!! I think Phelps just might so it this year! I am keeping an eye on our soccer teams and let's hope for Gold!!! wahoo!!

The Olympic Torch 　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　

The Beijing Olympic Torch boasts strong Chinese characteristics, and showcases Chinese design and technical capabilities. It embodies the concepts of a Green Olympics, a High-tech Olympics and the People's Olympics.
The Key Facts about the Torch
The torch is 72 centimetres high, weighs 985 grams and is made of aluminium. The torch is of a curved surface form, with etching and anodizing being used during its production. A torch can usually keep burning for approximately 15 minutes in conditions where the flame is 25 to 30 centimetres high in a windless environment. The torch has been produced to withstand winds of up to 65 kilometres per hour and to stay alight in rain up to 50mm an hour. The flame can be identified and photographed in sunshine and areas of extreme brightness. The fuel is propane which is in accordance with environmental guidelines. The material of its form is recyclable.
The Artistic and Technical Features of the Torch
The torch of the Beijing Olympic Games has a very strong Chinese flavour. It demonstrates the artistic and technical level of China. It also conveys the message of a Green Olympics, a High-tech Olympics and the People's Olympics. The shape of the paper scroll and the lucky clouds graphic, expresses the idea of harmony. Its stable burning technique and adaptability to the environment have reached a new technical level. The torch of the Beijing Olympic Games is designed, researched and produced in China. BOCOG owns all intellectual property rights.
The Fuel for the Torch
Under the concept of a Green Olympics, environmental protection was a key element listed in the invitation documents to the design companies, by BOCOG. The fuel of the torch is propane, which is a common fuel which also comes with a low price. It is composed of carbon and hydrogen. No material, except carbon dioxide and water remain after the burning, eliminating any risk of pollution.
The Burning System
Its stable burning technique and adaptability to the environment have reached a new technical level. It can stay alight in severe weather conditions such as strong wind, rain, snow, hail, etc. The flame can also be identified in sunshine and areas of extreme brightness so as to satisfy the requirements of capturing photographic images and video footage.
The Design Timelines
2005 August BOCOG developed the design concepts and requirements of the torch.
2005 December BOCOG recruited potential torch designs from the design society. In total, BOCOG received 388 pieces of works.
2006 June-August BOCOG selected the structural designer and the burning system designer.
2007 January Beijing Olympic Torch was approved by IOC

The 2008 Olympic torch

The Torch Relay lantern

The Torch Relay lantern will be used to store the Olympic flame. Its main purposes will be to receive the Olympic flame kindled in Olympia, to light the Olympic torch and to exhibit the sacred flame.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) requires the flame remain lit during the entire course of the Torch Relay in order to protect the sanctity of the Olympic flame and the purity of the Torch Relay. If the torch flame should be extinguished, it must be relit using the mother flame stored in the lantern. This is to ensure that the flame used to light the Olympic cauldron at the Opening Ceremony comes from the sacred Olympic flame kindled in Olympia.
The inspiration for the original design of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay lantern comes from the traditional lanterns used inside ancient Chinese palaces. The silver luster of the lantern coupled with crystal-clear glass serve as a foil to the flame and communicates the Olympic flame's sanctity and purity.

The Olympic cauldron

The Olympic cauldron plays a major role in the Olympic Torch Relay. The lighting of the Olympic cauldron symbolizes the end of the Olympic Torch Relay and the beginning of the Olympic celebration.
The Beijing Olympic cauldron is based on the concept of a "round heaven and square earth" and takes after a typical cauldron from the Chinese Bronze Age. The cauldron shares with the torch and lantern the design element of the "lucky cloud."
The 56 "lucky clouds" hollowed out of the curved plate of the Olympic cauldron symbolize well wishes to the world from the 56 ethnic groups in China. The base of the cauldron has four legs with eight faces, symbolizing that the Beijing Olympic Games welcomes friends from all directions across the world. The Olympic cauldron stands 130 centimeters high, symbolizing the 130-day duration of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay. The cauldron plate is 29 centimeters deep, symbolizing the 29th Olympiad. The cauldron post is 112 centimeters tall, symbolizing the 112 years that have passed between the staging of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and the 2008 Olympic Games.

Medal Update

Gold ...... 3

Silver..... 4

Bronze .. 5

wow!!! I spent the day scrapbooking (i finished a project i started a year ago and a few challenges...fun!) and watched the Olympics (at one point i was watching 3 different channels showing 3 different events!). I watched...archery, cycling, rowing, basketball, water polo, soccer, beach volleyball, men's volleyball and tonight...we are watching women's gymnastics (I wonder why they call it women's when they are all young girls...hmmmm) and synchronized diving (this is so fun to watch and watching the Chinese win was amazing!). We are looking forward to seeing the men's relay!!! Go Phelps and USA!!!


Medal Count

Gold........2
Silver......3
Bronze....4


Design of the Medal for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

front of medal
reverse side of medal

The medal for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games is designed with inspiration coming from "bi", China's ancient jade piece inscribed with a dragon pattern. The medals, made of gold and jade, symbolize nobility and virtue and are the embodiment of traditional Chinese values of ethics and honor, sending forth strong Chinese flavor.
The medals are 70mm in diameter and 6mm in thickness. On the front side, the medal adopts standard design prescribed by the International Olympic Committee. While on the back, the medal is inlaid with jade with the Beijing Games emblem engraved in the metal centerpiece. The design inspiration of the medal hook derives from jade "huang", a ceremonial jade piece with decoration of double dragon pattern and "Pu", the reed mat pattern.
Noble and elegant, the Beijing Olympic Games medal is a blending of traditional Chinese culture and the Olympism. It gives the winners of the Games great honor and acclamation as recognition of their achievement.

Note: bi, a flat jade disc with a circular hole in the center
Huang, a semi circular jade ornament

reverse side of the medal

front of the medal

*all the Summer Olympics information provided has come from the 2008 Summer Olympics official site***

wow!!! I was able to watch some of the starting ceremonies and what i saw was incredible!!! i have never seen anything like it (live). At points it looked like they took a picture and enhanced it (the drummers in the begenning of the ceremony). The count down was incredible. Well... it was awesome! I wish I could have seen more...but i was so tired when i went to record it i recorded tonights olympic coverage instead of last nights!!! *sighy* My baby girl and hunny bunny said the part I did not see was even better!! Wow!!! And the talk around town is it was the best opening ceremonies and who knows if it will ever be matched?

Update on the medals...

Gold.................1

Silver...............1

Bronze.............1

(all of them came from fencing)

The 2008 Summer Olympics Mascot

The design of Fu Niu Lele derives its inspiration from the farming cultivation culture of ancient Chinese civilization, and bears the following salient features:

(1) Showing the rich concept of the Beijing Paralympic Games
Cows, symbolic of a down-to-earth, diligent, staunch and never-say-die spirit, are adopted to show the unremitting spirit of athletes with a disability in being the best they can be. It dovetails with the upbeat spirit of Paralympians and the concept of "Transcendence, Equality, Integration" of the Beijing Paralympic Games.
The determined, optimistic and diligent spirit of cows reflects a positive attitude to life. The Paralympic Games calls for people with a disability to enjoy the same rights to compete in sports as anyone else, and to achieve sporting excellence and inspire and excite the World, and thus develop their strength to add vigor and vitality to social progress.
Fu Niu Lele invites people from across the globe to come to Beijing, enjoy the splendours of the Beijing Paralympic Games and see the inspiring performances of Paralympic athletes who achieve the unexpected

(2) Embodying the harmony between man and nature
As one of the animals closest to human beings, cows are well-known for their friendliness and their affinity to the humans who care for them. Throughout the history of the development of world civilization, poetry and songs have clearly expressed the aspiration of humankind for a harmonious life. Cows have often found their way into the natural, cozy and poetic country life reflected in literary and art works, showing public expectation for the harmonious coexistence between man and nature.
In the traditional culture of China, cows are also depicted as animals considered auspicious in inviting good weather and bumper harvests.

(3) Carrying rich national style and cultural features
The design scheme absorbs the modeling and design styles unique to China's folk engraved prints, New Year drawings, and toys. This, plus features unique to the modeling of modern cartoons, shows an integration of traditional folk style and public interest with that of modern times.

(4) Cows are widely accepted internationally
Cows were one of the first animals depicted in literary and art works. Cases in point include the Lascaux mural in France and Altamira rock paintings in Spain, which all contain drawings of cows. Therefore, adopting cows as the mascot of the Paralympic Games, instead of traditional rare animals, is a creative act in terms of design to a certain extent.

(5) Commanding space for future designs and marketing

The design scheme conforms to the principle of stability. Its basic image facilitates the combination of the modeling of sports with souvenirs of the Paralympic Games, and is also good for the adoption of down, plastics and other materials. The mascot could be made of simple as well as different materials in accordance with the need for combined modeling.

Wow....08/08/08!!! Today is the start of the Summer Olympics! I am so excited and I have heard some awesome things about the opening ceremonies! We will get to see them tonight and I always get ecxcited about them! It is great seeing the USA and all the exciting faces...no one knowing if they will get the gold or not). So....here is to an exciting time and who knows maybe we will bring home lots of gold!!!!