where in the world is steph.... Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? -- Mary Oliver

The end is approaching. Can't believe the games are almost over.The other day I went to see some gymnastics which was great fun because I was ditching work, we couldn't stay long but got to see some cool stuff. Today after work I went and watched the womens 10m diving semi-finals which was pretty cool. Then I was casually walking through OAKA (the area with the Olympic Stadium, Veledrome, Olympic Indoor Hall, Tennis, and Auqatics...the hub for the olympics) when I realized it was almost time for the today show to start. So I decided to brave the mid day sun, and headed over and found a place along the railing. After all I did it in Sydney so I needed to keep with tradition.....I know I ended up on camera, because during the break the camera guy asked me if I was going to smile, I told him of course and gave him the cheesiest smile I could, which he told me he wouldn't do. Then he stood in front of me with the camera in my face for what seemed like forever. I am sure no one actually watched it, and I didn't want to call people and wake them up. It was hysterical though, because people were talking to family at home asking them if they could see them. The joys of modern technology. I did get to shake Al's hand and talk to Katie for a brief moment. It was funny to watch how excited people got to have their pictures taken with them. All of the staff seemed geniuenly nice which was great to see. We are all starting to get excited for the end, and all of us are discussing our future travel plans, islands, holland, turkey, and various parts in between. I still don't know what I am going to do for the next four weeks until my mom gets to Europe. I am not worried I know I will have a great time at whatever I do. Hay and the inside scoop on athlete spotting, if you want to find athletes, go to the airport in the middle of the night. I had to take someone to the airport the other night, and the place was crawling with athletes. The dutchies i was with saw some dutch athletes but didn't know who the where........they asked me if it would be wrong to ask to have their picture taken with them....um yes, yes it would be. then we discussed the merits of how to bring ones medals home, as the are very heavy, but you wouldn't want to put them in their checked luggage. As the games aren't over, I assume those athletes leaving aren't ones who recieved medals, so I didn't ask anyone. But I still wonder.......
Speaking of the hot sun, I don't think I have talked at all about the weather here. But I do my laundary usually late at night, I hang it up between 10pm-11pm, and at 430am when i get up, it is dry. I have only been cold twice sitting in a room with air conditioning. We are all greatful for breezes because it makes it feel cooler. When I was in South Africa I remember it getting cool in the evenings and wanting pants or light weight jacket, but not here. It doesn't seem to be cooling down in the evening. And my roommate from South Africa is always complaning how hot it is. It isn't as miserable as I thought it would be though, so that is good. Well I best be off. I need to go do laundry of all things and take a nap before we go out tonight. Hope everyone is doing well. ~steph