Thank You Beijing

Last night was the closing ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games. The ceremonies were amazing, but they paled in comparison to the games themselves. The struggle and triumph of the athletes, the drama of so many heart-stopping finishes, and the glimpse into China captured my imagination and inspired me on a daily basis. I am not sure what the highlight was for me. There were so many.

• The Opening Ceremonies and the scale of its composition, its complexity and visual intensity
  
• Michael Phelps and his domination of the Water Cube
• Michael Phelps' mother and her reaction to each win
• The amazing talent of the Chinese divers
• Usain Bolt just simply leaving everyone behind
• Waking up at ungodly hours to watch the US Men's Soccer team struggle...again.
• Watching the US Women's Soccer team recover from early shock to win a gold
• Volleyball! Beach and Full Court. Awesome. Dalhausser. Scary.
  
• Anastasia "Nastia" Valeryevna Liukin
  
• Trying to figure out how old those Chinese gymnasts were
• Watching Lionel Messi conduct a clinic on the pitch...every game
• Bob Costas (and definitely not Marcello Balboa)

The list can go on and I am looking forward to London already. Thank You Beijing.