Happy Birthday in Beijing

One of the best things about competing in a summer sport and having a summer birthday is I get to celebrate around the world.  With a 14 hour timezone difference I was able to celebrate for 2 days.  While it was August 14th Beijing it was still August 13th back home.  I have told some teammates that I am going to celebrate all week because I have my 1st round of competition on the 15th and then the 2nd round on the 18th.

When I got back to my room from practice I was surprised with a beautiful bouquet a roses and a bath and body works bath set, from my friend Kristin Heaston.  Now my room looks good and I smell good too.  Lots of athletes and staff sang happy birthday songs through out the day.  Watch the video of Amber Campbell (USA Hammer Throw) we were jammin’ on that one.  I was later surprised with cupcakes from two of our team doctors Ross Flowers and Monique Burton and just when I thought it couldn’t get any better I got another bouquet of flowers from BOCOG (The Beijing Olympic Committee Organization Government).

When I checked my email I had birthday wishes from family and friends back home.  I feel like this is the birthday that never ends.  One of the Olympic coaches said it best, “you are blessed”.