CORE CENTER

CONGRATS to Constantina Tomescu-Dita for winning the gold medal in the women’s marathon yesterday and she’s [only] 38 years old. YES! It was an electrifying and exhilarating race . I watched with panting breath and racing heart cheering for Constantina.

I am inspired by the core strength of these Olympic athletes. All creative energy stems and flows through the core, whether physical or mental, whether running or writing.

Watching them perform in Beijing brings memories of when I traveled there in the summer of 2005. I remember seeing the Birds Nest under construction. I also recall the hundreds of commuting bicyclists on the streets, walking through the entire Titanic-size Forbidden City, and attending the first international annual AIZHI Conference in Beijing. The theme was human rights and Davidd and I were guests of Dr. Wan Yanhai, founder of AIZHI, an AIDS organization. I also interviewed Wan while Davidd shot the photography. See link below for article.

Also did an interview with actor, Carl Ng.
[See link below.]

Davidd and I spent several weeks in Beijing and a month traveling around China. It was a life-changing adventure I will never forget. Highlights throughout the entire journey include: the Great Wall and the Empress' Summer Palace in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors in Xian, a 4 night cruise down the Yangtze (Yellow) River, the awesome futuristic architecture of Shanghai, the surreal beauty of the mountainscapes in Guilin, the bustling splendor of Hong Kong from both the Island and Peninsula, and of course, reveling in some of the best bargain(ing) prices to be had on clothes and merchandise in each city!

We met up with Janine and Jesus on a tour of The Great Wall and then paled around Beijing together. Here we are at the Summer Palace. Both have now become friends.

The Yangtze River

Shanghai

Victoria Peak, Hong Kong
A grand view from our room at The Peninsula, Hong Kong

http://aumag.org/features/WanFeb06.html


http://aumag.org/features/RubyFebruary06.html