Paralympics Closing Ceremonies‏

Hello:
I just wanted to write before I forget the feelings I had yesterday and last night!
Yesterday morning we went to the Qingdao University Post Offfice - it was like none other that I have ever seen. We took pictures outside the door - I will send them. There was a woman there with her little children and the baby had his usual little Chinese outfit on,where the baby can go to the bathroom whenever they please. I still do not have a photo of that yet. I will get one soon. The little bare bottoms look so cute.
After the Post Office we went over to the stadium where we were the night before, hoping that something was going on. They let us in the building and there were some dancers practicing for the event. We still did not know when the closing ceremonies were to be held..As we sat there, a Chinese woman came up to us and sat next to Nona - the oldest BYU English teacher. She leaned over and ask Nona if she could ask her some questions and Nona agreed. She ask us all about why we were there and if this was our first trip to Qingdao, how long we planned on staying, and several other questions. She said that she was writing a news article for one of the local newspapers about the Olympics and the sailing events that took place in Qingdao. We visited with her for about 25 minutes and some of the others wanted to go and try to get tickets to the Olympic sailing and they left. Nona, Rog and I stayed to visit with "Song" - the reporter. She told us that she had some tickets for the closing ceremonies of the Paralympics for that evening (Saturday, September 13) and she would like to give them to us! She only had 7 tickets tho and there are 8 of us.
We were so excited and we hurried to find the others. We decided that we would all go to the stadium that night and try to get in. I have to admit that there were several skeptics. However, at 6:30 p.m., we all got dressed up and went to the ceremonies. When we got there, there were military guys all over the place as well as policemen. We just walked up to the security at the front door and Rog handed all the tickets to the fellow at the door, and he punched them - not even counting them to see if the numbers were right.
Once inside we looked for our "assigned" seats. We were not all together but Rog, Nona and I were on the front row of the upper deck. On each seat was a big bag of noise makers with colored lights, Olympic flags, more noise makers, a program and bottled water. It was a real nice event! A little policeman was helping us to our seats and we all thought that one of us would be asked to leave, because of no ticket. BUT, we made friends with him and he spoke perfect English. He told us that we could basically sit anywhere we wanted to sit and if someone came and said that we were in their seats, we would have to move. We had very good seats and the event was wonderful, with the Qingdao symphony orchestra playing all the music . There was some beautiful dancing, singing, a violin solo, deaf children "signing" a song, an outstanding juggling act and all the paralympic participants were there also. The Americans took 2 gold medals and they were there. We were so proud of them and the USA. After the event, we went down on the floor and met the athletes and photos were taken. I will send them to you. It was a night we will all remember.
The Chinese treat us like we are something very special and they are so respectful of us. It is a very refreshing thing. In our society, as people get older, they are not treated with as much respect.
Tonight the Chinese are lighting fireworks to celebrate the Autumn Festival. They have told us that this is the second largest holiday the Chinese celebrate - it is a day for families. It makes me reflect on my family and how very much I love and miss them. I want them all to know of my appreciation for every one of them and how important they are to me. I treasure the wonderful memories I have of each one. Know that our thoughts and prayers are always with every one of you. You mean the world to us.
Tomorrow we have the day off teaching so we will go over to our fellow teachers houses at Ocean University and tour that area. They live along the beach and in the old part of Qingdao - a very beautiful area. I will take the camera.
Much Love,
Mom