So it's about time for me to say that despite all my previous negativity towards China's event of the century, I have enjoyed the Games, from that crazy opening ceremony to the adorable weightlifter Chen Xiexia who won the first gold medal for China (which now has over forty, the US, less than thirty), to Tuesday night, when we packed in three hours of soccer and volleyball quarterfinals after dinner. ZX loves Nigeria Men's Soccer because they really "play" soccer as we say in English. Everything's one touch and go, and Belgium had a solid defense, but you just can't stop such incredible skills. Brazil and Argentina was a little rougher, a little closer.

But the highlight of the night for me was the women's volleyball in between the soccer matches. They played Russia, who they beat out in Athens for the gold, and it was breathless every point. We wandered out to a BBQ and beer garden and found the women into the thick of it. The second game they were down and Russia had matchpoint and they came back to vie back and forth for a close win. The channel got switched to soccer before the third set started, so I found an old couple in the back of their little corner convenience store who happily pulled up a stool for me to watch the final set. It was fun cheering beside them.

Obviously, they're good. But I also love the China team because they really act like a team. They seem to enjoy each other, and the talent is spread out all over the place. The energy feels really positive, they laugh, and laugh off mistakes, almost like little girls sometimes. The tall hitter Zhao Ruirui has a smile so kind you almost wonder how she made it so far in athletics. The coach too is known for his positiveness. Even when they're behind or he's protesting a call, he always looks like he's smiling. The difference between their open faces on the China side and the stern Russian women was almost humorous. I'm not one to get crazy about watching sports, but I think this is one team that has won me over.

The scores of the quarter-final against Russia were 25-22, 27-25, 25-19. Last Olympics China beat them out for the gold. Tonight at 8:00 they compete in the semi-final match against Brazil, who's supposed to be awesome. US beat Cuba, who had been undefeated in the other semi-final. I'll be cheering so hard for China tonight, partly because it'd be so fun to have it be the US and China playing for the gold on Saturday, and mostly just because I'm a fan.