Land of the free, home of the brave

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I hope everyone has been enjoying the Olympics! Things have slowed down a bit here which has allowed us to get out and about to some events. I have lots of pictures to share so be sure to check them out below.

A special treat was having the opportunity to attend the medal ceremony last night for the men’s freestyle skiing slopestyle event where we SWEPT the podium! It was so amazing to see not one, not two but THREE American flags being raised and hearing our national anthem loud and clear. I am very proud to be an American!

Shout out to all of the students in my hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota who are following the blog! I hope you are enjoying the Games!

Until next time,

Julie

The Shayba area - home of women's hockey. Trivia: What does 'shayba' mean in Russian?

USA women vs Canada

Look who I ran into...curling Olympian and Minnesota native, John Benton! John is here commentating the curling events for NBC. 

Amazing view of the park and the mountains from the Shayba arena.

I got to go to The Olympic Club! It is much fancier than the village! I went there for a special Proctor & Gamble reception. 

Mom and baby dolls at The Olympic Club. :) 

What has become known as the 'Disney' hotel. 

Because we honestly can't remember what day it is!

Amanda and I's desk

The athlete lounge in the village. 

I wasn't the only one who decided to bring her baby to Sochi! This is Victoria. She is volunteering for the organizing committee and is 5 months pregnant! :) 

The bank in the village. 

Our coastal village operations team. 

Fisht stadium during the day - home of the Opening and Closing Ceremony.

More Minnesota folks! I ran into the Zezel and Shuster families before heading to curling!

Team USA vs Team Great Britain

Short track speedskating!

My good friends and huge Olympic fans, Carlee and Courtney, are here volunteering at the USA House! It was so great to see them again and hang out at a few of the events in the Olympic Park!

Carlee being interviewed by the Wall Street Journal!

This was the job Kate and I did in Athens!

USA men vs Slovakia

My friends and I again at the men's hockey game.

My little cup of vanilla ice cream! I just loved how cute it was!

Long track speedskating at the Adler Arena!

Olympian and speedskater Bonnie Blair speaking to some of our donors. How cool for them to watch long track with the great Bonnie Blair! 

The Iceberg Arena at night - home of figure skating and short track speedskating. 

The Adler Arena at night - home of long track speedskating. 

The flag guys bringing out our American flags for the medal ceremony!

The medal ceremony for the snowboard women's halfpipe!

The medal ceremony for the freestyle skiing men's slopestyle!