Chinese New Year in Magical Realism

I want to do justice to the whirlwind 2015 has been so far, but realistically, it’s not going to happen. So, bullets and photos:

China - First week of January I flew with A to Shanghai to represent the US at the China Winter Swimming Festival. Shanghai was wonderful, they took us around sightseeing, we took the Bullet Train to Jinan, where the swimming part began. Saw so many friends, and it was terrific to have A meet everyone finally. Everyone we went we were treated like rockstars -feted at multiple galas, everyone asking for photos with us, so many wonderful friends, new and old. Amazingly I won the entire swim, which was so ridiculous and unexpected. And involved PRIZE MONEY! Nothing crazy, but almost a thousand yuan - I blew most of it on souvenirs and got a manicure. This year has changed my life, I never thought I’d be a semi-professional athlete, traveling the world for swimming at my age.

On the Bund in Shanghai, in front of the beautiful skyline:

USA in PRC:

Me and my bestie Amy (my qipao size is XXXL, hahaha):

Beautiful Daming Lake:

Race Finish:

Me, Amy, and A:

USA/UK Swimmers:

Podium!

Gala Dinner (with the Coney Island Polar Bears):

With our Souvenirs:

Last updated March 26, 2015