08/03: Reports of meeting Michelle at VISA in Foster City

[zongwen]

Dear you all,

This is my unforgetable experience meeting Kween. Sorry that I still cannot totally "wake up" from that "dream" and might have terrible english report here.

I just came back from Visa office and met Michelle one hour ago. As you all suggested, I have put a few sentenses in a note card and practiced everyday to ensure I would not forget it. The signature started from 1:00 p.m., but the line started before 12:00 p.m. When we got there around 12:45 p.m., it was a long line pending already. Until about 1:45 p.m., we finally got into the auditorium and saw Michelle from the distance. She is so so so beautiful in person; definitely much more beautiful than anywhere we can see from TV, advertisements, or any media. She looks even more slender than she looks like in TV, in my opinion. Super fit.

I came there with my friend who is working in Visa and I had asked him to rehearsal again and again what he should do for me when it's my turn to take pictures and sign the photo. Of course, I've practiced million times about how to smile, when to say my prepared notes, and how to breath. Finally, it's my turn. All of a sudden, I did not know what assistants were talking to me. I kind of know they were asking me to do something, or not to do something, but my brain was blank and I was not listening anyway. I was just standing there and start smiling like a fool. Then, they may realize I was shocked by seeing the super star, so they pushed me to be next to Michelle. Surprisingly, I woke up for seconds then. I talked to Michelle: "Hi, Michelle. I am from MKF". Michelle raised her head and smiled at me. She said, "really? It's so nice to see you. Someone told me some MKF would be here". I then had me knees on the floor so that I can talk to her more closely and I actually had difficulty standing still then. I said, "Michelle, we want you to know. No matter what you decide to do next, you have all our supports from all over the world, always". She returned a super big smile. And then, I kind of fainted. She said something like this, "I know. You guys are supporting me. You're the best.". I wake up a little bit and said, "We pray everyday and wish you super recovery, healthy, and happy". She is smiling big and say thank you or whatever I totally forgot since I was melted then. Then, the line pushed me to leave and I lost my control. I yelled, "Michelle, you're our angel, you're our kween, you're Kwanderful". She smiled super big to me again. And I realized all people were watching me doing something weird there and wonder what the guy was doing there.

I was so proud of myself that I did pull myself together for seconds to say something meaningful to Michlle. Unfortunately, I realize one terrible thing happened immediately. I forgot to put my head next to Michelle and had a picture with her. I hate myself and almost cried. I beg my friend to take pictures for me that I stand below the stange and Michelle is on the stage signing pictures and face the other way. He was very embarrassed then since everyone was looking at me. After I beg and beg again and promise I will treat him for a super expensive dinner, he reluctantly said yes. I took one more picture though I wanted more. Just before I prepared to leave the stage, our Kween said, "come over here. close to me." OMG!!! She is just so so so nice (My friend told me later my reaction and expression was too funny to describe. He said it seems like I was not sure if the voice was from Michelle in the beginning. And then I realized it's from Michelle, but I was not sure if she was talking to me. When I realized the miracle really happened, my face trunned into all red in a mini-second. I have my mouth wide open and laughed like a fool. I jumped to the stage; instead of walking or running. My face showed I did not believe the kween was talking to me and all my appreciation and gratefulness all showed in my face, eyes, and that wide open and could not be closed mouth. He said he was so worried I would hold Michelle's leg and start kissing and crying like a baby). I had my face super close to her face and had a big shot, though I look super ugly since I forgot how to smile. I happily leave the stage. Again, everyone was unhappy about me and wondered why Michelle is so nice to this freak. She then yelled to me, "do put pictures on the board". I returned, "yes, I definitely will. Please do come over the board and leave messages to us". She said, "I'd like to. I just do not know what to say". I did not reply (I should have said "anything, anything is good") since I was unconscious again. She said, "but I will see you soon". I guess no one in the line understood what we were talking about, but I can feel they want to kill me, since Kween is smiling big and talking to me like talking to her brother.

I was pulled by myfriend to leave the auditorium since he said the security might show up and bring me to the police station anytime and he was the one working in Visa that he could not stand any more embrassment I brought to him (he originally planned to be a stranger to me when I started talking to Michelle like no one else is there). If anyone of you is in the line, I am so sorry for I occupied so much time. But, please do try to understand. To me, this is really one time in my life.

Here is the pictures. Just click the small picture and it will start the slideshow.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&x=0&y=-76x8yd

Michelle gave me this wonderful moment and a lifetime unforgetable memory. I wish you all share my happiness.

[Beth2000]

Originally Posted by zongwen

Dear you all,

This is my unforgetable experience meeting Kween. Sorry that I still cannot totally "wake up" from that "dream" and might have terrible english report here.

I just came back from Visa office and met Michelle one hour ago. As you all suggested, I have put a few sentenses in a note card and practiced everyday to ensure I would not forget it. The signature started from 1:00 p.m., but the line started before 12:00 p.m. When we got there around 12:45 p.m., it was a long line pending already. Until about 1:45 p.m., we finally got into the auditorium and saw Michelle from the distance. She is so so so beautiful in person; definitely much more beautiful than anywhere we can see from TV, advertisements, or any media. She looks even more slender than she looks like in TV, in my opinion. Super fit.

I came there with my friend who is working in Visa and I had asked him to rehearsal again and again what he should do for me when it's my turn to take pictures and sign the photo. Of course, I've practiced million times about how to smile, when to say my prepared notes, and how to breath. Finally, it's my turn. All of a sudden, I did not know what assistants were talking to me. I kind of know they were asking me to do something, or not to do something, but my brain was blank and I was not listening anyway. I was just standing there and start smiling like a fool. Then, they may realize I was shocked by seeing the super star, so they pushed me to be next to Michelle. Surprisingly, I woke up for seconds then. I talked to Michelle: "Hi, Michelle. I am from MKF". Michelle raised her head and smiled at me. She said, "really? It's so nice to see you. Someone told me some MKF would be here". I then had me knees on the floor so that I can talk to her more closely and I actually had difficulty standing still then. I said, "Michelle, we want you to know. No matter what you decide to do next, you have all our supports from all over the world, always". She returned a super big smile. And then, I kind of fainted. She said something like this, "I know. You guys are supporting me. You're the best.". I wake up a little bit and said, "We pray everyday and wish you super recovery, healthy, and happy". She is smiling big and say thank you or whatever I totally forgot since I was melted then. Then, the line pushed me to leave and I lost my control. I yelled, "Michelle, you're our angel, you're out kween". She smiled super big to me again. And I realized all people were watching me doing something weird there and wonder what the guy was doing there.

I was so proud of myself that I did pull myself together for seconds to say something meaningful to Michlle. Unfortunately, I realize one terrible thing happened immediately. I forgot to put my head next to Michelle and had a picture with her. I hate myself and almost cried. I beg my friend to take pictures for me that I stand below the stange and Michelle is on the stage signing pictures and face the other way. He was very embarrassed then since everyone was looking at me. After I beg and beg again and promise I will treat him for a super expensive dinner, he reluctantly said yes. I took one more picture though I wanted more. Just before I prepared to leave the stage, our Kween said, "come over here. close to me." OMG!!! She is just so so so nice. I had my face super close to her face and had a big shot, though I look super ugly since I forgot how to smile. I happily leave the stage. Again, everyone was unhappy about me and wondered why Michelle is so nice to this freak. She then yelled to me, "do put pictures on the board". I returned, "yes, I definitely will. Please do come over the board and leave messages to us". She said, "I'd like to. I just do not know what to say". I did not reply (I should have said "anything, anything is good") since I was unconscious again. She said, "but I will see you soon". I guess no one in the line understood what we were talking about, but I can feel they want to kill me, since Kween is smiling big and talking to me like talking to her brother.

I was pulled by myfriend to leave the auditorium since he said the security might show up and bring me to the police station anytime. If anyone of you is in the line, I am so sorry for I occupied so much time. But, please do try to understand. To me, this is really one time in my life.

I'll upload the pictures to the board later after I'm home.

See, be yourself and have fun!!! We told you that Michelle is a sweetheart. I loved reading your experience. I am grinning from ear to ear. That story made me happy. Thanks for sharing your experience with our Kween.



Very nice pictures!!!!

[zongwen]

A discount coupon is distributed from Visa. You can get a $15 off ticket by phone/box office/online for the Chamipons on Ice Tour in San Jose (8/5) or San Francisco (8/6). The reference code is "Visa Discount"

[purplemkfan]

My ultimate dream came true today...

My friends and I went to the Visa company in Foster City this afternoon because our friend's dad (a Visa employee) hooked us up with passes...We were in the front part of the line counting down until 1, and at 1, we saw Michelle through the glass walls. She wore a beautiful white, summery dress with layers of beaded necklaces and had these adorable wedges on. My friend got a picture of her waving and then she went into the designated room while we waited for the doors to open. When the doors opened, I started hyperventilating, I was sooo nervous! I took a bunch of pictures of her signing autographs for other people, and one of the ladies monitoring the line told us that we were only allowed to ask for one autograph. boo. I had brought The Winning Attitude and my Eastwest Bank calendar, so I just decided to have her sign the calendar-- the ending pose at '98 nats. When I stepped up to meet her..

I said: "You're gorgeous!"
MK: "Aww, thanks!"
Me: "I'm from the forum!"
MK: (she hugs me omg!) "I love the forum!"
Me: "You should stop by and say hi sometime"
MK: “Hehe, okay.”
Me: “How are your injuries doing?”
MK: “Oh, they’re better. I’m swimming a lot, now.”
Me: “Oh, I swim competitively!”
MK: “Oh, wow!”
Me: “Yeah, when I get on the diving block I always think of your words of wisdom. You’re my inspiration!” (Haha yes, very corny, don’t laugh)
MK: “Aww!”
Me: “Are we ever going to see your 2006 Olympic programs?”
MK: ::thinks for a bit:: “I don’t know, maybe..I’m not sure.” ::signs my calendar and a little postcard of her spiral in Aranjuez::
Me: “Oh could you put ‘To Maggie’?”
MK: “Of course! Is that with an ‘ie’?”
Me: ::nods stupidly:: “Thanks so much!”
MK: “You’re welcome. See you around the forum!”
Me: ::giggles dumbly::

Two of my guy friends asked her to sign their arm and she laughed and asked “Are you serious?” She is so sweet and awesome and everything I expected her to be. We then took a group picture and when we all crowded around her she said “My family!” and we beamed, hehe. Before we left I said “Happy Belated Birthday! From July!” and she said “Thanks, it was fun!” It was such an amazing experience and I’m still jittery…I’m waiting for all of my friends to send me their pictures because I only had a disposable since my digital broke awhile back. Boo. Well Here’s our group picture:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3.../mksmaller.jpg

[The Phoenician Prince]

That was the BEST “I Met Michelle” report EVER! haha

Originally Posted by zongwen

Please do come over the board and leave messages to us". She said, "I'd like to. I just do not know what to say".

Yes, PLEASE Michelle, anything!

Originally Posted by zongwen

"come over here. close to me." -Michelle Kwan

I would’ve died on the spot...

[mr pru]

Great report!!!!

She does mesmerize you and cast sort of a spell over you when you're so close to her.

She really is just stunningly beautiful and so tiny in person.

Taking her and prudence's picture together and trying to think of something half way intelligent to say to her in our brief moment around her was next to impossible.

[michelle2006]

Wow, I am starstruck just reading it. Beautiful, Michelle is too nice!

[AZSkateFan]

Thank you very much for sharing!

[michelle2006]

Me: “Are we ever going to see your 2006 Olympic programs?”
MK: ::thinks for a bit:: “I don’t know, maybe..I’m not sure.” ::signs my calendar and a little postcard of her spiral in Aranjuez::

Thanks for asking!!

[Clay]

sounds like you had a good time. Many fans who meet Kwan get so nervous they forget what to say. I think many people wanted to ask about those Olympic programs, but got too nervous.

[michelle02olympics]

what does the back of the postcard say? my mom got a different one when we met her last friday (see Seattle thread--another member posted the postcard)

[beegirllw]

that is just precious

[handlem9z]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I really enjoyed how you were able to remember the whole conversation right down to the giggles.

[pepe-le-pew]

Thank you very much for the report and the photograph.

[Kathy Sullivan]

Purplemkfan and zongwen, what great experiences. You guys were really brave and thanks for asking the questions. It is so great to hear how sweet she is.

[pianohabebi]

Thank you guys SO much for the reports. Congrats on meeting Michelle and having such a great experience.

Oh and thanks for the pics!!

[michelle02olympics]

I had my face super close to her face and had a big shot, though I look super ugly since I forgot how to smile.

did you forget your name? just kidding!

Isn't it awesome meeting her? Tomorrow marks 1 week since I met Michelle and every night I lay in bed thinking how lucky I am.

One good bonus is at least when you were going to see michelle you knew were going to a signing. when saw michelle at the nwa show i wasn't sure if i was going to get an autograph.

Also in Seattle we were only to get one autograph per person.

I would of brought my other Heart of a Champion book (it was in the car but left it in there cause 2 copies occupied so much room in my bag and i needed a sweater or else i would freeze in seattle's weather), Skating for Gold, 3 of my Maxxis posters.

Also, did at anytime she come out from behind the table? I wish Michelle didn't come out from the behind the table in Seattle--you get pushed a little bit but I guess Michelle really had to leave the building.

[belladella]

Thanks. This is the most touching thread I've read on MKF in a long time.

[hfce]

That was a great report guys. Lets cross our fingers and hope we get to see the 2006 programs.

[zongwen]

I was just told by my friend that Michelle stoped signing photos a while after I left. She said she felt tired somehow. She stood up and took pictures with people still waiting in line. My friend said even she was tired and it past the expected time, she was still very patient and took pictures with everyone. She is really an angel!

Interesting thing. People in line is asking if "MKF" the password to talk closely to our Kween. Her smile is much bigger when I told her I'm from MKF. :-)

[ugogirl]

That's the funniest Michelle encounter I ever read. Thanks for sharing, LOL!

[kwanette]

Thanks so much...for sharing..You both had a wonderful MK encounter and you allowed us to live it vicariously..Good for you!

[Terri]

Thanks for sharing your special moments with us. I think we all hope to see Michelle's programs from this past season as well.

[MKGrace]

Wow- thank you both for the stories. I almost felt like I was there with you--of course if I had been I would have fainted. Michelle is such an angel, and I love the "MKF" password!! I spoke to Michelle briefly once at her rink in Artesia and I was so nervous I hardly remember it. She's so pretty and sweet and has a glow about her.

[Aslan's Girl]

zongwen, that has to be about the sweetest report I've read! I'm so happy for you!

purplemkfan, thanks so much for your report, and a *big* thanks for asking about her Olympic programs... Gosh, I hope we do get to see them one day! Also, thanks for asking how her injuries are healing, thank goodness she had some good news about them.