I arrived at JFK airport around 8:00 in the morning after taking the red-eye from LA. I was tired, needless to say, because, no matter how much you THINK you are going to "sleep on the plane," they don't call it the "red-eye" for nothing.

After taking the tram to a different terminal, I headed to the ticket counter of Emirates Airlines where the young ticket agent, chatting away on her cell phone, waved for "the next customer," took my passport, started typing up my boarding pass, never missing a beat in the conversation with her girlfriend. (We all know when it's "bizness" and when it's "girl, I'm getting off at six.") After about 3 minutes, she hung up, still typing away, and having yet to look up, she says, "What's going on over there? We've checked in a lot of celebrities. Yesterday, it was Michael Jordan."

"Over there" is Dubai. And we'll get into why it's the NEW spot for the rich and famous a little later.

I told chatty Cathy that I was going for the opening of the Atlantis Hotel, which is anticipated to be one of the most spectacular events of the year.  The agent smiled and told me, "Oh, you are going to have a good time on this flight! The plane is really nice. You should go to the second floor private First Class/Business lounge - it's beautiful."

Becoming even more excited, I thanked her, and headed upstairs.


The Lounge

"Have you ever been to our lounge before, Madame?" said the gentleman who greeted me beyond the private doors.

"No, I haven't. This is my first time."

"Well, welcome. Let me show you around."

As a kid, Halloween was one of my favorite holidays. I blame the person who created this day for the incredible sweet tooth that I still carry with me. I absolutely love scary movies like '"oltergeist" which I am watching right now - petrified, even though I know the outcome. "Come into the Light! No, stay AWAY from the LIGHT!"

On this Halloween day, I visited the cast of the "Today" show for their annual costume reveal. This year, it was a Fairytale theme - Matt Lauer as Humpty Dumpty, Meredith Vieira dressed as the long-nosed Pinocchio, Ann Curry was a beautiful Cinderella, and Al Roker was a very tasty Gingerbread Man. There was so much energy coming from the crowd - most of them donning very creative Halloween outfits themselves. But, no one caught my eye more than this adorable little guy:

Dressed as a spider caught in a web, with mommy suspending him from behind in a baby harness, this ingenious costume won the "Today" show's top prize.

He didn't cry once, enjoying all the attention but really not knowing what all the fuss was about. Just give him his pacifier and all's good!

Peace, Shaun

I really owe this picture to Jay Leno.

I was about to tape my weekend show in the hallway across from "The Tonight Show" when I saw all the secret service hovering around. I was so surprised to see Senator Joe Biden was one of Jay's guests and I really wanted to have a picture with him. I asked one of the friendlier looking secret service men if I could have a picture and he said maybe I could catch him as he was about to walk into the studio.

I didn't want to take a chance of missing him so when I saw Jay Leno walk by, I asked if he would make the introduction. Jay, being the lovable guy that he is, agreed, and I started to walk with him towards the room when another secret service guy grabbed me by the arm and told me I couldn't go down there.

I said, "Please?"

He said, "No ma'am, sorry, NO pictures!" still holding my arm.

Jay told him I was fine and not a threat and so, he reluctantly let me go and I walked toward the room - as more secret service stared me down, menacingly!

I peeked inside and there Senator Biden was getting prepped for his appearance by one of "The Tonight Show" staff.

Jay said, "Senator Biden, Shaun Robinson." The Senator flashed that Colgate-smile and said, "Hi."

Then, I said the only thing that came to mind..."Senator! I've given a lot to your campaign!" - which did get me a laugh (except from the secret service).

"May I take a picture with you?" He said, "Of course! Come on!"

So happy, I jumped next to him and handed my camera to... the secret service dude who almost arrested me.

I think I kind of saw an eye roll from him, but he took a great picture!

Thanks Jay!


Shaun

Well, the big day is almost here! No, I'm not talking about Election Day. I'm referring to the opening of "High School Musical 3!"

If you have kids of almost any age, you are well aware of the frenzy surrounding the third installment of the widely popular Disney franchise. When I arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel on Sunday, there were a few more teenage girls hanging around with cameras hoping to get a shot of the two males stars Zac Efron or Corbin Bleu. Security and publicists were buzzing about the hotel - you could tell they were preparing for a big day.

I made my way to the 12th floor when our camera crew had just finished setting up for our interview with the cast. I was happy to find out that things were running pretty much on time - my interviews with the cast were scheduled early in the day so I was getting them "fresh" - not worn out from an entire day of making the media rounds.

It was shortly before 9 AM when Zac and Corbin walked into our junket room - all smiles and excited about the movie. I must say young ladies, these two gentlemen are very sweet and even MORE handsome in person!

I had never met Corbin - so cute with his mass of curly hair. I first met Zac back in July on the red carpet during the ESPY Awards. The only thing that had changed about him was that he was becoming an even bigger star but still seemed as humble.

After the boys, it was time to interview Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale. It's obvious that these two are friends and really like each other. They said there were lots of tears during shooting this movie - knowing that it would be the last time they all starred together.

Or will it be? Could there be a College Musical? Check out my interview on Access to find out!

Shaun

She can turn the world on with her smile! I just took a picture with Mary Tyler Moore and I'm already thinking about how I'm going to get it framed.

Here I am, in the official Emmy Presenter's gift lounge at the Nokia Theater in downtown LA. There is security buzzing throughout the hallways - lots of the stars who are presenting awards or nominees themselves for today's Emmy show are zipping by getting some touch-ups - the hair/makeup and wardrobe rooms are just around the corner.

Oprah's dressing room is right across the hall from where I am sitting now, directly next door to Heidi Klum's, who is one of the show's five hosts and who we watched run in and out of her dressing room to change into her array of outfits . Howie Mandel just walked by followed by four of his helpers. A few minutes later, Josh Groban took a peek inside.

For two days, many of the celebs have been coming to the Gifting Suite to nab some goodies. Brooke Shields, Dana Delaney, America Fererra, and Vanessa Williams all caused quite a buzz when they came into the room. Alec Baldwin, Ed McMahon, Lawrence Fishburne, Martin Sheen, James Spader, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, and Mariska Hargitay. What an exciting night!

The feeling was one of being on top of the world.  

I was standing on the Great Wall of China - some 4,000 miles long and built over 2,000 years ago. It was one of those very few experiences that are awe-inspiring in the truest sense of the word.

The days here in Beijing had been extremely hazy, and many here for the Olympics had talked about visiting the Great Wall and not being able to see very far when they got there. So, when I opened my hotel room curtains and saw blue skies, I knew my prayers had been answered.

The part of the Wall we visited on this day is called "Mutianyu" in the Huairou district of Beijing. History says it was under the supervision of General Xu Da of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the early Ming dynasty. It was many watchtowers and passes built on steep hills and some precipitous cliffs. This part of the wall goes around the ridge like a flying dragon.

"T-shirts! Hats! Cold beer! Very nice!"

Walking up the road that takes you to the gondola is filled with native vendors selling everything from ice cream to Chinese slippers to miniature Great Wall replicas. When we boarded the gondola and started moving, the anticipation was growing for me. Peering out the window suspended high up in the air, I was first able to see the beautiful rolling hills that make the area so magnificently serene. And then, you see "IT." The Wall.

And it is Great. I was just awe-struck. It goes on FOREVER.

My first reaction was "How in the world did they build this?!?" You really want to see how far you can walk, just to see what is on the other side of the coming hill. The parts of the Wall are so different - in some, the floor is flat and leveled, other parts, it's slanted, other times you find yourself climbing very, very steep stairs.

(more great pics, after the jump!)

Breakfast is always a great time of the day for me. The hotel where I am staying here in Beijing has a delicious buffet and I have to race down there every morning in time to get seconds before it closes at 10:00 AM.

This morning, just as the hostesses were telling us, “Last Call,” my friend, Jeremy, who is our miraculous Web site guy here in Beijing, invited me to accompany him to men’s gymnastics. Because this is a popular event, we wanted to get there early enough to get a good seat in the media section of the venue. If we just want to be spectators at an event, our press badges will get us in, but the seats fill up fast with the thousands of credentialed journalists here for the games. The badges will get us in - except if a guy by the name of Michael Phelps is in house and in the water. Forget it. You better have a paid ticket, or you watch it on television.

Jeremy and I scurried through the halls, up the stairs and spotted two really good seats. We sat down just at the moment the predominately Chinese audience erupted into a harmonious chant for their athletes. If you’ve been watching the games, you know they are good.

The Rings…
 
(Pictured:  Korea)













Pommel Horse...

(Pictured:  U.S.A.'s Jonathan Horton)







Floor...

(Pictured: China)







Parallel Bars

(Pictured: Italy)

On the plane ride over to Beijing, there were a lot of Olympic athletes on my flight. It was really cool to see all these men and women wearing their red/white/blue team jerseys walking through the airport. I met some of the track and field team, including Natasha Hastings, who’s running the 4x400 relay. I chatted it up with some of the wrestlers standing in the ticket line and was dying to ask them about their cauliflower ears but held back. Actually, sitting on the plane together - to the joy of the flight attendants who took lots of pictures - gold medalists Venus and Serena Williams. Seated in the aisle opposite the sisters, was Olympic gold medalist Lindsay Davenport.

All the athletes felt like stars as passengers whispered, “Who is that?” and stared every time they saw someone on Team USA.

It was until several hours on the plane that I noticed a really cute guy sitting behind me who was also wearing a USA jersey. Our conversation went something like this:

“What team are you on?” I asked very innocently. “Tennis,” he smiled.

“Oh really? There are lots of tennis players on this flight. Do you know Serena and Venus?”

“Oh, yes, I know them very well.”

“Where do you rank among players?”

“In the world, I think I’m 8th.”

“Wow! You’re pretty good. What about in the States?”

“Uh, well. I think I’m pretty much near the top.”

“Oh really? Impressive. What’s your name?”

I am finally able to sleep through the night here in Beijing. The time difference is 15 hours ahead of Los Angeles so for the first several days, waking up every few hours during the night was normal. I'm on the other side of the world, which has been very isolating at times. There are a lot of NBC shows here covering the games and for the most part, you see them traveling as a large group which seems like a lot of fun and can only add to the joy of being in another country. The people I'm personally traveling with usually separate into their own socially comfortable groups and I often find myself solo.  

You probably heard the news that an American tourist here for the Olympics was stabbed to death and his wife critically injured in a random knife attack in Beijing, so I am very mindful of that when I venture out by myself, especially as a single woman who can be a target no matter where in the world you are. A lot of my family and friends have been calling and e-mailing, making sure that I'm OK and I tell them that I am fine and will keep my wits about me.  

I oftentimes feel like that person in a strange land who, on one hand is very scared and nervous about their new surroundings but on the other is overwhelmed by the exhilaration of new experiences. I would certainly rather have a traveling partner to explore new areas but, I don't want to miss out on anything this Asian city has to offer.

Hi Everybody,

I am finally getting a chance to write to you about my incredible trip to Beijing! This is my first time in Asia and my very first Olympics, so I am experiencing so many new things and meeting some phenomenal athletes.

I'm going to try to share with you everything that has been going on. It's not often that I cry during an interview, but I just finished one that was very emotional for me. Even my producer, Whitney, just teared up when she was logging the tape of my discussion and had to leave the room.

I'm sure it will touch your heart also.

Lopez Lomong is the American flag bearer for the Opening Ceremonies and he is one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. When he was six years old, he was taken from his family by the militia and forced to become a soldier, only to escape and run away to a refugee camp in Kenya. Then, at age 16 (he is 23 now), he was adopted by an American family, who are now coming to Asia to see their son run in the 1500m Track & Field event for the Beijing Olympics. Quite a story!

Lopez is definitely a star at these games because of his incredible journey, but he surprised me when he walked into our room for our interview and said he was so excited about being interviewed by Access Hollywood! He said that he watches all the celebrity news updates, from Angelina Jolie to Will Smith.

One of the highlights for him, so far, has been meeting the American basketball players who are on the Olympic team; like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. You should have seen his face light up when he talked about taking pictures with them. Lopez says he is truly the American story and when he carries the flag for his new country, he will be thinking about his family back in Africa, especially those who never made it out of the militia camps. He knows he is one of the lucky and blessed ones and we will all be rooting for Lopez Lomong to bring home the GOLD!

Peace, Shaun