A McDonalds! FINALLY!

Well, Beth is here!!! It was an awesome hello when I got back from work Saturday night. We jumped around like idiots for a while, just because that is how we both are... AWESOME!

Anyhow, I gave her some stuff that she needed while in China and we talked and caught up and it was a great, relaxing evening! It was awesome! So, as one of my surprises for her since she was here, tickets to Beach Volleyball -- Misty May Traenor and Kerri Walsh! We were both stoked and we were ready to go! However, Boo Boo was really, really sick this morning. She tried really hard to go because this was pretty much the ONE thing at the Olympic Games but she was just too sick. It was extremely concerning, I was worried. I did not go to the game without her, even though she told me to numerous times, instead I stayed and hung out with her and watched "Fracture". Well, as she was still getting sick, I called my bosses to try and get in touch with the USA team doctor to see if they expected stuff like this when people got here and if she needed to go to the doctor. And after talking to him he just said to try a few things and that if she was still sick to call him and he'd come over and take care of her. First off, I think it's amazing and I'm so appreciative that USA Baseball was so willing to help my sister. It makes me feel great to be part of a family that would take care of my home family. I ended up going to the grocery store to get her some crackers (where I also found Oreos--don't worry I haven't eaten them all) and then got her some toast at the restaurant downstairs and after she pecked through the toast started feeling great! So after she scarfed down the toast, we were ready to go!

So, we got in the cab and went to the Silk Market! Although, it was about 3pm and I had to work this evening so we didn't have much time there... in fact, we didn't actually go into the silk market yet, haha. We got distracted in the other markets and we went through and bargained and got some really awesome stuff for people (hmm, maybe you were one of them).

When we FINALLY GOT TO A MCDONALDS!!! I just got some chicken nuggets. No french fries or anything. I just wanted some chicken nuggets. I tried to take pictures inside of there but they wouldn't let me. They actually came up and asked me to turn off my camera. What's is up with that?!

So after that we had to get back to the hotel to drop off our stuff and head to the baseball stadium. Bargaining is INSANE at the marketplace. Actually, the marketplace itself is INSANE. They try to like forcefully pull you into their section to try and get you to buy stuff. They ask for a lot of money and we ware them down, it was fun, actually! I got some cool stuff for me. I got a scroll with my name "Bradley" in Chinese characters, the actual translation (they had a book) and I got some fancy chopsticks and stuff. It was great! It was a little ridiculous because I am not forceful at all, I usually am very passive, so bargaining is not my strong suit but I managed well.

After, Beth and I took pictures of each other taking pictures of each other... just because, again, we're awesome!
Anyway, we went to the baseball stadium so I could work. Today was supposed to be a full rest day for all the teams and staff but one game was rained out on Friday so I covered the game for my boss while he had tickets to the Gold medal games for tennis. So, we got there and the game started in the sixth--the point in which it was rained out on Friday--and so Beth got to see where I worked and she met the CEO of baseball and other IBAF people and to watch some baseball!!

We were hoping the game to end quickly because we had tickets to the 8pm Beach Volleyball game...but for some reason Beijing does not want us to visit the Beach Volleyball venue as the game went into extra innings. I was a little perturbed. However, we got our stuff done and it was a great evening and game overall.

So, as I, again, finagled (YES, I LEARNED HOW TO SPELL IT!) our way into an Olympic vehicle so we didn't have to spend the whole $4 for a taxi, we went back to the hotel where we then immediately got into a taxi and went to Pizza Hut! HAHA! There is also a Starbucks and a Dairy Queen there and so as Beth was finally starting to get part of her appetite back, we got to Pizza Hut and ordered a pizza that really, REALLY hit the spot and then as we were walking back we were going to get some DQ but it was closed. Beth, surprisingly, did not partake in any Starbucks. I think she might be extremely sick. She's gone two days without it! Plus, even if she does go she can't have her "Grande, no whip, double blended, double pumped (sometimes), mocha frappucino" because it's made of ice and it is extremely advised against eating ice because of the water.

Anyway, the locals have been extremely nice today (apart from the forceful marketers) and it was just overall a really great day! I was really happy that Beth was feeling better and got to enjoy the city today because I felt terrible that she got here and was immediately getting sick. I was worried that it was going to ruin her trip, but she's doing great now. She had some pizza and is feeling awesome. Actually, she's already passed out on the bed. Anyway, we're back to playing some baseball tomorrow! I have my full day ahead of me. I don't really have any great games to cover tomorrow so it'll be just a pretty low key day in terms of my job... yes, Beth has seen how I work and desperately wants my career! Anyway, I'm going to go, a movie I want to watch is coming on HBO and I'm going to go to bed! Don't forget my birthday is on Thursday. Send stuff to China. I'm in the Suyuan Jin Jiang hotel! :) Loves to all!