Wow, Beijing is amazing. Can I come home now?

Seriously... I've been here for what, 4 days? 3 days? I don't even know, and I am SO OVER IT. AND OF COURSE, THE CAPS LOCK FUNCTION ON THE HAPPY COMPUTER AT THE HOTEL IS STUCK NOW, SO THIS WILL BE AS IF I'M YELLING, UNTIL IT DECIDES TO STOP.

IT SMELLS SO BAD HERE. Think of it (ahhh no more caps- so much better!) as if you've just walked by a port-o-potty that has been sitting out in the hot sun for days. Now, picture that smell EVERYWHERE you are walking. Times ten. If I could bottle it up for you and bring it back as a souvenir, you all would be so happy.

It's SO humid here too! I mean, I thought it got humid in Tennessee... NO WAY! It's ridiculous here! You walk literally 2 yards down the road to stop for a water, and you're drenched. The Chinese must be adapted to this or something, because I don't see them sweating. The men like to roll their shirts up to show of their stomachs, though. That's a little different.. and reminds me of someone I used to play softball with, which is hilarious, but that's beside the point.

I've gotten bit by more mosquitos in our room than outside, I think. Every time Megan and I say we've gotten bit.. 'oh, it's malaria,' we'll say. Funny, but not.

Here's a fun story.. so today I decided to take out some money from my lovely checking account. I had notified Bank of America of my traveling out of the country (specifically to Beijing and Tokyo) and told them when I was going and when I would be returning. Well, LUCKY ME couldn't get any money out today from the bank! It said something about me not being authorized to take out money.. SO LAME! So, I immediately sent my parents a text message (It's SO much cheaper than calling) to see if they could get something sorted out, but no luck! I have to call the bank collect or something, and I'm not quite sure how to do that in a foreign country where I don't even speak the language.

Last night we found a Mexican cantina. We just laughed the entire time because.. seriously, how funny is it to be at a Mexican restaurant in China? You know you want to laugh about it. So, it was fun times- we split some enchiladas that weren't half bad, and had a margarita. We're going back on the 5th because it's Cinco de Drinko where drinks are half priced. I think it's the only way to handle Beijing. ;) It's also Taco Tuesday! No worries, dog is no longer on the menu.

Tonight we went to a night market on a local street... the ones where they serve the fried scorpion, starfish, beetles, seahorses.. SICK! I saw someone eat a scorpion (or two), and a starfish. I was too chicken to try anything, plus I didn't really feel like spending the money. We did see Mary Carillo (she is a sports broadcaster from NBC & played tennis)- our first famous person in Beijing! She was doing some video stuff in the market, where she ate starfish and scorpion. BE ON THE LOOKOUT for her broadcasts! Maybe you'll see her in the market, and us in the background! Haha!

Oh! I also finally had some noodles- it wasn't super authentic Chinese, but it's the closest I've been so far. It was a pretty cool place called the Noodle Loft. They make the noodles there and everything- it was very modern-looking, and didn't taste half bad. I'm not liking the after taste, though... ick.

Tomorrow we're hopefully going to see Mao's mausoleum & embalmed body (creepy) - we tried to go today, but apparently it's closed Mondays. Apparently they have a fake one and his real one... and it's kind of based on which one they feel like bringing out that day. ha!

Man, I have such the headache. I will be SO excited when 8/27 rolls around. The Olympics haven't even started yet and I'm ready to come back home! I need to bathe. haha! Oh, and let's hope that I can take out a ton of money tomorrow because we won't be able to check into our next hotel without any cash! I might have to come home sooner! ;)