When we got to the hotel, I ran out to the grocery store for water and Diet Coke (known as Coca-Cola Lite) for our stock! Ran into Diane R., Stefanie, Grandma and Janie...what a thrill to finally meet them in person. Then I jumped in the shower to be ready (in 29 minutes) to meet Peter Z., and get a little business done before the ultimate Kacey business starts on Saturday! We visited the Outback Steakhouse at the Beijing Hotel which is the main government hotel and was FILLED with Aussies and Americans from the Embassies. I had a Diet Coke with clean ice and was one happy, happy future Mommy.

My Mom sampled the Chinese Restaurant here at the hotel with Diane, Stefanie, Grandma and Janie. They had a very yummy dinner according to Nana. After we finished working, Peter and I went to a famous Hot Pot restaurant near the hotel; you cook your food in a steaming pot of yummy hot soup. We had beef, lamb and assorted mushrooms all hot and steamy from the pot. We finished with terrific whole wheat noodles. Did I mention we also had a great bottle of Penfold Cabernet to wash it all down?! So far so good on the quest for Kacey!

It was the end to a perfect day. Mom and I both slept soundly from 10:00 PM to 5:30 AM., and today we are going on a tour to the Summer Palace and National Zoo (to see the pandas). After that, Mom and I have been invited to dinner with the famous Mr. Hao. He is the owner of our franchise here in Beijing. I've been warned to save room in my stomach because he will order everything on the menu to make us happy. The star will be Peking Duck because I mentioned I liked it many moons ago, and of course he remembered!

Only 3 more sleeps until we meet Kacey in Hefei! I'm going to stay as busy as possible so that the time will fly by!

Nana Susan wants to tell everyone, especially my Dad at home reading this, that we flew 17 hours yesterday and it NEVER got dark! It was daylight the entire way! I thought I'd told her that before but I guess you have to see it to believe it!