Catch Up on MacKays
September 27, 2008
Dear Family and Friends,
We hope this letter finds you all well. I thought it was long overdue that you heard from the MacKay clan. You would think I had all kinds of time on my hands but the days sure go by quickly.
The first three weeks here were rather difficult to say the least. We were totally cut off from everyone as we didn't have our computer yet or a way to call. Thanks to the generosity of good branch members, I got online when I could. I promise we did not move away and forget our loved ones.
Anyway, we now have our computer and our vonage phone works. What does this mean to you? It means we can talk and talk for free!!!!!! My social personality should really thrive with this advance in technology. It sure beats the $500 phone bills we had when we first went to Thailand. (Yes, Hollee was a baby back then--I've matured so much!!! Ha,ha) Seriously, you can all call us now on our same phone number we had in Draper--801-446-6486. Just remember we are 14 hours ahead. Our phone rings a lot in the middle of the night with sales calls. The first time we used it, Megan was on the phone when call waiting came on. It was Friends of MS wanting to do a pick up the next week at our house in Draper. This simple little thing made us feel so much closer to home.
Thank heaven our kids only had the one family purge. They all sobbed together one night and told Brady it was all his fault that they were pulled away from their home, family, and friends. It was a brutal night but it was long overdue. We all only had each other when we came here and at that point the kids were just tired of no friends or family.
We are so glad the Olympics finally came!!!! That definitely helped the homesickness and was a great distraction. We were able to purchase a satellite system that gives us American, unfiltered television. It is the military network so we don't get everything but at least we can get Dancing with the Stars (Madisen's favorite) and network news. We also were able to watch all the NBC coverage of the Olympics. It was such a thrill to see the coverage and then go to actual events.
The first event we went to was Women's Indoor Volleyball. The first game was Italy vs. Algeria. We sat behind the Italian family members who were a rowdy bunch. We yelled "Italia" with them the whole time which was a riot. Then we watched USA vs. Venezuela. The US family members sat in front of us along with the coach's husband and daughter. We were all dressed in red. white, and blue. The kids had American flags on their cheeks and flags draped around them. We were quite the spectacle. You don't usually see a family as big as ours at the Olympics. Everyone wanted to take our picture. We were vintage Americana. All kinds of journalists and just Chinese spectators wanted us to pose for pictures. The kids really ate it up. One Chinese journalist followed us for 20 minutes outside. He would run ahead of us and snap our picture. I have no idea where all these pictures have ended up. The Chinese are smitten with my blonde haired kids, especially Scott. They all want a picture with him wherever we go. Cole says he is going to start charging for pictures--5 qwai which is about 70 cents. His friends do this and actually make some good money.
The boys spent a day at men's basketball and Maddee went with some neighbors to roman-greko wrestling. I was invited by a woman in the branch to go to the men's beach volleyball final where we took the gold. That was a blast--especially during the Star Spangled Banner and the raising of the flag.
We all went to a day of rowing. This venue was close to our house. The rowing was pretty slow and boring but it was so fun to celebrate the Olympics with all the fans from all around the world. We were sitting in the midst of a lot of Chinese. They yell "June Gwo, Jie Yo" over and over again which means, "China, Go" We started yelling in Chinese, "May Gwo, Jie Yo" which means "America, Go." The Chinese were so impressed that we were yelling it in Chinese so they started yelling our America Go chant with us. It was pretty cool! It really was neat to see how excited the average Chinese were for the Olympics. It was such a big deal to them. Chinese are by nature more reserved and not so friendly but not during the Olympics. Their enthusiasm was everywhere.
The last full day we spent for the Olympics was at the Nest for track and field. It was the Decatholon day which was a little slow but it was so cool to be in the Nest. What a structure! We also were able to walk all around the Olympic Green by the Nest and see the Water Cube. The energy of this whole area was really cool. Once again everyone wanted to take pictures of us, especially this kids. Earlier that day I was able to go with some women in the branch to the men's final beach volleyball match when we won the gold. It was a very rowdy place and so much fun to see us win a gold medal. The best part was watching the American flag go up and listening to the Star Spangled Banner play out loud in the People's Republic of China. What a feeling!
After we were in the Nest that day, we were hungry so decided to go to the only restaurant around--McDonalds. They were the official sponsor so they got the only restaurant on the Green which was suppose to be able to feed thousands of people each day. What a joke! We waited in line for 30 minutes outside then they let a few of us inside only to get crowded and pushed to the front of the line inside. It was a madhouse and all for some chicken nuggets and fries to make the boys happy. The McDonalds experience was a cultural one to say the least. The Chinese love to squish each other--there is no respect of personal space here. Does my clausterphobia a lot of good.
After eating, we set out to find the Today show set. We arrived one hour and 15 minutes before the show was to air. Megan asked a producer where we should stand to be on TV. He told us a great spot and we were front and center. The girls were determined not to lose their spot so we were there for about 3 hours. The boys played their DS games and posed for pictures with Chinese people the whole time. We were in a great spot to meet the Today show people--Meredith, Al, and Ann. They were very nice and all talked with us. We also met the beach volleyball gold winners, the gold winning women's soccer team and the silver winning water polo women's team. We got a lot of autographs which was really fun. I guess we were on TV several times from what we've heard. We could have never had that chance in New York. It really was a highlight.
We were on TV another time during the Olympics. The KSL crew from Salt Lake were here and found out about a group of Utahns living here. They came out to my neighbor's house and did a story on all of us. The kids were so excited to be on TV in Utah so everyone could see us. It was fun talking with all the KSL guys and hearing about thier experiences here in Beijing. Megan and Cole were both interviewed. Cole was asked what he liked best about Beijing. He said, "Right now," meaning being on TV in Utah was the best thing for him. He really meant it.
Being part of the Olympics here was such a thrill!!! The Chinese really did a fantastic job. In spite of the political spins they were giving the world--ie--pollution, etc., they did a superb job. The city is really very beautiful because of the Olympics. There are trees and flowers everywhere. I really haven't seen any bad parts of Beijing--there are 17 million people here.
Getting used to a big city has had its challenges. Everyone has told me to only plan on doing one thing a day if I go into the city. I am used to doing several things when I run errands. But, they are right, everything moves so much slower because of traffic, etc. We live out in a suburb that doesn't have much in the way of shopping. I have to go downtown just to go to Walmart. We do have lots of little shops around here but they are quite expensive. Coldstone by our neighborhood cost us $30 just to get a little cup each of ice cream.
The other very cool part about the Olympics was that we got to meet Pres. and Laura Bush. They had a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new embassy so families were invited to meet the Pres. We had to leave our house at 6 am and then had to wait for 3 hours. The security was so tight. Many dignitaries were visiting so the embassy was in a lock down. As we were waiting to go in Henry Kissinger and his family were right by us. They were being introduced to the Chinese cabinet members and the ambassador. We were standing right there which was cool just to watch. Side note--Henry Kissinger is about a foot shorter than his wife.--Just thought that was interesting.
We all had to gather in the gymnasium at the embassy. They put all the kids on risers for a photo op with the Pres. He came with Laura, his daughter Barbara, and George Sr. I don't care what your political persuasion is, it is awesome to be in the same room with the Pres. You could feel the power around him. He spoke to us for a minute and then sat down with the kids. He put his arms around the kids and was so warm with them. He shook hands with Madisen. Scott was standing next to her with his thumb in his mouth and head down. He was looking up at the Pres. out of the corner of his eye. George put his hand on Scott's head and pushed it up so Scott would have to look at him. It was pretty cute. He spent so much time shaking all of our hands. He was geniunely kind and sincere. You can tell he is a good moral man when you look him in the eye. It was such a neat experience.
We had many church visitors during the Olympics. Athletes family members came along with a lot of people working at the Olympics. Peter Vidmar was there for 3 weeks. He won the gold in gymnastics in the 80's. He was a really neat guy and spoke to the youth one Sunday. Vai Sykkehema from the 1984 BYU football team was there for 3 weeks. We got to know him pretty good. He is a sportscaster in Philadelphia now. He told everyone in Sunday School that he thinks the Olympics are divinely inspired. He has covered many of them and says it is the only time when the whole world comes together in real peace. He had a very interesting perspective. I really believe what he was saying. Another man was there who has attended every Olympics since the mid-80s. He totally agreed with what Vai said. We always have interesting visitors at church.
The Paralympics just ended. It was sad that there wasn't more coverage of it. Madisen and Cole went to wheelchair rugby with the Brintons (friends in our Draper ward) who were staying with us. They said it was amazing to watch.
We are very interested to see what happens to Beijing now that everything is over. The pollution will probably get bad again but I am wondering if they will keep the flowers watered, etc.
This pretty much sums up our August in China. School started a month ago and that has been challenging but good. I will send another email soon with all our September adventures.
We love you all and miss you very much. I will do a better job at keeping in touch!
Love,
Brady, Hollee and Clan
***See other pictures below.***
Dear Family and Friends,
We hope this letter finds you all well. I thought it was long overdue that you heard from the MacKay clan. You would think I had all kinds of time on my hands but the days sure go by quickly.
The first three weeks here were rather difficult to say the least. We were totally cut off from everyone as we didn't have our computer yet or a way to call. Thanks to the generosity of good branch members, I got online when I could. I promise we did not move away and forget our loved ones.
Anyway, we now have our computer and our vonage phone works. What does this mean to you? It means we can talk and talk for free!!!!!! My social personality should really thrive with this advance in technology. It sure beats the $500 phone bills we had when we first went to Thailand. (Yes, Hollee was a baby back then--I've matured so much!!! Ha,ha) Seriously, you can all call us now on our same phone number we had in Draper--801-446-6486. Just remember we are 14 hours ahead. Our phone rings a lot in the middle of the night with sales calls. The first time we used it, Megan was on the phone when call waiting came on. It was Friends of MS wanting to do a pick up the next week at our house in Draper. This simple little thing made us feel so much closer to home.
Thank heaven our kids only had the one family purge. They all sobbed together one night and told Brady it was all his fault that they were pulled away from their home, family, and friends. It was a brutal night but it was long overdue. We all only had each other when we came here and at that point the kids were just tired of no friends or family.
We are so glad the Olympics finally came!!!! That definitely helped the homesickness and was a great distraction. We were able to purchase a satellite system that gives us American, unfiltered television. It is the military network so we don't get everything but at least we can get Dancing with the Stars (Madisen's favorite) and network news. We also were able to watch all the NBC coverage of the Olympics. It was such a thrill to see the coverage and then go to actual events.
The first event we went to was Women's Indoor Volleyball. The first game was Italy vs. Algeria. We sat behind the Italian family members who were a rowdy bunch. We yelled "Italia" with them the whole time which was a riot. Then we watched USA vs. Venezuela. The US family members sat in front of us along with the coach's husband and daughter. We were all dressed in red. white, and blue. The kids had American flags on their cheeks and flags draped around them. We were quite the spectacle. You don't usually see a family as big as ours at the Olympics. Everyone wanted to take our picture. We were vintage Americana. All kinds of journalists and just Chinese spectators wanted us to pose for pictures. The kids really ate it up. One Chinese journalist followed us for 20 minutes outside. He would run ahead of us and snap our picture. I have no idea where all these pictures have ended up. The Chinese are smitten with my blonde haired kids, especially Scott. They all want a picture with him wherever we go. Cole says he is going to start charging for pictures--5 qwai which is about 70 cents. His friends do this and actually make some good money.
The boys spent a day at men's basketball and Maddee went with some neighbors to roman-greko wrestling. I was invited by a woman in the branch to go to the men's beach volleyball final where we took the gold. That was a blast--especially during the Star Spangled Banner and the raising of the flag.
We all went to a day of rowing. This venue was close to our house. The rowing was pretty slow and boring but it was so fun to celebrate the Olympics with all the fans from all around the world. We were sitting in the midst of a lot of Chinese. They yell "June Gwo, Jie Yo" over and over again which means, "China, Go" We started yelling in Chinese, "May Gwo, Jie Yo" which means "America, Go." The Chinese were so impressed that we were yelling it in Chinese so they started yelling our America Go chant with us. It was pretty cool! It really was neat to see how excited the average Chinese were for the Olympics. It was such a big deal to them. Chinese are by nature more reserved and not so friendly but not during the Olympics. Their enthusiasm was everywhere.
The last full day we spent for the Olympics was at the Nest for track and field. It was the Decatholon day which was a little slow but it was so cool to be in the Nest. What a structure! We also were able to walk all around the Olympic Green by the Nest and see the Water Cube. The energy of this whole area was really cool. Once again everyone wanted to take pictures of us, especially this kids. Earlier that day I was able to go with some women in the branch to the men's final beach volleyball match when we won the gold. It was a very rowdy place and so much fun to see us win a gold medal. The best part was watching the American flag go up and listening to the Star Spangled Banner play out loud in the People's Republic of China. What a feeling!
After we were in the Nest that day, we were hungry so decided to go to the only restaurant around--McDonalds. They were the official sponsor so they got the only restaurant on the Green which was suppose to be able to feed thousands of people each day. What a joke! We waited in line for 30 minutes outside then they let a few of us inside only to get crowded and pushed to the front of the line inside. It was a madhouse and all for some chicken nuggets and fries to make the boys happy. The McDonalds experience was a cultural one to say the least. The Chinese love to squish each other--there is no respect of personal space here. Does my clausterphobia a lot of good.
After eating, we set out to find the Today show set. We arrived one hour and 15 minutes before the show was to air. Megan asked a producer where we should stand to be on TV. He told us a great spot and we were front and center. The girls were determined not to lose their spot so we were there for about 3 hours. The boys played their DS games and posed for pictures with Chinese people the whole time. We were in a great spot to meet the Today show people--Meredith, Al, and Ann. They were very nice and all talked with us. We also met the beach volleyball gold winners, the gold winning women's soccer team and the silver winning water polo women's team. We got a lot of autographs which was really fun. I guess we were on TV several times from what we've heard. We could have never had that chance in New York. It really was a highlight.
We were on TV another time during the Olympics. The KSL crew from Salt Lake were here and found out about a group of Utahns living here. They came out to my neighbor's house and did a story on all of us. The kids were so excited to be on TV in Utah so everyone could see us. It was fun talking with all the KSL guys and hearing about thier experiences here in Beijing. Megan and Cole were both interviewed. Cole was asked what he liked best about Beijing. He said, "Right now," meaning being on TV in Utah was the best thing for him. He really meant it.
Being part of the Olympics here was such a thrill!!! The Chinese really did a fantastic job. In spite of the political spins they were giving the world--ie--pollution, etc., they did a superb job. The city is really very beautiful because of the Olympics. There are trees and flowers everywhere. I really haven't seen any bad parts of Beijing--there are 17 million people here.
Getting used to a big city has had its challenges. Everyone has told me to only plan on doing one thing a day if I go into the city. I am used to doing several things when I run errands. But, they are right, everything moves so much slower because of traffic, etc. We live out in a suburb that doesn't have much in the way of shopping. I have to go downtown just to go to Walmart. We do have lots of little shops around here but they are quite expensive. Coldstone by our neighborhood cost us $30 just to get a little cup each of ice cream.
The other very cool part about the Olympics was that we got to meet Pres. and Laura Bush. They had a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new embassy so families were invited to meet the Pres. We had to leave our house at 6 am and then had to wait for 3 hours. The security was so tight. Many dignitaries were visiting so the embassy was in a lock down. As we were waiting to go in Henry Kissinger and his family were right by us. They were being introduced to the Chinese cabinet members and the ambassador. We were standing right there which was cool just to watch. Side note--Henry Kissinger is about a foot shorter than his wife.--Just thought that was interesting.
We all had to gather in the gymnasium at the embassy. They put all the kids on risers for a photo op with the Pres. He came with Laura, his daughter Barbara, and George Sr. I don't care what your political persuasion is, it is awesome to be in the same room with the Pres. You could feel the power around him. He spoke to us for a minute and then sat down with the kids. He put his arms around the kids and was so warm with them. He shook hands with Madisen. Scott was standing next to her with his thumb in his mouth and head down. He was looking up at the Pres. out of the corner of his eye. George put his hand on Scott's head and pushed it up so Scott would have to look at him. It was pretty cute. He spent so much time shaking all of our hands. He was geniunely kind and sincere. You can tell he is a good moral man when you look him in the eye. It was such a neat experience.
We had many church visitors during the Olympics. Athletes family members came along with a lot of people working at the Olympics. Peter Vidmar was there for 3 weeks. He won the gold in gymnastics in the 80's. He was a really neat guy and spoke to the youth one Sunday. Vai Sykkehema from the 1984 BYU football team was there for 3 weeks. We got to know him pretty good. He is a sportscaster in Philadelphia now. He told everyone in Sunday School that he thinks the Olympics are divinely inspired. He has covered many of them and says it is the only time when the whole world comes together in real peace. He had a very interesting perspective. I really believe what he was saying. Another man was there who has attended every Olympics since the mid-80s. He totally agreed with what Vai said. We always have interesting visitors at church.
The Paralympics just ended. It was sad that there wasn't more coverage of it. Madisen and Cole went to wheelchair rugby with the Brintons (friends in our Draper ward) who were staying with us. They said it was amazing to watch.
We are very interested to see what happens to Beijing now that everything is over. The pollution will probably get bad again but I am wondering if they will keep the flowers watered, etc.
This pretty much sums up our August in China. School started a month ago and that has been challenging but good. I will send another email soon with all our September adventures.
We love you all and miss you very much. I will do a better job at keeping in touch!
Love,
Brady, Hollee and Clan
***See other pictures below.***
