Happy to be here...

I arrived in Manila around midnight tonight. Flew 24 hours and didn't have to change my watch. The time is exactly 12 hours ahead here, which makes it pretty convenient when trying to decide what time it is back home.

I am just happy to be here! During the longest flight today, I could think of about a million other things I would rather be doing. I don't typically sleep on planes and don't care much for sitting that long! And, the flight was crammed full, as they all seem to be these days.

I did meet some cool people though. I helped a couple older ladies with their luggage and it turned out they lived in Cary, North Carolina, a town down the road from my parents...and an area that quite a few of my good IBM friends live! Small world, eh?! Both ladies grew up in the Philippines, so they had lots and lots of advice for me about being extra vigilant about my surroundings. I guess they could tell I wasn't from here :-) My parents will be happy to know that they looked out for me! It took me about three times as long to get to the hotel driver meeting area than it should have, but worth getting to meet such nice ladies and getting to hear about their lives. If they are any indication of the Filipino families that I will meet here, it's going to be a good trip!

Next thing on the agenda - sleep!  Going to visit local IBM team over next few days and then meet up with CSC team on Saturday.