The Unexpected

Not sure why I didn't expect the spiders, but I didn't! It was funny to blog about the spider in my friend Tina's room. Not-so-funny to actually have that same dead spider's twin sister in my room a day later. Think of the Harry Potter movie...So, I knew I didn't pack a fly-swatter. And, I knew my wimpy girl shoes wouldn't cut it as a weapon. And, I knew if I ran to the front office to have them help it could (and would) move to my bed. So, I panicked, went and found the nearest teammate, Chandru, who first asked if he could kill it (yeah?!) and then proceeded to kick it out the door and smash it. In man v. humongo spiders, we are now 2 - 0!

OK, so maybe I'm not cut out for global adventures?! Now I have an adrenaline rush every time I move anywhere in this room...my test in letting it go, fails again!

Today we started in CDO's Capital University to get started on our project. Our teammate was invited to attend their campus-wide meeting on cybersecurity and privacy. Our CSC teammate, Sanjeev, is a data security expert and specialist in cyberlaw, so it was fitting that he be there. Unexpectedly, the rest of us were asked to speak as special guests, too! We were asked to address the classes studying nursing, computer science, maritime sciences, as well as others. Really made me miss my college girls. Wish you could have been here, girls. I'm sure you would have been nice and embarassed by my speech. :-)

The university students are much younger here since basic education only goes to ten years, for now. We met quite a few students and faculty after the meeting. I was impressed by the drive in the students and teachers to improve their lives. One student in particular, Gisele (sp?), is the student president. Her Dad is a jeepney driver and she was doing her best to make a better life for not just herself, but her entire family, and knows that her education will help her do just that. I hope to stay in touch with this dynamic young woman to hear details about how she makes that change happen! Pretty cool.

Also met two professors that both juggle young families, long days at work, and are doing what they can to work on expanding their credentials and education in the very few hours that are left. Again, for the betterment of their families. Common theme here.

It was rainy again today. And, we were told it has been rainy for the last several days. Once again, it stirred up more memories that were shared with us about the flood in December. The school lost a promising young female faculty member when the floods took the lives of her and her family while they were sleeping in their homes. So sad.

Finally, the last unexpected thing....we had a two different taxi drivers that wouldn't speak to the me or my other female teammate today on the trip to/from office, even when asked a direct question. It is suspected to be a result of their religious beliefs toward women (?). Thankfully....and I mean thankfully, we don't run into that much anymore. I was reminded by my oh-so-wise husband that this may be part of why we call it a developing country. But the sad thing is that this kind of issue can be anywhere. I look at it as their loss. I could have shared  with them my rivoting spider stories, lol.