I'm Leavin on a Jet Plane...

I'm leavin on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again....

Listen along to this blast from the past...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4hsC0nRvZM

This is the last song we sang together...it's so hard to believe that none of us know when will see each other again....these are friends that have become like family to me for the last month. I am so very thankful for the friendships made here.

Along with the hard work, the heartfelt singing is a takeaway from this past month. I personally love music, but our Filipino friends REALLY LOVE MUSIC!! The way everyone openly shares their voices is something I will never forget...on the streets, in the malls, in the hallways at school, while they work, just everywhere...love it! We karaoked quite a few times while we were here...great opportunity for bonding, and celebrating new friendships. Nothing like a little Billy Joel, Abba, Steven Curtis Chapman, Micheal Jackson and Queen to bring us all together :-)

Photos of some of our musical experiences...

This artist sung about Beautiful Mindinao and peace...

Karaoke and dancin with the Department of Agrarian Reform...

Video karaoke and dancin with the banking cooperative...

Commission on Higher Education karaoke....

 

 

Singing while lowering the flag for the week at CHED...



And, Along came a spider...

OK, now I am back to the spider. We were sitting outside as a team for our last night together and along comes another sister of the spider from the first week! This is the very reason for my rapid pulse and adrenaline rush every time I opened the door to the room. Of course, when my spider friends decided to pay a couple visits during the first week, I had absolutely no intention of being anywhere near enough to take a picture. However, this time I had the safety of the rest of my CSC team with me. Now many of them understand a bit more about the size, the big eyes, the speed, and the hairy-ness. This was on the wooden beam that supported the hut, so you can guess how big that is.  I don't even like looking at this picture, but I will share with you and now maybe you can understand why I was so traumatized!

I Believe I Can Fly...

My zipline friends from Camiguin...Maya, Anindo, Claudia, Sanjeev and Chandru!









Including video links on youtube, take a listen to the winds...the climb up to the tower was scary!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33ILotc-cPo&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CO2AmBazZw&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d38j4LsabQo&feature=relmfu

A Shout Out to Home

Here are some photos that remind me of home...

Pass this sign on the way to "work" every day...a shout out to my Hot-lanta friends! Special thanks to the taxi driver that stopped a lane of traffic during rush hour this morning to let me take this photo! :-)

Special photos for my animal lovin girl...gotta love baby ponies and puppies, no matter where you are in the world!

 

Beautiful....

 

 

 

Special photos for my tree loving girl...check out the tree on the left of this church...pretty cool!

 

 

Same tree, different view...almost flat at the base...pretty amazing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment

Serendipity. At the beginning of this blogging stuff I joked about giving daily updates about brushing my teeth. Now I'm making good on that promise, lol.

I found  an ant on my toothbrush as I was putting it toward my mouth to brush. Yikes. Normally, I would freak out, throw it out, call my husband and then my friend mike, the exterminator. Out of all those options, freaking out was the only one available to me here. However, I didn't do that this time. Instead, I calmly flicked it off, boiled water, rinsed (good thing bc there was more than one) and then brushed. A 2 minute job took 30 minutes, but I adjusted.

I adjusted. I have done  and seen things over these past 4ish weeks I NEVER thought I could do. Lessons in faith as never before. It is well. 

Global Service, Red Bean Coffee & Anderson Cooper

Pretty much in awe of some of the people I have had the privilege of meeting here. People that have chosen to dedicate there lives to service of others...on a global scale. Very cool. Also, makes me thankful for my US friends and family that have chosen service for their lives as well. Inspiring!


Today was another packed day. After meetings, we flew back to CDO from Manila, then dropped off bags and went straight to dinner with new friends from our host college...all around great people! Friends are family you can choose. This group is lucky to have each other, and we are lucky to have met them.

Ended night as a group in local coffee shop. I'm typically not a coffee drinker. However, I'm also typically not in the Philippines, so drank local native red bean coffee with rest of the team. Wow, based upon my current state, I'm guessing there was a quite a bit of caffeine in it!

Now back in room & have tv on one of the only channels from US. I have got my fill of Anderson Cooper's talkshow while here. He's on at 11pm local time. Love him on CNN, not-so-sure about the talkshow! His show is followed by Kathy Lee & Hoda, followed by Jay Leno. Funny choices, given all there is to choose from back home! Strange ties to home. All part of the experience!

Finally, Atlanta Braves baseball team is in playoffs at 5:35 am in the morning here (go braves!)...only a few more hours. Maybe I should have another cup of coffee and just stay up. My friends Kathy Lee & Hoda may need to keep me company!

The sun will come out...

As the old song goes...the sun will come out tomorrow! As predicted, much better day today. No more howling winds, rains and disco bass tonight!

Another late night of work, but should be better from here til the end of this trip. We delivered presentation to the commission this evening. Left tonight feeling hopeful for a country that is trying to better itself through student education and proud of our company for taking such an active role to help.

Another enjoyable evening visiting the home of our country host, Waya. I enjoyed meeting her  family, sharing a delicious home-cooked meal, and visiting outdoors while sharing stories from Switzerland, Afghanistan, India, Philippines and US. We are all more alike than different. Finding humor in life and relaxing with friends is something that is enjoyable anywhere!

Now back at hotel. Since skies are clearer tonight, so I have visibility into the high rise offices all around here. Looking out, I see multiple floors in office buildings that are lit up and buzzing with activity. It's almost midnight here, but their employees are hard at work supporting US time zone. Very different activity level here!

Here's a night shot of our Eastwood IBM office...

Sent from my iPad

Ten days to go

Wow, homesickness is such a real thing. Back in Manila until Friday. Raining nonstop and wind is howling.

Nice hotel, but sooo loud. Disco is right below my window and big thumpin. No signs of slowing down & already after midnight here. My girls like a group called Bassnectar. If I were a guessing girl, I would guess this is what they (he?) would sound like! Feeling about 123 years old right now, lol.

No more whining...on bright side, had an enjoyable dinner earlier tonight at the home of local client... awesome of him to invite our team into his home...one of the best hosts ever. Will post picture when I can. 

I'm at the exhausted portion of this journey...tomorrow is going to be much better.

Pomp and Circumstance

This week has been busy with the "work" part of our trip..

Started out the week with flag raising ceremony at the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). They start every Monday with a formal ceremony to raise the flag, pray, sing hymns, and pledge to the country and to their district. The employees sounded like a professional choir, under the leadership of their leader and our friend, Desidario (Sir Bong).

Met with CHED IT panel to gather their feedback on analytics curriculum...

 

Met with Department of Science and Technology (DOST)...

Finally, wrapped up today by responded to a formal invitation to join the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce to attend an expo where the US Embassador to the Phillippines, Harry K. Thomas, was the guest speaker. Great timing for us to be here! He ended up sitting directly in front of us. I'll admit there was a bit of concern to be so close given the uncertaintly and threats in the world right now, but all good. It was probably one of the most secure places around! Mr. Thomas spoke of the Philippines partnership with the US and the warmth and hospitality of this region...something we have experienced as well!

 

 



Going to be offline more than online for the next few days. Flying in the rain tomorrow...back here on Friday.

 

On the home stretch. Eleven more days...a bit homesick, but what an experience!