**be sure to say in a low raspy voice** DVD....need a DVD

HAHAHA so we went back to GreenHills today. How funny! I cannot tell you how many times I was approached by sketchy looking men to buy a DVD. hilarious!! But I am now the proud owner of a knock off Louis Vuitton purse & wallet. I am sure it is blaring that it is a knock off but shoot, I have no clue! I thought the pattern was cute and I got them both for 1000 Philippine pesos. (Aimee & Jollie said it was a good deal) Don't worry Jamie Jo, you will be getting something in the mail from me. I just hope it's the right one and doesn't look too obvious that it is a knock off. :) (wow, I just realized I paid $22 for both my Louis...wow)

Sadly Pam will be leaving us later tonight. So, we are all going to dinner at the restaurant inside the hotel called Red. She had been wanting to try it - neat concept that everything on the menu is centered around the color red. And it's apparently one of the more expensive ones in here. Who knows. I have been a frequent visitor of Circles - which has an awesome buffet for breakfast. You already know of my new addiction to mango - and I am going through withdraw - no mango today. But I am going to miss hanging around with Pam. She's been fun to shop with! :) I have uploaded pictures she took from the trip. These have my new husband - the guide from Tagaytay. PLEASE check these out.. I promise you will laugh.

Tagaytay - http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/PamSPicturesFromTagaytay
Intramuros & Fort Santiago - http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/PamSPicturesFromIntramurosFortSantiago

The training class I have been observing is certainly different. The HR rules we have and follow to a T are certainly not here!! AHAHA The trainer, Cha, has renamed one guy - Fritzz (I believe that is his last name) she calls him the adopted one. Another guy she constantly teases about him not washing his hands. A couple of curse words have been spoken in class and I forgot how she was an angry customer in a role play she did with the quietest girl in the room. I apparently had HUGE eyes cause they were laughing at my expressions. But they are such nice people and really very genuine.

Oh, another thing that we encountered this afternoon that would have you thrown in jail back home... on the way back to the hotel apparently Jollie crossed into a lane and there was a yellow line. Now keep in mind the traffic laws here - there are NO rules.. we saw the guy run over.. a pregnant woman about get run over... a big charter bus is like a big giant dog - they think they are toy poodles and can go anywhere like the big dog thinks it can curl up on you. You practically risk your life riding jeepneys if they don't run you over, the smog in the air will get you. People walk and ride in vehicles here holding cloths over their faces due to the smog. OH.. back to my story.. so there are 5 cops standing on the side of the road and she gets flagged to stop. We are thinking it is a random bomb search or something since there was an immediate alert put up for them. No, he was going to give her a ticket for crossing the line. Me, Melissa and Pam are in the back seat looking at each other and quietly whispering "is he really giving her a ticket??" "hmmm maybe she can pull some tears out, that might work back home." So Aimee and Jollie begin negotiating with the cop. Yes, negotiating.. and she bribes him with 500 pesos!! AND GETS OUT OF THE TICKET!!! I seem to recall a kicker from FSU (Janikowski) attempting to bribe a cop and about get deported!! For those who are curious of the conversion - 500 pesos is equivalent to $10.92 in USD. TEN BUCKS!!! HAHAHAHA Back home, yeah, she would have been tossed!! We couldn't believe it.

Well this weekend is Hong Kong. My cousin Ryan is already there anxiously awaiting travel partners. So, me, Mel & her husband Russell are going over in the morning. We will be staying at the Shangri-La on Kowloon, so if you need to reach us. The reservation should be in my name. We come back on Monday early afternoon.

I am not sure I am bringing my laptop - so I won't have VOIP phone. Speaking of, if you have tried to call and it just rings and rings.. the voice mail is not working on this just yet. Hopefully soon!! So please don't think I am ignoring you. Chances are I am in class or I don't have it pulled up. I do have other pictures to upload, but just haven't had a chance. I will try to get those up tonight - or it may have to wait until post HKG.

I hope you are doing well and having a great week. The only reason I know what day it is was because someone said oh you leave for HKG tomorrow!! HAHA Sad.. I know. I am really having a hard time adapting to this sleeping thing. In fact it is nap time for me now. Hugs to all and I will talk with you soon!

Denise