Home again home again jiggity jig

I am back in the good Ol' USA. Friday was honestly the longest day ever. Crossing the International Date line headed this direction is miserable. Your day becomes 36 hours long! Really!! Flight was bumpier than I cared for. However, it could have been that I was much more aware after hearing the news of several airlines lately. Yes, and thank you everyone who continued to ask "Hey did you hear about Qantas!?" That's like telling someone who is going scuba diving "Hey, they have had 3 shark attacks in there the last 2 days" Please... for the sanity of those traveling don't do this. I am sure there were good intentions but I jumped at every bump of turbulence and hardly slept on the plane. The man next to me from Seoul to ATL was very nice and made sure I got through customs and my luggage checked through. However, on the flight he slept the whole time. And our seats almost fully recline. So, I had to time my bathroom time when he woke up to go himself! Which was only twice. Couldn't get up and move around, which is not fun for 14 hours. We flew a more southern route, so we were over the Pacific a lot more, means nothing to look at out the window. There was also a solar eclipse that we were just ahead of. Would have been really cool to see, but I was able to see news clips of it from China.
I was in 3 different countries and airports in one day. And believe it or not, USA was the rudest and the most overweight of all of them. Granted, Eddie said that Atlanta could have a lot to do with the rude part since no one in that airport is happy to work there. One could hope. But I was not used to that. Maybe Americans should all be required to travel abroad and you come home with an appreciation of another culture, securities we have, etc. I did catch a great movie "Outsourced" about an American that is sent to India to help a call center there take over his job. It's interesting to watch his transition and finally embracing the local culture to help with the success of the new location. He even learned about mango just like me and was shocked when the lady who did his laundry had ironed his boxer shorts! My pjs were ironed when I would get them back from laundry. hehehehe So several things I was able to relate to.
I have slept most of the time since coming home. Though turning my own bed down and making it in the morning has sucked! hehee Susan was a sweetheart and got me milk, cereal, bread, bananas and eggs. So I have been living it up with the milk & cereal. Ahhhh skim milk how I have missed you. :) I really need to get my clothes out of the suitcase. The mess is starting to annoy me. But I did go to the grocery store today. Funny, never thought I would feel a sense of peace in the grocery store. But as I walked back through the produce section (yes, I picked up mango - hehe) the fresh meat was in sight. And seeing glass cases with meat BEHIND them made me at peace. I know.. believe me.. I know that sounds weird. But when you have seen everything out for display and for flies to land on just grosses you out - seeing the safe way to sell meat (packaged/wrapped or behind glass with the butcher) I just sighed and smiled. Something else I did while there - looked for any food product that is sold that might be considered weird in any way. I even stood in the potted meat/canned meat area for about 5 minutes looking. There's gotta be **something**. Nada. I did see that we sell canned octopus. Blah. But they have that there! So it wouldn't be considered odd. Jamie said I am just having withdrawal not seeing anything weird. Maybe. But it was nice to feel safe knowing the food I was buying the FDA has put their stamp on. :)
I am so glad I was able to spend time in the Philippines and work there. Learning about a new culture, first hand, and I hope that I am able to bring some of their things back just as much as I hope I left a little of me behind. Their work ethic is incredible. So nice to customers - that is the biggest thing I really want to bring home - along with their desire to learn. I hope to continue working with them on a regular basis and maybe back in their center again in the future.

Jollie and your team, thank you. You are a wonderful person and really made sure I was taken care of. Your hospitality was very comforting to a girl who had never been out of her home country. I do hope to see you when you come to the States in December and able to do the same for you. Salamat!!!!!! Feel free to send any new Tagalog words/phrases to me - along with PROPER pronunciation. hehe I don't want to say something that bad!! Remember, Alak Pa!! :)

Friends and family - Salamat (thank you) for all your IMs, e mails, & phone calls while I was gone. It's good to be home. I'll see those of you in Tampa/Orlando/Jax area over the next week and a half. :-)

And I will be updating the blog from time to time with things going on. School, work.... work... school... pretty much my life. ;) But especially with graduation information when that comes around cause there will be a party. (FINALLY) I will also let you know when I get the pictures from Melissa & Russell from Hong Kong & Boracay. They have "photo club" cameras and should have some amazing pictures. I'll be sure to post and pass along!!

Paalom (good bye)

Starting to turn the lights out

As my driver from the Sykes call center drove me home tonight, I was taking in the nighttime sights of Manila and reflecting on my trip. While sitting at a traffic light around the corner from my hotel I notice the shadow of a man sitting on a barricade. As we make the turn and our headlights fall upon him, I see that he is an armed security guard on watch. This will be my last night of armed guards sitting in the shadows of every corner.

Today has been a nice relaxing day. Jollie, Ron, and another girl from the Dominoes account – Nestle (I believe) picked me up. We went to the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. It is a beautiful military cemetery and eternal resting place for over 17,ooo who lost their lives during WWII – mostly in New Guinea, the Philippines, and other areas of the Southwest & Central Pacific .

It is the largest in area of cemeteries built and
administered by the American Battle Monuments Commission, and the largest number
of graves and of those Missing who are recorded upon the walls of the
memorial. Most of them lost their lives in the epic defense of the
Philippines and East Indies in 1941 and 1942 or in the long but victorious
return of the American forces through the vast island chain. The cemetery and
memorial was completed in 1960. And the cemetery was dedicated on December 8,
1960.
http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/ml_pict.pdf

This document contains detailed information on the design of the cemetery, various inscriptions, and details of each of the battle maps that were at the ends of the semi-circles. It was truly a beautiful and serene place. The walls contain the names of those who’s remains are not identified. However, several now have a brass flower brad before their name when they have been identified. I get the DOD e mails at work that contain General Officer recognition, installation of new vessels, and those who have died in the fight for freedom in the Middle East. Occasionally there is an e mail titled “Missing airman/soldier identified” and they are from Korean, Vietnam, or WWII. So those e mails will have a little more meaning knowing their name will soon have a brass flower and having a proper burial for their families. It was interesting looking at the ranks and jobs of those on the walls. There was no consistent duty that was listed. Everything from Machinist, Boatswain, and Seaman to Infantry, Yeoman, AVN Radioman, and even Weather RCN and Pharmacist’s Mate. There is even one listed as “Storekeeper”. No one was above the other.
The cemetery is kept in beautiful shape. While we were there a staff was out hand washing the white marble crosses. Other crews were meticulously tending to the grass while others tended to flowers, trees, and shrubs. At 10am the bell tower chimed announcing the top of the hour to those visiting.

We met up with some of the other team captains from the Telus call center along with Anna who is over the account. It was nice to get to spend a little more time with them. The past two evenings I have been at other centers training them on an application they are to launch next week. And honestly I missed seeing my new friends at Telus! So this morning was special to me. Now I am back in my hotel watching the tremendous rainstorm going on. I used to be able to see the buildings across the way, but it is a white sheet outside and the roads look like they are flooding over. I’ve just got to finish packing and then off to my back massage and foot reflexology at 5. I’m uploading the last of my pictures. So be sure to check them out! I did go back to the grocery store and found the powdered milk aisle. (I’m making a yuckie face) So that album will show up below – along with the photos around the hotel.

Here is my flight information –
Manila (MNL) – Seoul South Korea (ICH)
12:30 am – 5:20 am
Korean Air Flight 0624

Seoul – Atlanta
10:00 am – 10:50 am
Korean Air Flight 0035
(nice.. that is a LONG 50 minute flight)

Atlanta – Charlotte
2:45pm – 3:54pm
Delta Flight 1506

Hehehe a fire truck just drove by and there were 2 people sitting on top of the truck! How funny!!!!

I need to finish packing so I will be nice and relaxed after my spa stuff! J Today is bittersweet – I am looking forward to going home but sad to leave my new friends. I do hope I will have the chance to come back and work. But now, it is time to get back to work and classes. I had to abandon one of my classes due to being out here. I haven’t been able to get in to see what I ended up with in Statistics – should be an A. So I will be taking the Leadership class in the fall. And apparently there are rumors that there will be a graduation in December! One of Justin’s professors told him of this.. I will keep you posted. One can hope!!!!!!!! I will be in FL starting the 9th and returning to NC on the 19th. I am there for both work and time off. I get to meet my new nephew Zach on the 9th and will be staying with him and two of my best friends Kim & Clay. Spend time with my work team during the week and then off with the family through the 19th. Miss everyone and I will see some of you soon.

New Album
Manila American Cemetery
http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/ManilaAmericanCemeteryAndMemorial

Updated Albums
Around the hotel
http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/AdditionalPicturesAroundTheHotel

Grocery Store
http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/TripToTheLocalGroceryStore

Pictures from the Call center
http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/PicturesFromTheCallCenter

New Photo Albums

Here are some albums to check out -

Updated with some other pictures at the hotel - The person doing the carving of fruits and vegetables is incredible!!
http://picasaweb.google.com/dnole2/AdditionalPicturesAroundTheHotel

Pictures from the call center - this one will be updated more after tonight. It is my last night with the folks at Telus, so I am sure many pictures will be taken!
http://picasaweb.google.com/dnole2/PicturesFromTheCallCenter

From Sunday at Hard Rock & Mall of Asia. This album goes along with my last post -
http://picasaweb.google.com/dnole2/MallOfAsiaHardRock

How to control curly & super frizzie hair in 200% humidity

Yeah, I have no clue. But a pony tail seems to be the answer!

My sleep schedule is still crazy and this weekend I have probably made it even worse! I slept ALL DAY Saturday. And I do mean all day. Got off work at 8:30am and came back to the hotel… dropped off stuff and had breakfast. The usual routine. I checked e mail and IM’d with a few friends before crashing about 11am. I didn’t wake up until after 7:30pm. Watched a movie, went downstairs for a quick dinner at Circles, came back up and fell asleep again a little after 11pm. I didn’t wake up till 5:30am!!!!!! That’s a lot of sleeping!!

Sunday I had the hotel transportation service take me to Mall of Asia. Figure why not, nothing else to do. And it has been raining all day. From the looks of the radar, we were getting bands from Typhoon Igme that was WAY TO OUR NORTH (don’t freak out, it’s not going to hit me) It is about to hit Taiwan. But just like when a hurricane is going to hit South FL, how we can get some of the outer rain bands at home… the same thing here. This is just rain showers with a little wind. I promise!! http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/ if you don’t believe me
The MoA as it is called, is well, just a big mall. I couldn’t find Hooters (Sorry Dave & Matt) so no pictures or t-shirts for you. I did look!!!! Honestly, I wasn’t that impressed with the mall; or maybe I wasn’t in the shopping mood. Who knows. But I got a few things and called the hotel about 4 hours later to come pick me up. It was still drizzling – so I grabbed the complimentary umbrella from my room and headed out again. Hard Rock for lunch sounded good. Usually good music, not so bad food, fun atmosphere, all that fun stuff. Yeah, at 4pm though – it is dead. HAHA Oh well. Food was, eh, okay. Certainly nothing to get excited about. The root beer was flat – and when I asked him to change me to a Sprite, he said they can’t do that it is a different order. WHAT!?!? Fine, bring me another flat root beer. I’m not drinking tap water.

Something I did want to comment on was with the street peddlers. Now I have told you about them selling things, okay that is fine. But today was a whole different level. When the hotel taxi was bringing me back, we had stopped at a light. A young girl was pulling this older lady along who did not have her eyes open and they were holding a can to collect money. I watched her drag this old woman around from car to car waiting for them to roll down the window and hand them money. I thought how horrible to use that as a ploy!! But when I got back to my hotel, I was looking out the window and saw it going on at the corner below me. And I counted 6 of them at one time!!!! Two sets on two of the streets and one on each of the other streets. I couldn’t believe it! So Nana & Mommom – next time I am in town, we’ll go pull you through the street asking for money. No, I am kidding. I would NEVER do such a thing!!

Came home and called my Aunt’s house. Congratulations again to Mike & Kindra. I hope your celebration at the house was fun and memorable. Yeah, Kindra, sorry there was no ‘Rollin on the River’ across the backyard. J I hope to see you guys when I am home in a couple weeks.

I feel horrible because I passed out early last night – last thing I remember is 7:05pm – and work up just before 5 this morning. However I have 3 text messages and 3 missed calls from Aimee about Jollie picking me up last night. I hadn’t heard back from her Saturday/Sunday and didn’t think we were going to be able to do anything. I just send Aimee a text apologizing that I had fallen asleep. Apparently I was tired because I slept a crazy amount this weekend!

Well, tonight I actually get to teach. I’ll be teaching the post paid work group an application called CTI (those Alltel people who are reading this know what I’m talking about). However – it is not complicated so I am trying to figure out how to fill the time!!! Maybe I can pull in some calls to show it in action. The computer based training part they take is only 10 minutes. And there isn’t a training environment for them to use. So, I am not sure how this is going to work. Especially given when I teach it back home, it takes like 30 minutes!!! Hmmmm I’ll figure something out.

I’m looking forward to coming home. The Philippines has been nice and opened my eyes to a lot of things I would never have experienced back in the States. I will miss my bed being turned down, laundry done & pressed for me, being driven everywhere, and greeted by 8 – 10 people saying “good morning” or “Good evening ma’am”.

Miss everyone and I will see you soon!

The sight was almost a Corona commercial

I am slacking, yet again, on my journal. Sorry about that! I still need to tell you of the trip to Boracay. Hopefully you looked at the pictures and saw my future husband. (AHHAHA KIDDING!) It was a nice relaxing couple of days down on the island. My brother commented on one pic asking where my Corona was. I wish! Needed that with a couple of limes. It was so hot that I would have even had a few Coronas!!! And ya'll know I don't like beer.

The trip was certainly an adventure. That airline..... o h m y .... is all I can say. Honestly we were both a bit nervous. There is justification behind the joke "Leave Asia and come back a Spirit". The domestic airport is very small and fairly unorganized. Not much for air conditioning, but there are massive fans all around. One man sitting next to us had just returned from Boracay and said it was a rough flight... greeaaaattt... Another small group of four came and sat in front of the fan which would be blowing on us. We decided to move. Two of the men were huge, both height and width, and so sweaty that they looked like they had been standing in the rain. Honestly, I wanted to get a picture (imagine that huh?) So, we scooted to another seating area cause we did not want to be downwind. Finally... Melissa was able to hear through the accent and say hey, we're boarding. I kept looking at her saying how did you understand that!! Oh well, she could have been speaking Tagalog for all I know! But the plane... was little. It was a Dash 7. And as we walked up to our little 4 prop plane we notice the left tire is low in air. Enough that it is flat along the ground - almost the entire diameter! So, terrified/paranoid me said something to the flight attendant. "Ummm the tire is flat!" She peeks out the window (which is all scratched up and not real clear - as you can see by my pictures) and says "No, it's fine". And she watched me like a hawk the whole flight. That was one loud & very bumpy flight. I guess when your flight is $107 it's likely to be interesting. But one person told me the dash planes were retired from most of the US fleets a while ago and when they are retired, they are sold to other countries. Apparently they don't do anything aside from duct tape them up and put them in the air. I wonder if they have some FAA safety regulations... hmmmm (joking - they have to have something)
Thankfully Mel had already arranged our ground transport before we left. That could have been a bit chaotic! Had to take a van (many others took those fun trike mopeds or piled in a jeepney) to the boat which would take us to Boracay Island. We landed on Caticlan. OH, I forgot to tell you about the Caticlan airport - hahhahaa yeah, it was a single runway, that is not designed to have lights, and an airport that is smaller than Key West, if that is possible!! But there is a picture of the landing strip/runway from the air. hehehee So the boat across and look for another man in yellow who knows we are coming. Granted, he spots us before we see him. (We kinda stand out from the rest of the crowd) Now we have a jeepney type transportation that will take us to the "resort". No one else is in the back of the truck with us. So that is as close to riding in a jeepney as I will come. The ride there took us again through rather poor areas. And to think this was an undiscovered island until the 70's!! I think much of it is still in the 1950's.
Our resort is nice, nothing overboard. Simple and quiet. We were in the beach front room. So we dropped our stuff, put the flip flops away for the weekend, grabbed the cameras and went wandering.

The sand lived up to everyone's description - white and powdery. When wet it felt like you were standing on soft wet blankets. The water was warm, crystal clear, and had very little wave action. There are more waves in the Gulf of Mexico on a calm day than here. The shore is scattered with palm trees and unfortunately, peddlers wanting to sell you everything from sailing excursions, sunglasses, seafood, and pearls to carvings on wood. Even the kids are selling cut fruit in plastic bags! Or they just walk up to you and say "Donation ma'am". Cute kid, but really... On our walk we were joined by two guys who invited us to a party with them that evening. I have no idea what their names were but they were from Israel. One of them was sporting a serious uni-brow and the other was quite hairy. We’ll see! Hehehehee

We went to Discovery Sands and had lunch – and this is where we would eat several of our meals. And we met Greg, our waiter, who Mel thought would be a cute match up for me. HAHA She already had the phone conversation planned back to my mom and dad. "Hi Mrs. & Mr. Rotundo. Denise has met a local Boracay guy who lives with his brother, has a nice smile, a great tan and a job. Granted he doesn't make very much money and we're not sure how he will support Denise, but I'm sure she can sell things too."

After our wandering around, we decided to head back to the chairs at our “resort” and soak up some of the rays. But first.. when looking at crystal blue water and sitting on a beach, it is a requirement to have a frozen fruity umbrella drink in hand! So, we hit the outside bar about 100 feet from the chairs… and ask for him to make up a frozen fruity concoction that will allow us to say “Alak pa!” (more booze) Well, it was frozen and fruity.. but… missing the alak pa part. Oh well. The sun was hot, the drink was refreshing, and the salty water was calling my name.

The sunset Saturday evening was beautiful. While watching the sun sinking into the water there were kids poking into the sand and digging holes all over the beach pulling worms out. We aren’t sure why or what kind they were, but they were gross! We called an early night and didn’t go to the party.

Sunday was spent on the beach pretty much all day. Mel did break the base of the beach umbrella when trying to change the angle as the sun moved. She is the Princess of Power. HAHA OOPS! Greg came down to our resort that afternoon just as I was headed into the water. I hope he didn’t think I was rude in not standing around and chatting. Later that evening we decided to try something else for dinner and headed out. As the rain started to fall, we found Aria which was recommended to us by one of the managers at the call center. It was a little Italian type place – we saw pizza and realized that we could do this place!! The rains started harder and we were glad to be under the tarps and umbrellas for dinner. However, the little coffee shop across the way lost power and we watched them try to figure out what happened and how to resolve it. Yeah, I don’t think everyone has seen the warning “Do not use electrical cords in the rain” because they were going to use this solution had it actually worked. THANK GOODNESS it didn’t!!! The rain stopped enough for us to see a sunset that topped Saturday night. All shades of purples, pinks, and oranges danced across the sky getting deeper as the sun dropped lower in the sky. The rain couldn’t decide what it wanted to do and was off and on through the evening. It stopped for a little bit and we wandered around through more shops bargaining for things and even running into Greg again. This time he asked if we had boyfriends. Melissa is married, so that was a quick answer for her. I told him yes I was dating someone too. Hahaha well…

Monday was our last day on the island. We had to leave for the airport around 3. So we were sure to soak up the sun before having to put our shoes on. A local school came to the resort next to ours for a small field day. They were so cute to watch. We’re not sure if the lady who was in charge was Australian or from New Zealand but they were fun to watch. Wheelbarrow, spoon and golf ball, potato sac races were all part of the games on Day 1. As they left she told us they would be back the next afternoon for more games. We thanked her for allowing us to watch and snap pictures but that we were leaving that afternoon. The trip home was uneventful. Well, the plane rattled a little more on the way back to Manila. And when the air was pumped into the plane, you could see it coming out of the vent as a white smoke. That was “The Spirit” and we were telling it today isn’t our day. It was a LONG night at work Monday night/Tuesday morning. Everyone was saying as we came in “Ohhh you’re.. ummm.. tan!” Yeah, how about sun burned! But it was worth it.

If you haven't seen the pictures - http://picasaweb.google.com/dnole2/BoracayTrip

Don't forget your sunscreen and drink koozie!

Some how the salty air just soothes her soul

Last weekend Melissa and I went to Boracay. It was beautiful! I need to get some sleep now, but I promise I will post about the trip very soon! I have pictures up - so check those out. And a warning for some of the guys in my life (family, friends, maybe even co-worker) you may get a bathing suit like one seen in the pictures. hehehehehehe He was certianly getting second glances and was a popular photograph.

http://picasaweb.google.com.ph/dnole2/BoracayTrip

Expatriated American

Down to the Banana Republic

Down to the tropical sun

Go the expatriated Americans

Hoping to find some fun

-- Jimmy Buffett Banana Republics

Grumble grumble grumble.. Okay, I had a great post and accidentally hit a button and lost it all. :( I will see what I can do to somewhat recreate it.

The past few days my mind has been running and I cannot belive that the sun is setting on my time here in Manila. I am the last one from our little group who is left. Melissa left this morning for the States and I will do the same on Aug 1.

Some of you may not know what I have been doing while here. Honestly I feel like it hasn't been much - I have been observing and assisting reps while they are taking calls. I haven't done much teaching at all. Tomrorow I will run a conference call and next week I am conducting 4-hour classes at the 3 centers. But here is a typical day for me (yesterday/today actually)

• Up at 7:30pm to be downstairs by 10pm. I am greeted by many Shangri-La staff members "Good evening Ma'am". The driver picks me up and takes me to Market Market. This is a large 5 story mall where the call center occupies 3 floors of one of the wings. The training rooms are on the 4th floor and production floor is on the 5th.
• Before going up to the call center, I go to Starbucks where two sweet guys, Brian and Phillip, greet me with laughter and smiles. They are sad to see that I am alone tonight. Pam left a couple weeks ago, Russell last week.. and Melissa left last night. So it is just me. But we chatted for a few minutes and I learned that Brian is well traveled and is a chef! Said he loves to cook. I sign the receipts, gather my things, and start my maze up to the call center. But as I leave, Brian and Phillip say "Good night Miss Denise! Have a wonderful shift and we will see you tomorrow!" I return the salutations and head on my way.
• Once I get to the 5th floor, the men in white security jackets greet me and hold the doors "Good evening Boss." Now I am not going to lie - this one I have not been able to get used to. Some seem to enjoy being called boss, but I am simply working on a project with them to accomplish a common goal.
• Ahhh Magandang Umaga! Magandang Gabi! Good morning! Good evening! Regardless I still cannot get that ng sound out and say magandang correctly!!! Leo & Ron's teams are ready to go. They wave and smile as I come in. The prepaid reps always seem to be smiling and appear to have a good time. Looking over at the other side of the building the postpaid reps don't seem to be as lively. The shifts are staggered and come in anywhere from 9pm - 1am and get off at 6am - 10am respectfully.
• 3am is when I generally meet up with the trainers, Cha and Aleck, for "lunch". Unforutnately the only options are Red Ribbon or McDonald's. I am tired of McD's and my stomach chastises me daily for my small cheeseburger/small fries and sprite. Oh yeah, and a McFlurry too. Cha and Aleck are super nice and very funny. Aleck is picked on because she is a neat freak - so much that she has the garbage from her lunch folded and set on her tray in 90 degree angles and equally balanced.
• 8:30am I head downstairs to meet up with the driver and we begin our 5 mile drive which takes about a half hour. Gotta love traffic. There is one particularly busy corner where busses converge with jeepneys and motocycles renting the "seat" on the back moving the locals. The street guys sell a variety of random things - lately it has been the Groucho Marx glasses, fuzzy dice, cell phone chargers, shell necklaces, and feather dusters. I wasn't kidding when I said random!! They are not shy and come right up to the window - sometimes you have to knock twice on the window to get through to them. Simply shaking your head no doesn't work.
• Back at the hotel, my door is opened and about 7 or 8 people greet me with "Good morning ma'am!" Certianly makes your morning when hearing it and returning the greeting. It's time for breakfast (well, dinner for us) and after about an hour head back to the room. I've got a couple hours to relax, shop, hit the gym, do homework before bedtime at 1 and getting up at 7:30 to start it all over again. Not much time for sight seeing.

The man sitting at the table next to me during breakfast is from Texas. He too is here to work with a call center client supporting his company, Dell. He has been here a few weeks and is happy to leaves tonight to go home. We chatted for a bit about some of the funny things we have seen while here and he was comparing their other outsourced call center in Panama.

This afternoon I did a little shopping at the Glorietta across the street and found myself lost in a bookstore. There is something comforting about a bookstore - the smells, sounds of jazz music, and the opportunity to get lost in a place that may or may not exist. Here bookstores have their books sealed in plastic. I am not sure if this is to keep customers from reading and thumbing through them in the store or if it is to keep the books from curling in the humidity.

I have enjoyed my time on this trip, but I miss home. I realized during my walk back from the mall that I have become comfortable here. I have learned a few Tagalog words and when I hear people talking I can pick out some words - yet not enough to piece together their conversation. The people are very nice but the polution is miserable. The smog. Ugh. You feel it on your skin after being outside for a while. But as I was walking back, I passed many security guards standing post along the street. Some holding leashes to their guard dogs and others with guns strapped around their chest. I did not flinch at the sights and it did not even phase me until I was almost at my hotel. It was only a few weeks ago that I was amazed at this very sight and shocked how even a small child was not distracted by this and how I could not imagine growing up and these images considered normal.

There is a book I want to get. "Lost Horizon". Quotes from the book are on all the toiletries in the hotel becuase it has to do something with Shangri-La. I doubt the actual hotel, but this book may have been the inspiration for the corporation.

Tomorrow Jollie and I are going to Greenhills. I still have a few things to buy before coming home. (Let's hope customs doesn't question too much! HAHA) We are leaving from the call center in the morning. I am both eager to get home and sad to leave the new friends I have made here. But I think she is getting a bunch of people together sometime this weekend to go out. I won't be trying any of the foods Leo & others are telling me about. Congealed pigs blood cut into squares completely grosses me out!

Sweet dreams and hugs to all

Spending those renegade pesos

On a bottle of rum & a lime

Singing, 'give me some words I can dance to

Or a melody that rhymes'