Hello !!!! I have come to the end of my journeys for 2010. This has turned out to be more of an experience than I had ever imagined. I am coming down to the last 3 days here in Manila. I will be coming home after an amazing almost 4 month journey around the world and back. To recap.. Manila on Aug 4 until Sept 18, home to Philly for a few days.. then vacation to Greece with stops in Paris on the way and the return home...(Sept 23rd to Oct 12th) and then back to Manila from Oct 16th to this Saturday.

I don't know where to start. Life is so wild and crazy... I have made some wonderful new friends here in the Philippines that are both Indian and Filipinos. I have seen some amazing places, spent some wonderful times with friends both old and new, have worked my ass off like never before and yet found plenty of time to live life to the fullest all along the way.

Some highlights.. competed on a international volleyball team (came in 4th of 6th), an international 4 person bowling team (came in 1st of 6th and only by 7 pins !!!!! Way to go Hemi, Jeff and Raoul) went to Zambales on the China Sea, The Peoples Park in the Sky and Enchanted Kingdom, lived many Sunday's at "The Spa" Thank you Erick D... lived in a 5 star hotel where I even became one of their "Guest of the Day"... interview and picture.. and if you can treat a person better than they did before... they treated me like a king and queen even more after being their guest... This is a place that everyone knows my name. Went on a great vacation to Paris, Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos with best friends.

I met so many great people and some of them will be friends going forth. There are so many experiences that I can never explain or describe.. but know that my life has been changed forever on some level.

Now to try to catch you up on the last week or so and bring this blog to a close for now. More on that later.

Last weekend the folks at work wanted to go out on an outing and they wanted to make it special for me. We took a jeepney (finally got to go on one - google it and you can read and see all about it) to Tagaytay City to the People's Park in the Sky. You can also google this as well. This place was built for President Reagan and Nancy on their visit to the Philippines in 1984. The trip never came to be and the place was never finished. Today it stands unfinished, in ruins from neglect of doing nothing to it.. to making it tourist friendly. I remember the day Ferdinand Marcos was overthrown.. Today Imelda is in her early 80's and is technically a Congresswoman in one of the provinces in the north (lives in Manila in some mansion), her daughter is also a congresswoman, her son Ferdinand Marcos Jr is a National Senator (and major pain in the side to the current President Ninoy Aquino. The government is still trying to find the wealth, jewels, land, property and belongings of the Marcos clan that was stolen during his reign as dictator. I walked around and took some pictures of the place and view trying to see what it must have looked like back in 1984. You can see the tile where the pool is before it was filled in with dirt, you can see what was the pool house which now sells concessions, they had these beautiful pillars with round sconces and some are still there today in tact. The view is breathless from the 2 tiers of what was outdoor patios. Parts of the main building is closed down due to dangerous ceilings caving in as well as water and weather damage over the years.

When I say the folks from work, I mean to say it was a total of 24 of us.. mostly Filipinos, 4 Indians and 3 Americans.. mostly voice people and 1 guy from data. After spending some time at the Peoples Park in the Sky, we went to Leslie's for lunch. This was an open air restaurant that was huge and packed. The view was breathtaking over looking the volcano within a lake within a volcano.. We had a great lunch of all kinds of foods.. tried beef marrow, and also this shrimp sauce that went with this pork dish. Then we were off to Enchanted Kingdom which is a good size (I think the largest in Philippines.).. also can google this for more info. We rode the rides, got wet on the rides, got wet in the rain, and kept going back for more fun on the rides. It was one long day that started at 5:30 AM and ended back at Market Market by jeepney and then taxi to the hotel by 10 PM that night.

The folks I work with have turned out to be friends that I will have forever. They have truly taken me in as a friend and colleague. They have taken care of me in so many ways and always had the concern that I was having fun and a good time!.. I am not sure if they have ever met anyone like me... and I am so sure.. that I have not met anyone like them. I could name them all by name and all have a story I have gotten to know.

One of the best things in my life is the people that I have met through out my life. The people I have met here in Manila through work, living at the Shangri La Hotel not to mentions the folks in Europe on vacation, has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life.

The hotel.... I have to share some funny / crazy stories. Being a long term guest living in a 5 star hotel, is like living as a king and queen in your own palace. When I say that they know your name, I mean almost everyone from day 2 will constantly greet you my name. Good Morning Mr Thomas, Good Evening Mr Thomas... people from the men that greet you at the car, to the people working the door for security, the people working inside the door at the lobby, to the restaurant people, the front lobby staff, even to the young ladies working the elevators not to mention the K9 handlers of the bomb sniffing dogs to the dogs that work every day 12 hour shifts keeping us safe. I have treats I give 2 of them every morning when I return from work. I had such service that every evening after work for dinner, I didn't have to ask for my carrot and orange juice mixed (freshly squeezed) and my decaf cappuccino... they just brought it to me, they would bring my newspaper to me, I even had folks bring me my food to the table or help me carry my plates from the best buffet known to mankind. The staff here was the best ever known to the world.

Now the kicker is they even got better... and the folks that knew me but didn't know my name.. knew my name and started using my name with the greeting after I became their Guest for the Day. I was interviewed and photographed for this honor. One funny story that happened recently. This weekend when we got back from Enchanted Kingdom, I went to bed right when I got back to the hotel. I woke up about 4 hours later sicker than a dog. It was quick starting, painful in the stomach, and lasted for about 24 hours.. I didn't eat, go out, or get out of bed except to constantly go to the bathroom. By Monday night I was feeling like I wanted to die.. but had to get up and go to work. I had taken a pill for what was wrong... (my doctor in Philadelphia is the GREATEST DR in the world) and it was working for the most part. I hadn't eaten in 24 hours, hadn't really slept in 24 hours, and generally felt week and tired. But I thought I would get up and get my routine going for my work day.

I don't remember if I had told my routine before but quickly I get up leave the hotel and walk around the park across from the hotel. There are stores and restaurants and office buildings and malls everywhere. So I head out to the right and walk around until I am basically across from the hotel to the Subway Sandwich Shop. I stop and get my sandwich which I take to work for lunch. They they know me and treat me like a king as well. I continue on my way around the circle and stop at Starbucks where I get my coffee before work. They also treat me like a king and queen as well. Of course they know my first name (which they ask for the coffee) unlike everywhere else it is always Mr Thomas or Sir Thomas.

Well this evening I am feeling so sick but I put on my gym shorts, my Ptown yellow t-shirt, and Boston Red Sox ball cap and go downstairs. Well the Philippines celebrates Christmas like no other place on earth. They start almost in September in the malls with music, decorations and all sorts of lights all over the place. Now remember it is still averaging 90 degrees and it is the monsoon season during this time. Well the lobby they decorated this past weekend for Christmas. It is like Christmas threw up all over the lobby and surrounding areas in the hotel. This particular night they had this major celebration for lighting this huge Christmas tree in the lobby. It was a major gala that include singers from the University of the Philippines, The Ambassador of China to the Philippines (The Shangri La hotel chain is Chinese) not to mention all sorts of local and provincial dignitaries. EVERYONE was way dressed up and enjoying this Christmas Gala all over the lobby and front of the hotel. Here I come down looking like a bum, feeling sicker than a dog and I am trying to sneak out of the hotel to get my sandwich and coffee. From the time I got off the elevator and outside to the street there must have been at least 40 people (not exaggerating) that greeted me and tried to get me to stop to talk to me. I could have died. I just wanted to get out and get away.. I was so under dressed, feeling sick.. but you would have thought I was dressed for the gala and one of the honorees. I have had the pleasure to have met the general manager of the hotel a few times, head of security (for other funny reasons) down to Fabian, Henry and Noel who have taken care of me in my room, laundry etc. to all the folks in the restaurant and the hotel staff, and gym as well.

The nice thing about Subway and Starbucks and they knowing me is that when there would be a line at either place, the employees all knew what I wanted, and silently took care of me, and i was out before anyone even knew I was there. If I ever have to open a door besides my own hotel room which even times I had help on that, it would be amazing. I am not sure I even know how to open my own door.. being that of a building or a car.

Well I have done my last minute shopping, I am packed 4/5th of the way. I have 3 more work days, and a lot of goodbyes to say and pictures to take. I am sure I will shed a few tears on the goodbyes, not to mention a few hugs as well. I have had a great time and look forward to coming back in the new year. I am looking forward to returning home to my life, my family, my home and my wonderful neighbors and friends for which with out the generosity of them all, this adventure would have never been possible. To all that helped in one way or another, Thank You so much for what you have done for me, Tim and Molly.

So I leave the hot weather... which I will miss, Saturday for home, Tim and Molly and BellaLuna, the colder weather and the wonderful Holiday season... which I am way behind on the normal things. I can't wait to see everyone and try to spend some normal life times again.

It appears that I will be returning to Manila again in the new year for some time.. not sure exactly when or for how long. When it comes to pictures I have put most of the albums on facebook from all the journeys, vacation hot spots, and here in Manila. I am going to put some pictures here of the this past weekend, and the lobby of the hotel decorated for Christmas. The full album of last Sunday will be on facebook. I will put all the final pictures I will take up until the time I leave on Saturday in one final album on facebook. It will be pictures of mostly people for memories.

So this blog which was kind of crazy how it started was a great idea. I hope you all had a great time reading it as much as I did writing in it. I will bring it back to life again when I start to travel again which will be sooner than late I am pretty sure. I will let you know.

Until then.. I can't wait to see the folks back home very SOON, Good-bye to my friends here in Manila. To all.. live life to the fullest, enjoy every moment you can in all sorts of ways. Life is precious, short, and yours to do with what you will.. so seize the day... and live.

In life..

Craig

now the pics

Helloooooo.. Sorry to have been out of communication.. Last weekend we went to Zambales (a northern province) for the weekend.. and then came back late and have been running behind ever since. So.. with that I am going to start with a pic of last Sunday's flowers.... and then the story of "My Weekend to Zambales" or as we fondly called it.. "Zambales with 14 Filipinos, 2 Indians, and a 51 yr American Businessman ! " (that would be me.... I was a good 20 years older than all of them.

So background. The folks from work wanted to go on a Team building weekend away to the coast. So I of course was asked to go along. I jumped at the chance. They were going to Zambales which is a norther province in the Philippines. They were going to a conference and resort center right on the west coast on the beach. I was looking forward to this.. but knowing who was going and all the things that could happen.. I joked once that we have to be careful so we don't end up on CNN with Wolf Blitzer and the Situation Room.. Because the heading would be "Some incident involving 14 Filipinos, 2 Indians and a 51 yr American Businessman. Well that just stuck and so it came a few times that weekend.. which we all laughed about.

Now the story.. We got off work on Saturday AM at 6:00.. and then we all went downstairs to the mall where we waited. Some folks went home to get their things and or showered. We all got back together around 7:30. The plan was to take 2 vans which was going to carry all of us plus a few other folks as well as our bags, our food along with the pots and pans and all items that we were going to need for the weekend. The trip was to take about 4 to 5 hours by transport to get up to the resort. I was looking forward to this trip just to get out of Manila, to see some of the provinces not to mention to be at the beach relaxing, having fun, and experiencing new things.

We started out ok.. 2 vans, 14 Filipinos, 2 Indians and me... One of my folks that I work with arranged most of this trip and she did a great job. Her father is/was associated with the conference center which probably gave us a cut price not to mention he was the one that drove one of the vans and also coordinated all transportation. Love's younger sister came along as well as Ian's girlfriend and her best friend. Those folks didn't consist of the 14 Filipinos.. which were just from the office. We get loaded, and we are on our way. We had air conditioning and it was just a lot of fun. We stopped about an hour out of the city at a big stop to get gas and food. It was basically just like our highway stops.. even had a Cinnabon place which I DIDN'T get any. A standard bag of miniature Reeses which would cost us about 3.50 us dollars was approximately around 12.00 us dollars. needless to say we didn't get them either. It was warm but good in the van on the road. Well about 40 mins later we are beginning to have engine problems. The van was making weird noises and we were in the worst traffic.. mostly people getting away to the beach for the weekend.. That being said, the roads are only 2 lane.. 1 lane for each direction which we all share. WE being cars, vans, buses, jeepneys, tricycles, motorcycles and bikes. So constantly you are hearing horns, and constantly the van has been passing everything and everyone .... I think Love's dad was just hellbent on getting us there which is a good thing. There were some points I just had to stop looking.. I mean we came REAL close more than a few times from hitting a bus head on at 70 mph... Again.. we could see the headline.. "Bus Accident in the Philippines 17 killed.. 14 Filipinos, 2 Indians and 1 51 yr American businessman.. ".

Well finally in this little town with LOTS of people and just shops of all kinds in the middle of nowhere... we finally pull into this furniture parking lot next door to this motorcycle shop and a car wash... which probably hasn't seen water in YEARS!!!! Luckily Love's dad knows how to work on car / van engines... The issue is he needed parts and all we could find were motorcycle shops.. We all got out to stretch our legs.. and it was now HOT and SUNNY!!!! which means just hotter. Again remember we had worked all night and not it was around noon on Saturday.. normally the time I am in bed for my day's allotment of sleep. We were walking around the nearby shops, and of course I don't think there had been an American walking around there in a long time. EVERYONE just stared at me like i was an alien from mars which happens a lot when in areas that Americans don't normally go.

Well after an hour and 1/2 or so, we decided that this was going to take longer than we would like. Since we only had the weekend time was a wasting. So the decision was made that we would pile all of us in the one van. Love and her younger sister was the only ones that didn't come along. They were going to stay with their Dad and his companion and get the van fixed and come along later on.

So here we go.. we load in this van 14 Filipinos, 2 Indians, the 1 51 yr American businessman, their bags, the food (which was fish that was thawing at this point not to mention the pork and EVERYTHING else.) and the pots and pans and utensils.. into one van. we were more than like sardines in that van. A jeepney ride would have been more comfortable. We had to turn off the AC since it wasn't keeping up anyway and we opened the windows.. more heat not to mention the exhaust from outside. Our tires could barely take the double load of weight.. and we all were silently praying that we were going to make it. The terrain was mountainous.. we had to go up and over to get to the other side on the west coast. I had one point was trying to teach the 14 Filipinos and the 2 Indians the song Kumbaya.. we thought anything that helps us get there would be worth it. The ride was in the long run successful.. and part of the weekend stories... we made it in one piece.. no breakdowns, no flats and no run ins with any other vehicle including the buses.. :)

We get there about 4:30 Saturday afternoon. We peel out of this van one by one.. no one looking pretty or smelling too awful. We walked around to get our legs from uncramping and to find our accommodations. We started out on a 3rd floor dormitory on the beach.. but then due to finances.. and they didn't want the 3rd floor and there was no cooking area.. we downgraded to a first floor dormitory with cooking facilities and outdoor sinks and a patio which we took over for our dining/living space.

The resort was beautiful. The resort was located on the west coast of Zambales in a town I have no idea what it was called. The body of water was the China Sea... The sand is black due to the ore but still fine and in its own way beautiful. It kind of reminded me of the black pearls vs the traditional sea water pearls. Beautiful in its own right. The accommodations were one dormitory ... bunk beds, with the bottom bunk being more of a full size and the top one being more of a single size. We had 17 people with I believe bed space for 18. So being the Philippines and very open society.. everyone just picked a spot.. and I got a spot with Donald. We had one bathroom consisting of a shower and toilet and a sink.. and a drain for both that didn't do a very good job. We had one light bulb to light the whole room which at night when it got DARK!!!!! we had to leave it on so we could maneuver. Yes Virginia.. it was on all night and people were coming and going constantly.

We unpacked our belongs, the food staples and utensils etc..., everything, we got tables and chairs from where ever we could and set up camp. We started making food ( a good tasting stew for a better word consisting of pigs feet, pigs brain, vegetables and seasoning which tasted good) and snacks etc, and walked around to get the lay of the land. We walked down to the beach. They had volleyball nets set up, 2 basketball courts, a trampoline to mention a few. There was a high school reunion going on with about 100 people. We were going to crash it and tell them that the Prashant and Diwaker (the 2 Indians) and I had been foreign exchange students at their school. but thought they wouldn't buy it... :).

This resort was basically nice but yet a 3rd world resort. It is not the same as in America but I have learned basically the Filipino way.... and once I understand it, I am flexible to be able to live the way and be grateful for the experience to learn and live the culture of the land.

I finally had to get some rest around 6 PM Saturday.. since I had no been up 24 hours, worked 11 of them and spent the rest of the day just getting there. I crawled over Donald put the sheet on me.. and I was so tired.. that the light and the moving around of people even a little bit didn't do a thing for me ... I was OUT to the world in about 3 seconds.. I work up later not knowing what time it was, what day it was, what country I was in.. to see some people sleeping, some outside with the background of music and singing in the distant background.

A note on the music.. Karaoke is BIG here... and everyone in the younger ages do it. constantly everywhere ... in public, or private. The resort rented the machines out and they also have a spot where you could pay 5 pesos a song. They always have video to match. A note of the VideoKareoke here.. unlike the places I know in Amerca, we get up on stage, look out on to the crowd while singing reading the words on monitors... and no video. Here you basically don't get up in front of the crowd, but just look at the monitor up front with the video and sing. Now no matter what the song is, American or Filipino, the genre of music, the video's are always girls in either cheer leading costumes or swimsuits.. moving around and have NOTHING to do with the song. It is kind of weird at first.. but then just a difference in culture. So different but not weird.

So I get up, go outside. I am s sleep stupor.. There are about 7 folks up eating, drinking, and talking having a good time. I join in the fun, the food and the drinking.. I only had 2 beers... we sat and talked til about 2 AM which upon they were headed to the beach. The sky was as dark as could be except for some stars.. but no moon. The reunion folks were the ones that were singing outside under a big tent which they were using. The good thing was at least the songs there were singing at 2 AM were ballads and somewhat quiet and nice to listen to as the sounds of the night came through the air. I was exhausted and there was no way I was going to the beach in the dark at that time. One of the rare moments my age difference was showing. I had to go back to bed. Donald was one that was out and not sleeping. he had walked off and no one knew quite where he was. He ended up singing with the folks from the reunion for a few hours. I went back to bed alone this time but yet on my side since I didn't know if Donald was coming back or not. I got a few more hours of sleep and woke up around 5:15. Daylight was coming, the crescent moon now out and shining, the the morning hue awakening the west coast of Zambales over the China Sea.. was just a feeling I will never forget in my life. By the time 15 minutes transpired.. Everyone was waking up or returning from the beach or in Donald's case from singing all night.

The day started early.. we had the charcoal pits getting hot, food reheated from the day/night before, new food started and all talking about the plans of the day. Everyone walking around looking like we had been up all night and no one cared. So when you see some of the pics it is not like we all look pretty or anything .. and it didn't matter to them.. nor to me. Also a note of reference for the folks that are friends on facebook.. I have downloaded the whole album of 175 pics of the weekend. The pics I downloaded here are just a few of the better moments.

So we ate and got ready. The day consisted of playing volleyball on the sand, going out on a banana boat snorkeling and just playing in the water, water polo in the pool, jumping on the trampoline (and stopping once when I almost flew off on to the ground... ok.. I was trying to get height so I could show them things I had done when I was a kid).... again.. Craig you are NOT 21 years old any longer. We had such fun the entire morning and afternoon. We just enjoyed each others company playing sports. Towards the middle of the afternoon we were just at the beach laying in the sand relaxing and thinking that at some point we have to get cleaned up and get packed up and then get back in the 2 vans (Love's dad got it fixed) and get back to the city.

So here we go, 14 Filipinos, 2 Indians and the 51 yr American business man trying to get ready with 1 shower. Some of them used the outdoor kitchen sinks to baths (Grace and Ria actually sat in them and Donald stood up at the sink... all clothed but yet using soap and shampoo). I was amazed at the ability to do that.. but when all was said and one.. everyone looked like they had their own bathroom. I took a quick cold shower in the bathroom. We get in the van to go home. Now at least it was just the 10 of us in the bigger van... but it was so cold. the AC was kind of stuck. So i was sucked up to Donald for body heat and we had his serape for a blanket on our legs. Unlike the trip there in the heat and sardine effect, i wasn't wearing the jeans like I had. So jeans up sweating like a stuck pig and shorts on the way home in the AC freezing my ass off. Sleeping in a van attached to the person next to you for heat is not the best sleep one will get. We arrived back into Manila at 10 PM Sunday night.. and i took a taxi home to the hotel and was in bed by 10:45. I took a hot shower and got into bed knowing I had one of the best weekends of my life. One weekend that I will remember, for so many things that I can't even begin to explain or tell here. Again feeling so fortunate to have such a life that...

The bad thing is on timing.. usually on Sunday nights (like now.. local time is 3:15 AM) I am up all night so I can sleep on Monday day and be fresh for the first day of work on Monday night. This week was to be different. I slept all Sunday night, got up at 6 AM, went and ate... took a sleeping pill and then slept all day and went to work. I didn't get my normal things done to prepare for my week, my exercise etc. I knew that it would be a rough start to a busy hectic week. We got into work quickly since Monday was a holiday here (All Souls Day). I walked in at 7:15 to a call going on with one of the order specialists and a customer with an out of service. Got on the phone and got yelled at by the customer about the issue I knew nothing about. I got it all figured out, calmed them down, and eventually got my week started with of course the out of service being the first thing on the agenda.

This week was one of the most hectic we have had with more to follow. I am expecting this week to be as busy but as least I am on schedule tonight to be more organized .

This past weekend was one of sleep, rest and organization. It was also my last weekend I think for my Manila ritual of going to the spa on Sunday afternoons. Today after an ok night of sleep, I got up and had breakfast. Today was one of the nicest days with the sun out and the blue skies. Monsoon season and the air quality of Manila does not do much for blue skies. So I took advantage and spent 2 hours in the sun and pool of the hotel. I then went to The Spa for my last time at least for this trip. I had my normal, sea salt scrub with the botanical wrap, a massage, a men's facial, a manicure and a pedicure. Again all items including tips only cost me about $150.00. I was there for about 4 hours. I usually fall asleep at some point of my 1/2 day o beauty ..... it is my precursor of sleeping on Sunday evenings early.

As I was leaving tho I did schedule something for next Saturday at noon... it will take me off schedule but that is going to be ok. I am going home at that point in one week.. and my schedule will be off anyway trying to get last minute personal desire things done. So hopefully I can make it. I am invited to Ria's family for some gathering sometime on Saturday which I think will be in the evening. Next Sunday we are doing a 2nd Team Building day at the Enchanted Kingdom which is an amusement park about 2 hours away. They want to do something again before I leave which I was honored. So I can't wait for next weekend.. new things new places, more people and for me more stories. Just can't do it all yet.. still waiting for cloning that works..

As I sat here this morning the guys started doing the new flower arrangement not to mention a Christmas tree. The Philippines celebrate Christmas like no other country. They have had music up playing since the end of September and decorations out everywhere at the malls not to mention the lights all around the trees.... even the palm trees. So we now have an xmas tree in the lobby.. but won't have pics until tomorrow. It will be hours before they are done.. and I will be out of here in just a couple.

So that is my update for now.. Life is good.. better than good... miss my life, Tim, Molly and Bellaluna, neighbors, all my friends.. chorus etc. I have 2 more weeks to go.. and between work being crazy and time flying, time will fly because i will be trying to get all the last minute things done. It appears that I will be back in the new year.. possibly for a total of 90 more days.... so we will see. I know that 2010 has been like none other.. one I will always remember, cherish, and be thankful for.

Until next week.. live life to the fullest every day... and have fun..

Hello All:

not a lot happened this week... well ok.. somethings happened... life happened.. and with life there are always stories..

Week at work was pretty good.. and not too hectic.. actually was a good week to ramp up to what is going to be a very crazy week ahead.. so I feel like I am so ready... of course the vacation helped that as well.

One thing that happened last week was I got to go running OUTSIDE!!!!!! which is a big deal. You see it is not like I am going to go outside myself running for many reasons. 1.. when you run outside it has to be early morning or maybe later on at night. The hotel is situated in a very busy downtown financial district with a lot of buildings, and A LOT of traffic. Also the weather plays a factor as well. But 2 days last week after work (6 AM Local Time) I went running with 2 workers in my group. I was ecstatic.. Both guys weren't really runners and so I had to slow down not to kill them which was ok. We ran the first day a good distance away. We ran by the Filipino / American cemetery where there are unknown American soldiers. It was an amazing place. We also ran in traffic.. which was crazy... and also the best time was we ran right through a jeepney stop where people were waiting for jeepneys. A jeepney is a big jeep that is one of the major mass transit vehicles. I was told there are about 100,000 jeepneys in Manila. Go and google jeepney to see them. So if you can imagine.. 2 20 something guys panting as if I was killing them and me.. a very white American running througha jeepney stop ... the looks I got were just too funny. I got to talk to Than and Mar and get to know them better which was great.. and for me just to be able to run outside felt so free and great.

The end of the week saw Pat leave for home.. she was so glad to be going home. It also brought Betty in at the beginning of the week and it has been good to see her and catch up as well. We have known each other for years.

The weekend brought a couple of fun things. On Saturday, Donald ( a guy from work) met me at the hotel in the afternoon and took me to the MegaMall.. It is one of the SM malls. The man that owns the SM malls and food stores is the richest man in all of the Philippines. This place is HUGE!!!!! and not even the biggest. The biggest mall is the Mall of Asia.. and I am told the biggest mall in all of Asia. I can't imagine.. The mega mall is 5 floors, and it is the size of 2 very large convention centers. From the outside it is HUGE!!!.. For those that live in the Philly area, it is easily the size of the King of Prussia mall.. BOTH the court and the plaza.. but 5 floors.. Well Donald and I went to town and went shopping.. got some good sales.. and had just a great time.. was like 2 friends just shopping.. On Sunday the sun was actually out.. and the sky was as blue as I have seen the sky since I have been here. The smog was gone and the sun was out.. so after eating I went to the pool and got some sun. Met this guy named Slaf who is Russian but has lived in the UK (London) for the last 7 years. He works for Shell.. and was CUTE CUTE CUTE!!!!! Then back to my routine.. THE SPA!!!!!! (Thank you Erick D...) So at 1:30 there I was back at the spa.. had the exfoliation with sea salt, the botanical fruit wrap with the hour massage.. HEAVENLY.. that also came with a 20 minute soak in the jacuzzi too. Then the facial.. manicure and pedicure.. walked out at 6:15 and was 1/2 a sleep.. I was in heaven.

Got home and then got some sleep and up at midnight.. went downstairs to the lobby and watched the new flowers go up.. and talked with Lisa, Betty, Spencer and Larry til 5:15. I skyped my mom and showed her around my living room.. er... I mean the lobby of the hotel.

This morning ran my 4.8 K (3 miles), weighed in at 66 K (145 lbs) and sat in the steam room and took a cold shower to cool down. Just got back from eating.. and catching up on my blog, may go to the pool this am.. if the sun comes out a little more. It is kind of cloudy out there.

So a good week by all accounts. At the spa I read an article called "urban jungle survival kit".. which was as great read. I ripped it out of the magazine and will write it up and put in facebook on my notes page. Read it and enjoy.

Now for the week ahead.. work is going to be CRAZY!!!!! but I will get through it.. and it will be fine. That is not why I am skipping ahead. This last week my folks from work invited me to this "team building" event. This event is going to be a weekend away to one of the provinces which I think is to the south. It is a resort right on the beach. we are going to be leaving by van right after work on Saturday and return sometime on Sunday night. I am not sure of all the events but for some sneaky reason, I feel like I want to know every detail .. since I will be the oldest by far of the group. There is going to be 14 Filipinos from the floor at work. 2 Indian managers and me. If there is anyone over 30 I would be surprised.... So hopefully you won't hear on CNN trailer.. "International incident with 14 Filipino's, their Indian mangers from one of the call centers with a 51 yr American business man.. Stay tuned to the Situation Room.. with Wolf Blitzer." Here is the website for the place we are going. I can't wait. Looks like fun, and sun and beach and good people from 3 countries and well I am SURE that there will be a story or 2 from this weekend.. !!!

www.bakasyunanresort.ph/

Oh by the way, Than which is 26 I think asked me at lunch last week.. Craig.. do you drink????? I thought "On No... this is going to be a WEEKEND I will never forget.. " I am just hoping you don't see me in the "Situation Room" with Wolf!!!!

Well that is it... Oh by the way I think (am pretty sure) that I am returning in January to Manila.. Mixed emotions but like everything I will take advantage of the best things here.. and work hard to get through successfully on the work things. So not sure how long.. but I am guessing at least 4 weeks.. but have heard some thoughts of funding for the 1st quarter. So we will see.

Until then... see my notes in Facebook for the article and think great thoughts.. and live life to the fullest..

I just remember one last story.. On Tuesday I was walking thru the mall to the office holding my computer bag, my gym bag, my lunch and my coffee.. (yes think pack mule and you will see me) and I was talking to Lisa.. and BAM!!!! ran smack dab into some guy and almost ran him over.. (remember.. the average size is smaller than in the USA). I spilled my coffee all over my shirt. I was in the bathroom about 8:30.. and seeing the coffee all over me.. and I felt and looked a little messy.. and remembered.. I work in a mall.. Literally. So they don't close til 9:30 and it was only 8:45. I run down into a store and find 2 polo shirts. I am in the dressing room trying it on (bought a large) and here over the store speaker is Xmas music. They start to celebrate Xmas in September.. Well it was Let It Snow.. some rock and roll version I have never heard of.. The irony of it all.. IT meaning.. here I am in Manila Philippines, the average temputure is 90 degrees F., It's October and I am hearing Xmas music.. and of all things Let it Snow.. when they will never see snow in Manila.. and me here.. Oh how life is a strange and wacky situation sometimes.. I just laughed to myself.. and thought.. Life is really good. I walked out singing, with a new and clean shirt and a bunch of Filipinos probably talking about the crazy singing american walking out the door.

Ok.. bye.

Hello All.. Well I am back in Manila.... for better (the personal side) or worse.. (the work side). Before I got her I was so not looking forward to coming back. I really enjoyed being home for the short period of time I was there.... and really wanted to just stay home. However since I haven't won the lottery yet, and I need to work, I came back. Once I hit the ground.. I was excited to be back. I was looking forward to the things I have here that I don't have at home. I was looking forward to seeing people that I had met here and that I like a lot.

Everyone at the hotel all were excited to see me and welcomed me back. That was a great feeling. So being that this is Monday AM.. and I am heading off to bed to get some sleep for the 1st night back to work... I have a photo of the new flower arrangement.. They redid them last night.

Work is going to be very hectic.. All the classes (there were 3 total) are out of training now... The first class has been up and running (barely) for a month now... and the 2nd and 3rd class will start to transition accounts to them. So now we have 2 people.. (this week Pat and I) on site to help 15 people and also help the other 25 do something. Too much work and craziness and too many issues and problems and not enough people to really be able to handle even a fraction of them. All I can say is that I and my team didn't create the issue, and there is no way we can solve the issue.. So I will just do what I can and as much as I can and try to prioritize the critical situations first. Will be be good... NO, will it seem to work.. probably not.. will we get through it.. Positively.... Will I be glad that this 5 weeks will be over really quickly??? YES. Time will fly I am sure. And we will get through it one way or another...

So with that.. all have a good week, make it the best you can with what you have to work with... and enjoy this weeks flowers at the Shangri La Makati Hotel in Manila.

Well Here it is.. 8 days later.. So much to talk about. We left Mykonos last Saturday.. Greece was a great vacation.... I did a lot of rest and relaxation... little beach little sun. A LOT of shopping.. now I need to go to Shopping addiction classes.. and going back to Manila is NOT going to help.

We got back to Paris Saturday afternoon around 5:30. My neighbor Dave picked up Scott, John, Michael T and I. We dropped off S&J at their hotel and then headed to Dave and Rosemary's house. Again it was so good to see them like we did on the way to Greece. That night I had made plans with a guy named Marc Felici... who is a french guy. Now. I met Marc back in 1977 in Cedar Falls in High School Marc was a foreign Exchange student from France that was in my high school. We were friends. So after not talking for almost 35 years... good old facebook found us again chatting. So since I was in Paris we thought we would try to rendevous... (that's a french word you know) for dinner. Well between not having wifi at the house in Mykonos.. our communication was a little spotty. Marc lives kind of near the airport. So he went to the airport to try to find us and pick us up. Well I didn't get on line until we had hit Dave and Rosemary's house. So we kind of missed each other. I called him when I got in and he still wanted to come into Paris for dinner. he drove 45 minutes.. I met him outside and helped him find a parking space. Well for those that have been to Paris... one spot you DON'T want to be in a car is in the circle by the Arc or Triumph..... well I got to experience that not once but 2 times... since he over shot D&R's street. That was a wild ride... Thanks Marc for not getting us killed... :)

We ended up going to this nearby restaurant called Stella.. WONDERFUL!!!!!! (that is an english word)... The dinner was great.. Marc french with some good english, Michael T and Dave with not much french and Rosemary with some pretty good french. We had a great time and got home late after a very long day.

Next morning we got up, had breakfast and then headed to the Paris Auto Show. Now the Paris Auto show is every other year. Well for those that have been to any car show, this is the car show of all car shows....... for so many reasons. 1st.. the cars. all kinds of cars... cars you will never see in the states ever, prototype cars, antique cars VERY expensive cars... and all kinds of electric and hybrid cars. 2nd... the fashion.. Everyone working at any of the individual car companies... was like going to a fashion show for each one. The fashion was as important as the cars. 3rd.. the presentation of the cars... They spent millions on the presentation of the staging of the cars.. very modern, lots of lights and sound... and TON of people. We walked around for most of the day.. I eventually found my way back to Dave and Rosemary's while the others went to this museum which they wanted to see. I have the luxury of going back to Paris since I can stay with Dave and Rosemary... so wasn't to concerned with squeezing too much into a very short period of time. I rested and relaxed.. That night the 9 of us.. Scott, John, Tom, Joe, Michael T and I, Dave and Rosemary and Earl went to this other great restaurant.. Le Grand Cobert.... again.. very good food, company and wine. I had fish.. thinking it would be healthy.. but the sauces circumvented that. But again... late night. We were taking the metro home.. where 1/2 way there they stopped the trains and made us get off. We ended back at the apartment via taxi.. Again.. dead sleep in seconds.

Monday AM.. we were off to the airport once again... and this time for Boston. My dilemma was trying to figure out how to get some sleep.. and not be too messed up when I got back to Boston. I needed to be as ready to go for Saturday when I was off to Manila again. Well got back to Boston.. took a 1/2 of a little orange pill and got some sleep. Not sure if helped or not. Didn't do too much in Boston Monday night.. went to bed and of course was up early AM.. I got to the airport in Boston on Tuesday AM... and FINALLY got home to Philly at 1:30 PM on Tuesday.. HOME SWEET HOME.. is NOT just a phrase...

Well it was good to see Tim and Molly not to mention the neighbors... I ended up unpacking, doing laundry, and cleaning the house and watering the plants.. and just getting back to square 1. Was a long day.. but wanted to stay up so I could get a good night sleep. Started getting a sore throat... and was just plain tired. We ended up going out to dinner on Tuesday night.. and I was falling asleep at the table.

Wed through Friday was a blur.. I had to take my car into the dealership early Wed AM, ended up doing my work voucher from the end of the first Manila trip, and then working on that thing the rest of the day at home. Thursday I had to do my benefits, and get throughu my slew of emails... not really a lot of real work since I was going back to Manila on Saturday. Was so tired on Wednesday couldn't get to chorus like I wanted. I have been missing my friends a lot.. But had a little street party for Julie, Jerry, Aiden and Keira since they are leaving the "hood" for the other side of the river this Saturday. I was in bed by 9:00 Wednesday... still trying to feel good and normal.. but not happening..

Well went and got my hair cut on Thursday, got what work I wanted to get done done... and then Friday ended up packing, and doing some work, getting things ready to leave for Manila. Met Tim downtown for dinner and then went home and finished. Bella came home today.. and so I did get to spend some time with her which I have missed her all summer. All packed and was in bed by 10:30.

Now.. Here I sit.. at the PHL Int'l airport.. waiting for my trip to Detroit.... then Nagoya Japan and Manila.. should take me about 24 hours or more to get there.. It is 8:48 AM local time..Saturday and will arrive Sunday night 10:30 PM local time. Should be very hectic when I get to work... but I get there on Sunday night which is my time to be up.. time to watch the flowers get changed... (more pics to come) and then 5 AM gym, eat, get to bed.. and start the 5 weeks of VERY crazy work. But through it all.. very grateful to have a job, a great life... not to mention all that goes with that.. friends and family... to share it all. so...

If you are on facebook the pics of most of the vacation are on there... Mykonos to come yet... and then more stories as I start the 3rd leg of this marathon travel for 2010. Again thanks to Tim for the support, Molly the licks and licks and licks, and friends, neighbors, and family because with out you all it would be so much more difficult to do what I am doing. You all are the best.

Until next time..

Craig..

Today is the last full day of the Mykonos leg of this vacation. This has been a fantastic vacation. I have been to Paris France, Athens, Santorini, Mykonos and Delos Greece. I will definitely be back to both countries...

So far this vacation has been full of sightseeing, a lot of resting, reading, and hanging out with friends. I went to the beach one day which was just enough.. laid out at the villa a lot also... I saw things that were beautiful, met so many great people along the way on this adventure....

Now today.. the last day.. the weather is beautiful.. somewhat breezy and cool.. but the entire time we had great sunny weather except one day... which was the day we went to Delos... an island of Greek History where the God of Apollo (God of Light) was from. We bought umbrellas... and of course it didn't rain.. just cloudy and cool.. which was perfect for that day of sightseeing.

Last night Michael and I went to Lola's, and Jackie O's..... had way too much fun.. and yes some drama... but not on my part... Got home at 4:30... but up at 9 this AM.. packed 95% of my stuff and then came to Anizi Lounge... my cafe/internet location near the villa. Got caught up on my email, facebook and now my blog. I have downloaded my pics from this vacation on the Paris, Athens, and Santorini legs of this vacation. I have started the Mykonos album but only has 7 pics. I will get that downloaded when I get back.

So go to my facebook page to see all the pics.. the good, bad and yes some ugly!!!!!

Today I may go into Mykonos one last time.. we have dinner reservations at 8:30 at Barkia Restaurant... a great Italian restaurant we went to on the first night of this leg. Then off to Lola's and then home. Demetries one of the owners of Lola's (Google Lola's Mykonos) is making me a CD of some of his music compilations... Unique music and fun...

Tomorrow we are off back to Paris via Athens. We will get in Saturday night 5:30. Michael T and I are staying with Rosemary and Dave my neighbors from Philly for the 2 nights. The 4 of us will be having dinner with a guy named Marc Felici... Marc was a foreign exchange student back in 1976 to my high school in Cedar Falls Iowa. We reconnected via facebook last year... and will be good/interesting to have dinner with him on Saturday night.

Then Sunday we (most of the vacation group, Rosemary and Dave) will be going to the Paris Auto Show. That should be FUN and interesting. Sunday night we are all going to a restaurant called Le Grand Cobert.. I guess a 5 star restaurant.. That should be good. One last night of eating rich, great and coloric filled food. I lost 8 lbs in Manila and my clothes were loose on me. Now after this vacation.. my clothes are tight !!! One good thing about returning to Manila will be the heat and the routine and back to the gym of 2 times a day and my normal food. Well I should say my normal "Manila" food habits.

We leave on Monday for Boston and then I return home on Tuesday to Philly. It will be so good to get home... but have to reiterate what a vacation this was. First of the all the Greek people are so nice... not to mention BEAUTIFUL!!!!! Genetics are great.. but I am so the Iowa midwestern white boy look.. As I sit here on a Friday.. at the cafe.. there are people in gorups having fun, playing games, on their computers.. which has always been the case when I am here. What do they do for work?? I just wonder.. they have such a relax way about them in general.. so envious in some ways...

I can't wait to be back in my house, with Tim and Molly. Will be so good to see them... It is short lived tho since I have to return to Manila on Saturday the 16th of October... until November 20th. 5 more weeks of some long stressful hours... but after this vacation.. will be ready to attack them head on. Home for Thanksgiving... which we are going to Ptown. Then get ready for the holidays... and the new year.

I am expecting 5 more great weeks in Manila.. and hope to get out and see a little more. Also can't wait to get back to the things in Manila that I love.... I am sure I will mention them when I get back.. so won't bore you now..

Thanks for reading my blog.. and hopefully you have enjoyed reading and see the pictures as I have enjoyed writing this. I will attach a few pics of the group and of Mykonos.. but to see them all go to my facebook page.

Until the next time..

Hello.. well not much to say here.. the last few days have been shopping and or beach.. then dinner... and then talking and then we all go to bed.... to reconverge outside at the table outside for coffee the next day. So today I am off with Jill and Janie to town.. YES I am going to be shopping.. and then the beach. We are off to dinner tonight somewhere in town.... going to wear my new Angelina Jolie shirt tonight.. this shirt "feels" like Angelina Jolie "looks" in a hot dress on the red carpet where her Breasts are out there!!!!! have to see the shirt..

Tomorrow we are off to the island of Delios.. Then will have to tell you all about that.

Until then. No Terroristist here in Mykonos.. They haven't heard of the great discounts for the end of the season.. Some stores are all 70% off !!!! of well more for us capitalists!!!!!

Til Then.. LIVE LIFE!!!!

Craig

Here are a few random pics...

hello All:

It has been a few days since I have been on.. main reason is that we don't have WIFI at the villa. So that means I walk into the nearest village to the Anixi Lounge (more like a cafe) and sit and have cafe and do my wifing... Today 5 came down the hill and they left to go back home, and to drive to one of the beaches here on Mykonos.. I am staying at the villa by the pool. Life is good at home so why go anywhere... :) I have been around some so I have gotten out.

Also just to address the terror threat to Europe. My mother of course emailed me to come home.. I think she meant back to Iowa... though afraid for my life... (my mother - not me), I assured her that we were / are fine. I don't think they are going to go after a few tourists here in Mykonos in their off season... :) But when we get back to Paris for 2 days on Saturday... that could be a different story... :) However I am staying with friends in Paris so I will be fine...

My belief is that you have to life life like there is no tomorrow... because tomorrow will come... and you will have no warning. So.. Live life to the fullest every day... !!! ok.. enough of that talk..

Last couple of days we have just gone around Mykonos, some the island by car, have eaten great food, gone shopping and shopping and shopping. All the stores here are having the end of season clearance discounts. Some stores are having 70% off. most at least 50.. I have bought more clothes.. so I think I am done shopping for clothes for the next 5 years. or until we go into Mykonos again.. which for me will probably be in the morning. It is about a 45 minute walk into Mykonos from the villa.. and it is a healthy walk up and down the hills. I try to walk down at least 1 time a day for the exercise. I am doing well on that front.

There is also a beach (Ornos Beach) within walking distance if I want or I can go with any of the folks I am with in their cars as well. This vacation I am more staying at home and relaxing than ever. With my schedule lately I just want to sit.. So that means I will have to come back to do all the sightseeing at that time. I will go to Delios on that day tour when they go. That should be interesting. 1/2 of the group is planning on taking a high speed ferry to Santorini for an overnight... but since I was there I don't plan on going again. I would like to go there next trip 1/2 of the vacation... and then Mykonos the other 1/2. We will see.

So we just sit around and relax. Sometimes we get sporadic internet from the villa.. but can't count on it at all. The weather is in the 70's and sunny.... today as well as yesterday not a cloud in the sky. It is a little windy up at the villa since we are up on the hillside looking over the bay across from the town of Mykonos. It is a great relaxing vacation full of fun, sun, and great food and shopping and the people we have met here in all the places of Greece have been just the best.

Well let me run.. back to the villa, the sun, relaxation....