Hello All. Sorry for no new stories since last week. Was a regular but somewhat busy week at work... and no personal stories really. During the week, I start work on Monday night.. leave at 7 PM and class is at 8:30 PM to 5:30 AM. Home, try to get to the gym... didn't do a good job this week, dinner and then usually putz around and try to get to bed by 10 AM.

This week Pat got Hong Kong Dog (cousin to Montezuma's Revenge) and didn't go to work on Thursday. I have little over an hour to scramble to come up with with the day's agenda for training. We are in the midst of her part. It all worked out and that is all that counted.

My friend Spencer who is a Data trainer and a friend for years from my old Boston days went home Saturday AM back to Providence for a few weeks. He was here for 7 weeks and this was his first time back home. Pat leaves next Saturday (my co trainer) and she will return, Lisa the other data trainer leaves the 9th and will return, and then I get to come home on Saturday the 18th of September.

We have one more week of this first class.. little bit worried on a few fronts.. but we have done the best we can with what we had.. and it is what it is.. Not how I would have planned it but it will be fine. Great bunch of folks in the class... Fun thing on Friday was we had Hat Day.. everyone had to wear some kind of hat.. ANY kind of hate.. we had some fun ones.. The one pic of me wearing feathers.. was actually Ian's hat (the guy in the pic with me) which he was one of the winning 2 hats. The other winner was also in my class .... Pat and I also treated for Pizza lunch that day as well.. not to mention we had to leave early since Spencer had a flight at 7:30 which meant we left early to get him to the airport on time. We all share Narciso, who is the man that drives us to work every evening and picks us up every morning. More on Narciso.. but suffice it to say. He is a great man that takes very good care of us.

This weekend was the final of Sportsfest 2010... I had a volleyball game on Saturday but ended up having to default since we didn't have enough red team folks to play. So we practiced for a few hours with other teams from different colors. Again at the Philippine Air Force Base gym... 95 degrees and open air to the outside. However after 3 weeks in Manila, I am getting used to the heat and humidity. I still was sweating but at least now not until AFTER I started playing volleyball. This is not the kind of volleyball we play on the beach while drinking and eating.. This is the kind of volleyball with rules, referee's, and keeping score. Who knew there were moves that actually would lose points??? They were some of the key points I was first told. I have to say though, after 3 weeks, playing in the heat, humidity, (not to mention all my teammates were in their 20's) and practicing to keep my arms together and use my forearms to set up the ball, I did get better. We all had bad plays so I was not the worst player but I held my own. Still not the greatest player here, but Ana told me that when I go home and next summer play volleyball on the beach in Ptown.... I will be the best of all my friends there... :) .. That made my day.

Today.. was the final for bowling.. After last week, we were in 1st place and we were the team to beat out of the 6 teams. We started out the day in first place by a good margin. We played the 2nd place team.. which they beat us the first round. However with our score from last week, we started the playoffs just 2 pins ahead putting us the 1st place team. We had to play the same 2nd place team again for the finals. I kept saying we were going to win... and I did believe we could. Well the final game was a good game and we kept at each others heels. We got down to the 10th frame, and I need to get a strike or spare to stay in the game. I got a 7 and a 2.... YIKES!!!!!! They had their last player to go up. All he had to do was get a strike or spare and we were finished. We had about 20 red team members for other sports team cheering us on... He missed his spare.. and we won by 7 pins!!!!!!! Our team went WILD. Of the 6 teams represented.. we had the the most support and no doubt the loudest. Everyone in the place knew who the RED team was.

Our winning was a acrylic medal which I really wanted so bad. What I didn't know was there was as monetary award as well. We each got 1000 pesos in the form of GC's.. (gift certificates). They looked like movie passes.. but come to find out there are good for a lot of the stores in the mall. 45 pesos to 1 dollar.. gave us each a little over 20 dollars worth. After the bowling, a bunch of us went to Diwaker's place which was a short distance away. He was getting pizza for all of us which was very nice. I had to get going since I had an appointment at the spa at 2:30. Third and Donald was very nice and helped me get a taxi and made sure that the driver knew where I wanted to go.

Got back to the hotel just in time to drop my bad and get to The Spa. Today I splurged.. I had a sea salt scrub exfoliation for 30 mins.. with a shower after, then an hour massage, then an hour facial, and to wrap up my 1/2 day of beauty... a manicure. I was there about 4 hours.. Now the great thing (and I am taking advantage of this.. by going to The Spa EVERY Sunday afternoon), is that the whole total cost including the tips for the 4 ladies that took care of me came to a total of $80.00. I was sleeping through most of the treatments.. but it felt great. I got out of there around 6:15 PM.. and it was a torrential monsoon winds and rain. The hotel was not that far of a walk, and I could have walked through the malls for most of the walk, but I ended up taking a cab back to the hotel. The cost was only 30 pesos (remember 45 pesos to 1 dollar) but I ended up giving this guy 100. He thought he had hit the lottery.

The wages of the people of the Philippines is so very little, and the people here are the most gracious, polite, and nice that come from the heart.. I tend to tip more than they are used to. However, I am blessed and fortunate beyond belief compared to these people and I need to do what I think is right.. not what they are used to. Besides it is nice to see the smile on their face. If I make their day for them or their family better for even a little bit.. that is a good thing.

Was so tired.. got to bed around 6:30 PM.. slept til 10:30 PM... cleaned up the place, got my laundry ready, had chick won ton soup for later dinner.. went to Starbucks at 1 AM for coffee and a snack that I didn't need and sat in the lobby reading and watching this weeks flower arrangement go up in the lobby. At around 3 AM, Lisa and Pat joined me in the lobby. I came up to the room, to get caught up on facebook, create a new facebook for all the folks here in Manila, and get caught up on my blog. I had planned on going to the gym... but now it is 6:20 AM and I am meeting Lisa and Pat for dinner at 7:30.. then off to bed at 9:00 AM. to be ready for work tonight at 7 PM.

here are some pics of bowling, and the hat day on Friday. I will get this week's flower arrangements today or tomorrow and post.

Thinking of the day today.. and it was all roses.. no thorns.. As much as I miss my life back in the states.. I will miss so much from here.

My Monday AM, your Sunday PM ... Here is this weeks flower arrangement... festive in red. I had a great birthday yesterday.. Red Team bowled... and after first round we are in First Place!!!!! I brought a taxi back to the hotel and then went to The Spa for my massage and facial. This Sunday afternoon ritual I am really loving it. I received a $200 (little less than $10 dollars) Peso gift card towards my next visit (which is this Sunday). So I am changing it up a little bit... next week will do a sea salt scrub (30 Minutes) with a massage for an hour, a facial, and then a manicure.

I came hope a little tired and a little bruised. I jammed my left forefinger playing Volleyball on Saturday. Took my Sunday nap from 5:30 to 10 PM... got up and then sat in the lobby all night with my co workers watching this weeks flowers go up.. and doing a little work as well. So here are the pics for this week... including the guys that did the work.

At 6 AM I went to the gym and ran 4.8 K (3 miles). I figured with the volleyball, bowling and everything else I did this weekend... I should go slow. I will get back to the gym this week both in the am and pm and get back into my weekday schedule.

Had breakfast and now off to bed soon to get a good sleep. Back to work tonight.. the start of week 3.... We are 1/2 way through the training.... which is good. The next step after the training will be more work and somewhat more crazier ... but need to move to the next step.

So with that.. Thanks to all for my birthday wishes on facebook, emails, through Skype calls etc. I am having a great time being here in Manila for so many reasons.. both professionally and personally. It does come with some expense to my personal life and my emotions and feelings. I do miss my friends back in Philly, not to mention Tim and Molly a lot. I appreciate my friendships with you all very much... and being away heightens those feelings to remind me how fortunate I am to have you as a part of my life.

Life is kind of crazy.. and I think for me it has been crazier than some... This has been and will be one experience/adventure that I will cherish and remember for a very long time to come.

The pics of today

Today ... My birthday

Well today will be one of the most memorable birthday's of all. I turned 51 today.... and also tomorrow in the states.. This will be one of the longest birthday's I will ever have.. almost 36 hours worth. Got up this AM.. headed down to breakfast with Spencer, Lisa, and Pat. We had a great breakfast hearing about the crazy antics of Spencer and Lisa the day before (which was also Lisa's 46th birthday). Then the restaurant staff came and sang Happy Birthday to me.. and brought me this beautiful Chocolate Mouse Cake.

I then went upstairs to skype with Tim and Tom and Joe and company. They were having dinner with friends and also sang Happy Birthday to me as well. I went upstairs to change shirt into my red team competition shirt. Today is our first of 2 rounds of competition bowling. We took a taxi to Eastwood City to the mall where the bowling alley was. It was about a 20 minute drive... and the taxi fare was 137 peso's... which 45 pesos to the dollar.. you do the math. This was so cheap. I gave him alot more.. the people have so little compared to us in the USA.

WELL.. My team consisted of Rahul, Jeff (both on my volleyball team) and Himi. To make a long story short. WE ARE IN FIRST place. The only sport of the SportsFest that any Red team in in first place. We have 2nd rounds next week... so at least the worst we can do is 2nd.. but WE WILL prevail!!!!!! Here are some pics of that competition as well.

I did buy myself a fun polo shirt for my birthday present... Pat and I came back by taxi to the hotel while Spencer and Lisa stayed at Preshants and Davaker's condo for awhile.

NOW.. I am off to my 2nd weeks massage and facial. which is becoming my Sunday afternoon ritual. I am kind of sore from playing volleyball and bowling.. so hour massage, hour facial.. and it all costs 55 dollars that is including tips for both ladies.

Then bed til 10 PM.. and then hang out in the lobby and watch the flower arrangements come down and go up.. again the finishing touch of my Sunday Ritual.

Turning 51 is and will be a great day that I will never forget.

Enjoy some of the pics of my day.

First Post of the weekend..

Yesterday (Saturday) came home from work.. had breakfast and had a birthday celebration with a cake and singing in the restaurant for my co worker Lisa. She is the picture with the long Blond hair. Her birthday was Saturday. Went to bed and got some sleep to get ready for the 2nd week of competition for the Red Team Volleyball.

Got up around 3:30 and wanted to run to the drug store real quick for some gatorade. The Mercury Drug store is on the other side of the circle in front of the hotel. I got my 2 1.5 liters of gatorade.. and thought to myself.. self? This bag is going to rip on you... Stopped at the Starbucks for some coffee and a sandwich so I wouldn't pass out in the heat at the gym. I got back up to the front entrance outside of the hotel... and wouldn't you know.. the bag breaks.. my 2 bottles of gatorade go flying.. and I have about 5 people rushing to my aid. They didn't know what happened so they tried to put them bag into the bag that was broke.. and they flew out again. Finally they offered to take them to my room via the Bellman. I had my coffee and sandwich in my hands.. and so I took them up on their offer.

I get back to my room, and I knew that my do not disturb light was on... but there was someone in my room. I knocked on the door... and walked in. It was 2 men from security...I had 2 wake up calls 10 minutes apart to get up... and I had left before the 2nd one. Well they thought something was wrong so they came to make sure I was ok. I felt bad and appologized for the inconvenience.

Took the car to the Air Force base again to play volleyball. We were going to meet early to practice which we needed. I think I am getting used to the oppressive heat.. since I wasn't sweating in a pool of sweat BEFORE I started to play like I did the first week. We practiced.. then we got the game started. Of course we are playing the best of the 6 teams. We had a coach on ourside and poor Kath.. our captain. tried to get us to the best we could. I played the 1st half of the 1st set. In that time I jammed my left fore finger, and got hit in the face by the ball. :) We lost the first set. On the 2nd set.. we were leading 22 to 14... and yet we still lost 25 to 22. next week.. our last chance.. we are going to WIN. Here are some videos of me playing. In both clips i am serving.. red shirt... blue shorts....

After the game got back to the hotel, showered and then Pat and I went to dinner over at Greenbelt at this great outdoor dining seafood restaurant. I had this seafood bisque.. with a puff pastry shell over the bowl. it was the best bisque I have ever had. Then we had surf and turf, small filet and 2 HUGE prawns.. potatoes and vegetables.. 2 beers and then Pat sprang for a piece of White Chocolate Cheesecake and we celebrated my anniversary of 11 years with Tim. Pat was anniversary date for the night. Got home and went to bed. It was a great day would have been better if we only could have pulled out the win on the 2nd set of volleyball.

Hello Everyone from Manila... So here is this weeks main flower arrangement in the lobby of the hotel. This week is featuring mini pineapples. Supposedly they are not for eating, but for decoration only. They look exactly like real pineapples.. but just miniature. Now one thing I didn't mention is that all of the flower arrangements match the main one in the grand foyer of the hotel. There is a team of folks that work all thru the night on Sunday for folks to see when they arrive or get up on Monday morning. Of course I and sometimes my peers stay up the entire night on Sunday so we sit in the lobby and watch the work it takes to dismantle and rebuild the new arrangements by hand. It is a piece or handicraft for sure. I took more than one picture so you could see up close the mini pineapples.

Enjoy..

SportsFest 2010 photos.....

Hey Everyone... Here are the photos from last weeks SportsFest 2010 volleyball game. I told you all about the afternoon.. but here are some pics of the event. There are some pics of me and my fellow red team members. We held the AT&T banner for some photo ops... and then our team banner as well. Some also of us getting ready for the day... and then couple of the volleyball team specifically. We also had a basketball team and our cheerdancing team. We also have our bowling team (coming up this Sunday AM... I am a member of that sub team) as well as another volleyball game this Saturday afternoon. 100 degrees again I am sure at the Air Force Base gym. At least the bowling alley will be air conditioned :)

I will also take the picture of this weeks flowers in the lobby. May have to take a close up as well to see the mini pineapples... which we were told they are not to eat.. just for flower arrangements. I don't think these guys ever had a small group of folks watch them tear down and rebuild these flower arrangements before. They probably think we are nuts watching them from Midnight to 5 AM on Monday ... if they only knew...

Enjoy the pics.. I will get more this Saturday and Sunday along with maybe a video of action shots of me playing volleyball.

Enjoy.

Craig

Hello.. Well I have a lot to catch up on .. First I said I was going to start putting up the weekly flower arrangement pictures on the blog. I have to tell you about this weeks. They change them on Sunday nights way after midnight so they will be changing it tonight. This is actually a flower arrangement except they look like werird shaped oranges. A little background on why I am showing you and telling you the story of the weekly flower arrangement. I normally work Monday nights 9 PM to Saturday 6 AM.. and then of course sleep in the day time. Well on Weekends I am then living (or trying to) like normal people and not vampires... so I stay up for the daylight hours. Well my weekend is turning out to be more like getting 5 to 6 hour sleep increments throughout the weekend.. then trying to stay up VERY Late on Sunday night... go to the gym when it opens at 5 AM on Monday.. and then sleep all day Monday to get back on my vampire schedule for the work week. So that being said.. I go to Starbucks next door around 1 AM Monday, and sit in the lobby and watch the staff of people doing the main arrangement in the lobby and then there are many smaller arrangements that match all over the place. I have orchids in my room and bathroom not to mention every on my room service table for my daily food before I go to work. (oatmeal and carrot/orange juice).

This past week there were 5 people working on this one. They put in each one of these "flowers" one by one by hand on ladders. We asked them what they were since they looked like fruit with ears.. Kind of like Disney grows their own oranges. They told us they were actually flowers, and they called them Mickey Mouse flowers. I have noticed that they do change color through the week as if they were wilting.. they are the size of a lemon. Hanging above from the chandelier they have hanging rose cactus's.. They are green and look like rosebuds on a cube.. and they are cactus. I didn't get that shot but will try to be a better photographer as I go. Also I am adding some pics of my view from the room which I over look the front of the hotel where the fountain is, and then the circular park across the street, the tennis court to the left and the pool to the right. One of me at the pool one morning after work.. So far that is the only time I have been there.

Well this weekend was my first weekend to be able to get out and do things. I am working with a company (our vendor) called Infosys Inc. It is an Indian company that has offices in Manila as well. Well they have more customers than AT&T out of the city. Well Infosys has this sports competition called SportsFest. Their employees that support these different customers compete with each other as well as the their corporate team. The sports that are involved are basketball (the Philippines main sport), volleyball, badminton, billiards, and I believe cheerdancing. As the client I was invited to participate if I wanted to. Well not knowing what I was committing to, I said I could play volleyball and bowling.

So comes Saturday and we go the gym ... They used the gym on the Air Force Base here in Manila. We get to the gym to register... register???? I thought it was just some folks from the building getting together to "play" ... We register, get our jersey's (I am on the red team and they give me # 1 since I am the customer). It was 100% polyester... which is ok.. usually, and it fit me good.... almost a little snug. Well now for the background story.. We (my 2 co workers go with me.. they are not participating) get there early as told but I was told wrong. The gym is an open air gym... being that there is a building but no windows so the same air that is outside is inside. Well it was about 37 degrees C.. which is about 100 degrees F... and NO air. This is not a modern USA Air Base gym..... We go looking for water.. since I am going to need water.. People start coming ... and now this is turning into a huge event. There was a total of 400 people or so.... we had an opening ceremonies.. we had banners, we had 6 teams with 6 different colors.. In the opening ceremonies, we all march in our groups and route for our teams etc.. We get lined up and sing the national anthem. We have our opening remarks.. and then ... let the games begin. I was getting scared when I see the people warming up.. they are SERIOUS volleyball players.. We have referees and timers and scorers that are not part of the company. Basketball had official uniformed referees. I am sitting here in my red polyester jersey, sweating like a crazy man.. and we haven't even started. I jumped with a few guys outside in the street to warm up.. and practice. I thought I knew how to play volleyball... They gave me some tips on what to do.. how to do them... and a couple of things on what NOT to do since you can lose points if you do them.. GREAT.. I was feeling like 4th grade and being picked last.. except they are trying to be so kind and treat me (their customer) like a king and some are thinking .. we are so screwed. Funny thing was ... I was thinking I was so screwed.. but for different reasons. I got to be one of the guys that carried the banner which was very cool.. and there were tons of pictures which I will hopefully get soon and post them. My camera battery was dead.. (note to self.. check your battery before the big day!)...

We practiced a lot, I stretched.. and then the big moment came. We had our cheering section.. which consisted of folks that support AT&T, their friends, family, and some of the Infosys upper mgmt that I know.. which are all from India.. cheering me and their guy Raoul on. A note of fact is that there is really no Volleyball in India.. But then Raoul looked like he played really well. So here we go.. I am a starter.. the whistle blows.. and I put every ounce of concentration and energy into this game. I played pretty well considering.... was absolutely soaking wet for the 3rd or 4th time that day. I played the entire 1st set, and rotated out the 2nd set.. which was very ok with me. I wanted our team to win!!!!!! Well after 2 long sets which my team both lost.. we will play next week for 3rd and 4th. We were getting our groove as a team together eventually but not soon enough. I think we will take 3rd next week.. and now I am prepared for the day. I think we have a good chance for 1st place for the cheerdancing.. They did GREAT.. but basketball is the least likely for a good finishing place. Have no clue on Badminton.. but people have their own racquets...

We watched the basketball for awhile.. and then eventually left back for the hotel at 9:30 PM. The funny thing that the only ones that were sweating like stuck pigs were the Americans. I think the Filipinos and the Indians are so used the heat and humidity.. their bodies are used to it and just don't sweat. Some actually didn't.. And that polyester jersey??? felt like a wool blanked in the summer.. stuck to my body.. Next week we compete with volleyball again.. and I also am competing in bowling. They have a 4 time world champion bowler that is big here and owns a bowling alley. We are playing at his bowling alley next week. At least I can bowl... ave 175 and can hold my own on that one.

I shocked a few folks on how good I did play volleyball and was told next week by my team captain... I was going to be one of the starters for the game.. so I guess I didn't do to badly after all. I kind of warned them I can bowl.. so don't underestimate me..

Week 2 started and I am finally feeling the effects of new surroundings.. food, etc.. and have spent more time in the bathroom than I would choose. So far not too bad and a lot less than most people.. but then again I have been trying to be careful with what I eat, drink, sleep, and exercise.. which has been paying off.

Today I am off to the spa.. (www.thespa.com.ph) for a 2 hour gentleman's package. Also if you look at the prices.. The currency is in peso's.... and it is 45 peso's to a dollar..

Tonight .. I will be in the lobby to see this weeks flower arrangements going up to report back with stories I am sure.. and some pictures.

Look forward to the pics of yesterdays sporting event.. will get them up as soon as I can post them. But the one of my shorts and jersey is attached.. for proof that I was there... and participated... and contributed.. felt more than just AT&T.. felt like I was playing for USA as well as myself.

Good Morning.. (my evening)... Well 4 days down and only 16 to go. It has been pretty grueling schedule and add the off hours and the weird sleeping patterns.. It makes for a wacky life. So I am so glad that I am living in such beautiful surroundings... It makes up for it. My friend Erick Ducut who is from Philippines, just gave me a heads up on The Spa... here in Manila. There is a location near me and it sounds great. I am requesting for a 2 hour Gentleman's Package. www.thespa.com.ph THANKS ERICK!!!!!!

Now to tell a couple of stories.. In the class is about 21 folks and 2 instructors. They are doing a great job with this stuff.. In our class we have 2 gay folks, 1 young man that has a domestic partner and they have a 5 year old. The other is a young woman and she has a domestic partner as well. We have Hutch which I am guessing is a transsexual. He likes to wear woman's high heels and yet boys clothes for the most part. His nick name is Hutch for Starsky and Hutch. In the building we have others in different stages of something... but it is hard to tell where. The other day I was in the men's room with Hutch, and what appeared to be a pretty nice looking feminine young woman. I had to think twice to see if I had gone in the wrong bathroom.

When you work off hours, everyone is saying good morning to you when you are coming home from work and alternatively saying good evening when you are leaving for work at 7:30 in the evening. So your mind does play tricks... and I never know what day it is, what time it is.. and usually either full of energy or very tired.

A lot of my peers that have been here, or are here have been sick to some degree of something. Either stomach/digestive issues, or nasal/head cold due to the air quality. My goal has been to get on a strict schedule. So every night before I go into work, I try to walk 2 miles in the gym, stretch, steam room etc. In the morning after work I try to go to the gym at 7 AM and run my 3 to 4 miles, stretch and steam room. I eat oatmeal for my meal before work with juice sometimes, and coffee. I have so far gone to Subway for a sandwich in the evening and take it to work with me for my lunch at 1 AM. The only thing opened near the office is a McDonald's. Our office is in a mall.. so when we go in at night it is booming. I looked around last night and I can find some fun clothes real cheap. I will be shopping before I get home the first trip. Some fun clothes for vacation to Greece in September.

Now tomorrow will be a long day I know.. but then some fun on the weekend. There is this "event" called Sports Fest. There is a big team from our office consisting of folks from voice and data participating and competing with some other teams from somewhere in the following sports, basketball (their largest sport I understand), volleyball, bowling, badminton, billiards and something consisting of cheer leading and dancing.. I think it was called Cheerdancing. and all I know is they are going to provide the pom pom's. We are also getting red t-shirts (we are the red team), the the opening ceremonies start on Saturday at 5. I am going to be playing Volleyball and Bowling. I thought I don't need to have pictures of me with pom pom's in a foreign country.. I can see it now.. they would be on CNN World or BBC.. :)

Sunday I have requested a 2 hour spa treatment at this place called The Spa here near my hotel. My friend Erick who is from here but lives in Philadelphia told me about this. It appears to be a beautiful spa, 2 hour treatment both body massage and facial..for around 40 dollars. www.thespa.com.ph....

So I am getting into some local things, fun things, and so far only have been feeling a little weird 2 times. The day before last I slept like a rock all day.. got up and never did wake up.. felt like something had hit me over the head. Yesterday I had a horrible day's sleep, thought something had died inside my stomach.. Got up at 4:30 because I couldn't sleep, spent a lot of time in the bathroom here in the hotel, and at the office. I bought some anti acid at the drug store before work... but other than the "issue" I had all my hyper energy, felt basically like I was just great ... just needed to take a few extra trips to the bathroom. By noon I felt great all over.

So one more day to the weekend.. and then go off my sleep/work off hours schedule. and then an active weekend.. and then try to get back on my off hours schedule sleeping on Monday AM and start the work week Monday night.

Hope all is well in your lives, take time to enjoy the roses in your life where ever they are..

Craig

Magandang umaga Everyone!!!!! That means Good Morning. I have learned Good Morning, Good Evening, Thank You, Delicious, in Filipino so far. Everyone is so nice and polite so now I can return the saying but in THEIR native tongue. So far from my driver, to the doormen, to my favorite Waitress in the hotel Belle, they are so surprised when I respond to them in their native tongue.

Well I have been here almost 1 week.. and I am really enjoying the stay. Training is getting better.. seems like we have been in class for days.. but it has only been 3 days. I have enjoyed eating all the food, not to mention going to the gym a lot, eating a lot.. and still losing weight.

I have met a lot of very nice people so far between here in the hotel and in the company that we are working with. I have signed up for some kind of sports fest that lasts 4 weekends. I have signed up for volleyball and bowling. This Saturday is the opening ceremonies.. Not sure what I am getting my self into... but I can't wait. We are the red team.. with jerseys and everything. I am sure that there will be pics of this one..

Today was the first day that I felt like I was run over with a jeepney (google this one) which are abundant here in Manila. I went to bed last night on time, went to the gym last night and ran and had my dinner. Today I woke up and had slept all the through the night very soundly which was good.. but I just couldn't wake up. I did end up going to the gym but only walking 1.6 Km vs my normal 3.2 Km, had the American breakfast instead of my usual oatmeal... and still couldn't wake up. I had to get a cup of coffee mid point in the day... which eventually kicked in and I was off and running. I had to have my 2nd cup later in the day.. Tonight... no running.. instead had dinner with my 2 co-workers, and will take a hot soak in the bathtub.

This am.. before I went to work took my walk to the Subway to get my lunch.. and held out sweating til I got there. It was only 82 degrees (felt like 92) with 100% humidity. So tonight.. going to rest..

Tomorrow casual day.. get to wear jeans.. and then back to the gym.. walking and running.

I am also going to take pictures of the weekly flower arrangements in the center of the lobby. This week is the Mickey Mouse flower arrangement with rose cactus hanging form the chandelier.. The first week is I think the last picture .. will get a closer view now that I know they change them out on Sunday night.

Well Salamat to everyone (Thank You) for reading my blog. I know not much during the week since I am working 9 to 10 hours a day.. and then going to the gym 2 times a day.. and eating a lot of good, healthy, and sometimes new and interesting food. Weekends bring more adventures, and fun.. Stay tuned.

Today's rose of the day.. is bringing smiles to the faces of the people I encounter ..... and I still don't have a real thorn in my day..

Sunday Aug 8

Sunday is really my first day of my weekend... but then I haven't started working yet so it just feels like I am on vacation in some resort with no sightseeing... :) I got home from Work on Saturday AM... and then was up with no sleep until 9 pm that night. I finally crashed and slept til Sunday AM at 3:30. Just love that... 3:30 AM.. and you're wide awake... and now what do you do? Well luckily the gym opens at 5.... and so I kept myself busy til then. Went to the gym, ran my miles, stretched, steam room etc etc... The brunch which is my favorite time of the day brought a couple of new things.. My favorite was the cucumber and orange juice. It was real tasty and the sign said that it was also good for your complexion. Of course with the humidity, and the rain (due to Monsoon Season) If you have dry skin here.. something is REALLY wrong with you. ! Today's brunch I only had 3 huge courses down from 4.... which during the week when I am working it will be going down to like 2 with the first being fruit.

Today we actually went out to the pool and laid outside in the chaises. But then here came the dark clouds and sprinkles.. and the weather just gives you enough time to get inside before the deluge of the monsoon weather opes the skies. I laid down at 4 PM today and slept til 10 PM tonight. Again I went to the gym and walked my 2 miles, steam room and then came back to have food from room service.

At about 1 this AM, my co worker Pat and I went to the Starbucks next door to the hotel for coffee and we sat in the lobby talking and watching these 4 guys put together this, for a better word, flower arrangement together. This "flower arrangement" was at least 8 feet tall, had these "flowers" that looked like oranges in the shape of Micky Mouse, and these really cool Rose cactus that were hanging from this huge chandelier in the lobby. Now these Micky Mouse things looked like weird oranges. I asked them if that was a fruit. They said they were flowers... and so I asked what were they called?? They said Micky Mouse. I can't make this stuff up .. literally.. very cool and I can't wait to see the final product when they are done tomorrow.

We had a little excitement today... My other co worker and good friend of 12 years Spencer (he is a data guy) was kind of MIA. We had food yesterday AM (Sat) and then hadn't seen him since. It had been 28 hours of him. We asked Belle (our waitress - which she is the best of the best) if she had seen him and she hadn't seen him for food this AM either. When you called his phone, it was like it was off hook or not working. His Do not disturb light was on in the hall which then disengages the doorbell to the room. So the night before we just thought he was sleeping. but then today in the afternoon.. it was just getting a little worrisome. So... we went to the front desk and explained we hadn't seen our friend (nor had anyone else) for 28 hours. We also explained that his phone wasn't working either. They said they could open the room and check it out. However that really meant that we got the hotel manager, head of security, the doctor and the nurse to escort us (Pat and I) to his room when they went in. We also before all of this had gone to his room and pounded on the door as well to no answer.

Well when we walked in.. he was in bed and then of course we startled him to see 4 people in his room.. at least he knew Pat and I. Well once they knew he was up and ok.. they left immediately which I went out and profusely thanked all of them for their help and understanding and apologized for any inconvenience. Well Spencer had gone out to the Hard Rock Cafe the night before, and had a little too much to drink to help him sleep. He has been battling a nasal thing ever since he has gotten here. He wasn't upset at all.. but was quite glad that we were concerned for him.

Now a side line story.. I guess the smog situation here in Manila is quite an issue. With the heavy humidity (100 % at this time of the year) the air just hangs in the sky. The smog is so bad I am told that a lot of people that aren't used to it coughs up black stuff. He is thinking that is what has caused his issues. I personally in the 3 days (feels like a week) that I have been here have not had that issue. In fact the only abnormality is a little digestion irregularity along with a little sweating in bed this evening. I am a firm believer that all the exercise I am doing, and the steam room (sweats it all out of me) along with my diet etc... I am basically physically doing pretty well. Most people have all kinds of issues.

The only issue I am having is I have no clue what time of day it is... morning, evening etc. My body tells me one thing and my mind tells me another. EVERYONE will constantly say Good Morning, Good Evening Mr Thomas... it is amazing how the people I see every day have memorized my name from day 1. They always use my name in greeting me. They say Good Morning and I say Good Evening.. which they I think are used to people being confused and don't even blink an eye. Of course after I say it.. I correct myself... So now.. I just say Hello.....and Thank You. That way my greeting is a nondescript greeting appropriate for all times of day or night. The same with food... I don't say breakfast or dinner.. I say eating food. I am becoming a very generic speaker.

I just noticed on my desk in my room there is a sign for the Shangri La that are now opening soon around the world. There is one in Paris that will be opening soon. Maybe next year I can stay there with all of my points for the 3 months of staying here .... hmmmmm.... I can get used to living like a billionaire....

Early morning today Pat and I went to Starbucks (they are open til 3 on Sunday's) that is located next door to the hotel. Now being here it is somewhat safe outside.. but it was really safe outside. When you leave the hotel, there are security folks everywhere and I am sure that there is a command center for this hotel. We have security with bomb sniffing dogs checking every car that drives up the driveway, they have security wands that they check every person walking into the hotel, not to mention that as we left the hotel property there are guards there.. and Starbucks had 2 armed security people out front. One even opens the door for you as you enter and depart. So maybe there may been have 2 seconds on the edge of the curb between hotel and Starbucks that you weren't watched by men with dogs or guns.

The air was about 75, 100% humid.. but not too hot. So we decided to have our coffee outside at the Starbucks. There were quite a few people doing the same thing. Well we weren't there 5 mins... and I felt sprinkles of rain. I looked up and the air was thick. I said to Pat that we better go back because when the skies open up... we will be soaked even tho it it not that far. Well we were back in the lobby sitting for about 5 minutes.. and the monsoon rains and a good wind was blowing strong. The weather does give you a lead time to run for cover usually.

I had room service for food tonight after the gym for the first time. I ordered chicken won ton soup, and a burger. What I got was food for 4. This soup came in a soup tourine, had won tons, carrots in the shape of flowers, pea pods, chunks of chicken and angle hair noodles. Then the burger came with french fries (I only had 2 for those that know what that means), 1 onion ring, and there must have been 1/2 pound of meat. I asked for no bacon since that comes on it unless you don't want it. They also brought a good size salad dressed, and 3 sides, one of some kind of slaw, and 2 other things that I couldn't tell what it was. If I had known all this a head of time I would have just had the soup.. it was a huge meal all unto itself... and it was so GOOD. Not sure how I am ever going to have won ton soup from Rich City ever again. I don't eat the salad here since they wash it with the regular water. I am told my more than a few folks the water is what they think that makes them not well. So I drink bottled water (which the hotel gives out constantly everywhere BUT the restaurant). I asked for 2 bottles of water with my food this morning because I always forget to bring it with me from my room. Thinking they give you water everywhere all the time that the 2 bottles they brought me then were going to be free. Well the bill for the 2 waters came to about 7 dollars.. that with service charge (tip) and vat (tax) included. Who knew.. As they say Knowledge is Power..

I sit in my room... 3:23 AM on Monday morning. I am going to the gym at 5 when it opens to run and work out. I have a few things I want to look up on the Internet as well before then. Then after the gym, eat food, and then get to bed by 10.... sleep til 6 and be ready for the driver at 8 PM. I am looking forward to getting started to work. I think the busy work schedule that awaits us will also help the routine of life continue at a better pace. I have been here for 3 days.. basically with nothing to do... and it has seemed like it has been a week. Not a big deal since we are living in luxury and treated like kings and queens. I know we have some challenges awaiting us on day one of training... along with the beginning of training. I think the first day is going to go so fast our heads will spin. We are going to have 21 folks in the class which is a lot of people. Also none of them have any id's for any of the systems (which numbers maybe 10 to 15) which they will need for the class. So.. day one.. smiling, being professional, and so far behind the 8 ball... it is not funny. But everyone is so cooperative and nice.. we will get through it. Life will go on.. and we will be great.

Thought for the night that Pat mentioned.. maybe someone knows... and if you do let me know. I am going to have Tim call the accountant on Monday. If you work outside of the country... does the IRS take taxes out of your pay check for that amount? Also does Philly take the city wage tax out of said wages as well? I am going to be here for a total of approximately 12 weeks this calendar year... and between taxes and city wage tax of 4.5 % of gross wages.. that is a lot of money. One can only hope.

The thorn today was just the so minor off feeling of my digestive system.. with the roses too many to mention.. but the won ton soup and the cucumber and orange juice are 2 that come to mind.

Until next time..

Saturday...

Well got up last night and went to the gym to do my walking. I did about 2 miles... which is about 3.2 K. I ended up at the Steam room to melt which is my reward for being in the gym. I got ready and was down in the lobby to go to work. The crazy thing is I am getting up after sleeping 8 hours all day.. so it feels like morning to me... even though it is 5:30 PM local time. So I kept saying Good Morning... and no one batted an eye.. Same thing after work.... Everyone says Good Morning to me... and I reply Good Evening. There are a lot of folks doing the same thing and I thing they are used to crazy Americans and also they are just very polite.

Let me explain a little about what I am doing. I am working with a company here of great folks that will be supporting the customers in the US for AT&T. Because of the time difference which is 12 hours for the East Coast, I and the folks that I am with will be working form 8 PM to 8 AM local time in 2 shifts. Starting Monday night I will be commence the 4 week training class with approximately 20 folks. This is the first class of 3 that will be trained. I will be training the first class along with 2 of their trainers. The 2nd and 3rd class will be trained by their newly trained trainers. The rest of the time I am here I will be supporting on site the folks that are now doing the work.

So that means.. My schedule is really a little off kilter. Monday through Friday I work 9 PM to 6 AM. Weekends off and then back to work on Monday night. The office is about 2 miles away from the hotel I am staying at but with the night traffic at that hour it takes almost 45 minutes to an hour. There are a lot of people in ALL kinds of transportation on the streets.

Last night I met with some internal folks and went over some issues we had before the class starts on Monday. There are still some challenging items that will have to be addressed on Monday. I am looking forward to meeting the class and getting started. I am still working on my routine and it is getting better. I now know I need to give myself 2 hours before I have to leave to get up, get to the gym to walk, steam room, get ready and then get to Subway to grab a sandwich for my lunch at midnight.

The office is on the 3rd floor of a mall.. Market Market ... so when I get to work a little before 9 PM, it is packed in the mall. Then it becomes a ghost place around 10 PM since the mall is closed and so is the entire retail shops all around. EXCEPT there is 1 place that is open 24 hours... and that is McDonald's. Hence why I want to go to Subway and grab a sandwich to take to the office for later on. I can live with subway every day.. but McD's I can't!!

My goal is to get home about 7 PM, (the car comes at 6:30) to pick us up. We have a great driver named Narcisco. He is always on time, so nice and always has chilled bottled water for us for the ride home. We tip him nicely for his great work. I got back to the hotel and then went to the gym for nightly run... Tonight I started the transition to the metric system. The treadmills are all set in metric. Now remember, most of the world is on the metric system except the USA... so I think we really need to step up and meet the rest of the world on this one.

I ran 4.8 Kilometers (3 miles) and then walked about another kilometer after that. Again I went to the steam room.. and met 2 peers of mine for food. Again my body doesn't know if it is breakfast or dinner, AM or PM, so now I just say going to eat food. No labels.. :)

In the hotel there is a complimentary buffet in the morning that comes with the room. I have never seen more food of various kinds in one buffet at one time in my life. The food is all fresh, prepared perfectly and tastes so good. If you like to eat with some adventure, this is the place for you. Today I started off with 3 glasses of fresh mango juice, mango's (the best tasting which is grown here), watermelon, the juiciest and sweetest pineapple, and today I tried a new fruit. It looked like a prickly strawberry. The waitress that takes good care of us daily whose name is Belle, explained how to eat this. You basically squeeze the prickly surrounding off the fruit which leaves a white small round ball that looks like a pearl onion. You then eat the outside part leaving the inside seed (looks more like a nut). It is sweet and very tasty. I can barely pronounce this let alone spell it. After the fruit plate, I went for the sushi and some noodles and asparagus. After that course I went for the semi traditional American breakfast food consisting of bacon and egg fritata, potato pancakes, slice of fresh baked ham with glaze sauce, steamed asparagus a 1 piece of porn bacon. After that I ended my meal with jasmine rice, with a noodle and peapod, dish with a smidge of this yellow sauce that was a little bitter. It complimented the citrus taste of the rest. I also tried this other rice disc of more of a brown rice, cashews, and raisins. it was all so good... and then ended it up with Strawberry yogurt.

I have to say thought that all the food I ate was in small portions... but it was still a lot and I was FULL when done. I need to scale back somewhat or increase my running 3 fold. :)

I then sat in the lobby and read the 2 local (more liberal) papers and watched the morning crowd go by. My intent was to take a nap or so for like 3 hours... and then do some shopping nearby. I ended up not taking a nap.. and around 2 PM, did go for a walk in the local malls. There are like 6 malls all connected by walkways, with multi floors. It is sensory overload for sure.

It is 4 PM local time and I am a little tired....I will go to the gym and do my 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) the steam room and then find my friends to go eat.

My next goal is to check out the metric system and start to get that in my head. I have the local money down.. 44 Filipino peso's to 1 USA dollar.

As I sit in the steam room I look back at my day.. I am very fortunate to have this opportunity to be in Manila Philippines. I am seeing new sights, meeting new people which are some of the nicest anywhere in the world, learning new things, while eating the best and mostly healthy food, and working out 2 times daily (which I think "helps" me adjust better to the crazy schedule and sleeping) not to mention to stay in one beautiful hotel. The 1 not so great thing is ... I don't think my body will ever get used to the different schedules that I am on which may give me a reason for being a little off center. But that is OK..

So now.. off to the gym to walk, steam, shower and then go find my 2 peers and lets find someplace to eat.. probably bed early for sure.

First Night.. August 5th....

Well left Philadelphia this am at 10 AM EST and got into Detroit at noon. Met my co worker Pat and had lunch and then waited to 4 PM EST when we took off. We had an approximate 14 hour flight to Nagoya Japan. The flight was good, the food was great... sat behind this family from Michigan, She was a native Filipino, her American husband and 2 kids. We talked and she gave me some good things to know about Manila, food, places to go, tipping and just knowledgeable things. I sat next to this woman that was in the states visiting her sister who lives in Michigan. She is a principal of a high school. She manages 200 teachers and 7000 kids. Huge school.

After dinner I put on my pastel blinders and blocked out what little light was in the cabin and tried to sleep. I was in and out of slumber til around 3:30 AM (my body time) 3:30 PM local time when they woke us up to feed us breakfast. We landed in Nagoya Japan around 6:00 PM Local time. We had to deplane, walk out of the terminal and then back through security. It was a simple breeze all right there. We had a layover of 90 minutes. They had free Internet service but then of course who was up at 6:00 AM EST?? no one. I emailed a couple of people and then signed off. Interesting thing .... I was going to use the restroom since this airport was very modern. I went into the stall... and just stared at the floor.. I couldn't figure out how to use this "toilet".... I did look at it for about 5 minutes.. but with the flying, long day and kind of tired... I just said ... I will use the toilet in the plane.

Back on the plane for 4 more hours to Manila from Nagoya Japan... arriving Manila 10:30 PM local time. We got our luggage and through customers, immigration pretty quickly. Then we were met by the staff of the Shangri La Hotel (google Shangri La Makati Manila). They grabbed our 8 bags and took us to this lounge that was outside. It looked just like the hotel, gave us water and we waited about 5 minutes in the air conditioning. It was about 80 degrees and very humid. They took our bags and loaded in the car and whisked us off to the hotel. It took us about 20 minutes to get to the hotel. Now just a few observations that I had while in my slumber... 1) I am SO GLAD that I am 5'6, 145 lbs.. flying coach for 20 hours is bad enough... but if I was a big guy? I don't know how they do it... Bathrooms in planes (at least I knew how to use it) again.. very small.... and I think Disney should start up their own airlines for families with kids like they do for cruises. I love kids... but not small ones on planes when you are trying to sleep..... :)

Manila is a city of millions. The Philippines is a 3rd world country and we drove through not so pretty areas from the airport to the hotel. The Shangri La is located in Makati which is their business section, the wealthiest section of the city. There are major hotels, major shopping and it is gorgeous (the pictures don't do it justice). When I tell you that the people of the Philippines are the nicest and most polite I am not exaggerating one bit. There are a lot of employees and they are all anxious to help you, greet you, do anything for you. This hotel is a 5 star hotel. I tried to download some pics and will see if it works. Bare with me while I learn how to use my new blog. I am living like a king. The room is beautiful, and my view from the 7th floor is of the front of the hotel. There is a huge water fountain (a la Belagio in Vegas) with palm trees and all lit up. There is a huge circular drive that everyone goes through for security and then to the front after that.

We checked in with our own special concierge for AT&T. Sabrina could not be more nicer, more beautiful and FASHIONABLE!!!! I have complimentary Internet, laundry and dry cleaning, and morning buffet with the room rate. The buffet has all kinds of food besides breakfast food. I have been ins some Best Western's in the states that cost more than this hotel.

I got to my room, unpacked, got all situated, and then took a stroll around the hotel. I took some pictures which hopefully I can get on here one way or the other. Came back to my room and took a hot shower. Now I am catching up with some work, my email, skype calls, and blog. The gym (state of the art, sauna, steam room) opens at 5 AM, (just going to do some walking which will be my night routine when I get up) the pool which is outdoors opens up at 6, probably get some food, and then head to bead around 10 AM. I have to work tonight (Friday) to meet folks, check on things and then I will be ready for Monday night ... day 1.

So that is it so far... I am going to have a great time... I can just tell.