Big surprise, I'm behind on posts. I currently owe you posts about
- My weekend getaway to Bohol, a resort island in the Philippines
- My return trip home
- My 78 hours home and cramming in as much as possible - I even got to see Melissa! (yes, I created an agenda for that "trip" home)
- My trip to Augusta (maybe this is a post? Nothing out of the ordinary...)
- My weekend getaway to the west coast with the boyfriend
I.O.U.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Big surprise, I'm behind on posts. I currently owe you posts about
- My weekend getaway to Bohol, a resort island in the Philippines
- My return trip home
- My 78 hours home and cramming in as much as possible - I even got to see Melissa! (yes, I created an agenda for that "trip" home)
- My trip to Augusta (maybe this is a post? Nothing out of the ordinary...)
- My weekend getaway to the west coast with the boyfriend
Didn't do such a great job blogging over the last week - but I promise I have tons of photos to share next week!
I'm headed home now - I'll land in Des Moines in about 28 hours!
Headed home!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Didn't do such a great job blogging over the last week - but I promise I have tons of photos to share next week!
I'm headed home now - I'll land in Des Moines in about 28 hours!
The rain over the last few days caused flooding and damage beyond imagination. My phone started going off around 3pm (2am central) with reports that The President had declared the entire island a disaster zone; canceling school and work. Our company suspended work for all non-essential staff, canceled training and kept the doors open for any volunteer employees who were able to safely come to work.
Fortunately, the part of town where our office and my apartment are located isn't experiencing any flooding so I was able to safely go to the office. When I arrived in the office, I was floored by the dedication of the four employees who had already arrived. Ryan had taken a boat to reach dry land to catch a cab to work. A boat.
The weather is improving now and things should be getting back to normal tomorrow, but I'm so grateful that everyone in our office is safe and accounted for.
Flooding
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
The rain over the last few days caused flooding and damage beyond imagination. My phone started going off around 3pm (2am central) with reports that The President had declared the entire island a disaster zone; canceling school and work. Our company suspended work for all non-essential staff, canceled training and kept the doors open for any volunteer employees who were able to safely come to work.
Fortunately, the part of town where our office and my apartment are located isn't experiencing any flooding so I was able to safely go to the office. When I arrived in the office, I was floored by the dedication of the four employees who had already arrived. Ryan had taken a boat to reach dry land to catch a cab to work. A boat.
The weather is improving now and things should be getting back to normal tomorrow, but I'm so grateful that everyone in our office is safe and accounted for.
Last week I received a care package from my loved ones back home that was a wonderful reminder of how lucky I am. The package had things from my parents, my sister and my boyfriend; and their contributions to the package do a pretty good job of outlining our relationships.
The items my parents packed may sound odd, but hear me out. They shipped me socks and my mail. I mentioned that my low-cut socks were giving me blisters in my new tennis shoes and asked them to get me a specific brand and style from Jordan Creek, a good ten minute drive from their home. That same night, they ran out there with a description from me and got me two packs of overpriced (but comfy!) socks. They dropped everything and modified their plans to accommodate a comfort request from me; not because they had to, but because that's the type of people they are. My parents raised me to have a servant's heart - to go above and beyond to help a friend out.
The mail they sent me had been carefully sorted with all the junk mail removed so that my bills could be paid on time. This reminded me how helpful they are in guiding me as an adult and how supportive they are of my somewhat alternative path through life.
My sister refilled a prescription, found a couple of items I forgot to pack, took the responsibility of getting everything together and shipped off through my office. The relationship I share with my sister has had its share of peaks and valleys, but the reoccurring theme is that we have each other's backs. We may not talk everyday (although, lately we do) but I know if I call her at 3am, she'll help me anyway she can. Lord knows I've answered a few of her calls at that hour ;) One call asking her to run this errand and I had every confidence that she would make it all happen.
My amazing boyfriend sent a incredibly sweet note and some comfort items to make my stay more enjoyable. It is so fitting of his personality and our relationship; he comforts me, supports me and has held my hand through some pretty challenging times. For as long as we've been friends, he's been caring and supportive through good times and bad. He literally held my hand this fall when one of the best people I know lost his battle to cancer and has been nothing but absolutely supportive of my travel and career. This guy could write a book on being an awesome boyfriend.
I am so incredibly lucky, and I know this post sounds like a total brag-fest; but they deserve to be reminded how much they mean to me and how awesome they are.
Care Package
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Last week I received a care package from my loved ones back home that was a wonderful reminder of how lucky I am. The package had things from my parents, my sister and my boyfriend; and their contributions to the package do a pretty good job of outlining our relationships.
The items my parents packed may sound odd, but hear me out. They shipped me socks and my mail. I mentioned that my low-cut socks were giving me blisters in my new tennis shoes and asked them to get me a specific brand and style from Jordan Creek, a good ten minute drive from their home. That same night, they ran out there with a description from me and got me two packs of overpriced (but comfy!) socks. They dropped everything and modified their plans to accommodate a comfort request from me; not because they had to, but because that's the type of people they are. My parents raised me to have a servant's heart - to go above and beyond to help a friend out.
The mail they sent me had been carefully sorted with all the junk mail removed so that my bills could be paid on time. This reminded me how helpful they are in guiding me as an adult and how supportive they are of my somewhat alternative path through life.
My sister refilled a prescription, found a couple of items I forgot to pack, took the responsibility of getting everything together and shipped off through my office. The relationship I share with my sister has had its share of peaks and valleys, but the reoccurring theme is that we have each other's backs. We may not talk everyday (although, lately we do) but I know if I call her at 3am, she'll help me anyway she can. Lord knows I've answered a few of her calls at that hour ;) One call asking her to run this errand and I had every confidence that she would make it all happen.
My amazing boyfriend sent a incredibly sweet note and some comfort items to make my stay more enjoyable. It is so fitting of his personality and our relationship; he comforts me, supports me and has held my hand through some pretty challenging times. For as long as we've been friends, he's been caring and supportive through good times and bad. He literally held my hand this fall when one of the best people I know lost his battle to cancer and has been nothing but absolutely supportive of my travel and career. This guy could write a book on being an awesome boyfriend.
I am so incredibly lucky, and I know this post sounds like a total brag-fest; but they deserve to be reminded how much they mean to me and how awesome they are.
Manila is flooded. The tropical storm or typhoon is further south, but the city has been hit hard with rain for the past day. Schools are closed, buses aren't running and parts of Makati (where I stay and work) look nearly abandoned. Thankfully, there isn't flooding near me, but some of my colleague's homes are flooded and many associates were unable to find transportation to the office today.
I'm sure Iowa would gladly take some of this rain, they are currently experiencing a drought that is hurting farmers and will ultimately hurt anyone who enjoys food.
The sky was dark as I left work this morning; it reminds me of those evenings in the late fall where you barely catch the sunset as you leave work. Only it should be bright and sunny by now.
This trip really has flown by. The weather has made sightseeing difficult, so I'm very excited to return at the end of the year for some warmer weather. Hopefully the sun comes out for my trip to the beach next weekend!
Too Bad I Can't Carry-on More Than 3oz of Rain
Monday, August 6, 2012
Manila is flooded. The tropical storm or typhoon is further south, but the city has been hit hard with rain for the past day. Schools are closed, buses aren't running and parts of Makati (where I stay and work) look nearly abandoned. Thankfully, there isn't flooding near me, but some of my colleague's homes are flooded and many associates were unable to find transportation to the office today.
I'm sure Iowa would gladly take some of this rain, they are currently experiencing a drought that is hurting farmers and will ultimately hurt anyone who enjoys food.
The sky was dark as I left work this morning; it reminds me of those evenings in the late fall where you barely catch the sunset as you leave work. Only it should be bright and sunny by now.
This trip really has flown by. The weather has made sightseeing difficult, so I'm very excited to return at the end of the year for some warmer weather. Hopefully the sun comes out for my trip to the beach next weekend!
In all fairness, I knew what I was getting into. This was not my first visit to Ziggurat Restaurant in Makati; two colleagues and I dined there one night last year and it was probably one of the best meals I've ever had.
After my last conference call on Monday, I returned to my apartment around 7am and the sky looked unusual; the sun had come out. No rain, the wind had died down, it was almost pleasant out!
I decided to seize the opportunity and head to Lonely Planet-approved Ziggurat and enjoy food from all over Africa, Asia and parts of Europe. I contemplated hiring a car to drive me as the restaurant sits in between establishments called "rouge" and "mascara" where I'm sure the girls wear very little more than their employer's name. But at just under a kilometer away, that seemed silly in the daylight. While the distance is short, the route is along a very busy road (during rush hour, no less) that intersects another very busy road. For perspective, it would be like walking down I-235 during rush hour, but everyone is going 35 miles an hour, then crossing the same sized road.
The walk was easy and traffic wasn't too horrible. I kept with the flow and crossed at the walkways with a dozen other people. The restaurant was exactly as I remembered, tucked behind a little 7-11 store.
I started my meal with some hummus and flatbread, then an Indian kebab with Jordanian rice. I also placed a to-go order of paneer butter masela (an Indian dish) and Iraqi Saffron rice for leftovers this weekend. I sat on the patio and people watched to my little heart's content until I noticed the sky turn and decided to make a dash back to the apartment. As I sat there, I made a list of everything I saw, sort of live tweeting the experience.
- A woman in dire need of dental services shouting at parked cars. I watched her touch some garbage and smell it. It must not have been to her liking as she left it alone.
- A sports bar called "Cheers" (yes, THAT cheers) opening this month.
- Japanese and European male tourists wandering the streets. 1 american male for sure - he had a fanny pack
- A petite woman wearing an over sized T-shirt, grey leggings and last night's make-up
- A well dressed, older, eastern-European couple with confused/concerned looks on their faces.
- Same couple again, walking the opposite direction
- A 50+ year old Caucasian man walking with a woman who is likely 30+ years his junior, with the body of a middle school student. I was creeped out by his presence as they walked across the street.
- A woman in J-Lo-esque club attire. Olympic volleyball style shorts and rap video style shoes, enjoying her smoke break.
- Young couples walking hand in hand, weaving through traffic, obviously just passing through the area.
- A man in green skirt, dragging his flip flops as he passed by three times.
- A man walking very quickly carrying a case of water on his head.
- A college-aged guy wearing a northface backpack selling viagra to restaurant patrons across the street.
- Ordinary citizens un-phased by the businesses that surround them as they walk to school or work.
- A black sedan with heavily tinted windows, circling the block. We'll pretend I didn't see the "For official use" decal (with flag) on the passenger side.
- Crazy lady is back and has added an empty juice jug to her belongings.
- Approached (I'm sitting outside) by a man selling DVDs. I consider but send him away, I shouldn't buy until I'm ready to leave - otherwise I'd be swarmed.
- A woman with 2 small kids begging for food. I hand them my unopened water bottle through the railing of the dining area. The baby is maybe 2. Suddenly things get blurry until I blink away the tears.
- A man selling stolen/fake nike shoes.
- The sedan stopped circling; the "official" business must be done.
- An man resembling an older John Lennon sitting under the awning of a dry cleaners.
- A van of properly dressed women in their 30s & 40s entering a language school down a side-street
- A woman selling long-stemmed roses to the Romeo's looking to impress their companions for the night
Things One Sees While Dining in the Red Light District
Sunday, August 5, 2012
In all fairness, I knew what I was getting into. This was not my first visit to Ziggurat Restaurant in Makati; two colleagues and I dined there one night last year and it was probably one of the best meals I've ever had.
After my last conference call on Monday, I returned to my apartment around 7am and the sky looked unusual; the sun had come out. No rain, the wind had died down, it was almost pleasant out!
I decided to seize the opportunity and head to Lonely Planet-approved Ziggurat and enjoy food from all over Africa, Asia and parts of Europe. I contemplated hiring a car to drive me as the restaurant sits in between establishments called "rouge" and "mascara" where I'm sure the girls wear very little more than their employer's name. But at just under a kilometer away, that seemed silly in the daylight. While the distance is short, the route is along a very busy road (during rush hour, no less) that intersects another very busy road. For perspective, it would be like walking down I-235 during rush hour, but everyone is going 35 miles an hour, then crossing the same sized road.
The walk was easy and traffic wasn't too horrible. I kept with the flow and crossed at the walkways with a dozen other people. The restaurant was exactly as I remembered, tucked behind a little 7-11 store.
I started my meal with some hummus and flatbread, then an Indian kebab with Jordanian rice. I also placed a to-go order of paneer butter masela (an Indian dish) and Iraqi Saffron rice for leftovers this weekend. I sat on the patio and people watched to my little heart's content until I noticed the sky turn and decided to make a dash back to the apartment. As I sat there, I made a list of everything I saw, sort of live tweeting the experience.
- A woman in dire need of dental services shouting at parked cars. I watched her touch some garbage and smell it. It must not have been to her liking as she left it alone.
- A sports bar called "Cheers" (yes, THAT cheers) opening this month.
- Japanese and European male tourists wandering the streets. 1 american male for sure - he had a fanny pack
- A petite woman wearing an over sized T-shirt, grey leggings and last night's make-up
- A well dressed, older, eastern-European couple with confused/concerned looks on their faces.
- Same couple again, walking the opposite direction
- A 50+ year old Caucasian man walking with a woman who is likely 30+ years his junior, with the body of a middle school student. I was creeped out by his presence as they walked across the street.
- A woman in J-Lo-esque club attire. Olympic volleyball style shorts and rap video style shoes, enjoying her smoke break.
- Young couples walking hand in hand, weaving through traffic, obviously just passing through the area.
- A man in green skirt, dragging his flip flops as he passed by three times.
- A man walking very quickly carrying a case of water on his head.
- A college-aged guy wearing a northface backpack selling viagra to restaurant patrons across the street.
- Ordinary citizens un-phased by the businesses that surround them as they walk to school or work.
- A black sedan with heavily tinted windows, circling the block. We'll pretend I didn't see the "For official use" decal (with flag) on the passenger side.
- Crazy lady is back and has added an empty juice jug to her belongings.
- Approached (I'm sitting outside) by a man selling DVDs. I consider but send him away, I shouldn't buy until I'm ready to leave - otherwise I'd be swarmed.
- A woman with 2 small kids begging for food. I hand them my unopened water bottle through the railing of the dining area. The baby is maybe 2. Suddenly things get blurry until I blink away the tears.
- A man selling stolen/fake nike shoes.
- The sedan stopped circling; the "official" business must be done.
- An man resembling an older John Lennon sitting under the awning of a dry cleaners.
- A van of properly dressed women in their 30s & 40s entering a language school down a side-street
- A woman selling long-stemmed roses to the Romeo's looking to impress their companions for the night
Busy is good. I joke that work keeps me busy because it keeps me out of trouble. There is some truth to that statement.
My training class was working on some self-directed study and once my tasks were complete I started thinking about the stuff I was missing out on back home and I got a little blue. I turned to face the wall in an unsuccessful effort to keep the tears from flowing. I quickly excused myself and stepped outside to call my mom.
She quickly put a smile on my face and promised me as much time as I wanted when I got home.
Moms are awesome, especially mine.
Momentarily Homesick
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Busy is good. I joke that work keeps me busy because it keeps me out of trouble. There is some truth to that statement.
My training class was working on some self-directed study and once my tasks were complete I started thinking about the stuff I was missing out on back home and I got a little blue. I turned to face the wall in an unsuccessful effort to keep the tears from flowing. I quickly excused myself and stepped outside to call my mom.
She quickly put a smile on my face and promised me as much time as I wanted when I got home.
Moms are awesome, especially mine.
I had flown Delta a handful of times previously, but gained Silver status in 2011 after my first trip to Manila pushed me over 25,000 miles flown in a year. Silver is the lowest tier but still offers plenty of rewards in upgrades and earning bonus miles. You can also gain status by your segments, or number of flights. I usually miss this mark because I drive to and from Augusta from the Atlanta airport and miss out on the segments. Did you know that hotel stays and car rentals can also earn you frequent flier miles? Avis rewards me with 500 airline miles for every week-long rental.
My current trip to Manila will ensure I once again gain eligibility with silver status and the rest of my schedule may result in Gold status. Rumor has it I’ll be returning to Manila before the year is done!
Here’s my current travel calendar: (all of the Atlanta flights are en route to Augusta, Georgia)
August 16th – Manila to Des Moines
August 20th – Des Moines to Atlanta
August 24th – Atlanta to Seattle
August 26th – Seattle to Atlanta
August 31st – Atlanta to Des Moines
September 3rd – Des Moines to Atlanta
September 7th – Atlanta to Des Moines
September 24th – Des Moines to El Paso
September 28th – El Paso to Las Vegas
September 30th – Las Vegas to El Paso
October 5th – El Paso to Des Moines
October 7th – Des Moines to Atlanta
October 12th – Atlanta to Des Moines
October 15th – Des Moines to El Paso
October 19th – El Paso to Des Moines
October 21st – Des Moines to El Paso
October 26th – El Paso to Des Moines
November 27th – Des Moines to Manila
December 20th – Manila to Des Moines
Looking over this list, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. But in addition to all the hard work, I've got some personal trips planned for fun. I even get the feeling that I'll be a little bored between October 26th and November 27th - what will I do with a whole month at home?
Racking up the Miles
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I had flown Delta a handful of times previously, but gained Silver status in 2011 after my first trip to Manila pushed me over 25,000 miles flown in a year. Silver is the lowest tier but still offers plenty of rewards in upgrades and earning bonus miles. You can also gain status by your segments, or number of flights. I usually miss this mark because I drive to and from Augusta from the Atlanta airport and miss out on the segments. Did you know that hotel stays and car rentals can also earn you frequent flier miles? Avis rewards me with 500 airline miles for every week-long rental.
My current trip to Manila will ensure I once again gain eligibility with silver status and the rest of my schedule may result in Gold status. Rumor has it I’ll be returning to Manila before the year is done!
Here’s my current travel calendar: (all of the Atlanta flights are en route to Augusta, Georgia)
August 16th – Manila to Des Moines
August 20th – Des Moines to Atlanta
August 24th – Atlanta to Seattle
August 26th – Seattle to Atlanta
August 31st – Atlanta to Des Moines
September 3rd – Des Moines to Atlanta
September 7th – Atlanta to Des Moines
September 24th – Des Moines to El Paso
September 28th – El Paso to Las Vegas
September 30th – Las Vegas to El Paso
October 5th – El Paso to Des Moines
October 7th – Des Moines to Atlanta
October 12th – Atlanta to Des Moines
October 15th – Des Moines to El Paso
October 19th – El Paso to Des Moines
October 21st – Des Moines to El Paso
October 26th – El Paso to Des Moines
November 27th – Des Moines to Manila
December 20th – Manila to Des Moines
Looking over this list, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. But in addition to all the hard work, I've got some personal trips planned for fun. I even get the feeling that I'll be a little bored between October 26th and November 27th - what will I do with a whole month at home?
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