After I made my way though customs, I started to get a bit of a stuffy nose. Over the next two days it transformed from a head cold to a chest cold until I lost my voice Tuesday. Yep, half way around the world while delivering training to a group of thirty new hires, my voice was gone.
It should come as a surprise to absolutely no one that I'm a tad stubborn and continued to train without a voice and spent nearly every other hour sleeping off the bug. After a Facebook consultation from my buddy Mary Berg suggested antibiotics, I visited the doctors' office at my building. After listening to my chest and ordering X-rays, the doctor informed me that I had pnuemonia. Lovely, right?
Its hard being sick away from home. The comfort items that I'm used to from the nearby Walgreens are hard to come by here, or at least not by the same brands I'm used to. Okay, that's kinda b.s. Its hard being sick away from familiar faces. The sweet stuff like my mom checking in on me and the boyfriend bringing me soup and kleenex. Sure, my mom checked in with me via facetime and the boyfriend and friends checked in with me throughout the day and night, but it was hard not to feel the miles.
Without insurance overseas, I was a bit worried what the cost would be for medical service. I got a referral from our training department where my employer would be billed for the consultation, but forgot to get one for the x-rays. Grand total for two chest x-rays? $12.30 USD. In the states, it would be $150 at minimum. Total for two prescriptions, including a brand name antibiotic? $16.73.
Thankfully medicine, fluids and plenty of rest has allowed me to quickly recovery. Now I'm feeling nearly 90% better, but taking advantage of the weekend and getting as much rest as possible.
Happy weekend!
Sick While Traveling
Saturday, February 23, 2013
After I made my way though customs, I started to get a bit of a stuffy nose. Over the next two days it transformed from a head cold to a chest cold until I lost my voice Tuesday. Yep, half way around the world while delivering training to a group of thirty new hires, my voice was gone.
It should come as a surprise to absolutely no one that I'm a tad stubborn and continued to train without a voice and spent nearly every other hour sleeping off the bug. After a Facebook consultation from my buddy Mary Berg suggested antibiotics, I visited the doctors' office at my building. After listening to my chest and ordering X-rays, the doctor informed me that I had pnuemonia. Lovely, right?
Its hard being sick away from home. The comfort items that I'm used to from the nearby Walgreens are hard to come by here, or at least not by the same brands I'm used to. Okay, that's kinda b.s. Its hard being sick away from familiar faces. The sweet stuff like my mom checking in on me and the boyfriend bringing me soup and kleenex. Sure, my mom checked in with me via facetime and the boyfriend and friends checked in with me throughout the day and night, but it was hard not to feel the miles.
Without insurance overseas, I was a bit worried what the cost would be for medical service. I got a referral from our training department where my employer would be billed for the consultation, but forgot to get one for the x-rays. Grand total for two chest x-rays? $12.30 USD. In the states, it would be $150 at minimum. Total for two prescriptions, including a brand name antibiotic? $16.73.
Thankfully medicine, fluids and plenty of rest has allowed me to quickly recovery. Now I'm feeling nearly 90% better, but taking advantage of the weekend and getting as much rest as possible.
Happy weekend!
It’s hard to believe it’s been a week since I arrived in Manila! This first week really has flown by, but before I get into details of Manila, I can’t wait to tell you about getting here!
My employer requires associates to fly coach if you are below Director Level – and even then, it can be tough to get approval. While I report to a Director, I certainly do not qualify for a business class ticket. For comparison, my coach ticket was about $1,400 and a business class ticket can run between $6-9k.
The day before my trip, I was notified that I had been upgraded to business class for my long flight from Minneapolis to Japan. I was overjoyed to hear that the 15 hour segment of my trip would be in a comfy seat with more room than I could possibly need. This also meant that I could check three bags at zero cost.
I packed Wednesday night as planned, and was able to squeeze in a few hours of sleep before my alarm went off at 5:30am. As I packed the last of my things, my sweet boyfriend arrived to take me to the airport on Valentine’s Day. Believe it or not, I was actually running ahead of schedule and we could take our sweet time on the ten minute drive to Des Moines International Airport.
As I approached the Delta desk, a familiar face helped me check in while the boyfriend parked his truck. James arrived to the ticket counter and my friend offered a pass for him to join me at the gate before departure. I was absolutely floored – what a wonderful surprise on Valentine’s Day! We made our way through security and shared breakfast while waiting at the gate.
I realized that the worst part about a travel day (aside from the TSA getting hands-y) is sitting at the gate alone. I start to get depressed and upset as I sit there thinking about how long it will be before I return and everything I’m missing out on. Instead of giving me time to sit alone with my thoughts, we were able to sit together and talk and, of course, people watch.
I was the last person to board the half-full flight to Minneapolis, sent off with one last kiss and a wave as we pushed back from the jet bridge. It was the perfect way to start this trip.
I got a bit lost in the Minneapolis airport, eventually finding my terminal and gate. The International Terminal looked familiar from my trip to Europe 5 years ago, but they had clearly remolded with comfy booths with iPads and charging stations. The iPads provided free internet access and the ability to order from the nearby restaurant for table service.
After a quick run to the restroom, I was surprised to hear the call to board so early – over an hour before departure. I made the last of “goodbye” calls and giddily boarded when they called for Business Elite.
I was at the very front of the row, just behind the first galley. And anyone on the right half of the plane walked past me as I made myself comfortable and familiar with the features of my business class seat. The seat turns into a 6 foot long bed, and they provide comfy socks, slippers, full sized pillow, travel pillow, blanket and travel kit. On the downside, I was directly next to the lavatory. But you know the expression “beggars can’t be choosers”? I wasn’t about to complain.
I made small talk with the flight attendants –international flight attendants are some of the sweetest, caring and humorous flight attendants I’ve met. I think it is because they are good at what they do and truly enjoy their job. I watched a few episodes of The Newsroom and The Mindy Project before picking a movie and falling asleep. When I woke up, we had about 5 hours before landing in Japan.
They served a great breakfast and next thing I knew, we had landed in Tokyo. When I turned on my cell phone during our taxi, it started buzzing with texts from a colleague I was meeting in Tokyo for the flight to Manila. He updated me during boarding and I was panicked as I hadn’t even gotten off the plane! I still had to go through security and get to my gate! Thankfully, my Sky Priority with Delta meant I could join the shorter line, and I boarded my last flight with plenty of time to spare.
Arriving in Manila felt so familiar – and so did the struggle to get through immigration! Luckily, my business class upgrade meant my bags were marked as priority so by the time I cleared immigration; my bags were waiting for me. After a short stop at Customs, my favorite driver Herman was waiting to whisk me away to Fraser Place where I discovered I would be spending this trip in the same apartment as my first stay here. Check out the video here!
Getting to Manila
Friday, February 22, 2013
It’s hard to believe it’s been a week since I arrived in Manila! This first week really has flown by, but before I get into details of Manila, I can’t wait to tell you about getting here!
My employer requires associates to fly coach if you are below Director Level – and even then, it can be tough to get approval. While I report to a Director, I certainly do not qualify for a business class ticket. For comparison, my coach ticket was about $1,400 and a business class ticket can run between $6-9k.
The day before my trip, I was notified that I had been upgraded to business class for my long flight from Minneapolis to Japan. I was overjoyed to hear that the 15 hour segment of my trip would be in a comfy seat with more room than I could possibly need. This also meant that I could check three bags at zero cost.
I packed Wednesday night as planned, and was able to squeeze in a few hours of sleep before my alarm went off at 5:30am. As I packed the last of my things, my sweet boyfriend arrived to take me to the airport on Valentine’s Day. Believe it or not, I was actually running ahead of schedule and we could take our sweet time on the ten minute drive to Des Moines International Airport.
As I approached the Delta desk, a familiar face helped me check in while the boyfriend parked his truck. James arrived to the ticket counter and my friend offered a pass for him to join me at the gate before departure. I was absolutely floored – what a wonderful surprise on Valentine’s Day! We made our way through security and shared breakfast while waiting at the gate.
I realized that the worst part about a travel day (aside from the TSA getting hands-y) is sitting at the gate alone. I start to get depressed and upset as I sit there thinking about how long it will be before I return and everything I’m missing out on. Instead of giving me time to sit alone with my thoughts, we were able to sit together and talk and, of course, people watch.
I was the last person to board the half-full flight to Minneapolis, sent off with one last kiss and a wave as we pushed back from the jet bridge. It was the perfect way to start this trip.
I got a bit lost in the Minneapolis airport, eventually finding my terminal and gate. The International Terminal looked familiar from my trip to Europe 5 years ago, but they had clearly remolded with comfy booths with iPads and charging stations. The iPads provided free internet access and the ability to order from the nearby restaurant for table service.
After a quick run to the restroom, I was surprised to hear the call to board so early – over an hour before departure. I made the last of “goodbye” calls and giddily boarded when they called for Business Elite.
I was at the very front of the row, just behind the first galley. And anyone on the right half of the plane walked past me as I made myself comfortable and familiar with the features of my business class seat. The seat turns into a 6 foot long bed, and they provide comfy socks, slippers, full sized pillow, travel pillow, blanket and travel kit. On the downside, I was directly next to the lavatory. But you know the expression “beggars can’t be choosers”? I wasn’t about to complain.
I made small talk with the flight attendants –international flight attendants are some of the sweetest, caring and humorous flight attendants I’ve met. I think it is because they are good at what they do and truly enjoy their job. I watched a few episodes of The Newsroom and The Mindy Project before picking a movie and falling asleep. When I woke up, we had about 5 hours before landing in Japan.
They served a great breakfast and next thing I knew, we had landed in Tokyo. When I turned on my cell phone during our taxi, it started buzzing with texts from a colleague I was meeting in Tokyo for the flight to Manila. He updated me during boarding and I was panicked as I hadn’t even gotten off the plane! I still had to go through security and get to my gate! Thankfully, my Sky Priority with Delta meant I could join the shorter line, and I boarded my last flight with plenty of time to spare.
Arriving in Manila felt so familiar – and so did the struggle to get through immigration! Luckily, my business class upgrade meant my bags were marked as priority so by the time I cleared immigration; my bags were waiting for me. After a short stop at Customs, my favorite driver Herman was waiting to whisk me away to Fraser Place where I discovered I would be spending this trip in the same apartment as my first stay here. Check out the video here!
Just kidding!
I am doing what I do best - procrastinating. At this point, all that's left is physically putting my things in my suitcases, but I am no closer to completing this task than I was 12 hours ago.
Monday night was a little get-together dinner at Buzzard Billy's with friends before I skipped town. As I sat there in the middle of groups of friends from work and different social circles, I got caught up for a minute with how incredibly lucky I am. They are more than friends; they are family to me.
The last couple months have been some of the most stressful that I've experienced. Buying a house, getting ready for this trip, craziness at work - but I've been focusing on my new mantra: Everything in life happens for me, not to me. I believe that everything happens for a reason and even the things that I don't want or don't like, they happen for me. Sometimes that means I need to learn from them, sometimes I need the perspective to feel thankful or even to toughen me up.
I don't feel tough, but I feel grateful. Grateful for the mortgage inspector who has made home buying more challenging and the boyfriend who has doing more "honey-dos" on this house that isn't even mine yet. Grateful for the circus work has been at times, and the friends at work who can laugh along with me. And next week, or next month, or next year, I resolve to still be grateful for everything.
All my bags are packed...
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Just kidding!
I am doing what I do best - procrastinating. At this point, all that's left is physically putting my things in my suitcases, but I am no closer to completing this task than I was 12 hours ago.
Monday night was a little get-together dinner at Buzzard Billy's with friends before I skipped town. As I sat there in the middle of groups of friends from work and different social circles, I got caught up for a minute with how incredibly lucky I am. They are more than friends; they are family to me.
The last couple months have been some of the most stressful that I've experienced. Buying a house, getting ready for this trip, craziness at work - but I've been focusing on my new mantra: Everything in life happens for me, not to me. I believe that everything happens for a reason and even the things that I don't want or don't like, they happen for me. Sometimes that means I need to learn from them, sometimes I need the perspective to feel thankful or even to toughen me up.
I don't feel tough, but I feel grateful. Grateful for the mortgage inspector who has made home buying more challenging and the boyfriend who has doing more "honey-dos" on this house that isn't even mine yet. Grateful for the circus work has been at times, and the friends at work who can laugh along with me. And next week, or next month, or next year, I resolve to still be grateful for everything.
I've spent the last week in Augusta, Georgia for work, but I managed to surprise my friend Sarah with my visit! Sarah is an amazing woman who is currently kicking breast cancer's ass. Her first round of chemo was last week and it was so awesome to surprise her (with the help of her husband) Monday night when a friend and I walked in with pizza.
Hanging around their kitchen table, just talking and laughing. I can't think of a better way to spend an evening.
Check out Sarah's blog, Sherbert Punch.
Now it's time for me to head back to Des Moines and pack my bags for Manila!
Surprise!
Friday, February 8, 2013
I've spent the last week in Augusta, Georgia for work, but I managed to surprise my friend Sarah with my visit! Sarah is an amazing woman who is currently kicking breast cancer's ass. Her first round of chemo was last week and it was so awesome to surprise her (with the help of her husband) Monday night when a friend and I walked in with pizza.
Hanging around their kitchen table, just talking and laughing. I can't think of a better way to spend an evening.
Check out Sarah's blog, Sherbert Punch.
Now it's time for me to head back to Des Moines and pack my bags for Manila!
For the seventh year in a row, I'll be watching the Super Bowl away from home. The first three years were to El Paso, including moving to town on Super Bowl Sunday 2009. Then Salt Lake City in 2010, Manila in 2011 and 2012 in Augusta. Of course, I never plan on being out of town for the Super Bowl - its just that I don't plan for the super bowl. At all.
I spend Monday nights in the fall at Monday Night Football, but that is a social event for me - it just happens to have a football game on as well. Every year, without fail it seems, I book a business trip and a week or two before I realize "oh. I'm flying that day"
So today is Super Bowl Sunday and I'm flying off on a bit of a surprise trip - more details soon!
Super Bowl Tradition
Sunday, February 3, 2013
For the seventh year in a row, I'll be watching the Super Bowl away from home. The first three years were to El Paso, including moving to town on Super Bowl Sunday 2009. Then Salt Lake City in 2010, Manila in 2011 and 2012 in Augusta. Of course, I never plan on being out of town for the Super Bowl - its just that I don't plan for the super bowl. At all.
I spend Monday nights in the fall at Monday Night Football, but that is a social event for me - it just happens to have a football game on as well. Every year, without fail it seems, I book a business trip and a week or two before I realize "oh. I'm flying that day"
So today is Super Bowl Sunday and I'm flying off on a bit of a surprise trip - more details soon!
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