It is only a week away before I leave for the Philippines! My flight leaves on Sunday, October 5th at 7am. Thus marks a nearly 27 hour travel experience. Whew! I fly from LA to Tokyo then Manila. Then I'll get a ride set up by my company to my hotel. Once I'm in my hotel (It'll be Monday night by this point), I'll have all of Tuesday to settle in to my new surroundings. Then Wednesday is when business begins! I'm still not even close to being mentally prepared to train all this material to people who have never learned any of this before. I am just trying to wrap my head around how to even do my power point presentations for 3 1/2 weeks worth! I'll get it done, though my brain hurts even thinking about it. As you can see, I'm blogging instead of thinking about it! Haha.
I still have so much to get done. I have my passport! Thank God. I don't need a Visa since I"ll be there under 30 days. But now I just need to get organized. I can do it!
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Cramming!
Wow! I certainly have a lot to do before I leave on Sunday, October 5th!
I already got my flu shot ~ I'm not sure if it's a myth or not that you can get the flu from a flu shot. If it's not a myth, then I wanted to get that first in case my body decided to get it. And you know, I think I tried! I've been fighting something pretty hard, but my immune system has really been fighting it off. And I've had a stupid stress headache going on 3 days. No bueno.
Packing I'm not worried about. Though I would like to do some light clothes shopping before I go if I can.
Work, however, is gonna SUCK!!! I don't mind the work I have to do, it's just A LOT of work in a very short amount of time. My brain is on overload just thinking about it. Somehow I must get all of it done and ready to go before my flight. I CAN DO IT! Does wine help?
It's still very surreal that in less than 2 weeks I will be in the Philippines for one month. I can't wait! It will definitely be an eye opening experience. Obviously nothing like living in NYC. Manila is filled with poverty. I was told that no matter how evil it feels, do NOT give anything to a child who comes up and asks for something. You will get swarmed. Maybe on my last day there I can figure out a way to spread the love and give some of my money to help. I'll see when I get there.
Anyways, so much to do, so little time. I guess I should quit blogging and go back to work! Haha. My brain really just does not want to even go there, but I must....I must....
I already got my flu shot ~ I'm not sure if it's a myth or not that you can get the flu from a flu shot. If it's not a myth, then I wanted to get that first in case my body decided to get it. And you know, I think I tried! I've been fighting something pretty hard, but my immune system has really been fighting it off. And I've had a stupid stress headache going on 3 days. No bueno.
Packing I'm not worried about. Though I would like to do some light clothes shopping before I go if I can.
Work, however, is gonna SUCK!!! I don't mind the work I have to do, it's just A LOT of work in a very short amount of time. My brain is on overload just thinking about it. Somehow I must get all of it done and ready to go before my flight. I CAN DO IT! Does wine help?
It's still very surreal that in less than 2 weeks I will be in the Philippines for one month. I can't wait! It will definitely be an eye opening experience. Obviously nothing like living in NYC. Manila is filled with poverty. I was told that no matter how evil it feels, do NOT give anything to a child who comes up and asks for something. You will get swarmed. Maybe on my last day there I can figure out a way to spread the love and give some of my money to help. I'll see when I get there.
Anyways, so much to do, so little time. I guess I should quit blogging and go back to work! Haha. My brain really just does not want to even go there, but I must....I must....
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Feeling ICKY today!
The last thing I need is to get sick. But if I am meant to get sick, I need it to happen NOW! Not the day before I leave for a month in the Philippines. That would suck. So today, I'm going to juice and drink a lot of water (I am still having my morning cup of coffee though....that is important to my mental health)! LOL.
So it's 14 days til Manila! At this point, I am trying to get everything in writing from my company. From exactly how much I'll be paid and how much they will reimburse me for, to the things they will provide me at no cost up front (ie Hotel, Airline, etc). I find it important to get things in writing, so if they try to take anything away, I have proof! The last thing I need is to be stuck in a 3rd world country without enough of my own money.
I still have so many questions to ask my company. I've already asked a lot! I also need to get on making my own emergency packet - phone numbers and directions to the US Embassy, the best hospital for me to use as an American, etc.
So many things to think about. I can't wait, but I sure as hell want to be prepared with everything! :) Now, let's not get sick, shall we? That wouldn't be good...too...much...to...do....
So it's 14 days til Manila! At this point, I am trying to get everything in writing from my company. From exactly how much I'll be paid and how much they will reimburse me for, to the things they will provide me at no cost up front (ie Hotel, Airline, etc). I find it important to get things in writing, so if they try to take anything away, I have proof! The last thing I need is to be stuck in a 3rd world country without enough of my own money.
I still have so many questions to ask my company. I've already asked a lot! I also need to get on making my own emergency packet - phone numbers and directions to the US Embassy, the best hospital for me to use as an American, etc.
So many things to think about. I can't wait, but I sure as hell want to be prepared with everything! :) Now, let's not get sick, shall we? That wouldn't be good...too...much...to...do....
Saturday, September 20, 2014
15 Days Til the Philippines!
Only 15 days and I will be flying to Manila!
It's all very surreal, but I can't wait. I'm doing as much research as possible, but there is still a lot to get done. First of all, since I am training new employees over there, I have to do some crash courses myself to make sure I am fully ready. That means a lot of extra reading in my spare time, and making sure I know what each and every little thing means - all the acronyms, etc. I plan on making my own massive cheat sheet, just in case I get stumped. :) So, work will be absolutely insane the next two weeks (I may start twitching, please just ignore...that is my brain on overload).
Other than work, still loads to do!! I'm in the process of getting my passport renewed and expedited ASAP! I should have it by the end of the week (so that gives an extra week of wiggle room in case mail go awry). I also need to get my immunizations! Typhoid, flu shot, Hep A, etc. I have most of them, but still need some.
I don't have load of money to spend on my trip, but these are the things I'd like to buy before I go:
Travel toiletries (ALL OF THEM)! I hear the women in the Philippines do not use tampons, only pads. Hell to the NO! I'm sure since I'll be in Manila, a modernized city, that I may find them, but I won't take my chances. I've also heard that in places other than your hotel/office, that toilet paper may be unavailable. Hell to the NO again! I'll be carrying around those travel size kleenex packs, so just in case, I'll be able to have some TP. Oh dear. :)
Light and cool clothing - Some of my stuff works, but not really for the tropics. Luckily all I really need is a few things, and I'm hitting up the thrift stores around town to do so.
I've already bought a travel journal! :D
Travellers Checks - need to go to my bank. I've also just applied for another credit card. I want all the back up I can get, just in case - hopefully that credit card will go untouched. I am incredibly optimistic about this trip, but all know that bad things can always happen, and I want to be in the best shape possible. WHAT IF all communication lines go down and I need to get out of there but have no way of contacting my employer?? Yeah, I will need a lot of back up plans.
Altogether, I am so excited, and feel incredibly blessed that I get this opportunity. I hope you enjoy following my blog. The next 15 days will be all about preparation and maybe some venting (good and bad). :) But once I'm there, this blog will EXPLODE with pictures and stories! Can't wait!!
Salamat Po ("Thank you" in Tagalog - the language of the Philippines)
Kelly
It's all very surreal, but I can't wait. I'm doing as much research as possible, but there is still a lot to get done. First of all, since I am training new employees over there, I have to do some crash courses myself to make sure I am fully ready. That means a lot of extra reading in my spare time, and making sure I know what each and every little thing means - all the acronyms, etc. I plan on making my own massive cheat sheet, just in case I get stumped. :) So, work will be absolutely insane the next two weeks (I may start twitching, please just ignore...that is my brain on overload).
Other than work, still loads to do!! I'm in the process of getting my passport renewed and expedited ASAP! I should have it by the end of the week (so that gives an extra week of wiggle room in case mail go awry). I also need to get my immunizations! Typhoid, flu shot, Hep A, etc. I have most of them, but still need some.
I don't have load of money to spend on my trip, but these are the things I'd like to buy before I go:
Travel toiletries (ALL OF THEM)! I hear the women in the Philippines do not use tampons, only pads. Hell to the NO! I'm sure since I'll be in Manila, a modernized city, that I may find them, but I won't take my chances. I've also heard that in places other than your hotel/office, that toilet paper may be unavailable. Hell to the NO again! I'll be carrying around those travel size kleenex packs, so just in case, I'll be able to have some TP. Oh dear. :)
Light and cool clothing - Some of my stuff works, but not really for the tropics. Luckily all I really need is a few things, and I'm hitting up the thrift stores around town to do so.
I've already bought a travel journal! :D
Travellers Checks - need to go to my bank. I've also just applied for another credit card. I want all the back up I can get, just in case - hopefully that credit card will go untouched. I am incredibly optimistic about this trip, but all know that bad things can always happen, and I want to be in the best shape possible. WHAT IF all communication lines go down and I need to get out of there but have no way of contacting my employer?? Yeah, I will need a lot of back up plans.
Altogether, I am so excited, and feel incredibly blessed that I get this opportunity. I hope you enjoy following my blog. The next 15 days will be all about preparation and maybe some venting (good and bad). :) But once I'm there, this blog will EXPLODE with pictures and stories! Can't wait!!
Salamat Po ("Thank you" in Tagalog - the language of the Philippines)
Kelly
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