Well, I will start things off by letting you know that the food situation has improved, both for my cost benefit and Riza's liking. The Welcome Reception did indeed have a wide variety of food. Riza enjoyed the wild mushroom risotto, prime rib and ice cream. I enjoyed the fact that there was not a bill at the end of the party....the food was fantastic too. Yesterday I got to see something I've wanted to see for as long as I can remember. We went to the Miramar Air Show and saw the Blue Angels. Yes, THAT "I'm going to hit [View Full Entry]

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Hello Everybody, For those that don't know, Riza won an award from her company for reaching her opex and revenue targets for 2008. So that's where we are this week. It's very much like the award's trips at Dell. They are putting us up at the Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, California. (Southern California around the Laguna Beach area for those that don't have a map handy). The place is absolutely beautiful, great views and awesome weather. My only complaint thus far is the cost of food. Her company is here now so the food will be on their [View Full Entry]

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Sorry I haven't been able to update until now, we've had some technical difficulties getting online. So, the surprise that I was taking Riza to Bangkok went over well. I left my office and drove to Riza's early Friday morning, (Thursday afternoon your time) and called her once i got to her office. She was NOT answering any of my texts and wasn't answering her phone. I knew she would eventually pick up so I let the phone ring, she finally picked up and was very irritated, "James I'm in a supervisor's huddle. I CAN'T talk!" Usually she just hangs up [View Full Entry]

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Well, the trip to Davao was great. It was my first time down that far south, Riza's first time to Samal Island, the boys first time to fly, and Jeffers first time to the Philippines. Speaking of the boys first time to fly. On our way to Davao, when we first got on the plane and the flight attendants just completed their safety pitch, Jeffers or Riza (I can't remember which) leaned across the isle and said, "Hey guys, did you get all that? We have to take a written test before we take off." It was pretty funny to see [View Full Entry]

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We went diving this past weekend. Now that we are certified we got to dive without having to do any skills tests. We got to explore and ride the currents the entire time, it was so much fun. Riza did a total of 6 dives and a 15 minute dive on Richard's Intro Dive. I did 5 dives, I sat in the boat and skipped the last dive of the weekend. I had a really hard time equalizing the previous dive, and didn't want to risk damaging my ears...I know there will be a next time. Riza was quick to point [View Full Entry]

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Riza and I completed our certification this weekend. We had a great time. There was another couple from India that also completed their certification. We did 4 dives, each dive completing certain skills to become PADI Open Water Certified. It was funny at first because you are supposed to get down on your knees when the group gathers on the ocean floor to start doing skills tests. Riza and I felt more comfortable on our feet, so there were times when every body was on their knees and I would look around and notice that riza and I were standing up, [View Full Entry]

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Our company does Community Outreach. On the 17th we went to a little village, San Martin, and passed out clothes, food, slippers (flip flops) and wrapped gifts for the small children. Doctors also came with us and provided their medical services for free. It was a beautiful day up in the mountains. The people were extremely grateful and happy to see us. I was glad I got to join the group and participate. I"m not in many photos because I'm the photographer. :) [View Full Entry]

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Hello friends and family. I've already emailed many of you, but wanted to let you all know that I made it safe and sound. I am settling in nicely to my new place. Riza came up from Manila to help me do some grocery shopping. I don't have any pictures yet, but I will send them as soon as I get them. I start my new job on Monday, I'm very much looking forward to it. Talk to you later! James [View Full Entry]

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Happy Father's Day, Dad! Sorry we were not able to call you. We woke up late, went to breakfast before they shut down and came right back to the hotel room and fell asleep. We woke up from our nap when house keeping knocked our our door to clean our room, so we left for the beach. We talked about going back to the room right when we're done with the beach and call you via Skype. After the beach my boss invited us to lunch. After that we had to come home and get ready for the formal dinner. Our [View Full Entry]

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Sorry I couldn't get online last night, we had some Internet issues. Drew and I started our day going to downtown Playa to do some shopping and grab some lunch while watching a Euro Cup 2008 game. After lunch we headed to Tulum before going to his boss' beach house. Scott had a great place right on the water, and right next door to a place that charges 100 pesos ($10) to snorkel. It didn't cost us anything to get in the water since his yard backs up into it. While we were hanging out in the water we saw several [View Full Entry]

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