One Laugh, one smile at a time

Wow, how time flies when you are taking photos, covering events, reporting on the latest operations, riding in vehicles or helicopters to get from place to place and only finding time to take a breather when you are alone in your hotel room for a few hours.

So, what's happened since my arrival on April 1??? Well, I have experienced the sumptuous flavors of the Filipino culinary offerings to include Lumpia and Chicken Adobe; I've held hands with an 11-year old boy named Archy who came to the orphanage b/c his stepfather physically abused him; I've giggled with little girls waiting to get their eyes examined at a medical assistance project that offered dentistry, optometry, pediatric care, pharmacy items and even minor surgery to local people who cannot afford these services; I've held a puppy in my arms...okay, I held several puppies in my arms who were awaiting veterinary care from U.S. military and Filipino military vets offering free de-worming medicine and rabies vaccines to small pets to large water buffalo; I've watched engineers install the first water pumps in a school that will be used for bathrooms; I've talked on the National Armed Forces of the Philippines Radio channel during an interview in Manila; and I've had a 21 year old Filipino girl tell me she loved me for being in her country, for taking time to visit and show her that women can be strong and in leadership jobs like the military.

Of everything I've seen and heard over the past 6 days, I have to say singing with a group of 60 or so orphans at their home today topped it all. As a few tears slide down my face a cute pre-teen said to me, "Ma'am, why do you have water sprinkles from your eyes?" I replied, "Because I'm so very happy that you are at peace. You are praising God right now in this song and he brings joy to your life." When all is said and done in this life, who is really the most content and satisfied? Is it the multi-millionaires who spend 75% of their time away from friends and family or is it the family of 10 that live in one home together, share their income and have a bond many of us will never come close to experiencing? It's about the bonds we have with others and our ability to be content with what we have today. That's what counts in my mind.

30 hours from San Diego to Subic Bay, Philippines

Wow, a new personal record for travel! San Diego, CA to Subic Bay, Philippines - over 30 hours and I finally arrived at my hotel. A rooster was going off when I stepped in my room and is still a going several hours later. I'm sure he will be on the menu at some point this week...

Timeline: San Diego to LA - 0930-1130 PST LA to Japan - 1230 - Midnight PST Japan to Philippines - 0300-0730 PST Manila Airport to Reception Center - 0830 - 1000 PST Reception center to Subic Bay hotel - 1000-1500 PST

So, what was the journey like...domestic travel from SD to LAX was a breeze. Busy American and International hustle and bustle to their flights, great jalapeno and cheddar bagel toasted with cream cheese while I settled in to the fact that for the next 2 weeks, two overly controlling devices in my bag would soon cease to function. Pure nirvana settled over me...no emails or phone calls in the middle of the night, no "immediate" response required texts. ahhhhh, I'm smiling as I write this.

The flight from LAX to Tokyo had a few minutes of panic for us all as our plane hit a few heavy bouts of turbulance - why do I squeeze the arm rests and think I can navigate the plane from my little coach-sized seat? Never fails, within minutes, the shaking and dropping in the air went away. The young Japanese man sitting next to me also did his part by gripping his arm rests so I'm sure collectively, a few hundred of us brought the plane back to its proper course!!

Watched Social Network, finally - I plan on calling Mark later to chat about Facebook!! If the actor in the movie pinpointed his personality, I have my work cut out for me...
Meals, snacks, drinks and more snacks later, we arrive in Tokyo. Flying over Japan, I tried to catch a glimpse of any damage from the quake and tsunami but we were not flying over that portion of the country. Instead, I saw a beautiful landscape of rice fields, small villages, larger towns and finally the big apple of Japan, Tokyo.

Very quiet airport, almost too quiet from my last stop here in the mid-90's. I'm guessing the media has scared away tourist and business travelers alike. Of course, I was only seeing the International flights, not the domestic travel. Something I will never tire of is seeing how perfect the little shops are in the airport. From Hello Kitty to boxes of seaweed, sea urchin chips and sushi, I never tire from scanning their shops to find something amusing to my senses:)

Finally, we board a double decker plane, there had to be over 400 people getting on this plane, and I arrive at my isle seat, ready to relax. A young woman from PI was sitting at the window seat, she weighed about 85 pounds, and was interesting to talk to during the flight. Watched an episode of The Office before trying to position the cotton ball sized pillow on my headrest so I could try to sleep. Set the pillow, fall asleep, pillow drops, neck stretches downward and I wake up and repeat like five times...when will I learn?

After arriving in PI, I wait with 400 others to find my bag, exchange my dollars for pesos and jump on a bus to our reception center. Wait there for a few hours and then, on another bus to drop off four of us at different locations in PI. I'm the last person on the bus and am thinking...the driver is a small guy, friendly and if needed, I can take him if he tries anything. Must be the Marine in me just shining through...well, my fears were subsided as Morey, a young 23 year old man from PI began to talk to me in English. He shared info about his life and by the end of our 3rd hour on the bus, we were watching a rock concert on the tv in the bus and jamming out!! Nothing like Bon Jovi, Living on a Prayer, after 28 hours straight of travel on a bus in the dark traveling in the middle of nowhere without a care in the world...maybe a few, and a sense that this is going to be an interesting trip...

Here are a few pics taken on the way in...not great b/c I was still traveling to my final destination. I'll add more