You are blessed :-)

Have you realized that every day is a blessing?  The moment you wake up is already a blessing.  It is a blessing that God has given you another day to live and enjoy life.  For the past 5 years, I started this habit of writing down every single blessing that I have received for the day.  The blessing may be as little as getting a parking spot with so much ease or as grand as being chosen to represent IBM Philippines amongst thousands of applicants and getting an all expense paid trip to Morocco – if it is a blessing, I jot it down to remind me how blessed I am and how God keeps tab of me because I am His child. :-)

Day 1: All around Fez

I felt safer in Fez.  We've been to Medinas in Rabat, Marrakesh and Fez and I thought all these would just be the same but I noticed that the people in Fez are less aggressive.  They tend to smile more than the others as well.  I also noticed that some of the sellers here speak English so it was easier for us to bargain. 

As soon as we arrived in Fez Yamanda, we just dropped our bags, waited for Thami (our guide) and off we went to a seven hour walking-tour around the labyrinth medina.  According to Thami, there were over 80,000 souks in the medina.  It was soooo large that it’s easy to get lost in it. You can’t tour the medina via a car as the alleyways are so narrow.  Also, it is best to do the tour on foot as you will be able to see and experience more of the city.  

Fight the Fat via Morning Power Walk

I’ve been eating A LOT lately.  My typical breakfast back in the Philippines would consist of just the following: a glass of milk, a glass of apple shake and a glass of water --- that’s it.  For lunch, I would have wheat bread and dessert if I’m craving for sweets.  I would usually have the “real full meal” during dinner because that’s when I’m with my family.  I know it should be the other way around and that I should eat more during breakfast but I prefer to eat my complete meal with the whole family. :-)

Since I arrived here in Morocco, I’ve been eating full meals 3X a day.  Aside from that, we’ve been eating dinner late at night because that’s when most of us are already back at the hotel. I really need to cut down my food intake or else!!  It has only been two weeks now and I can feel that my jeans are getting tighter. >.< 

Kasbah des Oudaias & the Medina

Sunday was by far the best day yet.  The whole team went on a “walking-tour” around our hotel so we would get the feel of the neighborhood.  We checked out some restaurants for our succeeding dinners, nearby gym and grocery as well.  Our hotel is near the Medina.  The Medina is like a walled city and in it is a local market which sells different stuff such as fruits, herbs, spices, veggies, clothing, shoes, bags, etc.

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

I left Manila at around 11:30pm via Qatar Airways and had connecting flights via Doha>Tunis>Casablanca.  After 23 hours and 55 minutes, I finally arrived in Casablanca.  The whole flight was really tiring even if I just sat the whole time. The time of my arrival was almost the same as Mihoko’s (from IBM Japan) and Rahul’s (from IBM US).  It was really nice to finally meet them as it was totally different when you meet your team in person compared to all the telecons we had for the past 3 months.  I do hope that we’ll be able to bond as a team and be like a family by the end of this whole activity.  

What to do in Morocco?

I love to travel. I love to know more about the people, their culture, their FOOD, how a typical day goes in that part of the world, everything.  Last year, I also realized a desire in me which I didn't know was there.  For the past quarter years I've lived, it’s just recently that I realized that I enjoy volunteer work.  I'm not sure if most people who volunteer feel the same but I feel such great joy and accomplishment helping those in need –- help freely given which does not ask for anything in return.  I also believe that by doing these simple acts of kindness, it would give glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I want these people to realize that there is hope for a better future, that God did not forget them; all they need to do is seek Him and surely, if they seek Him with all their heart, they’ll find Him. http://bit.ly/kqEgi1