Day 01: A touch of Bombay

I left Manila around 2pm. Had lay-over in Bangkok for 3 hours and from Bangkok I arrived in Bombay (Mumbai) around 1015 p.m. Just had minor delay in our luggage but other than that had no problem with immigration or the queue in the customs. Met 3 Filipinos that were also waiting for their luggage, I didn’t know until then that we were on the same flight going to Bombay. I had to ask them if their roaming working because mine was not working at that moment. Went out from the airport around 11pm and it was a relief that Kavari was already there and waiting for me because I was bit nervous because this is my 1st time to travel to India, like in every country when you are traveling alone and you don’t know anyone, it gives a sense of feeling of a little bit lost and nervousness.

My First Indian Vegetarian in-flight meal.


To give an idea how Mumbai International airport, it’s something like the Manila International Airport terminal 1 for me, when it comes to structure/architecture. I arrived at the Hotel around 1130pm, it was just 10-15 mins away from the airport. When I arrived in the Hotel, I just went straight ahead to open my computer, connect to the internet and send messages to my family and friends that I arrived safely in Mumbai. Around 1230 am, started watching local TV,I was so fascinated with their local program.I saw one movie trailer that catch my attention was London, Paris Newyork. It was a story of a couple and their journey to the 3 cities. I will research more about it as I want to see the movie. I saw also couple of Indian Music Videos, it was good! The Production and the cinematic were so close from the music videos in the US.
After 45 mins, I felt sleepy, call the reception and left a message to call me when Sandra arrives. Finally, I got a call around 3AM that she was already at the Hotel and immediately talked to her. I’m glad to hear that she arrived safe after 2 days of flying, lay-over, and change of flights. We planned to have breakfast together in the morning.
That’s my story for now, i didn't take a lot of pictures during my flight but will post more soon…

Love and Kisses from Bombay,
Grazey

#ibmcsc
#india15

Am I Ready?

After getting my visa, the next question that people are asking me is "Are you ready?"- My answer is YES!(haha!)I'm confident that I'm ready. I already got my vaccinations,read my online trainings for cultural adaptability, started packing my things and buying stuff that i will need. There were some adjustments that need to be made but I'm HAPPY! :)

-Traded High heeled shoes and ballet flats to sneakers
-Traded leather laptop bag to back pack
-Traded dresses and skirts to pants/t-shirts

I'm not a back-packer type person, Im always a girly-girl(who likes dresses,shoes and all those girly stuff). But, I'm willing to explore,try new things ,and adapt to experience this new adventure in my life :)

#ibmcsc
#india15

Why INDIA?

A lot people have been asking me lately, why India? Just to avoid further comments or questions,I always answered them with a smile. I already heard a lot of not-so-good feedback going to India but never crossed my mind to change my assignment because after I got accepted for IBM CSC, I promised myself that I'll accept any location that will be given to me.Being accepted for the program is more than enough and I don't want giving trouble to the program managers just to have me re-assigned somewhere else, given the fact that it takes a lot of time and effort to group a team of 10-12 people with different skills, diverse culture,and not to mention considering their preferred locations when they applied for the program.

Forget about the not-so-good comments and feedback- it's all about learning, experiencing and accepting different culture. It's all about embracing diversity. I'm happy where my assignment will be, I'm happy with my CSC India 15 team, and I'm forever will be grateful for this life changing experience that I'm about to experience wherever it will be.

#ibmcsc
#india15

January 2012

This month I will...
-try to STOP Procrastinating and ACT NOW!!
-Spend More time with my Myself, family and friends
-make time on the things that I want to accomplish
-Stop thinking of people who doesn't care and give a damn about me!


My Good deeds
-Always SAY THANK YOU,
-Be nice to everybody and SMILE Always :)

My 2011

When most of you are already celebrating the new year. Me, I'm taking my time to write how my 2011 was. It was like a roller coaster ride, there were ups and downs.My relationship with 2011 was like a love-hate relationship. Pushed me off my limits, tested my patience, learned to forgive and love deeply.
This was also the year that I got closer relationship with God, learned to pray from my heart and continuously searching for my purpose in life.Even if, until now I haven't found the answer but I'm patiently, and continuously praying for God's guidance . I also learned to accept things that I never would imagine that I could accept. I've been hurt deeply and hurt the people that I love, but continue to love more selflessly and deeply.
2011 was about rediscovering myself, deeper relationship with my siblings, reconnecting with friends and getting to know new people. Some became my close friends, and some remained acquaintances.
I am grateful for the year that was and will continue to learn, discover, and wander. Now, I am ready for the new challenges that 2012 has to offer with an open heart :)

Thank You :)

I just read your blog! I admire people who can actually write their own thoughts in an organized manner because I cannot do that :). It made me realized how guilty I am when it comes to T-I-M-E. As much as I want to spend quality time with my family and loved ones, work comes first. Maybe because I know they will always be there, and they will be the first to understand. I know there will be consequences in every decision that i will make, and its up to me to make up to those "lost-time". I know that the more steps I will take, the more distance it will create. A friend of mine once told me, in every relationship you always need to take them along with you no matter what, otherwise you'll realize how distant you are from one another, and you've already grown apart (that I don't want to happen). Sometimes I'm so focused on the things that I want to do, what i want to achieve, and forget the people that matters most to me. This coming 2012, these will be on top of my list to catch up, build better, and deeper relationships.

To you, you may never know how much it means to me, but Thank You :)

IBM CSC Assignment (Corporate Service Corps)

I applied for the program last April 2011 and in June 2011, I received a note from the IBM CSC Team that i got accepted. I was so happy, and thrilled with the news. It was an answered prayer.I even cried when i got the acceptance letter. I felt so blessed, and I am forever grateful for the opportunities, and blessings that God has given to me.

Early September, Finally I got the details for my CSC assignment, and I'm going be assigned in India for 1 month on Feb-March 2012 . I said, wow! what a great opportunity since I'm always fascinated with Indian culture, and i recently started practicing yoga, it would be a great opportunity to deepen my practice. I'm excited, and scared at the same time because this will be the 1st time that I'll be traveling alone without my family. Before accepting the assignment I thought of it several times. I prayed for guidance, and strength to accept the assignment. Finally I did,- the idea of me away from my family and friends became more comfortable, and thought of this as an opportunity for me to grow, and become a better person. Right after my decision, I announced the good news with my family,and they were a bit concerned on where will i stay?, will it be safe for me to travel?, etc. I told them everything will be safe, since this is not the first time that IBM sent teams in India for their CSC Assignment. Finally, I got their approval :)

We Started our pre-work session last Oct. We started introducing ourselves like what we do at work, what we like to do in our free time, and etc. (The getting-to-know each other phase). What I noticed within our team is we share the same passion for travel :). It's so funny that we started posting our travel plans in our community, so we can travel together as a team, and enjoy our community project as well. Now, we are on the second month of our pre-work and we already started discussions about India, their culture and I'm enjoying every part of our discussion from geography up to cultural taboos. I know there are still a lot be learned, and we will experience it 1st hand when we arrive in India. We also started booking our flights and preparing requirements for our visa application. Hopefully, by January everything will be good :) That's all I can share for now, and I promise to update my blog often.


Love and Kisses from Manila,
Grazey

#ibmcsc
#india15