SixintheSand: April 2013

A few weeks ago Deric hosted a big Nalco meeting for his team in Cebu, Philippines.
Deric's team, which consists of great people from all over Asia and the Middle East,
gathered for some team building, training, recognition-giving

and of YES, a bit of recreation.

How can you not partake in some recreation in a place as beautiful as this:

But not only did Deric's team find time for a little fun,
they found time to give back to the Cebu community.
Even better, the giving back was to a local school full of some more beautiful faces!

Nalco teamed up with the Rotary Club in Cebu and gave Pilipog Elementary new

tables, chairs, school bags, hygiene kits and even some fresh paint!

Deric described it as one of the most amazing moments of his years with Nalco.
The children were screaming at the tops of their lungs and chanting "Nalco! Nalco!"
when they arrived. Look at those smiles in the background. Priceless.

Deric and his super-proud manager in the Philippines!

A new treasured backpack. Deric said their normal backbacks

were plastic grocery bags so they held onto these tightly!

YES!!! I would love a new backpack!

Way to go Nalco. You did good.

Once the meeting and the work were done, I was lucky enough to get to join Deric

for a long weekend in Cebu. Yep...that's right. No kids. Just us.

I won't bore you with all it took to sneak away.

Lets just say it required charts, cash, friends and DELIA.

It's true when they say it takes a village.

It was weird. The second I left I received this photo from Blake.

Luke had come down with a rare disease.

Luckily he pulled through, they all survived and Deric and I had an amazing time.

I have never seen water so BLUE!

My trip started with a sunset cruise with some Nalco friends.

Sunset on the sunset cruise.

Cheers to a weekend on our own!

Our first night we shared a delicious private meal in this little cabana.

(hard to photograph at night!)

Hello Cebu!!! Pinch me!

I love the beach. I like to be lazy on the beach.
Deric likes beach recreation. (help)

Paddle boarding...sure! Looks easy enough.

Off we go...

No, no I'm not stuck on those buoy things.

No, no I did not just fall off and I am NOT yelling at Deric.
Nope...never. Just readjusting.....

Made it back standing! (for about 5 seconds)

Ahhhhhh...back to laziness.

Kids...mommy might not be back for a while.

We snorkeled right off the beach..these beautiful starfish were everywhere!
(dont worry, we quickly took them back after photographing)

Even in Cebu there was news of the new Pope.

Spa Time!

The spa was BEAUTIFUL!

Some more photos sent from home.

Blake took over hair duty.

The Yankees survived without Coach Deric and
played a great game!

Blake was spoiled by my friend Dina with cooking lessons.

Olivia did an Irish Dance performance in the

St. Patricks Day parade! My friend videoed!

Like I said. It takes a village.

Cheers to a great first full day away! Little did I know what I'd

be experiencing tomorrow!

You want me to swim with WHAT?

After a 3 hour drive that started at 4 am we arrived here:

The things I do for the husband.

Off we go in search of WHALE SHARKS.
No, no I would never whisper threats of death in my husbands ear!

These whale sharks come in very close to the shore every

morning to feed and are all gone by noon. This small village

thrives off the tourists that come to see the "gentle giants"

Gentle or not. I will stay in my little boat.

Not Deric. He wanted to get up close and personal.

Looks like a shark to me!

This is one of my favorite shots!

Caught him with his mouth wide open-

And loving the boat art!

All jokes aside..it was a fantastic experience.

Thankful to Deric for once again pushing me outside

of my comfort zone..... into a tiny boat, in choppy shark infested water,...

The 3 hour ride back to our hotel was one of my favorite parts of our day!

I love seeing life...just the everyday going on.

Here is some of the life I saw and captured....

Had to stop for some photos...beautiful views!

We also stopped to see Magellan's Cross..

Magellan's Cross is a Christian cross planted by Ferdinand Magellan

upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines in 1521!

The original cross is said to be encased by this wood cross.

Apparently people were chipping away at the original cross

to take pieces for good luck and many blessings.

Last night in Cebu. After swimming with whale sharks, okay boating, one

deserves and fancy drink.

Time to head out. However, one can not leave Cebu without seeing
Lapu-Lapu. Lapu-Lapu defeated Ferdinand Magellan on this very
spot in Cebu in 1521.

I don't know much more about all this except that the Filipinos
are super proud of Lapu-Lapu.
(hence the giant statue behind us)