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I’ve learned that they shouldn’t call this town Boca Raton - it should be Coches Costosos (expensive cars). I’ve never seen so many nice cars side-by-side in regular parking lots. And, it’s normal to see valet parking almost everywhere. There are even grocery markets with valet parking. *wow*

A nice little surprise happened to me this evening. I noticed a Panera in the shopping center next to the hotel so I walked over there tonight to grab a quick bite of food. Turns out that they’re in training and officially opening on Monday so no food. However, I walked up at the perfect time as they were handing out all of the baked goods they had made just a while earlier. I grabbed a bag of bagels and it had 3 of my favorites in it.

Then, next door to the Panera was Uncle Tai’s Chinese Restaurant where they were celebrating their 20th anniversary. I didn’t have my camera with me but they had dragon dances, kung fu demonstrations and firecrackers soon after I walked up. Fun stuff.

Now it’s just me and my bagels working in the room. We’ve had a fantastic event here in Boca but I’m looking forward to heading home tomorrow evening after we finish our last day of class.

The week has started off really well here in Boca Raton (simply translated as “rat mouth” in Spanish), Florida. My colleague, Peter, and I are doing 2 training events this week with HSMAI.

The first course is new and started today. It’s using the simulation that I programmed and everything went really well. The feedback has been extremely positive and the long hours are paying off. Wednesday we’ll start the next course which we can do in our sleep. These are both fantastic courses and the best in the industry.

They’ve had a bit of rain while we’ve been here which they desperately need. Some of the participants said that they saw the brush fires on the drive to Lynn University, where we’re holding the courses. Other than that things are smooth and normal.

Hope everyone is well!

I definitely have to brag a bit about my brother who never has to go back to school unless he chooses to. He graduated Saturday, May 5th from High Point University with honors receiving a B.S. in Computer Science, a B.S. in Mathematics and a minor in Physics. Way to go bro!

We had a wonderful time surrounded by family and friends. It drizzled but good ol’ Nido Qubein made sure there were rain ponchos for everyone at the event. We were all happy to put up with a bit of rain since only 2 guests per student could go in the gym for the ceremony if it had rained hard.

After the graduation we headed to Mom’s for the after party. More friends came by to congratulate Glenn and he racked up on graduation cash. Everyone started being really nice to him after that…

We’re all so proud of you Glenn!

Yes, you heard that right! On my previous trip, at the end of March, I had a 9-hour layover at the Singapore airport (don’t ask). I don’t know of a better airport to be in for that long. It’s absolutely gorgeous with live plants, flowers and water features. I was fortunate enough to be able to stay in the Singapore Airlines lounge so I took advantage of the food, sleeping area, internet access, and even the showers.

There is also a tourist desk in the airport that will set you up with a free tour (2 different ones to choose from) of the city if you have a layover for at least 5 hours. So I took a great 2+ hour excursion around the city (see all the photos). They handle everything for you - signup, passports, immigration, bus ride, and boat ride. Very cool!

As we (all of the tourists) were getting ready to head towards immigration to leave the airport I noticed a large group of people dressed alike. Turns out they were “Agria Swara” - the Bogor Agricultural University Student Choir from Indonesia. They were on a layover heading for Budapest, Hungary where they were going to compete in an international choir competition. We started making faces at each other (ok, I was flirting) and then eventually we were hanging out. Somehow, I’m always the white guy standing out in the group. I got to practice the few phrases I know in Bahasa Melayu (Malay) which is very similar to Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian). They seemed to get a good laugh.

The tour ended up taking us on a bit of a touristy route which was so-so but it was really wonderful to get out of the airport and enjoy the fresh air. I had a great time just hanging out with my new friends. The group and I filled up one entire bus together. A week later I received great news - they won 2 gold medals for Mixed Choir and Folklore and one conductor achievement prize. Congratulations to them! I asked them to get the gold for me and I’m sure that’s why they won…

A big Happy Easter to everyone out there from Sydney, Australia (meaning, I’m here in Oz). Hope you’re having a wonderful time. I spent my Easter with Aunt Laura and Uncle Frank and wish the rest of the family could have been around.

Also, Happy Birthday to GG and Uncle David. Hope you all have a wonderful birthday and wish I was there to celebrate!

I’ve finally updated my latest travel list for the year. It’s been hectic, but good, with work around here. Tomorrow, I leave for nearly a month with a back-to-back from Sydney, Australia to Mumbai, India. I’ll keep you posted!

Just got a phone call on my business line…

Person: Can i speak to the person in charge of the phone bills?
Me: This is he, but would you please take us off of your list.
Person: But you don’t know what I’m going to offer.
Me: That’s right!
Person: Enjoy your high rates.
Me: Thanks!

Just got back home from my Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia trip on Sunday. The airports and flights back were fairly smooth considering the typical experiences. This time I was prepared for the airplane bathroom tricks so I didn’t have such a shocking experience.

KL seemed like a somewhat small but spread out capital city. Malaysia is a Muslim country with a large mix of Malay, Indian and Chinese people. Everyone seems accepting of the other and it’s a warm and friendly environment.

I did make the mistake one day of getting on the train (subway) in the middle of rush hour. I was completely held into place on all sides by other passengers. I’ve never seen so many people on a train at once. The only saving grace was that I could see over top of everyone which helped it feel more spacious.

It’s definitely a country that I want to visit again and hopefully explore some more. Most of my favorite experiences involve the people and not always the city itself.

Today, I completed my first flight with Malaysia Airlines. They’re supposedly one of the few 4 star airlines in the world. They definitely rank way up there as far as comfort goes.

For example, I needed to “take care of business” before heading off on the 21 hour flight (1 hour refueling in Stockholm) from Newark to Kuala Lumpur. As the rest of the passengers were boarding I helped myself to the clean and large bathroom in the front of the plane. I could stand straight up and turn around without touching anything. There were orchids by the sink and they even had a sanitary seat cover on the toilet to let you know all was clean.

So, I sit down, and to my surprise, the flight attendants had laced the seat with ice cubes. My cheeks puckered and stopped natures process. After the shock settled, I looked left only to be blinded by my white flesh beaming in the full length mirror. Fortunately, my other organs relaxed since the sensations now changed from butt to blurry vision and everything came out just fine.

Business finished, I put my hands in the large sink with a spigot that actually reaches out far enough to get my hands wet - yippee! I push the button and it proceeds to spit at me at nearly the speed of light and ricochets off my hands to my shirt and slacks. Crap!

Now cleaned up and back to my seat a flight attendant with a pleasant smile offers a glass of champagne. Haha… No thanks - I’m not falling for another one. I’m starting to catch on to their little tricks. They just need to remember that payback is hell…

Wars that the government shouldn’t have started, scandals in office, and now a ban on Vegemite? I didn’t think there could be more ways to despise the government. (via Billy The Blogging Poet)

Update: Phew… the U.S. denies Vegemite ban.