Blog

Driving in Manila

By Miel | December 14, 2013 |

I’d have a hard time calculating the number of hours that I’ve spent in a taxi over the last month, but it would be fair to say that it would be well over a hundred hours. To and from meetings all over Manila. There are far worse and more aggressive drivers, but Manila brings a…

Soft Rock Extreme

By Miel | December 13, 2013 |

The Philippines is where soft rock goes to die a long and celebrated death. Wham! Air Supply. Lionel Richie. They are all here, and then some. A healthy dose of Christmas songs prevail, but the predominant music of choice in the Philippines is clearly soft rock. Many are very recognizable tunes, but It goes to…

En route to Manila

By Miel | November 22, 2013 |

I’ve now hit a new record for speed travel. I just boarded a plane, less than 18 hours after being called on a Sunday night to see if I could travel to Manila to support to emergency response happening in the Philippines. I will be serving as the donor liaison and representative for our teams…

Nairobi is Resilient

By Miel | September 30, 2013 |

As I noted in my post about last week’s siege in Nairobi, I was a bit weary as to how Nairobi would be responding to such a shock. I remember arriving back in the states two and a half months after 9/11 and was taken aback by how the atmosphere felt. I’d have to say…

Buzz of Modern Day Violence

By Miel | September 17, 2013 |

Tragedy hits far too often close to home. Most recently it was considering the bombings in Boston, before attacks in Afghanistan, and today DC experiences a shooting rampage. I spent last Saturday walking along the river trail along the Anacostia that faces the Navy Yard. I spent yesterday playing softball in the beautiful eve of…

Reflective Practice

By Miel | September 16, 2013 |

I often get the feeling that I am moving so fast that I can’t keep up with my own life. Don’t get me wrong, this most often feels like a good thing. I find that the next adventure is happening before I can capture the last. I then get hung up with trying to catch…

Rotary Intro

By Miel | March 19, 2013 |

One of the most exciting and rewarding changes in my life has been becoming a Rotary International member. I was first an a Rotary Exchange Student twenty years ago, when I was bit by the travel bug and launched my nomadic tendencies. You may have seen Rotary signs around town, on various service projects, or…

End Polio Now – Rotary & Gates

By Miel | March 15, 2013 |

Today I had the fun opportunity to join in a photo op of Rotary International Members and Bill Gates, I’m just about dead center in the photo, just to the left of Gates! I first learned of Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio in 1993, as I was preparing to be a Rotary Youth Exchange…

On Call Traveler

By Miel | February 17, 2013 |

Over the last seven years I’ve become accustomed to frequent and last minute travel. I’ve had more than several month long trips come up with 48-72 hours notice. In fact I keep my passport at the office, as you never know when you’ll need to apply for a visa. With the new year I was…

Grandmother Jones