PREVIOUSLY, ON ADMIN . . . (AUGUST)

ADMIN / LLDD-HYPHEN-L / LLDD-BABY / LONDON LIVING HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR

And so we've finally returned to where I left off - at the back end of the greatest summer spectacle of sport the UK had ever seen.  All together now: Para, Para, Paralympics!!!

Personally, the Paralympics delivered more unforgettable memories and experiences than the main games. The Olympics were spectacular, of course, but so too were the corresponding logistic, ticket and transport issues.  The Paralympics, on the other hand, were much more straightforward, easygoing, and downright enjoyable.  I credit several things:

• The organizers and liaisons seemed nicer/less stressed-out this time around, which made for easy access and good times with the Philippine team    

 although I see the organizers ignored my advice to go with "Mabuhay" and still resorted to Google Translate

• The Philippine Paralympians were more competitive and successful - breaking records and coming close to medalling in several events - which in turn generated greater media coverage and exposure

I mean...wow.

• This was just a sidelight, but how cool was it that "Friends" timed the "More Fun in the Philippines"  London campaign with the games  

Gold, Silver, Fun!

• Two words: Day Passes.  At the Olympics, you'd be lucky to get a single ticket to a single event.  At the Paralympics, the family bounced around the whole day in the village and took in as many sports and sights on offer as we could.

We even got to witness a world record being smashed (above), which would have been the most awesome thing ever, but for . . . 

• Wheelchair Rugby, a.k.a., MURDERBALL.  

Marauding teams on Mad Max-like modified wheels?  Captain America's shield rims? Hits so violent chairs become welded together? Power tools and a vulcanizing station on the team benches?  Metal as ****, man.       

Paradise indeed.  Took me a year's worth of admin to recover.

PREVIOUSLY, ON ADMIN . . . (SEPTEMBER)

ADMIN HIGHLIGHT-OF-THE-MONTH

As early as cadetship, FSOs are told of a few certainties to expect when posted abroad -- an extra Three Pillars of Philippine Foreign policy, if you will:

1) You will toss the opening jump-ball at a basketball liga

2) You will be asked cut a ceremonial ribbon and deliver a "inspirational message" at a barrio fiesta.

3) You will crown a beauty queen.

Numbers 1 and 2 I did almost immediately upon arriving in the UK, and many times over since then. On the other hand, I waited and waited and waited, saw more than half my tour-of-duty pass by, and lost all hope of ever seeing Number 3.

That is, until....

Mrs. Glamour Philippines-UK 2012, you complete me!!!!

Colourful costumes, enjoyable song and dance numbers, and highly entertaining question-and-answer portions -- and for a good cause, to boot.   On a wonderful and fun evening like this, everyone's a winner.     

Literally

(shout out to 'Mrs. Attentive' and 'Mrs. Courageous'!) 

         

  

LLDD-HYPHEN-L / LLDD-BABY HIGHLIGHT-OF THE-MONTH

It occurred to the LLDD-Hyphen-L and me that, more than halfway through my tour-of-duty, we hadn't really seen as much of the rest of the UK as we should have.  So some quickie plans were made and we found ourselves off to lovely Liverpool.  If you're wondering why there of all places, well, obvs....

• It's ground zero for Beatlemania . . .

 

 

 

• It's a beautiful and happenin' city in its own right . . .

 

• it's the Hen Party capital of the world (or sure seems like it; I swear, we spotted one every 50 yards, night or day)

 Afterwards, they all signed up for Mrs. Glamour UK 2013