While this is an adventure, I’m actually here to work. I need to on board our new associates. So after getting settled, I was ready to dig in!

I got into Baguio Tuesday afternoon, and they weren’t expecting me in the office until Wednesday. But after taking a nap, I was ready to find out what this was all about and decided to just pop into the office and see what’s up.

I guess I should mention that I, and the team I’ll be training, will be working North American hours. Baguio is 12 hours ahead so I will be working 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM. Which is why I was ready to head to work after getting in at 3:30 in the afternoon. I should also mention MRI isn’t actually licensed in the Philippines yet, so we’re contracting with a company called ThoughtFocus to get us up and running.

There’s two ThoughtFocus offices in Baguio and on my first day, I showed up at the wrong one. Of course. Here’s the story:

Like I said they weren’t expecting me, but I just thought I’d pop in for an hour or two then go crash at the hotel. I went down to the lobby and who do I see but my driver from earlier, just hanging out. At first I thought he was just available for the hotel guest, but it turns out he was waiting for me. He asked me if I was busy and I told him I was going to work, but he wanted to introduce me to his daughter who was also just hanging out in the lobby with her son. He tells me she runs a Virtual Assistance company and wants to work for me!

I’m like, ‘I have no control over that, we’re working with ThoughtFocus’ so he offers to drive me over there anyway. Creepy, no? (told you he did not have a happy ending).

Of course, it’s the wrong office. And they were not expecting me at either office until tomorrow so at this point they just assume I’m a moron and not only call a cab but put someone else in the cab with me to make sure I get to where I need to be.

Nice first impression, no?

ANYWAY —-

The office I’ll be working from is actually just down the street from my hotel. It’s about a three minute walk once I knew where I was going

The floor looks surprising similar

And just like everything else here, it’s the same, but different

Someone messed up and gave me the corner suite. I ain’t gonna complain

But the view’s not so bad either

They welcomed me with lunch. And while I’m extremely appreciative and not one to judge, especially since I’m the outsider, I’m not sure I’m down for chicken gizzards at 2:00 am

We’ll work up to it! Everyone here is so welcoming and kind, I’m already excited to be working with them!