Traveling in “style” through Philippines, Malaysia… and Obi (#10)

I just got back from an amazing trip to Asia. I was gone for 13 days but it was really only 11 days since over 48 hours was spent flying in the air above the Pacific Ocean. It was a crazy jammed packed itinerary but probably one of my best trips ever.

Here was my crazy schedule:

Feb. 26 – 28: Fly from Los Angeles to Asia
Feb. 28: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mar. 1 – 4: Manila, Philippines
Mar. 5: Dagupan, Philippines
Mar. 6: Baguio, Philippines
Mar. 7 – 8: Manila, Philippines
Mar. 9 – 11: Kuching, Malaysia
Mar. 11: return back to USA

I traveled in style from Los Angeles to Asia this time around. I flew Cathay Pacific’s Business Class. It was awesome! It makes the traveling so much easier and even “fun”

relaxing and reading — Relaxing and reading in the chair

The chair reclines all the way down and becomes a REALLY COMFORTABLE BED! I can get 9 – 10 hours of undisturbed sleep! It makes the 14 hour flight a piece of cake

Once I was well rested on the flight, I was ready to work! Here are some highlights of my trip

FEBRUARY 28, 2009: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

stage wearing sneakers — Once I landed into Kuala Lumpur, I had exactly 3 hours to change and rush to Kuala Lumpur Convention Center to do a training in front of 1,000 people for USANA’s Malaysia Celebration. I made it in time… but with ONE BIG PROBLEM! My suitcases didn’t make it! I had to borrow clothes from my friend Ken Ong… only thing I couldn’t borrow was his shoes since we wear different sizes. Do you like my yellow Nike sneakers that I wore on stage?!

Mar. 1 – 4, 2009: Manila, Philippines

manila event — One of the highlights was attending the Lyle Macwilliams event in Manila. Lyle Macwilliams is the author of the best selling “Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements, 4th edition” by Nutrisearch. The publication is the only nutritional supplement guide that is available to the public and analyzes over 1500 different brands. It teaches consumers what to look for when they shop for nutritional supplements. Here is a photo of some of our team members that were at the event.

Each night I conducted trainings at our team headquarters. I was really impressed with the hunger and desire of the people in the Philippines. They had a great attitude and hunger to learn.

training at our condo — This is the living room in our condo. It was packed every night for our trainings. The leaders did a great job in helping their team by getting them to the events. They maximized my time well.

After a long day of work, it’s time to eat some Filipino food! This place had some good lumpia. (fried spring rolls)

These are the Dela Fuente brothers! From left to right we have Billy, Paul and RJ. Billy is a great young emerging leader. Not only is he hungry to succeed but he is humble and very easy to coach.

MAR. 4, 2009: Dagupan, Philippines

Dagupan Crew — This is the Dagupan crew… Here, John Goerlitz is with (from left to right), Warren, Jojo, Blessa, Pevs and Michael. Jojo and Blessa (husband/wife) got involved with the USANA business only after Blessa had tremendous results from using USANA’s products. Blessa had suffered from fibro mylagia and had read a book written by Dr. Ray Strand. The book recommended a regime which included USANA supplements. After taking it for a few days, her husband Jojo noticed a remarkable difference and became intrigued about the company. After learning about how remarkable USANA’s compensation plan was, Jojo decided to go full force into his USANA business.

MAR. 5, 2009: Baguio, Philippines

Traveling to Dagupan — Traveling on a 2 hour bus ride from Dagupan to Bagio was Part 2 of traveling in “style”… From going business class to riding on a bus without air conditioning! Note how we had to open the windows “all the way”

I have NO idea what this guy is doing… He seems to be holding a dead dog and using a flame torch and ??!!!

John and Simon — Gold Director John Goerlitz and I stayed at a really nice place called the Manor Hotel. Baguio is very different from Manila and the scenery and vegetation reminded me of the USA. Here we are overlooking a valley

John presentation — USANA Gold Director John Goerlitz is conducting a Health and Freedom presentation in Baguio. We had close to 30 people in attendance and the meeting was conducted in a college.

MAR. 9 – 11: Kuching, Malaysia

malaysia training — Kuching is the “city of cats” and was my 5th time there. We have an impressive leader here in Awang Moslem. I first met Awang way back in early 2006 and at that time he was busy with conducting his corporate trainings. 3 years later, he is now ready and fully committed to USANA. In this picture (from left to right), we have his leader Faizal, Awang, myself and our Gold Director in Malaysia, Ken Ong.

group in kuching — This is a start of a great group in Kuching. From left to right is Ken Ong, Awang Moslem and Faizal. Faizal is a very successful and experienced businessman in the oil/gas industry. He turned down 4 different traditional business offers to do USANA instead. He converted his Mercedez Benz into the “USANA mobile!” Can you see the custom writing on the back of his hood?!!!… I was very impressed!

usana mobile — The USANA Mobile! Have you seen a USANA Benzo before?!

I really missed Obi on my trip. Kelly had to work extra hard to take care of him while I wasn’t around. Obi is growing up FAST!!! He is almost 10 pounds now. (his max is about 15 pounds).We both love Obi very much. He has brought a ton of joy and happiness in our lives.

As I am writing this — Obi loves to lie on my lap… as I am writing this, he is lying on my lap. One of the strange things is that he likes to raise himself up and rest his head on the desk and sleep!

sleeping obi — How is he able to sleep like this?!

obi come on simon's lap — Every time I sit on the floor and cross my legs, Obi will automatically come and lay on my lap!

Kelly and obi — Obi is not too interested in this picture… He’s rather play with his other doggie friend over there!

obi waiting — He is waiting for his treat!

Simon and obi biking — I normally put more miles on my bike than on my car… so I decided to get a doggie bag so that Obi could come with me! He seems to be chilling and relaxing while I cruise around the neighborhood. We’ve done this only once so far and unfortunately Obi got some motion sickness and thew up afterwards. I think as he gets used to it, I am going to take him for longer rides and take him to the beach!

In terms of self development, I have been very interested lately in nutrition and the science behind it. (for i.e. the biochemistry, etc.) I know nutritional supplements are critical for health but why? I am starting to learn all the science and even the geeky stuff. For i.e. the difference between the various forms of Vitamin E (d/l alpha tocopherol versus d alpha tocopherol!) After reading The Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements by Lyle Macwilliams, I am considering to become a certified nutritionist in the near future.

Books I have read since the last time I wrote:
1) The Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements by Lyle Macwilliams
2) Your Best is Yet to Come by Jason Salustiano

Currently reading:
Making Millions In Direct Sales by Michael Malaghan

Until next time, God Bless!

Simon