The Story of the Linne-Laughlin Family!: Off to the Philippines!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Off to the Philippines!

Hi Everyone:

I leave early tomorrow morning and have about 32 hours of travel and lay-over time before I finally reach Cebu. Next Sunday is the team day of rest and the Vice Mayor of Cebu is treating the entire team to an Ocean Jet ride to the island of Bohol. The water is like Windex and the sand is as white as can be. The island is famous for its "Chocolate Hills" and the Tarsier (world's smallest primate, but with huge eyes!) What a treat!

Please wish me safe travels and pray that my family will be safe and secure in my absence. I really appreciate Dan and the kids for allowing me this incredible opportunity. I love you guys!

My team has been asked to blog our story as "Field Reporters." Please be sure to watch for daily updates on http://operationsmile.blogspot.com

All my love, Tracie

2 comments:

Melanie said...: Tracie,
Have a wonderful time! Looks absolutely beautiful. I am finally, finally, feeling on top of things... maybe sometime soon both of us will be over jet lag and be able to catch up on life.
Have fun!!!
Love ya,
Melanie; February 19, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Anne said...: Does anyone know where Tracie is blogging? There is nothing on the blogspot that she mentioned in this last post!

Thanks,

Anne; February 25, 2008 at 4:18 PM

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A Profound Quote From my Friend Marry

QUOTE OF THE DAY: I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make a life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a person humanized or de-humanized.If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.

DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, and together with Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival forms one of the three major Chinese holidays. Since the summer is a time when diseases most easily spread, Dragon Boat Festival began as an occasion for driving off evil spirits and pestilence and for finding peace in one's life. The festival was later enriched by the legend of the patriot Chu Yuan. Dragon Boat Festival is highlighted by the dragon boat races, in which competing teams drive their boats forward rowing to the rhythm of pounding drums. This lively and colorful tradition has continued unbroken for centuries to the present day. The festival's significance as a time for warding off evil and disease is symbolized by a number of customary practices such as hanging calamus and moxa on the front door, and pasting up pictures of Chung Kuei (a nemesis of evil spirits). Adults drink hsiung huang wine and children are given fragrant sachets, both of which are said to possess qualities for preventing evil and bringing peace.