It has almost been a month since I started writing the article below for this blog. I was writing about how I was feeling about the turn of events. But as more information came in how COVID19 was turning the lives of people and economies of the whole world I felt a pang of guilt. My feelings of being inconvenienced from my usual schedule and sadness of being laid off is nothing compared to the feelings of all the frontliners: healthcare workers & its supply-chain workers, military, volunteers, and food-chain supply workers. My feelings are nothing compared to the families of those who lost loved ones. My feelings are nothing compared to those who are currently battling COVID19, not knowing if they will survive. My feelings are nothing compared to those people who are on the streets and are exposed to the disease. My feelings are nothing compared to those who do not have access to healthcare, to stimulus, to transportation and to food.
For the many days, I knew someone who lost someone. Until one day as I woke up condolences where being posted for a long time friend. We called him Tata which is short for Tatay the Filipino word for father. I immediately messaged my friend in the Philippines who like me were spoiled by Tata. We reminisced mountain adventures together where Tata happily drove us to our destinations. I had been telling myself that my feelings were nothing compared to what others were going through. But this time because of Tata's passing, I allowed me to grieve. Don't let anyone tell his girlfriend, his family, friends or me he is in a better place now or to think positive. Let us grieve. Respect the grieving.
Sometime 1994, I was crying my heart out and wondering why God had forgotten me. In the faintest whisper of the wind, I heard these words; "Look around you Eve, don't I show you these beautiful sights?". For there I was on a Skorpios Cruise ship, sailing thru the Chilean Fjords towards the 30,000 year old San Rafael Glacier. My life did not turn around magically, but how I viewed life certainly did.It is also the reason I enjoy the outdoors. It brings me back to that time when I connected with the almighty. The reason why on a bike ride my 3 hour activity records 1.5 hour moving time because I spend so much time stopping taking a picture of yet another wildflower, or trying to capture a photo of another bird. Taking time to enjoy the sights and sound of the scenery. I am thankful for the parks that are still open and after many hours of reflection I am able to share the story below. This is just one story, of the many stories of how COVID19 has impacted the whole world.
For the many days, I knew someone who lost someone. Until one day as I woke up condolences where being posted for a long time friend. We called him Tata which is short for Tatay the Filipino word for father. I immediately messaged my friend in the Philippines who like me were spoiled by Tata. We reminisced mountain adventures together where Tata happily drove us to our destinations. I had been telling myself that my feelings were nothing compared to what others were going through. But this time because of Tata's passing, I allowed me to grieve. Don't let anyone tell his girlfriend, his family, friends or me he is in a better place now or to think positive. Let us grieve. Respect the grieving.
Sometime 1994, I was crying my heart out and wondering why God had forgotten me. In the faintest whisper of the wind, I heard these words; "Look around you Eve, don't I show you these beautiful sights?". For there I was on a Skorpios Cruise ship, sailing thru the Chilean Fjords towards the 30,000 year old San Rafael Glacier. My life did not turn around magically, but how I viewed life certainly did.It is also the reason I enjoy the outdoors. It brings me back to that time when I connected with the almighty. The reason why on a bike ride my 3 hour activity records 1.5 hour moving time because I spend so much time stopping taking a picture of yet another wildflower, or trying to capture a photo of another bird. Taking time to enjoy the sights and sound of the scenery. I am thankful for the parks that are still open and after many hours of reflection I am able to share the story below. This is just one story, of the many stories of how COVID19 has impacted the whole world.
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On the 1st week of March activities were ramping up in the preparation of the big event in the hotel I worked for. As Chair of the Marketing Committee of our local travel association I was able to secure the March Membership meeting to be hosted in our “just out of a $40 million renovation hotel”. It was going to be an amazing event with the CEO of Visit California as the main speaker. A welcome video message from our hotel group CEO was being prepared. Our global sales team was arriving from out of state to grace the event. I was also getting calls from travel marketers (TMCs) who were making hotel reservations to stay overnight to attend the event. I had all my marketing materials ready: collateral, giveaways, free stay and restaurant certificates.
On mid-afternoon
March 6th, I got the email that the Santa Clara County was disallowing gatherings of 1,000 or more. Although, the membership meeting would only be 130
guaranteed guests, it was thought prudent by the travel board to postpone the event in
the interest of the safety of all. I immediately informed my Director of Sales
and my General Manager and before I could reach the door of his office, I heard my GM summon me. My GM shaking his head, instructed me to inform our corporate office and hold-off
all preparations.
I got calls and
emails from the travel/hospitality community stating their sadness over the cancellation of
the event. COVID19 as it is now known has been in the news. But the Santa Clara
County’s announcement and the subsequent cancellation of the event made us realize how close it was to home. I guess we thought we can all still
function in front of all the challenges related to COVID19.
 |
I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my sense put in order. |
I felt a cloud of sadness
hung over me. My mind went into overdrive. People are going to lose their jobs!
And for how long? I was going to Point Reyes and backpack to Coast Camp, knowing
this lightened up my spirits. I’ve always mentioned that “Jesus prayed outside”.
Among articles I have read on this, this article seem to cover it (Click on the
link): Where Jesus Prayed . I focused on the beauty around me; taking photos of the
flowers and buds signaling spring is here. I focused on the wide expanse of
beautiful, serene scenery. I simply enjoy walking into a forest, hiking up an
elevation and camping out near the ocean. Watching the sunset fascinated by its
colors while the crashing of the ocean waves into the shore is music to my ears. I
was alone watching the sunset, as the group opted to stay at the campsite for
happy hour. It was bliss being able to enjoy the sunset in solitude.
Monday – March 9th
I was back at work. I was hearing from my clients that they were going to work
remote. Wednesday – March 11th I was speaking to a group of European
in-house guests while they were having breakfast. That day the US announced
barring entry of all foreign nationals from China, Iran and a group of European
countries. I was still hopeful as I had a long term-guest arriving for a 2-week
stay.
 |
| “Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson |
Friday – March 13th,
we issued an invite for cocktails on April 2nd, a mini-version of our postponed
grand event. Surely, this will be all over by April. I had positive response on
the invite. Once again, got people to look forward to something positive. I was
also arranging an amenity for a very supportive client who is going to our
sister hotel in Missouri. She was attending the Pokemon Convention, how fun!
Monday March 16th,
the shelter-in-place warning was issued. I had to retract the invite that I had
just sent out for April 2nd. The
Pokemon convention was also cancelled but at this point all events all over the
area have been cancelled. In the sales office it was all quiet. By Tuesday –
March 17th, our buffet breakfast was suspended. By Wednesday – March 18th, we got the
announcement of reduction to 4-day weeks. For the moment we are safe, for how
long remains to be seen. Other hotels have shut-down and employees laid-off
including our sister 5-star hotel in downtown San Francisco. Laying-off workers
is acceptable as the workers can apply for unemployment insurance. Thursday –
March 19th, I filed my sick leave for Friday – March 20th,
as a recovery of the wage lost.
 |
| “If you want to be reminded of the love of the Lord, just watch the sunrise.”
― |
Friday – March 20th
my phone alarm woke me up. But it was so cold at 38F that I did not feel like
getting up. I call this mind over mattress. Debating whether I should get back
and hit the Mission Peak trail or stay in. I enjoy hiking Mission Peak to watch
the sunrise or the sunset. One trailhead is 11 miles from my home. This trail
is 5.8 miles roundtrip and rated as difficult with an elevation gain of 2,135
feet. Once at the peak it provides a 360 view and on a good day you can see as
far as the Dumbarton Bridge and the waters of the wildlife refuge and the other
side provides a view of the Ohlone Wilderness and other regional parks that
connect to it. My best time is 2.5 hours on a wide trail that is heavily
trafficked. More reason that I prefer sunrise or sunset because there are less
hikers at that time.
My mind prevailed and
I needed to keep moving and get my endorphins going. I enjoy the outdoors. Being
outdoors leads me to meditation and prayer. Wasn’t it in Chile amongst the
icebergs that I heard God speak? It also makes me appreciate the simplest of
beauty as a poppy flower’s orange color further illuminated by the rays of the rising
sun. It was still dark when I started my hike, and I heard coyote calls. But
knowing that there were other hikers calmed me down a bit. It was cold but no
wind and that helped a lot. I was well suited for the cold hike with 2 layers
of clothing, a microfiber vest, a down vest and a rain jacket. I walk this
trail without a light even in a dimmest of light of the moon. Once you reach
the first bench the brightness of the city lights illumines the trail. By 7:04
I had passed the trail crossing from the Ohlone side saying, “Hi to a few cows”.
The orange hues of the sun peeking out from the mountain range beyond. At 1900
feet, the fifth bench I paused briefly to marvel at the peak before me. Final
push to the summit, the hardest part but amazed at the kaleidoscope of colors
amidst the beautiful green scenery and shadows of other hikers. Psalm 121: 1-2,
1 I lift my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 My help
comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
 |
“If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment.” Carlos Santana |
There is not much we
can do but ride in the storm of life. Let us do our part and listen to our
earthly leaders. At the same time holding on to the promises of our Divine Father - + Psalm 46:10 He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." + Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. ... + Psalm 62:5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.
Thursday - March 26th At 9 AM I was on the phone calling my clients, wishing everyone well. I was getting updates from them to hear t he status of their business and prognosis on the effect of COVID19. Sad to hear about friends being laid off and furloughed. Then the inevitable happened. Our Director of Sales and our General Manager tried so hard to keep us running. We knew it. All their closed door meetings and conference calls with our corporate office.
Today we were told that we were going to close the hotel. We were all understanding of the situation but our hearts were broken. But for the long-term viability of the hotel we had to shutdown. We were given all that was due us. We help shutdown the hotel. In a way, we got to know every inch of the hotel we would not have otherwise known.
We are now officially laid off. This way we could apply for our unemployment insurance. I called my clients to update them on the news. Other hotels have shutdown earlier than we did. Our own shutdown, though not surprising was unwelcome news.
I am thankful for our bosses who tried their best to keep us open but without any guests coming in it certainly did not make financial sense to stay open. I am thankful for those who immediately went on LinkedIn to write me recommendations. I am thankful for the provisions until we get back to work. What are my plans? Only God knows. Proverbs 16:9 - A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Related articles:
Productivity is not working by Laurie Penny
Anderson Cooper of 60 minutes Addressing the strain the coronavirus has put on America's food supply chain with Jose Andres
earthly leaders. At the same time holding on to the promises of our Divine Father - + Psalm 46:10 He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." + Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. ... + Psalm 62:5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.
Thursday - March 26th At 9 AM I was on the phone calling my clients, wishing everyone well. I was getting updates from them to hear t he status of their business and prognosis on the effect of COVID19. Sad to hear about friends being laid off and furloughed. Then the inevitable happened. Our Director of Sales and our General Manager tried so hard to keep us running. We knew it. All their closed door meetings and conference calls with our corporate office.
 |
| “The secret to a good morning is to watch the sunrise with an open heart.”
― |
Today we were told that we were going to close the hotel. We were all understanding of the situation but our hearts were broken. But for the long-term viability of the hotel we had to shutdown. We were given all that was due us. We help shutdown the hotel. In a way, we got to know every inch of the hotel we would not have otherwise known.
We are now officially laid off. This way we could apply for our unemployment insurance. I called my clients to update them on the news. Other hotels have shutdown earlier than we did. Our own shutdown, though not surprising was unwelcome news.
I am thankful for our bosses who tried their best to keep us open but without any guests coming in it certainly did not make financial sense to stay open. I am thankful for those who immediately went on LinkedIn to write me recommendations. I am thankful for the provisions until we get back to work. What are my plans? Only God knows. Proverbs 16:9 - A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Productivity is not working by Laurie Penny
Anderson Cooper of 60 minutes Addressing the strain the coronavirus has put on America's food supply chain with Jose Andres
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