Austin, TX (GMT- 6)

The end of a very busy 3 days...  just sitting here at the airport regretting the fact that I, Tom Lansdale, did not bring a camera along with me on a trip for the 1st time since I can't remember when! I'll make up for it next week when I'm back in town for 3 more days.

I feel the need to state upfront that this blog is intended to capture my thoughts, observations and highlights of my travels abroad and those people I'll meet and the experiences I'll have along the way.  Having said that it will be difficult not to mention, on occasion, those business colleagues of mine I'll be meeting and working with while I'm at specific Dell locations here in the US and APJ - which will help me with the context of my travels.  In order to protect the innocent, I'll use only first names. :-)

Got in a lot of work - I have a lot of ongoing review and study to do prior to leaving on my extended trip - and there's much more on the horizon to get into.  Spent most of the 3 days with my colleagues Fred, Scott, Roy and Tim in small rooms with no windows getting 'in briefed', to as much as they could provide Fred and I with, as to those personnel and projects of interest in our regions.  Was extremely beneficial.

Also got to spend time with 2 of my regional team members who are in training this week from NY and Alberta, CA:  Rick and Shane. Did dinner and coffee.  Enjoyed the opportunity.

Side note:  I was somewhat preoccupied while in RR with gathering up those items required to apply for and obtain my entry Visa for travel into China - have never had to do this on my own before.  All the details as to my travel plans/itinerary were unknown to me until this past Tuesday therefore, contributing to this 'mini-fire drill.'  I brought everything needed to complete said Visa application with me from New Jersey.  I was quite dependent - uncomfortably so - on receiving timely supporting letters from my China and internal contacts in order to complete the necessary application package, not to mention providing proof of my intended travel via hotel confirmations.  I was quite relieved to have finally FedEx'd my package to our partner vendor that provides this service for us, CIBT, early on Wednesday morning.  I look forward to getting my Passport back with Visa next week - or I won't be going to China on Sunday, 10/31.