I've been planning this Phil. trip at least two years but I haven't been thinking about it because
a). I would be very very very very very very verrrrrrrry distracted
b). I wouldn't be able to concentrate because I'm distracted
c). I wouldn't function because I couldn't concentrate due to the distraction
d). All of the above
This morning I was in Greensburg and all throughout this week, I've been packing. I got home I helped my parents unload the car. I brought all my stuff in my room and organized so when I get back I would know where to find things. And just as I'm unpacking some of my school clothes, I'm packing things to bring to the Phil. islands.
I have lots of technology to bring. Last week I talked to SHU professors and staff about digital cameras and camcorders. I sought their advice. My bro got all these last week (this was his Christmas, and birthday gift for five years, and also my early graduation gift). The digital camera is strictly mine but the camcorder is for the whole family. I also took the advice of Prof. Jerz and got a digital voice recorder. With all these techs, I'm tempted to buy some type of MP3 player for music (my money- the one I've been saving up).
I'm a bit intimidated by these high tech gadgets. They feel so James Bondish/Alias. I feel like I'm going to break them. The camcorder is the size of my palm and the digital cam. is just a tad bit smaller than the camcorder. The digital voice recorder has 33 hours, it's smaller than the digital camera, and it has a clip-- like a pen-- so I can put it in my shirt pocket. All of them (excluding the battery and tape accesories for the camcorder) can fit in this little hand bag that is smaller than my old and heavy camcorder.
I'm happy with all of them. The digital camera has so much option, I hope I don't miss kodak moments because I couldn't decide the mode.
Because I've numbed myself for years (not to feel excited about this trip), I'm experiencing the backlash. I'm realizing that things are happening really quickly. Today, Monday- I'm shopping for some essentials and then I'm taking out some cash from my savings account. I have to finish packing, make sure I don't forget anything. I have an orthodontis appointment to adjust my retainers (will only last for 15 minutes). I'm meeting my HS friend in ardmore, then after this I'm going to try to meet my gradeschool friend, and then go to Best Buy with my bro and buy a cheap version of ipod. Get home, download the music and finalize packing.
tentative Schedule
May 16- Leave Phila.
May 17- Arrive in the Phil. Manila Shopping
May 20- Lola During's b-day, Taal Lake excursion
May 22- Manila: Intramuros Mindanoa Arts Festival, National Library, Manila Bay Sunset, Phil Cultural Center, 'Nayong Pilipino'
May 28- Blessing of school, A Hundred Island excursion (Tito Ray's family)
June 6- one week stay at cousin's university in Los Banos
June 14ish- 'Banauie' Rice Terrece excursion and Baguio City (buy hat)
Junish- Boracay Island
July 9- Cousin's Debut
July 14ish- Stay at kindergarden try to do mural
July-ish- Hiking at Mt. Pico de Loro
Rest of July until departure in mid-August- organize, get head straight, assimilate, document, spend hard earn money, spend more time with family, go food shopping, buy 'americana and barong'
But for now, I have to sleep, long day today!
Posted by Michael Diezmos at May 15, 2006 2:04 AM