Where do I start?

The days are getting closer and closer to my vacation in the Philippines. There are so many things to take care of before I leave but I didn’t think I’ve done anything at all. You know how it is when you have so many things to do and you don’t know which one to take care first. I’m eagerly waiting for my last day at work. I need time to pack stuff, do some cleaning around before we leave this place in the next few weeks or so, shop a little bit more for our vacation and drive up again to Bull Shoals to take a look at the houses that we’re going to rent for at least 6 months. That’s not an exhaustive list of our things to do but I already feel stressed out even just thinking about it.

I try to think more about my Philippine vacation though. It’s my first after leaving the Philippines two years ago and I wonder what’s it like when I go back home. Have I been acclimated enough here in the U.S. that I’d be bothered with the muggy Philippine weather and the absence of hot water? Would I feel safe riding on a jeep knowing too well that I could be at risk of getting mugged? I thought about these things but I won’t let it get in the way of my plan to enjoy this vacation. I miss riding on jeepneys, eating at Jollibee, strolling around SM and Ayala and even taking a bath (the Filipino way) on cold water. I remember when I first got here, I sometimes get confused on how to use the shower faucets. I was so used to using "tabo" and "balde" back home. Even when we move to an apartment with a shower, I still prefer using a pail and a dipper. So when I move here, I couldn’t get myself acquainted easily with how to blend the water especially when we stay at hotels on our travels so I’d always ask hubby to set the right water temperature for me and I would call him when I’m done so he could turn it off, lol! It was quite an experience and I’ve always had fun reminiscing my “ignoy” moments.